Dear students

Really, I know you mean well and you get flustered and it is so very not your fault that I am plowing through a stack of papers at the last f'in minute. However, please do not call me at home, in the evening, with the following set of questions:

Student: I don't think my assignment for tomorrow will be done, what's the late penalty?
Me: It's on the syllabus, which I don't have in front of me.
Student: I think it's 10 points per day?
Me: Yes, that sounds right. Check the syllabus to be sure.
Student: Well, is that like 10 points, or 10 percent?
Me: Well, the assignments are graded on a 100-point scale, right? So it's the same thing.
Student: Uhm, oh yeah. Okay, I have another question.
Me: Yes?
Student: We're doing group work on our final projects in class tomorrow, right?
Me: Yes.
Student: So if i don't have my assignment, should I even come?
Me: Well, you won't have your assignment to contribute, but you can help the other people in your group talk about their work, right?
Student: Yes, I suppose so.
Me: And if you're not there, then not only are you late with your assignment, but you're also not doing the required group work that's part of your participation grade, correct?
Student: Right.
Me: So yeah, I think it would probably be a good idea for you to show up.