Welcome Parents and Students to the 2007-2008 School Year!
Week 1:
Monday August 20th- Friday 24th
Homework Assignments:
1. Parents and students read and sign "Parent/Student Acknowledgement Form" in the Code of Student Conduct. Please return form as soon as possible.
2. Parents and students read and sign "Ms. Castellon's Class Syllabus". Please send back the full copy of the syllabus with your child on Monday August 27th, 2007, or no later than by the end of the week.
3. Parents and students please find below a copy of my classroom's syllabus. Parents you'll receive a copy of this document on Friday August 24th, 2007.
GLADES MIDDLE SCHOOL
16700 S. W. 48TH COURT
MIRAMAR, FL. 33027
(754)-323-4600
Bachelor’s in Exceptional Student Education (FIU)
Master’s in Human Resources (DeVry University)
Fully Bilingual (Spanish)
Message to the Parents and Students
Welcome! We are very fortunate to start our 2007-2008 school year in the newest school in Broward County.
Parents, I want to thank you in advance for all the support, dedication, hard work, and participation I’ll receive from each one of you this school year. You are the number one element in your child’s education. You have the power to impact your child’s life beyond imagination.
You are the very first teacher (s) in his or her life, without you my job is meaningless. I need your full participation in your child’s school life to better serve our greatest treasure, our students. I know I can count on you. Together we can make a difference!
Students, I hope you had a restful and exciting summer with your family and friends.
We are back in business, and I am looking forward to have a beautiful, productive, and unforgettable school year in which learning will take place at all times.
I am thrilled to have you back in my classroom, and I expect that this school year, we are able to explore and to discover more learning adventures together. Go Cougars!
ACADEMIC COURSES
I have been assigned to teach the following classes for the 2007-2008 school year:
• Math 6-8 ? Period 1
• Read 6-8 ? Period 2
• Planning or TBA ? Period 3
• LA 6-8 ? Period 4
• Social Studies 6-8 ? Period 5
• Planning or TBA ? Period 6
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PLAN
CLASSROOM RULES
1. Be respectful to adults and peers.
2. Be on time, and on your assigned seat before the bell rings.
3. Be prepared everyday with appropriate school supplies.
4. Be polite to others when you ask for help or permission.
5. Be responsible and accountable for your behavior, academic work, and belongings.
6. Be a leader and a good example to you, your peers and your community.
GOLDEN RULE: Honor your parents, and give them the opportunity to be proud of your learning and success everyday.
CONSEQUENCES
1. Verbal Warning
2. Reassignment of assigned seat (Student will be moved closer to teacher’s desk temporary or permanent; teacher’s discretion will be applied).
3. Student-Teacher Conference, and Mandatory Behavior Homework Worksheet (to be completed by student and signed by parent).
4. Call to parent or legal guardian
5. Referral to Behavior Specialist, Grade Level Counselor or Family Counselor (Family counseling is only for those students receiving such services. Also, this service is indicated on the student’s IEP).
6. Referral to appropriate Grade Administrator (Mrs. Palacio 6th grade; Mr. Campuzano 7th grade; and Mr. Corrente 8th grade).
REWARDS
1. Praise and token economy points
2. Sunshine note to parents/guardian
3. Nomination to Student of the Week /Month
4. Certificate of Academic Excellence/Exemplary Behavior/Most Improvement/Great Effort
DRESS CODE
No student will be allowed to enter my classroom if he/she does not follow the School/District Dress Code Rules, as well as Glades Middle School Unified Dress Code. Students will be referred to his grade level administrator respectively (Mrs. Palacio 6th grade; Mr. Campuzano 7th grade; and Mr. Corrente 8th grade).
Note 1: Token Economy is a researched behavior change system. Its main goal is to reinforce positive behaviors that promote learning and instruction. I’ll facilitate more in depth information on this subject in the near future.
Note 2: *Please read the Code of Student Conduct Section II (Respect for Persons and Property) pgs. 13-18. **Section III (Dress Code), pg. 18. *** Section VIII (Intervention and/or Consequences), pgs. 27-32.
CLASSROOM ROUTINES AND PROCEDURES
GRADING POLICY
The following are some of the guidelines on which your child will be evaluated in my classroom during the 2007-2008 school year:
ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to be in class and in seat on time every day with their appropriate school supplies.
Any absences must be excused by a doctor’s note, parent’s note or a phone call through the students’ grade level office (i.e. 6th grade center, 7th grade center or 8th grade center).
