Communicating Expectations to Students and Parents/Guardians

Website
http://fizaks.weebly.com/
Welcoming Statement
Please click on the links above or below to learn more about my classroom. You will
find information about me, my school, contact information, the importance of physics,
general course information, course content, and course resources. :)
Personal Information
When I graduated from high school I had trouble choosing between computer science
and physics to study in college. I chose computer science. After 5-years as an Air
Force officer and another 12-years as an investment banker, I decided I wanted to
become a physics teacher.
I am fascinated by physics and chose to become a physics teacher to share my passion
with others. I look forward to working with each and every one of my students to
help them harness the power of physics.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.
Victor Rios
B.S. Computer Science
B.S. Physics
M.Ed. Secondary Education
Contact
Victor Rios
vmr47@txstate.edu
915-691-2392
Course and Grade Level
11th and 12th grade physics
Course Description
In Physics, students will conduct laboratory and field investigations use scientific
methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking
and scientific problem solving. This course provides students with a conceptual
framework, practice in experimental design and interpretation, working
collaboratively with colleagues, and developing critical thinking skills. Topics
of study include: laws of motion; changes within physical systems and conservation
of energy and momentum; forces; thermodynamics, characteristics and behavior of
waves; and atomic, nuclear, and quantum physics. Please refer to the Canyon High
School course guide for more about this course.
http://www.comalisd.org/files/_FQLui_/b1145a3a5b08c2cd3745a49013852ec4/CHS_Cou
rse_Guide_15-161.pdf
Conference
Please phone, text, or e-mail to set up a conference date and time.

School and Address

Canyon High School
1404 I-35, ROOM C103
New Braunfels TX 78130
http://chs.comalisd.org/pages/Canyon_High_School
Goals & Objectives
The goals and objectives for my classroom are outlined by the Texas Education Agency.
Chapter 112.39. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter112/ch112c.html#112.39
Why Physics
Physics is the science that attempts to describe how nature works using the language
of mathematics. It is often considered the most fundamental of all the natural sciences
and its theories attempt to describe the behavior of the smallest building blocks
of matter, light, the Universe and everything in between.
The importance of physics to society today is most easily represented by our reliance
on technology. Many of the technologies that that are continually transforming the
world we live in can be directly traced back to important physics research. For
example, research on the physics of semiconductors enabled the first transistor
to be developed in 1947. This seemingly simple device is the key component in all
of our electronic systems, including computers, and it is now considered one of
the most important inventions in human history. Also it is the laws of optics describing
the way light behaves that have lead to the development of the optical fiber networks
that are beginning to crawl over the entire globe, drawing the world closer together.
There are countless more examples of research in physics leading to the development
of important technologies. It is hoped that todays research on nanostructures
(structures a billion times smaller than a meter), quantum information or photonics
(basically electronics with light) will lead to the next generation of technologies
including faster and more robust computers and communication systems.
On a less tangible level physical theories have allowed us to obtain a greater grasp
of the Universe we live in. It is the theories of physics that provide us with some
of our deepest notions of Space, Time, Matter and Energy. Physical theories allow
us to conceptualize the workings of the building blocks of all matter. These are
things we would never be able to experience in everyday life. At the other extreme
the theories of cosmology tell us how the Universe began and how it could possibly
end. Again this is an example of physics going beyond the limits of our experience
to describe the space we live in. Although there is varied opinion on the amount
of trust we can place in the theories of physics, the fact remains that these are
theories produced from a rigorous and systematic method and they are constantly
tested against experimental evidence. As such physical theories give us relatively
concrete conceptions of notions beyond our everyday experience.
A physics student usually possesses excellent analytical, quantitative and problem
solving skills. They have the ability to synthesize and analyze large quantities
of data and present their analysis in an easily understandable form. When faced
with a particular problem they are taught to systematically identify all factors
contributing to the problem and work out how those factors interact in order to
solve the problem. These are valuable skills that can be applied in a range of careers.
More importantly an increasing number of employers are starting to realize this
fact and are looking to hire physics graduates.

