Mr. Caprice Walters Teacher

Medgar Evers 4th & 5th Grade Mr. Caprice Walters – Teacher

Dear Parents & Guardians: Welcome back to what we know will be another exciting school year. As with any new adventure, there are expectations and goals to be met for this school year. I expect all of my students to come to school prepared to learn, and ready to actively participate in his/her learning. I believe that growth is stimulated by a positive environment where students learn from each other, being fully engaged in group activities and stimulating classroom discussions.

Attendance: Attendance is necessary for academic growth. It ensures that your son/daughter is exposed to the curriculums, strategies, class work, and assessments. If a student in my class is absent, then he/she will be required to submit an assignment or take an assessment(s) the next day he/she returns to school. A signed note from a parent/guardian is required from all absentee students upon returning to school (homeroom).

Reading Curriculum: The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has adapted the Common Core Curriculum. Common Core is believed to have more rigorous instruction that prepares students with knowledge and skills to succeed in college and career. It is believed to ensure consistent expectations regardless of a student’s zip code and provides educators, parents and students with clear and focused guideposts. For more information on the Common Core Curriculum use the following link: http://www.corestandards.org/.

Novels: Students will be reading a series of novels this year. I will notify you in writing if there will be any costs associated with our third novel.

Novel & ISBN Number Costs Freedom Crossing By Margaret Goff Clark Free ISBN 0-590-44569-3 Parvana’s Jouney Parents must purchase independently By Deborah Ellis novels are not available to purchase from ISBN 978-0-88899-519-3 the school.

PARCC This year students will take the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) for the first time. This computerized assessment is at grade level and will be completed by students later in the school year. For more information on PARCC you may use the following link: http://www.parcconline.org/

NWEA: CPS has announced that student promotion will include NWEA scores. This assessment is a very individualized instructional assessment. Each student’s success is based on his/her individual knowledge -turn page over- of subject areas that may be below, on, or above grade level. Students will be given their 2015-2016 Spring RIT scores, and their anticipated target score at the beginning of the school year. More information on this assessment is provided on the Medgar Evers Web Site: http://evers.cps.k12.il.us/

School’s Cell Phone Usage Policy: Upon written request from a parent or legal guardian, a principal may authorize a student to possess a cellular telephone for medical and other family emergencies, or for any other good cause. Students must hand in cell phones to the homeroom teacher on a daily basis in grades K thru 5. Students in grades 6-8 will secure their phones in their locker on a daily basis. In case the teacher is absent, cell phones will be brought to the main office and returned at dismissal time. For students that do not comply with the rule, the phone will be confiscated for 24 hours. After 24 hours a parent must come to the main office to pick up the phone. Repeated offenses will result in the phone being turned over to Safety & Security at Central Office. The school is not responsible for personal loss of phone or any electronic devise. Parents must sign the cell phone and electronic devise form before a student can have a phone on school premises.

Parent Involvement: I encourage my parents to actively monitor your child’s academic progress. You may do so via the Internet @ https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx, where I post and update grades and assignments weekly. You are also allowed to leave notes for me via Grade-book regarding grades and/or assignments. Additionally, I am available via cps email at [email protected] . Please send me your email address so that I may add you to my contact list. I periodically send out updates about classroom events and news.

Report Card Pickup All parents are required to pick up their child’s report card two times a year: first and third marking periods. A scheduled time for pickup of the report cards will be sent at the time of conference. Evers will only require a conference for students that are in danger of failing and receiving a grade below a “C”. Our goal is to keep all students on track for academic success. Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, 2016 and Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Report cards will be sent home on February 10, 2017 and June 20, 2017 for fourth marking period.

A Final Thought... I have very high expectations for all of my students. Consistent behavior issues will not be tolerated. We will allow our children to be children. However, there are consequences for negative behavior, and our students will not be rewarded for consistent violations of the CPS Student Code of Conduct.

Our future leaders and decision makers are sitting in today’s classrooms. We must ensure their safety and growth to the best of our abilities. With that said, I look forward to working with you as we build a brighter future – starting with OUR children.

Thank you,

Mr. Caprice D. Walters

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