Grade 7 ~ Classroom Information Newsletter
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to the beginning of our school year at Our Lady of Lourdes in our new building! It is so exciting to be beginning a new school year in beautiful, brand new surroundings. I look forward to working with you and your child throughout this Grade 7 school year. As we work together to continue to instill in each child a sense of confidence, self-esteem and responsibility, it is my hope that your child will strive for his/her highest potential in all pursuits!
The intermediate level (Grade 7 and 8) brings an increased sense of responsibility, leadership and expectations. Since more will be expected of students individually, they will be held accountable for their work habits, work completion, ability to meet deadlines and observance of school rules.
We welcome Mr. Bouchard (who will be taking over for Mrs. Kopichanski, who will soon be beginning her maternity leave). Mr. Bouchard will be teaching Grade 7/8. Mrs. Diggins will be teaching the Grade 8 class. As an intermediate division we work very closely planning curriculum and special activities for the students. Rotary teaching of some subjects will also occur this year, to help the students develop organization skills and assist them with their eventual transition to high school.
Class newsletters and calendars will outline the units we are studying, as well as special classroom activities and upcoming events. Dates for upcoming tests and projects will be included on the calendars as well. Please review this information with your child on a regular basis, so that he/she can develop a sense of time management and become increasingly more involved in his/her learning. All information, including daily homework, and announcements, will be found on our classroom website (http://teacherweb.com/ON/OurLadyofLourdes/OKeefe ). Please add this website to your favourites and check it often. Homework will be updated on a daily basis.
Please note that we will need to keep our classroom peanut free due to severe nut allergies throughout the school. Please ensure any food items being sent into the classroom are nut-free. The health and safety of all students is our number one priority!
If at any time during the year you should have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to write a note in your child’s agenda, or contact me at the school: 519.660.2775. I look forward to working together to assist your child to achieve in all aspects of his/her education. When visiting the school, be sure to report in at the office first before proceeding through the school.
September will be a very busy month. I hope to see many of you at our school family BBQ, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 2011 commencing at 5:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Ms. Rosie O’Keefe
1. Assignments/Tests/Quizzes:
Students will know well in advance of upcoming assignments and tests and will often receive a test review sheet. Homework assignments will be checked regularly for completion and neatness. In order to keep up-to-date regarding your child’s progress, all assignments and tests are sent home to be signed by one parent/guardian in a Communication Folder and should be returned to school the following day. (Ask your child to see his/her communication folder.)
2. Homework and Student Agendas:
It is essential that each student be self-motivated and responsible for completing all assigned work, both in class and at home. To ensure success in this area and to encourage strong work habits and organizational skills, we use a variety of tools. Daily use of a student agenda, homework monitoring and consistent home-school communication assist students in remaining on track. I will be initialing the student’s agenda daily and would ask that the agenda be checked and initialed by a parent each evening so that I know you are aware of homework, upcoming events, etcetera. Agendas are to remain intact (i.e. students are not to remove any pages) throughout the year.
Students should set aside some time for nightly homework. Homework may consist of work not completed in class, independent reading, completing projects or studying for tests. It is expected that students will be diligent in completing homework tasks when assigned. If your child is absent, he or she will be expected to catch up on any material missed, as soon as possible.
3. Supplies:
Set out below is a list of required and optional items to purchase for your child. It would be helpful if every family could supply our class with a couple of boxes of Kleenex to be shared by everyone throughout the year. If everyone contributes we should have enough for the entire year. Please send the boxes of tissue with your child, either this week, or sometime next week. Also, if you have any old magazines, I would be happy to accept any donations to be used for various tasks throughout the year. Thank you!
4. Clothing:
A pair of indoor shoes must be worn at all times by your child in the school. This will ensure your child’s safety as well as keeping our floors clean. Your child will require a pair of indoor running shoes (with laces or proper fasteners) for use in the gym (absolutely NO outside shoes are to be worn in the gym at any time). Please ensure that the soles of the shoes are "non-marking". As well, physical education clothes (T-shirt and shorts) are required during all Physical Education classes. Students need to be dressed in proper phys-ed. attire at all times for participation and assessment. This clothing should be taken home to be washed occasionally.
As well, please make sure your child adheres to the school dress code at all times (please see the agenda for further information).
5. Snacks/Food:
Nutritious snacks and lunch items are essential ingredients that enhance your child’s learning and productivity. Please keep this in mind when packing lunches and snacks. Also, it is a good idea to send a non-breakable water bottle, with a secure lid, with your child to keep him/her hydrated during the day. Absolutely no food is allowed to be consumed in the halls outside the classroom due to allergies and mess.
6. Birthdays and Special Occasions
In an effort to promote healthy living and to be inclusive of all children including those with food allergies and other conditions such as diabetes, as a staff we are working towards the provision of alternate treat options. In place of cupcakes or other birthday treats, we ask you to consider stickers, pencils and other "dollar store" type items, only if you wish. Such items also bring smiles to faces without excluding any child.
7. Collection of Money
Throughout the year, I will be collecting money for various reasons (hot lunch, field trips, etc). I would very much appreciate if the exact change could be sent. Our class will be part of the Scholastic Book Club. Any orders placed with this club must be paid by cheque only. Cheques are to be made payable to, "Scholastic Canada". Cash will NOT be accepted.
8. Items Used at School:
Textbooks will be numbered and assigned to individual students. Students should not write in the text or deface it in any way. Each student is responsible for the care of the texts assigned to him/her. As well, students are responsible to keep the desk and chair assigned to them in good condition throughout the year.
LIST OF REQUIRED ITEMS
Students will require the following items, to be available at all times.
A) calculator * (needs to have square root and exponent functions), in particular for Math class lessons and tests. * Calculators will NOT be provided by the school
B) pencil crayons (specifically for Geography and Visual Arts)
C) lined paper for individual subjects
D) coloured markers (optional)
Please be advised that large, bulky, zip-close binders are discouraged as they take up too much room in the desks. Binders will NOT be allowed to be kept on the floor at any time. Duotangs will be provided for individual subjects.
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I have received, and read the September 6, 2011 Grade 7 Classroom Information Newsletter.
_____________________________ ___________________________________
Name of Student (Parent, please sign and return with student)