Dear Parent Or Guardian s2

Los Coches Creek Middle School 7th Grade Science 2016-2017 Room 308

Welcome to a new year of learning! I am excited to have you in my class this year. This letter highlights some of the most important information you need to know in order to be successful in science class this year.

What Will We Study? Global responsibility will be stressed throughout our year of learning, regardless of the specific topic we may study. I hope each of you will not only understand the science concepts discussed, but that you will also understand the importance of how individual actions are interconnected throughout our world.

Our learning this year will focus on these topics:  Elements, Compounds and  Periodic Table Basics Mixtures  Cells  Properties of Matter  Basics of Heredity  Atomic Structure  Earth’s History

As we move toward full implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) over the next several years, we will eventually weave the three dimensions of learning into all of our lessons, emphasizing each student’s abilities to problem solve and think critically about real-world issues.

Where Are Assignments and Daily Plans?  Depending on the lesson of study, many documents will be posted in Google Classroom. Some items will be part of your Interactive Notebook, while others may be “stand alone” items.  The Google Classroom code for this period:  The Daily Planner gives an overview of each day’s lessons. o Go to http://www.cajonvalley.net/Domain/1765; click on “Daily Planner”

What Should I Bring With Me Every Day? Note: please speak with your teacher if you are unable to have these items by the end of next week.  Interactive Notebook (spiral-bound or composition-style)  Interactive Reader (green-colored)  Two pencils and two pens (dark ink) – NO permanent markers, please!  Chromebook, charger, and ear buds (or equivalent)  Highlighter, glue stick, colored pencils (class sets will also be available)

Return the last page of this letter to Ms. Mansfield by the due date. Keep the rest of this letter in your school binder until the end of the year. How Do I Earn Good Grades? Academic Grade  Grade points are earned for class assignments including classwork, homework, Interactive Notebook pages, quizzes/tests, and projects. The more points you earn, the better your grade. If work is done poorly, not finished, or never submitted, your academic grade will drop.  Earning a specific percentage of points earns you a specific academic grade: 90-100%: “A” 60-69% : “D” 80-89% : “B” 0-59% : “F” 70-79% : “C”  If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to find out what work you missed, complete your work, and turn it in. Remember you can access the Daily Planner and Google Classroom for details of each day’s assignments from any Internet connection, not just at school!  Late work: You are expected to turn in your work on time. However, if circumstances arise and you must turn in a late assignment, please get and fill in a “Late/Regrade Request” form – your teacher has these in the classroom. Late assignments and/or regrades must be submitted no later than 1 week after the assignment has been entered into Zangle grades, unless you have made other arrangements with your teacher.

Citizenship Grade  Choosing to have a positive and respectful attitude each day will help maintain an excellent citizenship grade. Be respectful, participate, be on task, and be on time.  If you choose to behave poorly, be disrespectful, be tardy, or not work during class, this grade may drop. Inappropriate use of technology will result in a drop in your citizenship grade.

Effort Grade  This grade can reflect any special circumstances that may have influenced your academic grade. More often than not, it will match your academic grade.

How Can I View My Most Current Academic Grade?  Students: use the student portal: https://zangle.cajonvalley.net/studentportal  Parents: use the Parent Portal: https://zangle.cajonvalley.net/parentportal/ NOTE: First time users please visit the office to receive a password

Return this last page of this letter to Ms. Mansfield by the due date. Keep the rest of this letter in 2 your school binder in the science section until the end of the year. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

ROOM 308 CODE OF CONDUCT  Focus on learning and be prepared to learn.  Respect the rights of others to learn and study.  Be kind to yourself and to others.  Show respect for others and their property.  Behave safely and have regard for the safety of others.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES 1. I will treat you with respect, so you will know how to treat me. 2. Feel free to do anything that doesn’t cause a problem for anyone else. 3. If you cause a problem, I will ask you to solve it. 4. If you can’t solve the problem, or choose not to, I will. 5. What I do will depend on the person and the situation. 6. If you feel something is unfair, pick a convenient time to discuss it with me.

CLASS CONSEQUENCES 1. Warning(s) (verbal or written) 2. Time away (alternate classroom or seat outside) 3. Call or note home 4. Visit to the Assistant Principal

NOTE: An immediate referral to the Assistant Principal will be written for severe behaviors, such as inappropriate lab protocol, fighting, major use of profanity, blatant defiance, or other major disruptions.

Parents: please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. An email sent to directly to me will usually get the fastest reply, as I check this several times daily, but you can also call the front office as well.

Sincerely,

Ms. Mansfield Room 308 [email protected]

Return this last page of this letter to Ms. Mansfield by the due date. Keep the rest of this letter in 3 your school binder in the science section until the end of the year. (619) 938-8600

Period Science 2016-17 School year

THIS PAGE IS DUE ON

KEEP THE REST OF THIS LETTER IN YOUR SCHOOL BINDER FOR REFERENCE UNTIL THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

After reviewing this year’s Science Welcome letter, my parents and I understand how to have a successful year in Ms. Mansfield’s class.

PRINT your first and last name Period

YOUR signature Date signed

Parent/guardian’s signature Date signed

Any special concerns you may have? Write me a note below, or email me: [email protected]

Return this last page of this letter to Ms. Mansfield by the due date. Keep the rest of this letter in 4 your school binder in the science section until the end of the year.