Mrs.
Noonkester
English Honors 1
2008-2009
Dear
Parent,
I
am pleased to welcome your Manteca High student to my English class this
year. I want to be sure that your
student gets off to a good start in school, so please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions or concerns. The
best and most reliable way to reach me is an e-mail to anoonkester@musd.net or you
may leave a message at 825-3150 x 643 and I will return
your call as soon as possible.
·
Attendance
Students must attend class regularly to pass English. We will be building on skills, so I expect all students to attend regularly so that no one falls behind. Assignments that are based on participation points in class (such as group work, SSR) cannot be made up, suggesting that the more absences a student has, the more likely he/she will harm his/her grade. The MHS tardy policy will be enforced in my class. It is outlined in the student handbook.
·
Supplies
Students must bring the following materials to class each day beginning as soon as possible: binder with 5 sections for English, lined paper, a blue/black pen, a pencil with an eraser, a glue stick, at least two felt tip pens or two highlighters of different colors, and an SSR book. Students will also find it helpful to have a variety of colored pens or pencils, and a pair of scissors. Students should also have something in which to save work at home. Assignments must be either handwritten in regular blue or black ink, or typed. Please remember that these supplies may need to be replenished.
·
Classroom
Rules
Students are expected to maintain a
high level of behavior. They are
expected to:
1.
Be respectful to others and the classroom.
2.
Be responsible for themselves, their work, and their
supplies.
3.
Be on task.
·
Consequences
I do not expect or allow behavior problems. However, any misbehavior will receive:
1.
Verbal warning
2.
Conference with teacher
3.
Remove the student from class and parent contact is made.
·
Grading
A student’s quarter grade is based on the
total number of points received during the quarter as a percentage of the total
points possible. The semester grade is
the average of the two quarter grades at 90% and the final at 10%. The grading scale is as follows:
90-100% = A 80-89% = B 70-79%
= C 60-69% = D 0-59% = F
·
Homework/Make-up
work
Students can expect homework each
night, and may have assignments to do over winter and spring breaks. If none is assigned, she/he would benefit
from reading the SSR book. Making up
work from an excused absence in a timely manner is the student’s
responsibility.
Late
work will not be accepted.
Students have two days to make up work from an excused absence. Students will not be allowed to make up any work while on a home
suspension, or receive credit for
assignments that though assigned prior to suspension have a due date that falls
during the disciplinary period.
·
SSR
In addition
to literature read as a class, students will have an outside reading assignment
of 1,000 pages per semester. Directions
for this assignment will be distributed. Students need to make sure they do not
fall behind on this assignment. It is
counted as complete or incomplete.
·
Cheating
Cheating is unacceptable in my class
and includes: using someone else’s work
as one’s own, copying from someone else or allowing one’s work to be
copied. As a minimum the student will receive a zero
on the assignment and parent contact will be made. Depending on the situation and/or a repeated incident, contact
with the Dean will be made as well as possible failure for the quarter.
·
Textbook
Management
Class set books will be covered and numbered. The students will be assigned a certain book number. Books need to be taken at the beginning of class and returned to the shelf in order at the end of class. All books need to be covered at all times to prevent damage.
·
Office Hours
I will be in Rm. 43 until 2:45 Tuesday through Thursday most days. Individual appointments can be arranged for further help.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Noonkester
Please sign and return this portion of the letter. This will be worth a class grade.
We have read and
understand the requirements of this class.
_____________________________
______________________________
Student’s
printed name Student
signature
_____________________________
______________________________
Parent/Guardian’s
printed name Parent/Guardian
signature
_______________ ___________________ __________________
Date Home
phone number Best time to
call home
___________________ __________________
Work
phone number Best time
to call work
_____________________________________
parent
e-mail address
Note: We may be watching movie versions with the same
titles of the readings (Romeo and Juliet-Zeffirelli, Of Mice and Men), if they are available, or a movie with a related theme
to the novels (Clash of the Titans, Ulysses, The Outsiders, West Side Story) if
time permits. If you do not want your son or daughter to
watch a particular movie, please sign below and note the movie title.
_______________________________
Parent/Guardian
Signature
________________________________
Movie
Title(s)
SSR Book Permission Slip
____ My child has permission to read
any book of his/her choosing.
____ My child must check with me
(the parent/guardian) when choosing a book.
Parent
Signature_______________________