RGilsto@schools.nyc.gov
or 496-0700, ext. 2647.
Parents/Guardians: If you need me to return your calls or emails, please let me know if I can leave information regarding your child's academic work, attendance, or other relevant information in my return message.
To my wonderful students:
Talk to me in person! Will always keep you updated on my schedule & where I can be found

Social Studies Department Expectations

Department Expectations:
The teachers of Social Studies have established a set of shared departmental expectations. Students are responsible for knowing and complying with these standards.

Course Syllabus:
Teachers will provide students with a course syllabus that includes:
• A course description and a list of covered topics
• A grading policy
• Specific course expectations and requirements
• Contact information

Attendance and Punctuality:
You cannot learn if you are not in class. The classroom experience is invaluable and irreplaceable. Teachers will establish procedures for students to follow in the event of absence.
• Students are expected to attend every class unless seriously ill.
• All absences must be followed up by a written excuse to be signed by the teacher. It is the student’s responsibility to provide this note.
• Students are responsible for obtaining and making up all missed work (class notes, assignments, handouts, tests, etc.) If absent on a day work is due, students must hand in that work on the day they return. Absence excused or otherwise never exempts a student from work.
• Excused absences (accompanied by a note from home) due to reasons other than sickness are limited to 2 per term.
• Only students whose names appear on an official blackout list are excused from class—there are no “unofficial blackouts.” Students who miss class due to blackout are required to make up all missed work in a timely fashion.
• Students must arrive to class on time. On time means that before the bell rings each student is:
o seated;
o has a notebook and pen or pencil on the desk;
o is looking at the board for start-up activities; and
o has cleared the desk of back packs, bags, and unrelated materials.
• Students who are late must sign a “late-log”; late students must enter class quietly and join the flow of instruction without further interruption.
• Chronically late students are subject to point reductions and disciplinary action.

Class work:
Students must come to class prepared to learn.
• Attendance and participation contribute to your grade.
• Students must have a notebook and an appropriate writing implement (and any other required materials).
• Express yourself. Students who participate are engaged and more likely to grasp the subject matter.
• Listen carefully to your teacher and your classmates. Do not call out or speak while someone else is talking. Respect is essential to learning.
• Students who fail to observe classroom decorum will lose credit and may be subject to disciplinary action.
• All school rules are in effect during class. Students may not eat, wear hats, or display electronic devices in class.
• Students caught using a cellular device during class will have the device confiscated and will receive a class work grade of “0” for the day.

Homework:
• Your teachers will inform you about the required format for homework. All homework must be clearly labeled (student name, class, date, assignment number, etc.).
• Save all homework in a notebook or portfolio.
• Teachers will apprise you of their “late homework policy”; however, no home work may be submitted late for credit unless there are documented extenuating circumstances.
• Homework is a daily discipline; handing it in late defeats, in part, the purpose of the work. Homework often forms the basis of class discussion and serves as a study guide for class exams and Regents examinations.
• Students are responsible for obtaining handouts and homework assigned during an absence.

Tests:
• Observe proper decorum during test days. Having out unrelated materials, or communicating with a classmate during (or even before) a test may be interpreted as cheating. Take no chances—clear your desk, put bags and all materials under your chair and don’t talk while a test is starting or in progress.
• Follow these procedures if you are absent for a test.
o On the day of the test a call from home must be made to the Social Studies office (212-496-0700 ext. 2647)
 The caller must provide the student’s name, the name of the teacher, and a number at which the caller can be reached.
o A note of excuse must be presented (with a contact name and daytime phone number) for the student to be allowed to make up the exam for credit.
• Students are expected to take a make up test the day of their return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to request a make up exam. Teachers will arrange a time and place for make up exams. Failure to show up for a scheduled make up may result in a grade of “0” for that exam.
• Students who miss a test due to an unexcused absence will receive a grade of “0” for that exam. Students who miss a test without a valid excuse may be subject to disciplinary action.

Projects:
Due dates for projects are assigned well in advance. Only extreme circumstances warrant absence on the day a project or presentation is due.
• Follow these procedures if you are absent the day a project is due.
o On the day the project is due a call from home must be made to the Social Studies office (212-496-0700 ext. 2647)
 The caller must provide the student’s name, the name of the teacher, and a number at which the caller can be reached.
o A note of excuse must be presented (with a contact name and daytime phone number) for the student to be allowed to submit the project for credit.
• If possible, send the project in with a friend; you may also email or fax in the project.
• Students are expected to submit projects the day of their return.
• Points may be deducted at the teacher’s discretion depending on the nature of the student’s absence.

The Hallway:
• Students may not loiter in the hallway between periods.
• Please do not congregate in front of room doors and block people from entering or exiting.
• Students in the hallway after the bell rings are subject to disciplinary action. Students who have lunch must proceed to the 5th or 7th floor without delay.

Plagiarism:
The Oxford English Dictionary defines plagiarism as follows: “…to take and use as one's own the thoughts, writings, or inventions of another.” Plagiarism usually takes two forms: intentional and unintentional. Intentional plagiarism is when you knowingly present a source as your own original work. Unintentional plagiarism is when you lazily fail to attribute quotations or sources that form a part of your work. Here are a few hints to help you avoid plagiarism.
• Use the citation method required by your teacher.
• Copying word for word from your text book or a web source is plagiarism. Don’t do it.
• Copying a friend’s homework is plagiarism and a violation of school rules. Students who allow their work to be copied are also engaging in academic dishonesty. Work together when allowed, but always formulate your answers in your own language.
• When in doubt ask. Your teacher will clarify for you how to avoid plagiarism and use sources responsibly.
Plagiarism will result in students receiving a grade of 0 for the assignment in question, and may also subject the student to disciplinary action.

To anyone who visits this site:
Any copyrighted material on these pages is used in "fair use" for the purpose of study, review, or critical analysis only, and will be removed at the request of the copyright owner(s)

Fiorello H. LaGuardia HS of Music & Art and Performing Arts
Ms Gilston