WELCOME TO 6TH GRADE! We would like to introduce ourselves to you and familiarize you with some of our procedures and expectations. This year our class has a unique situation, Mrs. Schutt will join our team to teach Math and Science while Mrs. Helt is on maternity leave. Therefore, over the course of this year your student will have three content area teachers. Megan Schutt will teach Math and Science from September to December and Melanie Helt will return to teach Math and Science from January on, while Dawn Cottnair will be teaching Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies for the entire year. We are all very excited to start another year of school.
We have a great group of students and we anticipate significant academic progress and social development from every student. For growth to occur academically and socially, the classroom climate is critical. That is why we have high expectations for student behavior in the classroom. The following letter lists our classroom expectations, grading policies and other important information you should know.
Expectations:
In class, students will be expected to do the following:
1. Arrive to class on time and commit to productively being here everyday
2. Be prepared: Bring supplies, return work on time, be ready to learn
3. Show respect to ALL students and adults in class and on campus
4. Use academic time wisely in class and at home
5. Give 100% effort, show a strong work ethic, and maintain academic integrity
6. Take academic risks, pursue challenges, learn and grow from mistakes
7. Students will be expected to work independently, with partners, in small groups, and as a member of the class
Daily Schedule:
8:20-10:15 AM Core
10:15-10:25 Break
10:25-10:55 PM Core
11:00-11:50 PE/Music
11:50-12:20 Lunch
12:25-2:05 PM Core
2:10-2:50 Elective M/W/F
Health T/Th
Homework/ Binder Reminder
You can anticipate approximately 1 hour of homework per night, including 20 minutes of independent reading each night or a total of 140 minutes per week. The amount of homework GREATLY depends on how efficiently your student uses his/her class time. Students will be expected to record their daily assignments in their binder reminder. Students are also responsible for sharing and keeping track of their homework responsibilities with a parent or guardian each night and obtaining a signature in their binder reminder. Your child's binder reminder will be checked in their PM core every day. Students will receive 2 points of extra credit each week if all days are signed on time. In an effort to help your student be successful with homework, please help them to create a specific time and place that is quiet and consistent for completing their work.
Grading:
Grading will be based on a point system. Grading point values will be given and explained to the students on the different assignments. Student participation and behavior will be graded and included in their grades. Late work is discouraged, however it will be accepted with a 25% deduction. If your child is absent they will be expected to make up missing work. They will have the equal amount of days gone to make it up. Work not turned in will receive a zero, absent work will be counted as a zero until it is completed by the student.
Grading Scale:
A 93-100 C+ 76-79
A- 90-92 C 73-75
B+ 87-89 C- 70-72
B 83-86 D+ 66-69
B- 80-82 D 60-66
F below 60
Progress Reports:
Progress
reports will be sent home every Monday for each core. These are provided for
the benefit of maintaining clear and up to date communication between school
and home regarding student progress.
Please remind your child to save all graded assignments until report
cards have been distributed each trimester. We are human and may make mistakes on the computer. If on any progress report something
seems to missing or incorrect, we will require that the student prove the error
to us with the work they have saved.
If they cannot show us the work we have to assume that it was not turned
in and they will be required to redo the work. Progress reports are to be turned in the following day
with both the parent and the student's signature. Students failing to
return a progress report will receive an infraction. Students with 5 or more missing assignments on a progress
report will receive an infraction for not completing assignments on time.
Where Do I Go
If I Have Questions?
Good communication between parent and teacher is essential. Through the binder reminder, progress reports, and phone calls, you will have the opportunity to know exactly what is taking place in your child's classroom. If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to give us a call or set up a conference time. Please make an appointment if you wish to meet with us so that we can make sure that we are here.
You can also reach us by e-mail at the following addresses:
dcottnair@blaine.k12.wa.us Dawn Cottnair
mschutt@blaine.k12.wa.us Megan Schutt (Sept.-Dec.)
mhelt@blaine.k12.wa.us Melanie Helt (Jan.-June)
You can reach us by phone between 7:30-8:00 AM or between 3:00-3:30 PM at the following numbers:
332-0402 Dawn Cottnair
332-0406 Megan Schutt (Sept.-Dec.) / Melanie Helt (Jan. – June)
We look forward to an exciting year ahead!
Dawn Cottnair Megan Schutt Melanie Helt
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When you have read this letter, please fill out this portion, sign, and return it to your AM Core teacher by Friday, September 3, 2004
______________________________ _______________________
(child's name) (parent name(s)
______________________________ ________________________
(home phone #) (Work phone #)
______________________________ ________________________
(cell #) (e-mail address)
Please provide us with any additional medical or important information that would help your child to be successful this year.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________ ________________________
(student signature) (parent signature)