Parent Letter to All Students and Parents GRISSOM MIDDLE SCHOOL Student Name_________________________ Hr.___ Date: Sept, 2016
Dear Dear Students and Parents:
What’s being covered?
. Seventh graders will focus on learning Social Studies Eastern Hemisphere. Students will be asked to think, analyze, compare and contribute in class. Effort will be very important. They will be required to bring their textbook to class every day. The school does not allow backpacks of any size in the classroom. In addition to normal school supplies, 2 pencils and an eraser, a red pencil, paper, a glue stick, some kind of folder with pockets for loose assignments, and two spiral notebooks 8 1/2 x 11 size containing lined paper. (We may fill up a couple of spiral notebooks throughout the year.) Since backpacks are not allowed in the classroom a soft pencil case can hold all these loose items easily. It is not required.) I don't collect tissue or extra cleaning supplies. I also don't pass them out so students who need tissues should bring their own when they need them. Students should also bring a silent reading book to class every day in case they finish their assignments for social studies.
· Eighth graders will focus on American History. Along with our textbook, current content derived from newspapers, magazines and other sources will be used to compare, contrast, and analyze our past. Students will be encouraged to think, be respectful and share their opinions. Conservatives, Liberals, Democrats, Republicans and all others are all welcome. Eighth graders can use the same list of supplies as seventh graders.
Who’s doing the learning this year?
The students! I will only be their guide. Some students will need to do more homework than others to secure a good grade. Students should be reading something for at least twenty minutes a day at home. This improves their vocabulary as well as their reading skills.
Classroom rules?
SHOW UP! Bring supplies, lined paper, sharpened pencils, red pen and pocket folder or some kind of folder to keep loose, unfinished assignments. No student should be coming to class carrying nothing! Students should not be dependent on friends to provide them with supplies. Students should also have a silent reading book with them at all times in case they finish their assignments.
Respect your peers, the ones you like as well as the ones you don’t! Don’t touch anyone's equipment or supplies or books without asking. Don’t copy another student’s work or both students will receive a zero on the assignment.
Ask for help! Study for exams. Cheating on an exam results in a zero for both students involved. Retaking of exams will be very limited and retakes will not have scores of 100%. Retakes will also occur before school or after school so students will not miss valuable classroom time.
Students are expected to treat any substitute teachers or other assigned leaders with respect and follow all of their rules.
Computer use requires all students to follow the Warren Consolidated Acceptable Use Policy they signed when they registered for school. Phones follow the district policy. Phone usage is at teacher discretion.
Home Rules?
Do homework in a timely fashion. Make up assignments and tests within a day of an absence. (District Policy). Not asking to take a test does not excuse a student from the test. Students should do their own writing on writing assignments. “Cutting and pasting” paragraphs on a topic is not considered student writing. This practice with secure a zero on the assignment.
Keep track of grades on Power School. Students are responsible to see what is missing and to make up the work. Parents can also access grades on Power School. Students who do not do several assignments throughout a quarter and then try to turn in all work the last few days of a quarter will not receive full credit for their work. Copies of missing assignments are only available for a week after they are assigned.
Students are expected to get enough sleep and come to Grissom with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Conflict Resolution?
Conflicts will be resolved between students, with parents, with detentions or additional assignments or with referrals to the counselors or administrators.
Detentions have to be at the teacher’s convenience so those students with busy schedules after school will probably be especially good in school!
Contact?
Parents may contact me if they have any questions during the semester. I am available before or after school or during my planning period (4th hr) (11:14 a.m.--12:48 p.m. approximately) at 586-825-2560 Ext. 26302. I do have voice mail and messages can be left for me at any time throughout the day.
My email is [email protected]. If you wish to contact me by email please put your student’s name in the subject area. Email will often be stopped by our school filter and if a student’s name is not in the subject area I may not see it. If you do not receive a response from me quickly by email, please call or send a note with your child.
Everyone can view the class lesson plans on my website www.mstesch.weebly.com. You can also get the web site name through the school web site: www.wcs.k12.mi.us . Your child will know how to do this so they can help you!
Parents can encourage their child to get enough sleep, provide a quiet place in which to work and make sure they are taking care of all medications or other important things they need to do before coming to school. They also can check to see that their child brings their supplies to class. There is no sharpener in my classroom. Your support is very helpful to me and your child.
I am very excited to spend this year with your child! I wish to be an extension of your goals for them and will do everything possible to insure their success.