Dear Parents,
I am very pleased to be teaching your child for the 2011-12 school year! In
order for your child to have the best possible school year, the following
materials are needed for class:
• a 1 binder with dividers (QOD & Notes) you can use your binder for other
classes with dividers.
• 2 packs of loose leaf paper (keep one at home or in locker for when you
need it)
• blue or black ink pens
• #2 pencils or mechanical pencils
• Optional (Colored pencils for maps)
TEXTBOOK
Louisiana Interactive Science – 8th grade textbook (they will be able to
write in this textbook!)
LAB FEE
Attached is a separate letter explaining the need for a $5.00 lab fee. It
can be paid by cash, check or online.
WEBSITE
Please visit my website at www.teacherweb.com. On this website, important
dates, a list of materials and class outline can always be found. I have
attached some helpful websites and there is also an email link.
EARTH SCIENCE
In the eighth grade, students will study about earth science themes, with
special emphasis on the Louisiana wetlands. This course will be divided into
several units.
Jason Wetlands Ch. 7 Geologic Time Ch. 14 Earth’s Forces
Ch. 1 Scientific Inquire Ch. 8 Mapping Earth Ch. 15 Earth, Moon & Sun
Ch. 2 Math in Science Ch. 9 Weathering/Soil Ch. 16 Exploring Space
Ch. 3 Atoms & Bonding Ch. 10 Science of Heredity Ch. 17 The Solar System
Ch. 4 Introducing Earth Ch. 11 Earth: Water Planet Ch. 18 Stars
Ch. 5 Plate Tectonics Ch. 12 The Atmosphere Ch. 19 Pollution
Ch. 6 Minerals & Rocks Ch. 13 Weather Forensics
Mini –Units
Hurricane Tracking Rocks & Minerals Space & Stars Forensics
CLASSWORK
Students will be required to take notes and participate in class discussion.
Class work will consist of a variety of activities such as class discussions,
note taking, cooperative learning activities, labeling pictures, worksheets,
projects, essays, multimedia presentations, etc. An emphasis will be placed
on writing skills in correlation with English language arts and the LEAP
test. Organization is very important. Notebook checks will occur each nine
weeks in preparation for high school.
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EXTRA CREDIT
Each nine weeks, students will have an opportunity to turn in five sciences
related articles that can be found in the daily newspapers, magazines or the
Internet. The student only needs to cut out the entire article or print the
entire article. The student will need to print at the top their full name
and class period on the each article. The articles are due during exam week
and for each article they will receive an extra three point for a total of 15
points. If you have any questions regarding this extra credit please e-mail
me.
GRADING PROCEDURE New Grading Scale
80%- Tests, Class work, and mini-units 93-100=A
20%- Exam 85-92= B
100% Final Grade 75-84=C
67-74=D
1-66=F
RETURNING FROM ABSENCE
It is the student’s responsibility to make-up work missed due to absence.
Students should meet with the teacher when they return to school. You will
be given the same amount of days to make-up work as you were absent.
Students should copy missed notes from a classmate. A list of missed
assignments will be given and a schedule to make-up any missed test. Please
remember new guidelines have been issued by the state limiting absences and
excuses. Students are not excused for vacations and trips out of town.
BATHROOM
You will be given a bathroom/hall pass each nine weeks. Your pass can be
used three times. Once you have used your pass three times, you will not be
permitted to leave the classroom. Any bathroom passes that are not used may
be turned in at the end of the nine weeks for 3 bonus points each.
DISCIPLINE PLAN
I am a firm believer that life-long success depends on self-discipline. I
have developed a classroom discipline plan that affords every student the
opportunity to manage his or her own behavior. Your child deserves the most
positive educational climate possible for academic growth. Therefore, this
plan will be in effect at all times.
Classroom Rules: Consequences
1. Be Prepared 1. Warning
2. Be Orderly 2. Punish Work
3. Be Respectful 3. Parent Notification
4. Be Cooperative 4. Detention
5. Office Referral
Tardies
Tardies tend to be one of the main problems in a junior high. It is
imperative that students arrive at school on time. Please remember school
begins promptly at 7:25 A.M. Students are not excused when checked-in by a
parent unless a doctor's note is given or other extenuating circumstances.
Students will also be given detentions when tardy for class. Students are
given an adequate amount of time to get to class. Tardies are usually the
result of talking and playing in the halls. Please discuss the school tardy
policy with your child.
Tardy: Definition: A student not in his/her seat when the tardy bell rings
• 1st Tardy: Warning
• 2nd Tardy: Detention and parent notification
• 3rd Tardy: Detention and parent notification
• 4th Tardy: Office Referral (administrative detention, Saturday, etc.)
Cell Phones
Cell Phones are not allowed in school. Please encourage your child to leave
his/her cell phone at home or keep them turned off. Cell phones that are
taken by teachers in class are usually the result of students ignoring and
disregarding the teacher's first warning of putting the cell phone away. If
your child is playing with his/her phone during class, he/she is missing
vital academic information and displaying a blatant disregard and respect for
rules. Discuss this policy with your child.
Parents
Please remember that all grades are posted on STI computer program, which can
be accessed on the internet. Your child's code remains the same each year
for STI. If you do not have your child's STI code, please contact Slidell
Jr. High administrative office. Grades are posted weekly. This is a great
way to keep track of your child's academic performance, notice any problems,
and contact the teacher before the nine weeks ends. Also, please remember
that all teachers have a website on teacherweb.com. On teacherweb, you can
access lesson plans, assignments, homework, and project information.
Teacherweb and STI keep you informed about your child's education. Please
utilize these resources. Junior high can often be a trying time for parents
as students exercise their independence. Setting up a plan of rewards and
consequences ahead of time is often affective in deterring behavior
problems.
"No Zero Policy"
Assignments are vital component of a child's learning experience. Students
who fail to complete assignments will be given daily morning detentions until
all zeros are clear. All lessons, assignments, activities, and projects are
vital to becoming a successful, self-directed learner and a productive
citizen.
I look forward to working with your child and your cooperation. If there are
ever any questions or problems, please contact me at school at 641-5914, or e-
mail address, patty.dupuy@stpsb.org.
