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Communication Seventh grade email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it School phone number: 503-639-5757 Seventh grade website: http://www.mitchcharterschool.org/school-life/classes/7th-grade Please never hesitate to communicate with me. Whether you want to share something about your student or you need to convey a frustration, address it immediately by emailing me. Phone calls are also welcome, but it is harder to reach teachers by phone as they are either teaching or moving throughout the building. You may expect a response within 24-48 hours with the exception of weekends when I don’t have access to email. I also encourage you to visit in person after school or on Friday. On Tuesdays I will try to be as available as possible in my classroom. However, it is best to prearrange a visit by emailing or calling. A big part of this school’s success is due to parents communicating their needs and advocating for their students.
Grades You are able to check your child's grade online at any time through the online gradebook Engrade. You will receive the link and a passcode for your student which you will then use to create an account (your own username and password). This allows you to view the most current grades in all subjects at any time. An “M” indicates that the assignment is missing (i.e. hasn’t been turned in). I strongly suggest that you check grades with your student every 1-2 weeks to reinforce accountability and avoid unpleasant surprises. Follow this link in order to view grades online: http://www.engrade.com/mitch7thgrade
Homework Homework is an extension of what we are studying in class. It encourages you to build habits of responsibility and independence. The homework assignments provide extra opportunities to practice a skill or prepare for a project or assessment. When you don't complete homework or don't do it well, you will be unprepared to maximize the time spent in class. Please finish work on time and to the best of your abilities! Assignments are usually due the next time that subject is studied in class unless otherwise notedin the agenda. (History & Science are every other day; Math, Vocabulary, Writing, & Reading daily.) Late homework = half credit. Sloppy or incomplete homework must be redone or completed and will be considered late. Each student will have three (3) homework passes that allow for an extra week to complete an assignment. Lost passes will not be replaced. Passes cannot be used towards assessments, in-class presentations, or group projects. Students that are absent due to sickness, an emergency, or a prearranged absence have the same number of days they were absent to turn in their work without being penalized for late work. For example, if a student missed school on Wednesday and Thursday, he/she would need to turn in the make-up work the following Wednesday. Please be aware that an absence of a week or more will negatively impact grades. The classroom is an interactive learning environment, so it is impossible to fully recuperate from an extended absence. If a student needs an extension on an assignment due to uncontrollable circumstances (emergency, moving, etc.) or because extra teacher assistance is needed to understand a concept, the student must ask permission before the assignment is due. The parent must also communicate with the teacher via email. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
Discipline RESPECT | RESPONSIBILITY | RESOURCEFULNESS | SAFETY All students are expected to honor the above school-wide rules while on school premises or representing the school on a field trip. Students will receive a reminder, then a warning to correct or change inappropriate behavior. After the third daily occurrence, a student must leave the classroom and fill out a process form. As a consequence, he/she will serve detention during the next consecutive lunch with the middle school teacher on duty. Step 1 = reminder | Step 2 = warning | Step 3 = process & detention The Process form must be appropriately and honestly filled out by the student in a neighboring classroom. Student must obtain signatures from the teacher who issued the process, the teacher overseeing detention, and a parent before returning it within two days time. A student could receive an instant process in the case of the following behaviors: derogatory comments towards another student, use of sexual language or profanity, bully or harassment, physical aggression, or blatant disrespect toward authority.
Rewards Each day, the class as a whole has the opportunity to earn marbles as a tally towards a reward. Marbles will be rewarded for walking quietly in the halls, keeping the room clean & tidy, self-monitoring noise volume during work time, and working together successfully. After the class has accumulated a set number of marbles, students will be able to choose a reward from the following: free dress day, crazy hair day, pajama day, extra recess, game time, or a core knowledge movie. For free dress days, it is still necessary to uphold school dress policy, such as close-toe shoes, covered shoulders and midriffs, jeans without holes (no skinny jeans), shorts/skirts to the knees, and no offensive images on shirts.
Technology Cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devises are not allowed in school. If the student brings one to school, he/she must turn it in to the teacher every morning for safekeeping until dismissal at 3:15. Any use of this technology will result in confiscation in the office until the parent picks it up. This precaution minimizes not only disruption of the learning environment but also risk of sexting and other unmonitored communication between students or with people outside the school. Laptops are available at the school for activities and research in class. Students may also bring in their own personal computer for use at designated times. While access to the internet is a helpful learning tool, it is also dangerous. Monitoring 26 students online all at once is a daunting challenge for one teacher. If a student is caught accessing an non-permitted website or changing the computer settings, he/she will be restricted from computer use for an appropriate period of time. Please encourage your student to follow these rules. The internet presents numerous safety risks both for your student and for the school. We also suggest that you as a parent monitor your student’s use of online communication. Sites like Facebook are frequently used for bullying and harassment. Make sure all settings are private to protect your student. Visiting social network sites or email accounts is NOT allowed at school, even before or after hours. If or when unsafe or inappropriate use of technology occurs, students or parents should inform a teacher or administrator immediately. |