Health/Family & Consumer Science Introduction Newsletter

Dear Families,

Welcome! My name is Denise Makein and I will be your child’s Health/Family & Consumer Science teacher this semester. Health/FCS is a one-semester required course for eighth grade students of Duxbury Middle School. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with your child this year, preparing him/her with the skills and knowledge necessary to strive for optimal health now and in the future. It is also important that the information discussed in class be reinforced at home. The skills and knowledge your child will acquire are needed to for a lifetime. To know and be able to maintain good health is vital to your child’s overall health, happiness, and well-being. Your support is very important and I thank you in advance.

The topics taught in Health/FCS are aligned with the Duxbury Health Education Curriculum and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Education Frameworks. Topics include:  Personal and Mental Health – self-awareness and goal setting.  Family Life – healthy families, relationships, and family communication.  Stress Management – understanding stress, adolescent stress, and coping with stress.  Nutrition and Fitness – nutrition and fitness essentials, promoting physical activity, eating disorders, and consumer skills.  Safety and First Aid – preventing unintentional injuries and basic first aid for emergencies.  Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs – knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors; influences on drug use; tobacco prevention; alcohol prevention; and preventing other drug use.  Violence Prevention – violence in America, relationships and violence prevention skills.  Disease Prevention – disease prevention concepts, lifestyle diseases, and HIV/AIDS

Grades for this class are based on class work, homework, class participation, quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, and activities. A 3-ring binder will be necessary to keep notes, handouts, and worksheets. Please refer to the Duxbury Middle School Parent/Student Handbook for school rules, student responsibilities and expectations, as well as your rights as parents/guardians regarding human sexuality education and human sexuality issues. If you would like to contact me, the most reliable way is through email ([email protected]). I will respond as promptly as possible.

Please see reverse side  GRADING

Grades are computed in the following categories/weights:

Classwork/Homework: (CL/HW): Worth 25 points = 16.7% of your grade

 Maybe scored by icons  + = 25 (100) 1-2 incorrect  = 20 (80) 3-4 incorrect  - = 15 (60) 5+ incorrect INC = Incomplete (14 points or less)

Projects/Activities: (Proj. /Act.): Worth 100 points = 33.3% of your grade

Quizzes (QZ): Worth 50 points = 16.7% of your grade

Tests (T): Worth 100 points = 33.3% of your grade

______Total = 100%

Homework handed in late may be accepted for reduced credit  -2 points deducted for each late class meeting time  On 4th class meeting time late = counted as Zero ------CLASS RULES R. RIGHT TO LEARN – RESPECT OTHERS E. EFFORT S. SAFETY P. PURPOSE E. ENTHUSIASM C. CHALLENGE T. TRUST/TEAM BUILDING

1. Please do not touch anything unless given permission. 2. Only WATER is allowed to drink, no gum, healthy snacks only! 3. Ms. Pratti’s desk is OFF LIMITS. 4. Respect all equipment 5. Please do not sit on tables.

MS. M. SAYS: “LET’S HAVE FUN AND A GREAT TIME TOGETHER!”

Student Name (please print): ______

Parent/Guardian (Signature required): ______