Excused and Unexcused absences allowed students to make-up missed assignments in my class. Students will have ONLY (2) two days to complete make-up work. Failure to complete make-up work will result on a ZERO for each absence whether is excused or unexcused.
Excessive unexcused tardies will affect your child’s academic grade. Please encouraged him or her to be punctual at all times. All unexcused tardies are documented, and a subject to disciplinary action to your child’s grade level administrator.
Note 1: Please see Section I (Attendance) of the Code of Student Conduct, pgs. 9-12.
HOME STUDY TIME
Practice, practice and more practice is the key to learning. A quiet and calm space is highly recommended and encouraged at home. Students will only be successful in the classroom, if they practice their study skills outside the classroom. Also, please ensure that your child has the basic school supplies to complete his/her academic assignments (i.e. pencils, pens, paper, notes, highlighters, etc.).
Furthermore, access to a dictionary, computer, and public/school library are necessary and imperative to your child’s academic career in order to successfully complete his/her homework responsibilities.
HOMEWORK
Homework represents 30% of the student’s academic grade in my classroom. Students are REQUIRED to do their homework EVERYDAY or WEEKLY depending on the subject area.
Otherwise, students will limit the chances of passing the class with a good grade.
Daily homework will be given to those students in Math 6-8 and Read 6-8. It will be collect the following school day. If the following school day lands on an Early Release Day or Holiday, then it will be collected the next day students return to class.
Weekly Homework will be given to students in LA 6-8 and Social Studies 6-8. Weekly homework will be given on Monday and it is due on the Friday of the same week. If the Friday lands on a Teacher’s Planning Day or Holiday, the homework is due on Monday of the following week. Moreover, if that Monday is a holiday, then it is due the next time we meet as a class.
The rationale behind the criteria for daily or weekly homework is based on the intensity of the homework assignments. For instance, it is realistic to assigned daily math problems and reading passages to students because they are achievable within the school day. However, book reviews, essays, and research reports are multi-step activities that required additional time, detailed organization, concentration, etc.
Note 1: There is no homework on Fridays or Weekends, unless notify in advance.
LIBRARY CARDS
Every student in my classroom is required to have: (1) a Glades Middle School Library Card, and (2) a Broward County Public Library Card.
I’ll make sure that your child obtains our school library card. However, it’s the student’s responsibility to acquire the BCPL card on his or her own.
Note 1: Please parents assist your child with this task, as this is your child’s first homework grade in my class.
Note 2: Each student will be provided with a BCPL card form to take home. Or you can visit: http://www.broward.org/library/ to apply online.
Note 3: All students need to have both cards by Friday August 31st, 2007.
TESTS/QUIZZES
Tests and quizzes will be announced in advance to students.
Students: Studying for the above assessments is a requirement; it is not an option.
CLASS SUPPLIES
The following list is a suggested list. Parents, I understand that probably by now, you have might purchased some, if not all of these materials. If you have, thank you so much for your effort.
If you have not done so, please keep materials in mind, as we will be using them in class in a daily basis.
Suggested materials
1. One composition notebook.
2. One one-subject notebook.
3. One packet lined paper.
4. One ruler
5. One easer
6. One pencil sharpener
7. One Highlighter (any color)
8. Minimum of two pens (blue or black)
9. Minimum of three pencils (#2 pencil)
10. One set of coloring pencils
11. One set of coloring markers.
Emergency School Supplies Bag: Parents, please provide the following materials in a clear Ziploc bag: (a) three number #2 pencils, (b) one pencil sharpener, (c) one eraser, (d) two pens, black of blue, and (e) one pack of lined paper.
Note 1: This emergency bag will be stored and it will remain in my classroom. This is to assist your child in case he or she loses or misplaces his book bag supplies before arriving to my classroom.
Note 2: Parents, please explain to your child that these supplies are not a substitute to his or her book bag supplies. Students are expected to carry their appropriate school supplies in a daily basis. No exceptions!
Note 3: If your child has me as his or her teacher more than one time, then, only one emergency supplies bag is necessary. Finally, please keep in that if you child exhausts or loses his or her supplies before school is over, then, it is important to replace them. All unused supplies will be return to each student at the end of the school year.
WORK AREA HOUSEKEEPING
Students are expected to maintain their work area clean and organized at all times. At the end of each class period, all students are expected to clean and organize their work area (i.e. pick papers, put away textbooks, etc.) before going to their next class.