Perhaps the greatest skill a physics student develops is a sense of wonder about
how things work. We are living in a technologically advanced age in which the average
person relies on technology without understanding how that technology works. How
many of us have looked at a DVD disc, and wondered how it can contain an entire
film? Who has held an iPod and thought about how so many songs can be squeezed into
a tiny space? Physics teaches us a method of systematic thinking and also the theories
necessary to allow us to once again understand how the things we rely on actually
work.
For those with an ambition to be at the forefront of developing technologies and
theories that describe our reality it is necessary to study physics at school and
beyond. For students with ambitions in other areas such as business management or
finance the study of physics during senior school is also important even if those
students dont intend to study physics or science at university. It demands respect
from many employers and university administration officers as it provides students
with excellent analytical, problem solving and quantitative skills.
ITS Education
Why study physics and is physics relevant?
May 4th, 2015
http://www.itseducation.asia/physics.htm
Classroom Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Listen when others are talking.

Follow directions.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Work quietly and do not disturb others.
Show respect for school and personal property.

Consequences
1. Abuse it, lose it results in temporary loss of privileges, equipment, items,
and activities.
2. Incomplete work results in completion during megalunch.
3. Wasting instructional time results in make-up time during megalunch.
4. Talking during instruction results in separation from group.
5. Disrespectful behavior results in separation from group.
Attendance and Tardiness Policy
State compulsory attendance law requires that student not be absent more than 10
days within a 6-month period in the same school year, or more than 3 days within
a 4-week period.
A student who enters a classroom after the tardy bell rings without the properly
signed admittance slip is counted as tardy. The only excuse for being tardy is school
business. For an unexcused tardy, the student may be assigned to detention hall,
ISS, or suspension. A tardy in excess of 10 minutes will be counted as an absence
for that class period.
Please refer to the Comal ISD student handbook for additional policies in regards
to both absence and tardiness.
http://www.comalisd.org/dynimg/_JGAAA_/docid/0x7BD9072464B5B224/7/Student_Pare
nt%2BHandbook%2B2015-16_FINAL%255B1%255D.pdf

Grading Policy
Weights to calculate 9-week averages are 75% exams, 20% homework, and 5% class
participation. Late assignments will be deducted 20% per day, however assignments
more than three days late will not be accepted. Extra credit will be offered to
students in the form of class presentations and projects. Please refer to the Comal
ISD grading guidelines for additional policies in regards to grades.
http://www.comalisd.org/files/_HNCZ0_/ce9d46d45aa472f63745a49013852ec4/Grading
_Guidelines_15-16_for_Publishing.pdf
Invitation
Please contact me if you are willing to donate time and/or resources to my classroom.
Materials
Students are only required to supply paper and pencil in my classroom. In the interest
of a sustainable future, my classroom is completely electronic.
Resources
http://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse
http://www.youtube.com/user/scishow
http://www.youtube.com/user/minutephysics
http://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/
http://www.youtube.com/user/scishowspace
http://www.aps.org/
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/
District Information
http://chs.comalisd.org/
Special Assignments and Projects
Demonstrations of famous physics experiments are an integral part of my class. In
addition, every effort will be made to integrate computational physics into every
lesson plan.
Canyon High School
The staff at Canyon High School is dedicated and committed to helping students become
successful, productive members of our society. Our students, parents, and teachers
have high expectations and work extremely hard to uphold those expectations.
Canyon High School is a rapidly growing, comprehensive high school that is proud
to serve a diverse student population in 9th through 12th grades. Our motto is Class
and Commitment. We define Class at Canyon as excellence in performance, behavior,
and lifestyle. Our students demonstrate this excellence by being leaders in the
community and building on the legacy that has been established by previous students
of Canyon High School.
We speak about Commitment in terms of loyalty, devotion, and dedication to our
school and the community in which we live. Our students and parents understand that
commitment takes time, energy, and devotion to making our school and community the

best they can possibly be. Canyon High School parents, students and staff put in
countless hours in a variety of settings to help make our school and community great.
The staff and I look forward to working with former, current and future parents
and students to keep Canyon High School a great place. For more information about
our school visit the other links provided on the website.
Brad Brown, Principal
Canyon High School

Parent/Guardian Return Signature Form

Physics Mr. Rios

Student Name: John Doe
Period: 1st
Dear Students and Parents/Guardian:
Please sign below to indicate that you have read and understand the
classroom procedures, attendance and tardiness policy, homework and
assignment policy, and grading system. In addition, please indicate
if you are willing to donate time and/or resources to the physics learning
experience. Thank you. :)
Student Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Student E-Mail Address:
Father Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Father E-Mail Address:
Willing to Donate Time:
Willing to Donate Resources:
Mother Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Mother E-Mail Address:
Willing to Donate Time:
Willing to Donate Resources:
Guardian Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
Guardian E-Mail Address:
Willing to Donate Time:
Willing to Donate Resources: