“Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource”

– John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Mr. Gorsuch – Room D23

AP STATISTICS

Policies and Procedures

Contact Information for Mr. Gorsuch

By e-mail (preferred method) sgorsuch@pleasanton.k12.us.ca

By voice mail – 461-7515

Website - Follow links FOOTHILL HIGH > FACULTY > GORSUCH

MAJOR CLASS RULES – FOOTHILL BASICS ARE TO BE RESPECTED

Positive consequences for following class rules –ability to have fun while we learn, more possibilities of group work and activities, a great math education!

Negative consequences may include (NOT necessarily in this order) – contacting your parent/guardian, teacher detention, assignment of cleaning duties for our classroom…and in severe cases a free (all expense paid) one way trip to the Vice Principal’s office.

Grading Scale Composition of Grade (Semester 1)

97-100 A+ 73-76 C Homework / Class work – 15%

93-96 A 70-72 C- Group Quizzes – 10%

90-92 A- 67-69 D+ Chapter Tests – 55%

87-89 B+ 63-66 D Final Exam – 20%

83-86 B 60-62 D- Projects – Discussed Below

80-82 B- < 60 F

77-79 C+

I will update your grades on a timely basis after each chapter to give you an idea of how you are doing.
Sorry, no test retakes will be allowed.
Please keep all your work so that both you have a reference of your work and if we disagree on your grade you will have evidence of your scores.
Sorry, my grading scale does NOT include extra credit. Also, be forewarned that I DO NOT ROUND UP GRADES (79.9% is a C+).
Note – Projects assigned during the course of the semester are included in the either the HOMEWORK or TEST category for grading purposes. This will be made clear to you before you complete the project.

Calculator

For this class you will need a TI-83 (plus) or a TI-89 calculator (I highly recommend the TI-83 (plus) - I highly DISCOURAGE the TI-86). You should plan on bringing yours to class every day so that we can put lists and programs into YOUR calculator for possible future use.

Homework Guidelines

1. Name, period number and date should be on the upper right hand corner. You should clearly mark the page number, assignment and problem numbers. It is NOT necessary to copy the problem, but your work should make it easy to refer to the problem in the book.

2. The nature of the AP STAT Exam is to ask for complete answers to questions. Answers need to be in the form of complete sentences within the context of the problem. This is different for you than most other math classes where a simple numerical answer would suffice.

3. Naturally, you should SHOW ALL WORK in a neat and organized fashion.

4. IMPORTANT – I do NOT accept blank answers. YOU MUST ASK A CLARIFYING QUESTION WHEN YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND A QUESTION.

5. Homework is collected on a random basis and is due at the beginning of class.

Make-up Tests/Quizzes

Make-up for tests/quizzes is mandatory and your responsibility.
These must be made up within one week of an excused absence either before or after school by appointment with the teacher.
Just to reiterate, class time will not be allowed for make-up tests.
If you participate in school activities you must make prior arrangements (before the activity) to take the test. Warning – vacations are classified as school activities with regard to homework and test policies.
Please realize that make-up Tests will be comparable but can be significantly different than the original exam.

Tardies

1. You are considered tardy if you are not in class and sitting quietly and ready to work at the posted time for the start of class.

2. If you are late to class, please sign the clipboard and leave your admit slip there quietly and go to your seat.

3. Unexcused tardies are not appropriate. On the third unexcused tardy you will be assigned a teacher detention. On your fourth tardy, your parent will be notified, you will be assigned a school detention AND your overall semester grade may be penalized by one percent. Each 2 additional tardies will result in a repeat of the latter consequences.

Hall Passes for Bathroom

1. As a general guideline, please limit your bathroom use to once every two weeks (at most).

2. You MUST have the class pass to be excused from the classroom.

3. Passes will (generally) not be issued during times when Mr. Gorsuch is conducting a discussion or during tests/quizzes.

4. Only one person is allowed out of the class at a time.

5. Bathroom runs should take no more than 2 minutes (the bathrooms are close!)

EXTRA HELP TIMES

Extra help hours for this semester: Tuesday, Thursday 2:45 - 3:45 pm

Monday – Thursday at Lunch

Other times are available by appointment

Requisite Disclaimer: In addition to the policies and procedures stated above, all school policies and the code of conduct will be enforced. When there is a conflict of rules, school and district rules will take priority (please refer to your student handbook). The good news is that respect for the above rules and procedures will result in respect from me to you.

Mr. Gorsuch - Mathematics Instructor

Foothill High School

(510) 461-7515

sgorsuch@pleasanton.k12.us.ca

Dear parent or guardian,

I have the honor of teaching your child AP Statistics this year. As I am sure you are aware, this course will be a college level course both in terms of its content and pacing. I have spent a great deal of time this summer planning the curriculum in the aims of providing an enjoyable class while also maximizing the student’s chances of success on the AP exam.

I am writing to you because I would appreciate a few moments of your time. I realize you are the expert in regards to your child. Please take the time to share with me any information you feel may be helpful towards your child’s success in this course. I have provided a comment section for parents on the Student/Parental Acknowledgement form.

I would welcome an ongoing interaction with you. I have included my e-mail address (preferred method with busy schedules) as well as the school phone number on the top of this letter. If you include your e-mail address (or send an initial e-mail) I can easily send you updates on your child’s progress.

Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to meeting you in person at back-to-school night and especially in teaching your child mathematics this semester.

Sincerely,

Mr. Gorsuch

Student/Parental Acknowledgement

Due Date: _________

I have read the policies and procedures, understand that these are for the benefit of the educational environment, and will comply with these guidelines. If I have any problems with any of these policies or procedures I will discuss it with Mr. Gorsuch. If I feel that I am being treated unfairly I will follow the complaint procedures outlined in the student handbook.

I promise to give my best effort in this class and expect Mr. Gorsuch will do the same to help me excel in this course.

I am making a goal for the following grade in this class ________.

Student Name: _____________________ (print)

Student Signature: ___________________ (sign)

Date: ____________ (month/date/year)

Parent/Guardian Name: __________________ (print)

Parent Signature: ___________________ (sign)

Parental contact information: ___________________ (daytime phone)

___________________ (e-mail)

Parent Comments/Concerns/Questions

___________________________________________________________________________________