Course Syllabus

TEACHER INFORMATION

Ms. Vazalwar

Email Address: vazalwark@wellesleyps.org

EXTRA HELP/OFFICE HOURS:

My office hours will be either on Monday/ Friday morning at 6:55 am in room 337. I will be updating it on Canvas for each week. 

You can also look for me in the Science office (Rm 358) and if the help hours of the week don't work for you, do reach out to me via email or talk to me to make an appointment for extra help.

Honors Biology Course Syllabus 2026-27Links to an external site.

Honors Biology Course Expectations 2026-27Links to an external site.

ABSENCES:

Teacher Absence:

In the event of a teacher absence, I will email you to communicate the assignment for that day with a clear due date.

• If you have questions on the assignment, please email me (vazalwark@wellesleyps.org) while you are working on the assignment that day.  I will either get back to you via email or answer your questions at the start of the next class.   

Student Absence:

In the event of a student absence, please email me or check-in with me the day you return to make sure you understand what learning was missed and what assignments you may need to make up.  

• If you are absent on an assessment day, the expectation is that you will take the assessment on the day that you return to school during a time you are available (before, during or after school).   Please email me to schedule that make-up.

Student Evaluation: 

Student work in Biology will fall into either the category of Assessments or Assignments. Assessments will be worth 60% of your grade each term, and will include tests, quizzes, some major projects, and formative assessments after some classwork, homework and lab assignments.

Assignments will be worth 40% of your grade each term, and will include classwork, homework, labs, Canvas quizzes, knowledge checks, and other assignments.

• Assessments (Tests and Quizzes): 60%         
• Assignments (Labs/projects): 40%

  This course will also assess students using a Midyear Exam, a formal written Final IRP Lab Report for a long-term experimental project, and a Final Exam. Each assessment will be worth 4% of your year grade, and will be averaged together in the E1 category of your grade, which is worth 12% of your Y1 grade. Grades for Q1 - Q4 will be worth 22% of the Y1 grade.

DCAP: 

“District accommodations (DCAP) are available to all students, and in the 26-27 school year, WHS is committed to moving this forward with fidelity.  While some accommodations can be offered at the moment, others require advanced notice. For example: Extended time on an in-class assessment is a collaborative decision made by the teacher, student, and family to meet individual student needs.  The WHS guideline is up to 25% extra time.  This accommodation relies on proactive student communication prior to the date of the assessment.  The student and teacher must establish how the accommodation will be provided.”