Economics

Mr. Pindur

E-mail: thomas.pindur@sps.lane.edu

Room 96

Phone 988-5347

Office Hours:  11:45-12.35, and by appointment

 

Course Summary

 

                Economics, a semester course, will focus on providing you with an understanding of fundamental economic concepts.  These concepts will help you understand how the U.S. and global economies function (or in some cases, malfunction), how government policies affect the economy, unemployment, and incomes.  Most importantly though, my goal is that this course will provide you with some of the tools necessary to succeed in our increasingly complex, competitive and global economy.

 

Classroom Expectations

 

                The reason we are in school is to learn.  For all of you to succeed academically, we will not waste classroom time on discipline issues.   My policies and expectations, outlined below, are clear and simple.  There may seem to be many, but in order to eliminate confusion or prevent the need for clarification, all are listed below. (Oh yeah. I can always add news ones too!)

 

1.  ATTENDANCE- Research has proven that students who have frequent absences receive lower grades than those without absences.  Be here! You’ll do better!  Students without any absences will earn an extra 2% added to their final term grade.  Students with only one absence will earn and extra 1% added to their grade.  Students with more than one absence in a grading period will not receive extra credit.

                If you do need to miss a class, you MUST bring an admit slip in order to be admitted.  If you do not have an admit slip, you will be sent to Student Services to receive one.

2.  TARDIES- You are late if you are not seated and ready to learn when the bell rings.  Students that are late to class are a distraction, create more paper work for me, and miss important class time.  BE ON TIME, ALWAYS!  Students that do not receive any tardies during a grading period will earn 2% added to their final grade, those with one tardy receive an extra 1%. 

                If you are late to class and the attendance sheet has been posted, it is your responsibility to correct the bubble sheet from absent to late.  If you are more than 10 minutes late, you must have an admit slip or note.  If you are late more than three times I will contact your parent/guardian and/or assign you detention.

3.  HALL PASSES- Too many students use the excuse of going to locker, bathroom, etc. to waste class time and/or distract others.  Thus, you each student will be limited to two (2) hall passes (to bathroom, locker, etc.) per grading period.  You will use the passport found at the back of your student handbook.  If you lose your handbook, you lose hall pass privileges!  I will write you a pass, which will not be counted against the quota, if you are called out of class by an administrator or another teacher or for an emergency.

4.  ELECTRONIC DEVICES- Electronic devices, including but not limited to: Walkmans, CD players, MP3 players, cell phones and pagers are NOT to be used in the classroom.  If I hear (they need to be turned off while in class) or see one of these devices I will confiscate it for the rest of the day.  If I have to confiscate it more than once, a parent/guardian will need to come to school to pick it up.

5.  FOOD & DRINKS- I am permitting drinks and food in class.  However, please make sure not to spill your drinks (they create a big sticky mess that I don’t want to have to clean up) or leave a mess behind.  If spills or messes become frequent I will ban food and drinks altogether.

6.   RESPECT- Respect yourself, your classmates and your teacher.  Profanity or language that demeans others or their race, ethnicity, religion, cultural background, gender, or sexual orientation will not be tolerated.

7.    COMPUTER & COMMUNICATIONS- Students will not be permitted to use my computer or phone.  Please do not ask or beg.  If you need to use something in or on my desk, ASK!

8.    CLASS DIMISSAL- You are not dismissed by the bell, your watch or the clock.  They are merely guidelines.  You may leave when I say, “Class dismissed”.  Please do not begin packing your bags, closing your books or putting away your materials until I dismiss class.  After all, you don’t want to stay late, do you?

9.  DRESS CODE-  The school dress code, outlined in the student handbook is in effect in my class.

10.  ABSENT & LATE WORK-  If you are absent you run the risk of falling behind in class.  It is YOUR duty to pick up missed work.  Handouts, worksheets, etc. can be found in the folder marked ECON.  Absent work is due one day after you return and needs to be submitted to the “Absent Work” basket on my desk.  Work tuned in after that will be considered late work.

                Late work creates more work for you and me.  If your work is one day late. I will reduce the grade by 25%, plus an additional 10% for each additional day late.  Work that is more than five school days late is NOT ACCEPTED.  All late work needs to be turned in to the “Late Work” basket on my desk and will be graded when it is convenient for me.

11.  TALKING-  After class begins the only time you should ever speak is during a small group activity or after raising your hand and receiving teacher permission.  NEVER speak while the teacher is speaking or when another student has been granted permission to speak. 

12.  SEATING ARRANGEMENTS-  You will be assigned seats, and I will decide who sits where.  Do not whine!  Seating assignments are designed to maximize the learning environment, minimize distractions and help me in learning your names.

13.  SUBSTITUTE TEACHER—In the unlikely event I am unable to attend school, I expect a glowing report from the substitute on each and every one of my classes.  Sit in your assigned seat (lest you be marked absent) and give the substitute the respect and attention they deserve.   

14.  BE PREPARED- Bring your class text, your paper, and your pen every day.

15. PARENT CONTACT- the best time for a parent to contact me regarding student progress or concerns is before school, 7:45am-8:15am; during office hours, 11.45-12.35; and after school, 3:00pm-3:45pm.  I can also return parent phone calls during the evening hours if you leave your name and number with a school secretary.  I am also available through e-mail.

16. CLASS SYLLABUS- A syllabus, outlining class activities homework and assessments (tests and quizzes) will be provided to each student or posted in the class.

 

These policies are meant to guide your behavior in class and help make our class run more smoothly.  If a behavior is not addressed above do not assume that it is acceptable.  Use your common sense, act responsibly, respect everyone and remain positive.  With your cooperation and dedication we will have a fun and rewarding semester.

 

In the spaces provided, please provide your signature and obtain that of a parent/guardian attesting that you have read and accepted the rules.  Returning this page is your first assignment.  Parents, if you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me.

 

Thanks,

Mr. Pindur

 

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Parent/Guardian                                                                                                   Phone Number