Page 16 - Catholic Memorial 2020-2021 Education Guide

ACADEMIC POLICIES
Assignments
Assignments serve two purposes: 1) they positively reinforce
work accomplished in the class, and 2) they provide
opportunity for individual enrichment. Depending upon the
nature of the course, the teaching style of teacher and the
learning style of the student, long-term assignments, short-
term assignments, or both may be made. Options which take
into account individual differences of students may be offered.
Students cannot expect teachers to change deadlines except
for very serious reasons. Learning to manage responsibilities is Course offerings, as well as the number of available seats in a
part of the educational process. Students can expect to have
their assignments evaluated by the teachers or used as part of
a class experience.
Students who are absent are expected to be responsible
for, and to take the initiative in, learning about assignments
and exams scheduled during an absence. Students are also
expected to take the initiative in making arrangements with
teachers for makeup work deadlines. This should be done on
the day of return to classes. This also applies to students on
vacation. For a single day of absence, any missed test must be
made up the day the student returns (the teacher may adapt
a late test policy for a specific class, and this overrides the
above). Long term projects, such as term papers, which are
not submitted on the due date because a student is absent or
released on that date, may be considered late. Such projects
should be submitted early or sent to school via a neighbor, a
classmate, or a parent. In cases of severe and/or prolonged
illness, the teacher may deviate from this policy.
Because of the number of classes on a student’s schedule and
the amount of work assigned in each class, students should
expect to have homework on a daily basis. While the amount
of homework may vary, spans of time with no homework
should be viewed as a signal that a student is not fulfilling
academic responsibilities.
Assignments and handouts for courses are available on
MYCMH.
Availability of Teachers
Teachers are in classrooms between 7:10 and 7:25 a.m. and
again between 2:45 and 3:20 p.m. to assist students with
make-up work, discuss projects, and assist with whatever the
students may need. Teachers who also coach or moderate
other extra- curricular activities will usually not be available approval.
in the afternoon during their respective seasons since they
report to those activities immediately after classes. These
teachers will make alternative arrangements with their
students.
14 CMH EDUCATION GUIDE 2020-2021
Class Rank
The Counseling Department will inform students and their
parents about class rankings upon request. The decision
about whether or not to release an individual student’s
class rank to specific colleges and universities will be the
responsibility of that student and his/her parents.
Course/Schedule Changes
course, are determined in January/February when students
select classes for the following academic year. Additionally,
teacher assignments and hiring decisions are made as a result
of course decisions; hence, the contractual nature of the
course selection process.
Time and effort during the course selection period are
devoted to helping students understand the available options
and select courses that are most appropriate. Throughout
this process, students are encouraged to consult with their
teachers, parents and counselor to ensure the proper courses
and course load are selected. Therefore, by their signatures,
students and parents are giving their final consent to the
course selections for the following year.
After the course selection deadline in February, a course
change will only be considered if:
• There is a course/level misplacement.
• A student faces unique personal circumstances.
Changes to a student’s schedule will not be granted for the
following reasons:
• Teacher preference or meeting time.
• To gain Senior Privilege (based on original selections,
senior schedules are developed with this in mind).
• To provide time for extra-curricular activities or a part-
time job.
Once scheduled, requests for changes must be granted
approval by the Principal. Forms used to process schedule
changes are available through your counselor. After the first six
academic weeks of a semester, a student will receive an “F” for
any dropped course.
Seniors must notify universities of any course change prior to
Because of the significant impact student course selections
have on our academic offerings and personnel decisions for
the following year, students and parents must understand
that the course selection process at the outset of the Spring
semester represents the only open opportunity to make
selections. Once the Course Selection Form has been signed
and handed in, the student is bound to those courses.