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Extra Credit Class Survey is Here!

Just posted my end-of-the-year class survey, and I’m offering an extra credit assignment grade to all who complete the survey before May 31. You get the extra credit just for completion, and you will not be penalized in any way for honesty, so now is your chance to tell me what you really think about me, the course in general, or ways that this class could be improved. Remember to have it completed by Friday, May 31st, or it will not count for extra credit.

Khan Academy Codes Updated

For those asking for extra credit, here’s a really easy way to get some extra credit points: sign up for Khan Academy. Course codes have been updated this morning, so just follow these instructions to join your online class. If you already have an account, the same page will show you how to join the online course using your account.

You must join the online course by Friday, October 19th to receive extra credit. NO EXCEPTIONS. You are of course free to join afterward, but only those who took the time to do so before this Friday will receive extra credit.

Please see me if you have any questions regarding this process.

A Note on Proper Headings

I actually had to stop grading just to get on here and write this note.

I have seven classes, and more than  120 students. If every time I reach one of your assignments, I have to do detective work to figure out exactly what assignment it is, then I can only assume you have no consideration for anyone’s time but your own. If you cannot spend two extra seconds making sure that your work is properly labelled, then you are jeopardizing my time over something that requires little to no effort on your part. I quite simply DO NOT have time to try to decipher which assignment you’ve turned in.

STARTING TUESDAY, ANY ASSIGNMENT TURNED IN WITHOUT A PROPER LABEL WILL NOT BE GRADED. AT ALL.

By “proper label,” I mean your name, your period, the date, and the full name of the assignment as it appears on this website (including page numbers and problem numbers).

If I see nothing but “HW,” it gets a zero.

If I see “HW: #1-79,” then it’s missing page numbers, and it gets a zero.

If I see something like “CW #2,” it gets a zero.

If I see no way of identifying exactly which assignment it is, without having to launch an investigation and open the website to try to figure it out? It gets. A zero.

Bottom line. I am a busy man. Do not make me do any part of your homework for you. Have a little bit of consideration and a dash of common sense.

That is all. No more warnings.

Welcome New Students of 2018-19

Welcome to Mr. Velazquez’s class website, and make sure to bookmark this page for easy access later. If you didn’t get a physical copy, feel free to download and print the syllabus for your course on the course page (click the stripey red hexagon at the top right if you don’t see the menu).

Second, Factotum interviews should begin by the end of this week and conclude the week after. Make sure you get your applications in by this Friday if you want to be considered.

Finally, since class rosters are still getting tweaked here and there, grades will be put in some time this weekend or next week (depending on gradebook changes). If you want to be reminded of due dates for special assignments or upcoming exam dates, visit your course page to sign up for SMS reminders.

That’s all for now. Have a great year!

REMINDER: Turn In Books

For those who still haven’t done so, make sure to turn in your books before this Friday, June 1st, especially if you’re a senior. The school can withhold your diploma until it gets all of its borrowed property back—I’ve seen it happen. Don’t let it happen to you.

If you’re in Precal, you only need to return a book if you borrowed one. If you’re in Calculus, you need to return the Fast Track to a Five AP Prep books before this Friday.

Thank you.

Class Survey is Here

For those still looking for some extra credit (which is, I believe, all of you), please take a few minutes to fill out the 2017-2018 Class Survey. Answer all questions thoroughly and honestly, and it will count for 20 Participation points and 20 Assignment points.

Last day to receive extra credit for this survey is Friday, May 25th, so try to get it done as soon as you can!

Precal Exam UPDATE

To Honors Precalculus 5th Period Only

Unfortunately, you will not be able to take your exam on Thursday as planned due to a shortage of substitutes, so you will instead be taking it on Monday, May 14. As before, if you will not be here Monday, please let me know via e-mail so I can have a make-up test for you.

All other periods (4th, 6th and 8th) will take their test Friday May 11th as planned.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Precal Exam: Systems & Matrices

A reminder that the next Precal exam will be on Thursday, May 10 (for 5th period) and Friday, May 11 (for 4th, 6th and 8th periods).

VERY IMPORTANT: If you will be taking a different test (AP or Cambridge) on your designated test day, then you need to e-mail me BEFORE the test. E-mailing me afterward will be too late. You will only be allowed to make up the test if you notify me before the test day.

Notice: No More Late Work

A NOTICE TO ALL CALCULUS AND PRE-CALCULUS STUDENTS:

As of March 13th, 2018, no late work will be accepted for the rest of the year (except in cases of extreme family emergencies or illnesses, submitted with documented proof and corroboration from administration and a parent or guardian).

The ability to turn in late work was a privilege afforded to you out of courtesy and kindness on my part. But the constant, unabashed abuse of this privilege has taken its final toll. Since a significant number of you have demonstrated a complete lack of consideration for my free time, I see no reason to continue affording this courtesy.

So to reiterate, you will not be able to turn in any assignment late for the 4th nine weeks of this school year.

But I wasn’t here on Friday!

Do you have a signed note from an officially licensed physician? If so, great; once I confirm with your parent/guardian that you indeed had a legitimate reason to miss school, then I will accept some or all of your make-up work. If not? Too bad.

But I was at this field trip / senior event / club activity!

Too bad. Why didn’t you do it early?

But I need at least a B to graduate!

Too bad. Why did you ignore me when I warned you? Repeatedly.

But my parents are going to skin me alive!

Assuming you’re talking figuratively—otherwise we’d need to get DCFS involved—that’s too bad. Perhaps you should have, again, heeded my many warnings.

But… that’s not fair!

[wipes away tears of laughter]

So in summation, HEED MY WARNING. Do not let yourself be counted among those students who have become the very reason for this new policy. Because I will have very little patience for such students going forward.

And if you’re wondering Is he literally talking about me? Did I break Velazquez? Is the whole class paying a high price now because of what I did? I assure you, you are absolutely correct. Do better.