HELPERS
As part of the students’ participation grade, each student will encouraged to be the WEEKLY CLASSROOM HELPER at least once during each quarter within the 2007-2008 school year. Students will learn how to be responsible, reliable, cooperative, and exemplary. Each student will have the opportunity to experience community service in a small scale before he or she reach High School.
VISITORS
Students are expected to show their best and most respectful behavior when having visitors in the classroom (parents, administrators, substitutes, volunteers, district officials, office aids, teachers and staff, etc.) in the classroom.
TELEPHONE/ELECTRONIC DEVICES/ INTERNET
Students are not allowed in my classroom to use or have visible access their cellular phones, Portable Play Station (SPS), IPOD, MP3, laser bean, classroom phone, etc. These items are to be out of sight at all times while in my classroom.
These devices will be confiscated and given to the student’s grade level administrator. Parents or legal guardians are expected to pick up confiscated items at the student’s grade level center.
The Internet usage is only for educational/academic purposes. Students are expected to use technology responsibly.
Students who violate the Technology Usage guidelines will lose his or her privileges to access to the Internet in the classroom premises, school library or student computer lab while under my care. These students will receive an alternative assignment instead.
Note: Please see Section IV: Technology Usage, of the Code of Student Conduct, pg. 20.
HALL PASSES
Hall passes are only given to students who are sick and need to go to the clinic. Students are encouraged to go to the restroom between periods, before and after school, or after 10/10 rule students can go to office and guidance.
Note 1: Accommodations or modifications will be honor if specified in the student’s IEP or cumulative folder (please provide a copy of student’s medical history to student’s administrator if you have not done so).
Agendas
Agendas are provided to all students, regards of their grade level. In my classroom is a requirement for students to use them and to have them in a daily basis. Agendas will be checked each week. This is part of their organization grade.
MISCELLANEOUS
Note 1: Food and beverages are not permitted in the classroom. Please follow breakfast and lunch schedules.
Note 2: If your child is under medical care, and he or she requires eating before taking any medication, please inform your child’s administrator and myself in writing to make the appropriate accommodations.
Note 3: Students are encouraged to bring a sweater or jacket if they feel that the temperature is too cold in the classroom. The A/C thermostat is monitor at a central location within the building. Therefore, teachers and staff members do not have access to modify the building’s temperature.
Note 4: Students are not allowed to have “permanent markers” on their possession. No exceptions.
PARENT EMERGENCY CONTACT
Please fill out all the information that applies. Please print.
Primary Contact
Parent Name: ___________________________
Home Phone Number: ___________________________
Cellular Phone Number: ___________________________
E-mail: ___________________________
Best time to reach you: _____________________
Secondary Contact
Name: ___________________________
Relationship to the child: _____________________
Home Phone Number: ___________________________
Cellular Phone Number: ___________________________
E-mail: ___________________________
Best time to reach you: _____________________
Parents, if you feel that you need to meet with me, and your child’s administrator personally before signing the Student-Teacher-Parent-Administrator agreement, please put a check mark below.
I wish to speak with my child’s teacher and administrator. Please contact me to arrange an appointment.
2007-2008 STUDENT-TEACHER- PARENT AGREEMENT
I have read and understood the above rules and regulations in my Ms. Castellon’s classroom. I agree to work with her as a team to the best of my ability in order to help my child be successful in her class. I will keep in contact in a regular basis to discuss any difficulties that my child may encounter in her classroom. Finally, I understand that the intention of above document is to provide me with a clear picture of her expectations, classroom procedures, and behavior plan in her classroom. Also, that her intentions are to better serve my child.
_____________________________ _________________
Parent (s)/Legal Guardian Date
_____________________________
Print Name
I agree to follow the above rules and regulations in Ms. Castellon’s classroom. I agree to respect and honor my parents at all times. I promise to work hard to the best of my ability every school day, and to behave in an appropriate manner while I am in Ms. Castellon’s class. Also, that her goal is to teach me what I am expected to learn in my grade level.
_____________________________ _________________
Student Signature Date
_____________________________
Print Name
I agree to enforce the above rules and regulations in order to best serve each one of my students. I agree to work with each parent to the best of my ability. I agree to keep each parent inform about his or her child’s academic performance and behavior while under my care. I agree to inform the student’s administrator about his or her performance in my classroom.
_____________________________ _________________
Teacher Signature Date
_____________________________
Print Name
I agree to supervise the above rules and regulations and to maintain an open communication with the student’s parents and teacher. Also, I understand that Ms. Castellon’s intentions are to maintain an appropriate academic environment in which learning takes place.
_____________________________ _________________
Administrator Signature Date
____________________________
Print Name
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