FAQ

Contact Information:

Mr. Dom Corcuera ("Mr. C.")

Room 110

Email - dcorcuera@pointpleasant.k12.nj.us [Note: emails will be responded to within 1-2 school days and the timing will depend on my teaching schedule. Sometimes my “prep” period is not until the end of the day.] 

Student Office Hours - Monday through Thursday, starts at 2:30 (except on days of staff meetings and the day before a holiday)

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Students -

For the quickest response, please come see me during office hours for any extra help or for any questions. Email should only be used if students are homebound for an extended period and are unable to come to office hours. Comments on Google Classroom are NOT read and will not be responded to.

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Parents -

For the quickest response, please email me your question or concern and I will respond within 1-2 school days. If you would rather have a conversation by phone, please send me an email requesting a phone conference with a good time and phone number to call.

• General Chemistry (with Mr. Corcuera only)

• General Chemistry (with Mr. Corcuera and Mr. Speiser)

• AP Chemistry

Students will primarily be using their district-issued Chromebooks for lesson presentations. However, notes (particularly, math-based problems) will still need to be written down as many chemistry skills are difficult to replicate on a laptop. Therefore, students will need something to write on and something to write with. This can be in the form of a pen/pencil with a notebook or using a dry erase marker and white board. There is a class set of whiteboards and erasers so students will only need to bring a dry erase marker, if they choose to go this route. All written work will be uploaded onto an online document using the Chromebook camera.

Since chemistry is a math-based course, students will need access to a scientific or graphing calculator. A class set of scientific calculators as well as an online calculator that is accessible on the Chromebook is available for student use. Students are welcome to use their own calculator (no cell phones as calculators).

Chemistry is also a laboratory-based science and heat, glassware, and hazardous chemicals will be used throughout the course. Students must wear chemical splash proof goggles whenever performing experiments. A class set of chemical splash-proof goggles is available for student use. Students are welcome to purchase and use their own.

Closed-toed shoes must be worn at all times during experiments. The shoes must cover the entire foot (no flip-flops, sandals, flats, etc.)

Long hair (longer than shoulder-length) should be tied back. Rubber bands are available if a student forgets to bring a hair tie.

It is recommended that students keep their lab attire (sneakers, hair ties, etc.) in their locker so it is easily accessible at all times.

• AP Chemistry Class 3

• Chemistry Class 4 (with Mr. Speiser)

• Chemistry Class 5

• Chemistry Class 7

Cell phones are not to be seen, heard, or used at any point during instruction. There will be a collection site for students who choose to bring their cell phone into the classroom. If a student would prefer not to have their cell phone collected, then they are welcome to leave it inside their locker.

If a cell phone is seen, heard, or used at any point during instruction, an administrative referral will be submitted. No exceptions.

Ear buds should be put away as well.

Students are expected to follow a set of skills and practices (CHEM) that will ensure success in this course and in future endeavors. These are based on New Jersey Department of Education’s Career Readiness, Life Skills, and Key Literacies standards.

Communication/Cooperation

Students understand the obligations and responsibilities of being a member of a community (classroom), and they demonstrate this understanding every day through their interactions with others. They are conscientious of the impacts of their decisions on others and the environment around them. They think about the near-term and long-term consequences of their actions and seek to act in ways that contribute to the betterment of their teams, families, community and workplace (classroom). They are reliable and consistent in going beyond the minimum expectation and in participating in activities that serve the greater good.

Examples of student behaviors that meet expectations include being an active participant in small-group and large-group discussions, having meaningful and respectful conversations between peers and instructors, or any other actions that contribute to a positive learning environment.

Habits

Students understand the interrelated nature of their actions and regularly make decisions that positively impact and/or mitigate negative impact on other people, organization, and the environment. They are aware of and utilize new technologies, understandings, procedures, materials, and regulations affecting the nature of their work as it relates to the impact on the social condition, the environment and the profitability of the organization (the educational process in the classroom). 

Examples of student behaviors that meet expectations include following all school and laboratory safety guidelines, using technology (including laboratory equipment) appropriately, following instructions/procedures, or any other actions that contribute to a positive learning environment.

Engagement and Motivation

Students consistently act in ways that align personal and community-held ideals and principles while employing strategies to positively influence others in the workplace (classroom). They have a clear understanding of integrity and act on this understanding in every decision. They use a variety of means to positively impact the directions and actions of a team or organization, and they apply insights into human behavior to change others’ action, attitudes and/or beliefs. They recognize the near-term and long-term effects that management’s actions and attitudes can have on productivity, morals and organizational culture. 

Examples of student behaviors that meet expectations include following academic integrity policies, following established timelines, quickly addresses and remediates any problems/issues, stays on task, or any other actions that contribute to a positive learning environment. 

