Course Syllabus

 

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Dear Students and Caregivers,

This Healthcare Science course will offer students an authentic STEM experience.  Students will participate in project based learning experiences, practice proper execution of healthcare and biotechnology skills, study human biology and genetics through a healthcare science lens, discuss decisions and ethical challenges an individual may face regarding the advances in genetics, and learn about the experiences and pathways of professionals who have chosen a variety of careers in the healthcare sciences.

Skills that will be emphasized in this class will be learning to use and handle healthcare science and biotech equipment, learning to write using scientific language, learning to use problem-solving skills, and learning to develop and perform project based learning experiences.  Additionally, the intention of this science elective is to inspire students to develop student agency, to think critically and solve problems, to create and innovate, to engage locally and globally, to communicate and collaborate, to respect human differences and challenge inequities, and to attend to their physical, social and emotional health, as outlined by the WPS Profile of a Graduate.

In order to experience success in this course, students must develop good, active listening skills, participate in class discussions, and reflect on learning experiences.  Furthermore, it is important that each student advocates for themself as a learner.  This entails asking questions about material or assignments when that content is covered in class. 

Our class will meet in Room 338 this year, and my office is in Room 360.2 (in the WHS Library).  Feel free to come right into the office to see if I am available at any time during the school day or before or after school.  

I am available for extra help during the school days and before or after school by appointment.  Please ask me during class or send me an email at wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org to set up an appointment for extra help.  To begin the year, my office hours will be on Mondays from 2:30 - 3:05 PM in my office, Room 360.2.

I look forward to working with you and witnessing your growth throughout the year.  You will be challenged and expectations will be high, and I am here to help you succeed.  I hope this will be a rewarding year for all of us!

Best regards,

Nora Wilkins

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Healthcare Science Course Overview and Expectations

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Textbook:  N/A
• Teacher: Ms. Wilkins
• Email: wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org
• Website: Canvas Site
• Office: Room 360.2 (in the WHS Library)
• Classroom: Room 338

 

NECESSARY MATERIALS:

• Charged Laptop
• Headphones
• Pen/Pencil
• A composition notebook and a 2-pocket folder

 

GRADING POLICY:

Your grade will be based on your effort, growth, reflections, and participation in class, as well as your performance on assessments, which include projects, labs, class activities, class discussions, presentations, peer reviews, self-assessments, daily work etc.

I will use the total point system to determine your course grade.  In this grading system all assessed work is assigned a point value.  Different point values will be assigned for different assignments.  Your quarter grades will therefore be calculated by dividing the number of points you have accumulated by the total number of points possible. 

• • For seniors, each quarter (Q1-Q4) will be worth 25% of your year long (Y1) grade.  
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  • For juniors, each quarter (Q1-Q4) will be worth 22% of your Y1 grade and a final experience (E1) will be worth 12% of your Y1 grade.

 

• LATE WORK NOTE: All assessed work is due on the assigned date to receive full credit.  Late work may be submitted up until the end of each unit assessment for a grade no greater than an 80%. 

 

PERSONALIZED LEARNING EXPERIENCES:

• 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."
• IEP, 504 and OTHER ACCOMODATIONS
  • While Ms. Wilkins will certainly be aware of any IEP and 504 accommodations that are in place for her students, she hopes to personalize your learning experiences in Healthcare Science. 
    • To help with this work, Ms. Wilkins will schedule conferences with each student to provide them an opportunity to share how they believe she can best support them in their learning.  During these conferences, she will also ask students to identify some areas of strength and areas of growth.

 

ATTENDANCE:

• STUDENT ABSENCES
  • An unexcused absence will result in a “0” for any work missed that day.
  • Students are responsible for any material or assignments missed during an excused absence from school and must check in with me upon their return to school. 
    • In the event of a student absence, please email Ms. Wilkins or check-in with her the day you return to make sure you understand what learning was missed and what assignments you may need to make up.  
    • If it is known ahead of time that you will be absent, please inform me so that we can make arrangements.
• STUDENT TARDINESS 
  • Unexcused tardies will be reported to your house office and will impact your class participation grade each quarter. 
• TEACHER ABSENCES

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

  • If you have questions on the assignment, please email Ms. Wilkins while you are working on the assignment that day.  She will either get back to you via email or answer your questions at the start of the next class.   

 

COURSE COMMUNICATION:

• CANVAS
  • I will be posting relevant course information on Canvas, and I recommend that you add the Canvas app to your phone and allow push notifications so you can be aware of any class updates (sent through the announcement feature in Canvas).
• POWERSCHOOL
  • • All grades will be updated regularly on PowerSchool, including any notes for late and missing assignments.

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION:

If you want to do well in this class, you need to come to class every day.  Class will begin immediately after the second passing bell rings.

It is the expectation that our community of learners work respectfully, collaboratively, and openly so that each student may have the opportunity to learn and share effectively. As a class, we will create norms to uphold as a group that adhere to the core values of Wellesley Public Schools:

• • • • Academic Excellence
      • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
      • Commitment to Community 
      • Value and Respect for Human Differences
      • Caring and Cooperative Relationships

As students, you are expected to be mindful of your behaviors during class time.  Every student begins each quarter with a 100% for class participation.  Disruptive behavior, being late for class, and being disrespectful to another member of our class community may result in your participation grade being dropped from your quarter grade calculation, which  and this could have an adverse effects on your overall grade. 

STUDENT BEHAVIOR

***It is important that you understand the policies and rules outlined in the WHS Student Handbook apply to you AT ALL TIMES during this class, including the new Cell Phone Policy.*** 

• REMINDER: DISTRICT CELL PHONE EXPECTATIONS

• • Upon arrival at an academic space, students will turn their phones on silent and place them in the designated location. Headphones, smartwatches, and any other technology that could be a distraction to learning must be out of sight at all times - in your bag.
  • Phones will remain in the designated area for the entirety of the class period, including trips to the bathroom or to get a drink.
  • The unauthorized filming (video/picture) or recording of a student or staff member is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
  • Appropriate use of technology is determined by the teacher.  If students have explicit permission from their teacher to use their cell phones, they must be non-disruptive to others. An example of academically appropriate uses of your cell phone is to access curriculum resources.
  • If a student is found to be misusing their cell phone during this time (gaming, texting, using social media, etc.), they will lose the privilege and place their cell phone back in the designated location.

• REMINDER: ACADEMIC HONESTY/INTEGRITY POLICY:
  • Please be clear that cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty (including the use of AI to represent your own work) will not be tolerated and the school policy will be followed.

 

CAREGIVER COMMUNICATION:

There is a Back to School Night scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026 at 5:45 PM, which provides parents with the opportunity to meet their children’s teachers and learn some general information about the courses their children are taking.  

Caregivers should feel free to contact me at any time via school email at wilkinsn@wellesleyps.org, as email is the best means of communication for me during the school day.