• Roy C. Ketcham High School:  2024-2025

     

    Mrs. Manzo & Mrs. Caparco                                              Team Life Science - Biology Regents

    Contact: shannon.manzo@wcsdny.org                                                     Credits:  1.00   Rank Weight:  1.00

    Contact: jamie.caparco@wcsdny.org                                                          Prerequisites:  Completion of Science 8R & Math 8R

    Office Number:  (845)298-5100 ext. 31069 (Manzo)                               Textbook:  Biology NYS Prentice Hall

    Office Number:  (845)298-5100 ext. 31069 (Caparco)                                           

    Classroom:  262                                                                                        

     

    The Life Science-Biology is a New York State Regents course that requires extensive study time in the classroom, laboratory, and at home.  Learning will take place both individually and in cooperative classroom environment, with an emphasis placed on performance and problem solving techniques.

     

    Course Goals & Objectives:

    1. To learn, at a basic level, about living systems.
    2. To prepare for the Regents Exam in the Life Science.
    3. To develop or enhance a good system of organization and self-discipline.
    4. To develop or enhance good listening skills through a note-taking system.
    5. To develop or enhance good reading and study techniques.
    6. To improve writing and interpretive skills through laboratory processes.

     

    Grading:

         All work (tests, quizzes, homework, lab reports & class participation) will be assigned points based on the amount of work required to complete each assignment and weighted per category. 

     

    Evaluation:  Students will be evaluated each quarter through various means:

     

                Student Class Performance                 Quizzes & Tests                                                                                  Homework Assignments                     Laboratory Reports

                                                    Extra Credit Projects

        

    Final Course Grade:

              First Marking Period = 25%         Second Marking Period = 25%       Third Marking Period = 25%

              Fourth Marking Period = 25% 

     

    Lab Requirements:

    New York State Regents dictates that any student not completing the required 1200 laboratory minutes will be barred from the Regents exam in June and will result in course failure. In addition, the student will not be eligible for summer school.  All lab work must be completed by the student each quarter or a failing grade will result for the quarter.  Students that are failing by the end of the second marking period, due to lab work not being done on time, will be sent a warning letter home informing you of the possibility of being barred from the Regents Exam due to lack of lab minutes.  This could then lead to the possibility of course failure. Simply put, the completion of lab work is not optional; it is the essential learning mechanism for this course.  Note: All labs missed due to absences are to be made up within one week of the return to school.

     

     

    Homework:

    Homework will be assigned as needed to help reinforce the topic being covered.  A folder will be designated to turn in assignments.  The assignments are to be turned into the folder the day they are due.  Late homework assignments will not be accepted, unless they are due to absence, which then must be made up within a few days of return to class.

     

    WCSD Cheating Policy:

    The District recognizes all policies and procedures required by NYSED for instances of cheating on all New York State Assessments. For class assigned work or local assessments a grade of zero may be given to any student who gives or receives information, including electronically, on any form of a test, quiz, homework,

    assignment or lab.

     

     

    WCSD Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy:

    The use of AI for the sole purpose of fulfilling class assigned work or assessments is strictly prohibited. Any person found to be using AI to generate responses to class assignments or assessments, with the goal of increasing that grade shall take the penalty of cheating. A student may appeal the grade to the Principal and/or Building Administrator. In addition to the range of possible disciplines listed in the Disciplinary Measures table of this code of conduct, penalties for cheating will be at the discretion of the Building Administrator and the Classroom Teacher.

     

     

    WCSD Cell Phone Usage Policy:

    It is the policy of the Wappingers Central School District that students in grades 9-12 are

    allowed to carry smart devices during school hours and on school vehicles. However, during instructional times, students are prohibited from possessing smart devices on their person. Smart devices must be stored in a school bag or another location determined by the staff member in charge of that location. Any student who knowingly possesses a smart device on his/her person during an instructional period without permission, will be considered insubordinate and subject to the Student Code of Conduct. It is the policy of the Wappingers Central School District that the use of personal cell phones and other electronic devices is not permitted by students in grades 9-12 at any time in specific common areas; locker rooms, bathrooms, gym class, the auditorium, cafeteria, and classrooms (except for instructional purposes, and only at the discretion of the teacher), and hallways. Our High Schools will utilize lockable phone pouches as a deterrent for students who violate our cell phone expectations. Students who receive a referral for Cell Phone / Electronic Device Violation will, at the discretion of Building Administration, be required to store their device in a pouch for the duration of the school day. The device, locked in the school provided pouch will remain with the student for the day to ensure it is not lost or damaged by the school, and the student will be responsible for having the pouch unlocked prior to dismissal from school. For safety reasons the use of headphones or earbuds outside of classrooms or designated areas is strictly prohibited.

     

     

    Student Requirements:

     

    • Attendance is mandatory (8 periods per 6-day cycle) - any work missed due to absence is the student’s responsibility.  The student is expected to make up all work missed during a legal absence within the same number of days (after her/his return) as the absence period.  Any work not made up results in a zero.
    • The student must be on time and prepared for all classes and labs.
    • A student may not be absent from class for guidance, library, appointments with other teachers or social workers, etc. - this will be considered a cut from Biology class.
    • Each student should have a separate 3 ring loose-leaf notebook for Biology to keep notes, homework and handouts. 
    • The student must bring a 3-ring loose-leaf notebook and/or spiral notebook, pen or pencil to class each day!
    • It is recommended that each student spend 10-20 minutes per evening in a conscientious manner studying Biology.  This time may include rewriting notes, writing labs, reading the text, completing student worksheets, writing vocabulary terms, self quizzes, etc.

    Student Requirements:

     

    • The student is expected to be courteous and respectful of the teacher and your classmates at all times.  Being respectful includes:
        • No foul language.
        •  If you have a comment or question, raise your hand and wait to be recognized.
        • One person talks at a time.  Please listen carefully to what is being said by both the teacher and your fellow students.
        • Be in your seat when the bell rings at the start of class and at the end of class - I will dismiss you.

     

    CONDUCT:

     

    We will be working within the confines of a cooperative learning classroom and mature, responsible behavior is expected at all times.  Students will COOPERATE if they wish to remain in the classroom setting.  Certain labs require the use of sharp objects and/or chemicals.  Hence, there is absolutely no tolerance given to horseplay or other immature behavior.

     

     

    Materials Needed Every Day:

    • Daily Planner
    • 3 Ring loose-leaf binder with paper and/or Spiral Notebook
    • Folder(s)
    • Pens or pencils

     

    We look forward to a fun and successful year of Biology,

     

     

    Mrs. Manzo and Mrs. Caparco

     

     

     

     

    Please read this outline and indicate that you have done so by your signature.

     

     

    Student: _________________________________________________________Date:_______________

     

     

    Parent/Guardian: __________________________________________________Date:_______________