If you would like to know what activities took place during class, please visit the following links to view the "Today Screen" that is projected at the beginning and end of each class:

• AP Chemistry Class 3

• Chemistry Class 4

• Chemistry Class 5

• Chemistry Class 7

Students are expected to see me during office hours upon their return from an absence. School policy states that students only receive the same amount of days absent to make up any missed work due to absences (i.e. if a student is absent for 2 school days, then they have 2 school days to make up all missing work). Any missing work not made up within a reasonable timeframe will receive a failing grade. I also reserve the right to provide an alternative assignment that addresses the same curriculum goals but may be different than what was assigned to the rest of the class.

It is encouraged that all work be submitted on time. 

Chemistry is a course that builds up prior knowledge so completing work late will put students at an unnecessary disadvantage.  Unless there is a valid excuse (such as an illness or other extenuating circumstances), late work may not be accepted. 

The assignment is marked "missing" because there was no submission. Can it be changed? It depends.

Generally, I put grades in the online gradebook about a week after an assignment is due. I call this the "grace period" (similar to a "grace period" on a credit card bill). 

• Assignments submitted by the due date and time are in good standing. 

• Assignments submitted after the due date and time but before I grade it are considered "late" and may have a penalty imposed (either on the assignment itself OR on the marking period skills grade).

• Once an assignment grade has been put into the gradebook, the "grace period" is over. Any assignment not submitted will earn a "missing" (a failing grade). After the grace period is over, I no longer check for any updates on that assignment. If you have any extenuating circumstances (e.g. extended illness which caused multiple days of absences), please speak with me upon your return from your absence during office hours to discuss a plan. Remember: School policy states that students only receive the same amount of days absent to make up any missed work due to absences (i.e. if a student is absent for 2 school days, then they have 2 school days to make up all missing work). Any missing work not made up within a reasonable timeframe will receive a failing grade. I also reserve the right to provide an alternative assignment that addresses the same curriculum goals but may be different than what was assigned to the rest of the class.

Yes, there is. 

Chemistry - This course is designed to prepare students for future enrollment in physics or college-level chemistry which requires an understanding of algebra. It is recommended that students taking chemistry are in Algebra II (or Algebra II honors) or above. If you are a student in Geometry (or Geometry Honors) or Transitional Algebra, you will need to put in extra effort since the skills required in understanding the math-based chemistry lessons go along with the skills concurrently learned in Algebra II. Please consider switching to Environmental Chemistry if you believe your math skills require more practice and you can choose to take Chemistry later.

AP Chemistry - This is a college-level course with an expectation that students possess advanced mathematics skills. An understanding of Algebra II is essential and concurrent enrollment in precalculus (or higher) is highly recommended. Some AP Chemistry topics will include a brief introduction in calculus.

Just stay on top of things! Know when to ask for help. The one skill that I hope that you will improve on in this class is perseverance. You will not understand every single detail in this course. You will not get a 100% on every assignment. The struggle is real but so will the win! Remember: it wouldn’t be fun if it were easy!

Politely ask the teacher if you can go and then fill out the “sign-out” form under the “Classwork” section of the Google Classroom. You will be emailed a copy of this form and you may use this email as your “hall pass” if asked. Administration has the right to request sign-out logs so please limit the times you leave the classroom for true emergencies only.

I have always believed that you take AP Chemistry (the class) to learn college chemistry. Getting college credit should be an “added bonus”. At PPBHS, you have three options. You can do any, all, or none of the following!

• Method #1 - Taking the AP Chemistry Exam

  • Cost = $99

  • Requirement = Score a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exam

  • Course Equivalent = Colleges and universities have their own guidelines. For example...

    • Rutgers:

      • 3 = no credit

      • 4 = CHEM161 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and  CHEM171 Introduction to Experimentation (1 credit)

      • 5 = CHEM161 General Chemistry I (4 credits), CHEM162 General Chemistry II (4 credits), and CHEM171 Introduction to Experimentation (1 credit)

    • Ocean County College

      • 3 = CHEM180 Introduction to Chemistry (4 credits)

      • 4 = CHEM181 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and CHEM182 General Chemistry II (4 credits)

    • Please visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies to search other college/universities AP credit policies.

• Method #2 - Dual Enrollment through Farleigh Dickinson University

  • Cost = $400 per semester ($300 for the lecture, $100 for the lab. Must sign up for both!)...$800 TOTAL

    • Fall semester sign-ups will be in September/October (General Chemistry I + Lab)

    • Spring semester sign-ups will be in January/February (General Chemistry II + Lab)

  • Requirement = earn a "C" or better

  • Course Equivalent = FDU's CHEM1201/1203 - General Chemistry I Lecture (3 credits) and General Chemistry I Lab (1 credit) and CHEM1202/1204 - General Chemistry II Lecture (3 credits) and General Chemistry II Lab (1 credit) 

• Method #3 - CLEP

  • Cost = $95

  • Requirement = Score a 50

  • Course Equivalent = General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II

  • Please visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/ for more information