Supplies for Daily Class*:

Notebook with paper for notes

Paper for completing homework problems

TI 84+ calculator

Pencils and an ink pen for checking homework

Binder for storing notes and homework

*It’s always nice to have a few sheets of graph paper ready for use as well as a ruler or some other straightedge. You will be glad you have it when the time comes!

The Saint Agnes Academy Upper School Math Department is located in the Buckman Math and Science Building. The teacher web sites indicated above contain specific course information, calendars, and notes. The following is an explanation of department-wide policies.

Honor Code and Classroom Conduct

Any instance of lying, cheating, stealing, inappropriate collaboration, or plagiarism will be reported to the Honor Council.

Inappropriate collaboration consists of copying the work or answer for a problem with little or no effort to understand the process.

The consequences of inappropriate classroom behavior will be  a negative comment on the student's grade report. A student with a negative comment will not earn recognition on the Dean’s or Honor’s List for the grading period.

MLA Heading for all Documents / Homework

Math Department Homework Policy

Homework completion is essential for success in a mathematics course. The math department believes regular, daily practice of mathematics is the best way to prepare for chapter and semester exams. Cramming for mathematics tests is counter-productive. Homework is the student’s opportunity to practice the math skills discussed in class by the teacher and student. For this reason, assignments will always be relevant to the subject matter. Homework will not be used  as punishment. Furthermore, while homework may be assigned over  a short holiday, it will not be assigned at the end of a semester or over a long holiday.

WebAssign Department Policy:

1. 1. 1. Homework will allow for 5 attempts for each problem. Work for each problem must be turned in for credit to be received.
      

   2. 2. Quizzes will allow for 3 attempts for each problem.
      

   3. 3. Tests will allow for 1 attempt for each problem.
      

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Tests:

1. 1. Tests are designed to be completed using an entire  50 minute class period.  Students are encouraged to improve their test taking time by practicing effective  test-taking strategies.
      

   2. 
      

2. Make Up Work Policy
   

1.The responsibility for making up work missed rests solely with the student.  Short-term absences and/or missing class for any reason do not relieve the student of her responsibility for completed assignments and test preparation when she returns.  The student should check teacher websites for all details.  Upon the day of return, the student must see each teacher for work assigned when the student missed class.

2. 2.When a student returns to class, she will be allowed one day to make up work per day of absence.  Assigned work not made up within the allotted specified time frame will result in a grade of zero.  A test, homework, quizzes, and papers not made up within this time frame** will result in a grade of zero.
   

3. 3.Make-ups for prolonged absences will be handled among the student, her teachers, and the counselor.
   

1. ★In accordance with school policy (Section K of the Student Handbook):
   

· A student who comes to class without assigned work and who has not been absent the previous day receives a zero for that assignment.

Make Up Quiz / Test**  Policy

1. 1. The Math Department will conduct test and quiz make up sessions on Tuesday mornings from 7 am to 7:50 am and Thursday afternoons from 3:25 p.m. until 4:15 p.m.
   

2. 2. Make up tests and quizzes will not be made up at any other time than those indicate above.
   

3. 3. A student who has missed a quiz or test will have one cycle of make ups from the date of her return to school to make up the assessment. Failure to make up the assessment within one cycle of make ups ( Tue. am or Thur. p.m.) will result in  a grade of zero for that assessment.
   

4. 4. The Math Department reserves the right to administer an essay form of the make-up test or quiz. 
   

5. 5. Failure to show for a scheduled make up will result in a grade of zero for the assessment.
   

Policy for Major Projects

1. 1. Projects are due in class on or before the due date indicated by the teacher. These dates are published on the school’s Test and Project Calendar (see link above.)
   

2. 2.Students are encouraged to complete their projects and turn them in to the teacher as early as possible in order to avoid unexpected delays.
   

3. 3. Failure to turn in a project on its due date will result in a 10 percentage point deduction each day for up to 5 days (weekends included.) A grade of zero will be recorded after the 5th day the project is late.
   

Math Proficiency Test

Each student must pass the Math Proficiency Test in order to graduate from SAA. The test is a non-calculator test covering basic mathematical operations using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and percents. Each 9th grade class will take this test once during a regular class period. If a student does not pass the test with 70% or higher, she must re-take the test until she does pass.  See the section below on the department make-up testing policy.

Extra Credit Policy

The teachers at St. Agnes Academy have laid out an appropriate amount of work to illustrate the content of each course.  With this in mind, no teacher will create extra credit opportunities based on request.  However, this does not mean that the student wishing to go farther than the planned class content cannot seek satisfaction.  Such a student can inquire about any information regarding optional work through the SEEK Independent Study Program.  Many teachers add bonus questions to tests or quizzes.  When extra credit options exist, they are projects or participatory opportunities announced by the teacher either in the course description or on the teacher website.  It is never appropriate for a student having difficulty to ask a teacher “What can I do for extra credit?”  She should already be aware of such opportunities for that course.

Mu Alpha Theta (Click HERE to visit the Mu Alpha Theta Web page)

Mu Alpha Theta is a national mathematics organization “dedicated to inspiring an interest in mathematics, developing a strong scholarship in the subject, and promoting the enjoyment of mathematics among high school students.”  Membership in Mu Alpha Theta is based upon high achievement in college preparatory mathematics courses. The sponsor of Mu Alpha Theta is Mrs. Cox.

Mu Alpha Theta members are available for tutoring with any student who wishes to seek help. The tutoring is free of charge and may take place before or after school in the Cybrary or during STAR period in Buckman 103.  Contact Mrs. Cox each MONDAY at scox@saa-sds.org to set up a tutor for the coming Thursday.

Rita Ross Scholarship - Completed Applications Due by the 2nd Tuesday in April.

Rita Ross was a former SAA math teacher.  She was much loved and respected by students and faculty alike.  The Rita Ross Memorial Scholarship is endowed in her honor. The $1000 scholarship is a non-renewable scholarship given each year to a rising Junior who, among other things, demonstrates a love for mathematics in her academic work. Part of the application process requires an essay discussing the applicant's interest in math. The essay should be on the topic: How Mathematics Describes Who I Am. An application may be downloaded by clicking on the link:  Scholarship App.doc

  

Departmental Awards:

The Math Department Awards are given at the end of each school year to the students who qualify as the “best performer” in their math course.

A student who is considered the best performer exhibits the following qualities:

1. She is committed to learning the material presented in the classroom.
   

2. She is an independent learner.
   

3. She has the maturity and drive to extend the learning beyond the classroom.
   

4. She is respectful in the classroom.
   

5. She takes responsibility for learning the assigned material.
   

Summer Opportunities for Math and Science - Check these web sites often starting in March and April for registration information!

Girls Experiencing Engineering (GEE)

Girls in Manufacturing (GIM)