Welcome to Social Studies!

My name is Mrs. DeBlock and I am excited to be teaching your student Social Studies this year in the
William H. Barton Intermediate Building! I would like to take this time to briefly tell you about some of my
policies and procedures as your Social Studies Teacher. If after you read this letter and have questions or
comments, please feel free to contact me at the information below. Thank you so much for your time!
Homework Policy
Homework is essential for meaningful learning in order to extend student knowledge on a particular
subject. It is necessary to give students extra practice. Any homework that is given for social studies will be
graded as a cumulative homework grade. The students will be given a grade of a 0, 1, or 2. This is the same
system they use in the middle school for homework.
• A 0 will be given for no effort, or not completed.
• A 1 will be given if the homework has been attempted, yet not completed.
• A 2 will be given if the assignment is completed and good effort has been made.
The students will be given one homework grade per assignment. At the end of each quarter, the grades
will be totaled and a numerical grade will be averaged into their social studies grade as a “homework grade.”
Failure to complete homework assignments on a weekly basis will result in a loss of privileges. All homework
will be assigned at the end of each Social Studies class. I will expect students to have their planners each and
every time they switch for Social Studies. If students forget to write down their assignment, a Homework
Website has been set up on the Queensbury School District webpage where homework will be posted daily.
This website should act as an aid, and not take the place of writing down daily assignments in class. The
website is located at:
http://mrsdeblock.wikispaces.com/Daily+Homework
Look under the row that states Social Studies Snowball and that will be where the class homework will
be posted.

Grading Policy
My grading policy is based on the fact that as people, we learn from making mistakes.

TEST Policy - (Chapter or Unit Tests) Students will always know when is a test is going to be taken in
advance. Tests grades are scored twice. The original grade and correction grade (optional). 50% of points lost
can be gained back with corrections.
Example – Student gets an 80% on a Math Test:
o He/She corrects the test and gets all questions correct
o 10 Points are awarded and the second grade scored will be a 90%

QUIZ Policy - Quizzes are given on occasion. Students will usually know as well in advance. The corrections
are also welcomed (See Example)
Example – Student gets an 80% on a Social Studies Quiz
o He/She corrects the quiz and gets all questions correct
o 10 points are awarded – 90%
o The first grade and second grade are averaged out to a 85%
Overall students will be accountable for their grades throughout the course of the year, which is why I always
write down their original grade. Yet I encourage test and quiz corrections knowing that in life we learn from our
mistakes.
As always, if you have any comments or questions please feel free to contact me by e-mail at
rdeblock@queensburyschool.org or by phone at 824-2600. Once again, I am excited to be teaching your student
Social Studies this year; I truly feel it is going to be a great one. Thank you for your time and patience!

Sincerely, Mrs. Renee DeBlock