Letterhead 2012 Governing Board with Interim Superintendent

SAN GABRIEL UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT “Our Children’s Future is our Mission”

408 JUNIPERO SERRA DRIVE • SAN GABRIEL, CALIFORNIA 91776 (626) 451-5400 • FAX (626) 451-5494 • www.sgusd.k12.ca.us

GOVERNING BOARD DR. GARY THOMAS SCOTT, President ● ANDREW L. AMMON, Vice President CRISTINA ALVARADO, Clerk ● CHERYL A. SHELLHART, Member ● KEN K. TCHENG, Member

August 15, 2016 Dear Parents / Guardians,

Welcome to Jefferson Middle School for 2016-2017. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and to share with you my goals and expectations. My name is Mr. James Tang, your child's mathematics teacher. I am looking forward to having a great year teaching and coaching your child to be a good mathematician and an organized and responsible young adult.

This year, Math Department is using the Common Core State Standards of Mathematics. Students are going to use math books from the “Big Ideas” series. The books are well supported with rich resources in print as well as online. All students can access online resources with username and password at www.bigideasmath.com. Students can also access through http://www.IXL.com with username and password to review previous concepts learned and to preview upcoming concepts.

My goals are to strengthen your child’s math skills and to help your child investigate real life applications in math. Your child will have an opportunity to learn from me and from his / her peers in cooperative groups. I have implemented writing assignments (chapter summaries, analysis of solution(s) to word problems, process to solve equations, performance tasks) in order to prepare students for Smarter Balanced Assessments by the end of the school year. I have required your child to use the school agenda to keep track of daily assignments. I have also posted my agenda on the school class pages.

My expectations of your child are to be respectful and to be ready to learn. Your child must also adhere to Jefferson Middle School’s Bull dog A’s Code of Conduct.

Your child’s grade is determined by tests and quizzes (60%); homework assignments, classwork assignments, projects (40%). Tests are given at least once a chapter, quizzes are given regularly, homework assignments are assigned daily, and writing assignments are given regularly. Grades (90% - 100% “A”, 80%-89% “B”, 70%-79% “C”, 60%-69% “D, and 0%-59% “F”) will be posted regularly online via Parent Portal.

For your child to succeed, I strongly believe that your cooperation and support are necessary. Therefore, you are welcome to contact me about your child's progress. Should you have any concerns, please call the school office at (626) 287-5260 to leave a message, and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I may be contacted through emailing ([email protected]). I am generally available after school and from 2:00 to 2:45 in the afternoon.

Sincerely,

Mr. James Tang Math Teacher

ADMINISTRATION JOHN W. PAPPALARDO, Ed.D., Superintendent ● JOYCE YEH, Assistant Superintendent, Business Services MAYRA PEREZ, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services ● ANNA MOLINAR, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources