STEM Academy

Laura Bishop

My name is Laura Bishop and I am very excited that your student will be in my STEM class this semester!

This will be my first year teaching at Batesburg-Leesville Middle School and I am blessed to be a part of your child’s educational journey. 

I grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated from the University of South Alabama. I have been married to my husband Lee for 22 years and have three children, Kimberly, Matthew, and Andrew. 

My number one objective for students in my classroom is for every student to be challenged and engaged in what they are learning. I use project-based learning to make STEM class fun and interesting through the introduction of science, technology, engineering, and math with real-world examples. STEM is all around us and we will explore as much as we possibly can this semester!

In my classroom, each student will be using their Chromebooks and will use programs such as Code.org, Vex Robotics, or CoderZ programs, as well as working with hands-on resources. 

This will be an exciting semester as we have many challenges and opportunities that we will be taking advantage of. My goal is to empower my students with the knowledge they need to move to the next learning level.

In order to reach this goal and create a positive learning environment, I have created the following classroom expectations and discipline plan for each student. Everyone in our class will work together as a team to meet these goals. 

Procedures:

• Be prepared for class with the required materials.

• Always ask before acting. 

• Respect yourself and others.

• Use care for classroom equipment.

• Stay on appropriate classroom websites.

• Have a positive attitude and expect the best.

Consequences:

• First Consequence - Verbal redirection 

• Second Consequence -  Hallway talk with a parent phone call

• Third Consequence - Lunch Detention - a parent phone call and reported incident to Administration for documentation. 

• Referral - Major incident report with the punishment determined by the school administrator.

Grading Policy:

60% = Assessments (Tests, Projects)

40% = Daily Grades (Quizzes, Daily Classwork, Journal)

Grade Scale: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; 59 or below = F

Formative grades:

• Quizzes

• Daily work/Homework

Summative Grades:

• Unit Tests

• Projects

Classwork/Homework:

All classwork is to be completed during class when it is assigned. All homework is to be completed before the student arrives to class the following school day.

Any student with an excused absence must make up their missing work within two days of returning to school. All work for each school day is listed in our Google Classroom and it is the student’s responsibility to check our Google Classroom to see what they need to complete.

Materials: 

Students must have the following items daily:

• Student Materials:

• 1 inch Binder 

• Pencils and Pen 

• Notebook Paper 

• Earbuds or Headsets

• Notebook Dividers 

• Charged Chromebook

I am very excited to partner with you and help equip your student for their next step to high school. I am honored to be a part of this process and look forward to what this semester holds. 

Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or conference requests by reaching out to me via email or by phone. My contact information is listed below.

Sincerely,

Laura Bishop

Laura Bishop

Batesburg-Leesville Middle School

STEM Educator

lbishop@lex3.org

803-532-3831