Dear Parents and Students s9

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back to the new school year. I hope you had a wonderful summer. I am very excited about the upcoming school year and I look forward to working with you this year. As the 8th grade English Language Arts teacher, I am responsible for the instruction of reading, grammar, writing skills and preparation for the NJASK.

Students will receive a weekly schedule at the beginning of every week that outlines class work/homework assignments, as well as tests and quizzes. I recommend that all parents review the schedule every week with their child. Extra copies of the weekly schedule are available for students to bring home each week.

Please remember the following:

â Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday

â Students are picked up from the gym at 8:45 a.m. Please be PROMPT.

â Extra help is available to all students at lunch time and every Thursday at 3:00 pm

â Students must read their writing assignments aloud (parents and older siblings)

âParents can ask their children to bring home a copy of the schedule (which lists all homework and

classwork) so that they are aware of current assignments & upcoming tests/ projects.

âStudents must use the weekly schedule as a guide for missed assignments or unattended class time,

such as an absence, a trip to the nurse, bathroom, main office or guidance counselor. Students are

always responsible for their work. NO EXCUSES.

âVisit Ms. Buccos’s website at: http://www.northbergen.k12.nj.us/northbergen/site/default.asp

§ Click on Franklin School, Click on Teacher webpages, Click on Buccos, B in the directory

§ Use the side tool bar to find the weekly schedule and important messages.

Both student and parent must sign the document below, indicating that you (both) have read the attached documents. Please be sure to include your email address so that I may send any important messages and updates to you. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 201-974-7007 or email me.

Sincerely,

Ms. Buccos

Grade 8 English Language Arts

Room #218

Email:

Date: _____/_____/______

(PRINT Student’s Name) (Student’s Signature)

Email:______

Date: _____/_____/______

(PRINT Parent’s Name) (Parent’s Signature)

Parent Email #1: ______

Parent Email #2: ______

PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM BY MONDAY

Contact Information

§ Ms. Buccos, Grade 8, English Language Arts, Room #218

§ Phone Number 201-974-7007

§ Email Address:

Classroom Expectations:

§ Students are expected to keep the classroom neat at all times. Each student will be assigned an area in the closet where books, backpacks and jackets can be placed.

§ When seated, students are not allowed to keep purses or backpacks on their lap or back. These items must be kept under the desk, not in the aisle.

§ Students are expected to remain in their assigned seats at all times, even if there is a substitute teacher in the classroom.

§ Students are also expected to wear their eyeglasses every day. I will be doing power point presentations and it is imperative to be able to see the screen in the front of the room.

§ Students are expected to move between classes in an orderly fashion. Students are also expected to remain seated until they are dismissed. I expect all students to move quickly and quietly through the halls.

§ DO NOT use cell phones in class or in school. DO NOT text message, check voicemail, turn phones off or on; these things must be taken care of BEFORE you entire the school building. Cell phones that are seen will be confiscated.

Fire Drills/Hazard Drills/Lock Down Procedures:

§ During a fire drill, students are required to remain silent and line up single file.

§ We will be using the stairwell to the right of our classroom.

§ As students walk down the stairwell, they are required to stay to the right, in a single file and walk to the designated area.

§ If a student is in the bathroom during a fire drill/lockdown drill, he/she must immediately leave the restroom and join his/her class, or go to the nearest classroom and remain there until the drill is over.

§ Students must line up facing the wall with their hands at their sides.

§ Talking is prohibited.

§ During a lock down drill (Mr. Check Hall), students are expected to move away from the door, go to the back of the room and remain silent until the drill is complete.

§ All of these drills are serious and must be taken seriously.

If a student chooses to break any of these rules, a parent conference will be required.

Grading Policy for each marking period

· Students who do not submit homework, class work assignments or tests/quizzes, earn zero points for the missed assignment. At the end of each marking period, zeros are calculated into the student’s final marking period average.

· Homework – 25% of your grade Classwork – 25% of your grade

· Tests/ Essays – 25 % of your grade District Exams – 25% of your grade

· In the event there is no district exam, each content area will be 33% of your grade

· In case of absence, students have 5 days to make-up class work and homework assignments. Make up work will be placed in the make up folder. It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve and hand in all missed assignments.

· Language Arts grades for both Reading and Writing will be averaged together at the conclusion of each marking period.

Language Arts Supplies

Below is a list of supplies students will need for my class. Students are asked to bring these supplies to school as soon as possible, but not later than Monday.

ü Pens (Blue or Black Ink)

ü Red Pens (for proof reading only)

ü Yellow highlighter (to be used in student’s notes, not in text books)

ü #2 Pencils

ü 3-Ring Binder (small) with Loose-leaf Paper (3-hole punch filler paper)

ü One package of Tabbed Dividers (we will need 6 dividers)

ü 1-2 pocket folders

ü Computer and Printer (at home)

Throughout this school year students will be responsible for submitting various projects that will require the use of a computer. It is important to have access to a printer and a computer with internet capability throughout this school year. Please be sure to become a member of your town library so that you can become familiar with the services they have to offer in order to be prepared for future projects.

North Bergen FREE Public Library, 8411 Bergenline Avenue, #201-869-4715

General Policies:

· Extra help is available everyday 12:35 – 12:55 p.m. and every Thursday after school at 3:00 p.m.

· Medical and/or parental note MUST be submitted for student absences.

· Tests/quizzes that are below 65% will require a parent’s signature.

· A notification letter requiring a parent’s signature and/or conference is required for repeated misconduct.

Class Rules:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given.

2. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself.

3. Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking.

4. Bring books, notebooks, pens, pencils and assignments to class everyday.

5. No teasing, profanity or name calling.

Other Policies/Expectations:

· No hats or caps (in school).

· All class work and homework assignments must be labeled in the same format: Name/Date/Assignment.

· Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday and is completed at home.

· No cheating – automatic zero for all students involved; includes homework, class work and tests.

· No cell phones, ipods, electronic games – they will be confiscated.

· Come to class prepared, you may not be allowed to go back to any other class to get what you have forgotten.

· Sharpen pencils before coming to class, or carry a manual pencil sharpener with you.

· No writing on desks or in textbooks.

· Throw paper and/or garbage in the trash can, not in the desks and not on the floor.

· No writing or passing notes – they will be confiscated.

· PLEASE-NO GUM CHEWING!

Consequences:

1 x – Warning 3 x - Detention [After school] (Parental Conference)

2 x – Detention (12:35-12:55) 4 x – Principal’s Office (Parental Conference)

Ms. Buccos - Room # 218

Grade 8 - English Language Arts