Welcome back 8th grade leaders!

I am so happy to be starting a brand new school year. I can't believe how much you all have grown in the past 3 years! I look forward to working with you this year and preparing you even more for high school.

Today in school you received the following pieces of information. Please review them with your family and return them to school, signed, ASAP:

• Communication Log (just to be filled out -- nothing to review)
• Classroom expectations
• School-wide expectations

Please remember that YOU are the leaders of the school this year.  Especially since we are working more closely with our fellow 6th and 7th graders on our floor, it is important that you hold yourself to a high standard.  Those younger students are looking up to you...you are the role model!  

It's Back to School Time!!!

Can you believe it?!?! The summer is over and you are all returning for 7th grade! I'm very excited to see everyone on Tuesday and I hope you are all excited to be coming back.

Just a few reminders:

• School doors open at 8am and you are considered tardy if you are not IN the classroom by 8:15am.
• You must be in school uniform EVERYDAY! Same uniform as last year: red, white, or black polo (which must be tucked in at all times), black pants, belt, and ALL-black shoes. There is no excuse for coming out of uniform considering you all knew what was expected last year.
• Math packets are due on Tuesday. If you haven't checked it out yet, look at the previous postings (scroll down to look at them), to check a few answers from each page. This packet is your first math grade. No packets will be accepted Wednesday, so make sure it is done!

If you have any other questions, please leave a comment! I look forward to seeing everyone bright and early on Tuesday to start another great year!

Are you ready???

It's back to school time. Are you ready? Please take the time to comment on this page about two things you look forward to this year and one academic goal you have. Remember, commenting on this page to record your answer gives you a participation points, and is part of your grade.

Open House

Attention Parents!

Since I was not able to meet with every parent before school started, I would like to welcome you to my Open House on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 3:30pm in my room (Room 207). All parents and students are welcome during this time as I will discuss a variety of topics, including:

• Topics of study this trimester
• Learning Plans and Exhibitions
• Class expectations
• Setting goals for the first trimester
• More detailed blog information

I would also like to take the time to go over any other questions you may have as a new UPA Middle School parent. If you are not able to make it during this time, it is very important for us to meet regarding your child's goals this trimester, so please contact me to set up other arrangements to meet.

See you then!

It's back to school time...

Students and Parents,

Welcome to 6th grade at UPA Middle School. I am extremely excited to start working this school year and I anticipate it being the best year yet. At this point, you should have read my letter and expectations for our class this year (if you haven't, make sure to ask your child for it). I would like to take this time just to highlight a few key points:

• Wearing the correct uniform is CRITICAL. Please note the uniform requirements on the back of my personal letter to you. Students out of uniform will have to call home and have their uniform brought to them. Repeated offenders will have other privileges taken away (field trips, free dress days, etc.)
• Being on time to school is necessary. Lessons begin promptly at 8:15am. Regularly being late could affect your child's education in many ways: homework is checked at the beginning of class (being late means your child will miss the homework review), the lecture/explanation of the lesson is done during the first 15-20 minutes of class (being late means your child will miss crucial material that I teach). If your child is late, it will be his/her responsibility to show me their homework and get extra instruction at a later time (lunch, after school, etc.)
• In class today, we discussed the class expectations and procedures. I have developed them in an effort to ensure a smooth learning experience. Please read these over carefully, sign it and return. If you are unclear or do not agree with a specific expectation/procedure, please indicate that on the form and I will contact you regarding it. Also, please look over our grading policy. If you are new to UPA, this may be confusing to you, so read it over and again let me know if you need any clarification. I will be more than happy to explain this policy more in-depth.
• I have also sent home a contact information sheet for you to fill out (if you did not do so at the Back-to-school meetings) so I can contact you when necessary. Please indicate the best method of contacting you (email or phone), including the best time to contact you.

Always feel free to contact me at any time regarding your child's progress. Also, everytime you read a posting, please feel free to write a comment/question regarding the information (even commenting that you read the posting). Your child will receive credit for participation each time!