- What are your rules and expectations?
- How do you average final grades?
- How can I access my child's grades?
- Do you give homework?
- Do you accept late work?
What are your rules and expectations?
My classroom rules are simple. My students and I follow a
classroom Bill of Rights that states:
In this classroom,
1. You have the right to learn,
2. Your classmates have the right to learn,
3. Mrs. Schwertfeger has the right to teach. Your actions may
not interfere with these rights.
This Bill of Rights pretty much covers any and all disturbances
that students could create in the classroom environment.
If a student choose to be a disruption, the following
consequences may apply:
1. Verbal Warning
2. 2nd warning (if warranted)--sticky note placed on desk as
"limit message"
3. Isolation in classroom/other teacher's classroom
4. After School Detention
5. Silent Lunch
6. Referral to Principal
If a student is a chronic problem, I have the right to skip any
of the above steps that I feel necessary.
How do you average final grades?
My Language Arts classes will be graded on the following things:
Language Arts--Quizzes/Tests --30%
Writing Assignments/Projects --30%
Reading Journals/Book Groups --10%
Homework/Classwork --20%
End of term Exam --10%
How can I access my child's grades?
Grades will be available again this year through Parent Portal, a web-
based program that allows you to access your child's grades
through the Internet.
In order to access Parent Portal, you first need to get an access code
through your school's media specialist. If you have several
children in the school system, you will only have one access code
for all of your children. You do not need to come to the school
to set up your account, but you will need to either come to the
school to get your confidential access code, or give your
child's homeroom teacher permission to send this access home with
your child.
If Evans Middle School does not have your access code on file,
that is probably because it is on file at the school of another
of your children.
Teachers try to have grades updated on the Parent Portal site on a
regular basis. If you have a question about your child's grade
in my L.A. classes, please send me an e-mail, and I'll address
the question at that time.
Do you give homework?
The homework that students may have, in general, is given because
the work was not completed in class when time was given. There
will be times when students will be expected to work on essays
and other assignments outside of the class, but I do not assign
regular homework. The Georgia Language Arts standards in 8th
grade require that students read 25 books (or 1 million words)
during the year (this is TOTAL books/words for all subject
areas). Thus, students will be required to complete outside reading of
novels/non-fiction books of their choice throughout the year (middle school
reading level or higher). Generally, students will be required to read 2-
3 novels per 9-week term on their own time, and complete a 'reading
reflection journal' about the novel.
Do you accept late work?
I will accept late work, however, it will be accepted with a
penalty as consequence. Students who choose to turn their work
in late, whether it be one day late or one month late, can earn
50% of the score. Thus, if a student's assignment would have
earned an 80% average, it will be marked down to a 40% score due
to its lateness.
