Daily Supplies Needed:

• covered math text
• math composition notebook
• math folder with looseleaf
• pencils (mechanical okay)
• red (or other color) pen

Classwork/Homework Policy:

It is my belief that class/homework is useful for several reasons.  First, to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom through directed practice; second, to challenge students to apply concepts to problems not necessarily covered in class; and thirdly, for students to discover concepts by doing.  I also believe that class/homework is the time for trial and error, a time for students to practice, try methods, etc., without feeling a pressure to get everything right.  Because of this, student's will be graded on work completed rather than the number right or wrong.  Class/homework will be checked frequently, and for each assignment checked students will receive a score from 0-5.

• 0-1* very little or none complete / or not showing your work
• 2-3   at least half done, but not complete / or done in ink
• 4-5   a completed assignment

* a 0 or 1 can be raised to a 2 or 3 by turning in work the following day

Accelerated Math:

One component of our curriculum is Accelerated Math, an individualized math practice program.  A portion (approx. 20%) of each student's classwork grade will come from their work habits and productivity with Accelerated Math.

Assessments:

Any student scoring less than 85% on a test or quiz may do corrections to get points back.  Corrections on any/all missed questions must be done on a separate piece of looseleaf paper with all work clearly shown.  That paper should then be stapled to the back of the original assessment and the word "corrections" written near the score on the old test. Corrections are accepted up to two weeks after the teacher hands back assessment and up to half of the missed points may be regained.

Absentee Policy: Students are responsible for getting assignments and for showing me completed assignments if they miss a class.

Discipline Policy:

All the teachers at St. John Bosco are eager to get this new year started! What a great opportunity this is to start out the year organized and ready to learn. The junior high teachers have been meeting and discussing ways that we are hoping to make this year even better than before. We are planning activities for making learning fun – like the Washington trip and Mars experience, CAP, yearbook committee, mathcounts, along with various field trips. There are many exciting events to look forward to in junior high.

As a team, we will be encouraging all children to do their best in everything they do. While every student excels in different aspects of academics, we want everyone to continue to put their best foot forward in all that they do. We want everyone to be treated with respect. We will be modeling respect and require that all students respect each other and those around them. We will be actively looking for students who stand out by rewarding students with various LASER cards for outstanding behavior. There are many students who deserve to receive these daily and we will be work intently to ensure that they know how much we appreciate their adding to the positive climate of our school.

In the first few days of school, we will be reviewing school and classroom rules. After a very brief courtesy warning period, students will move past verbal warnings to detentions as the need arises. Parents may not see the first few warnings this year as they may be short in-class warnings. Since we know that students know the rules and are old enough to follow them consistently, they will be expected to do so.  As a team, our discipline/responsibility policy is  in effect and will be adhered to.

As parents, you can contribute to the positive atmosphere of the classroom by supporting this policy. Supporting this policy will mean that when your child comes home with a notice of detention or you receive an email regarding discipline issues, you lovingly encourage your child to make different choices in the future. Know that if your child comes home with a detention notice, the issue has been discussed in the classroom and a stronger measure was necessary. Our hope and prayer as the junior high teaching team is we do not have to issue any detentions.

What a great year we will have together. Thank you for your continued support!

The Junior High Teaching Team

Mr. Byrnes, Mrs. Guthrie, Ms. Whalen, Mrs. Byrnes, Ms. Lynch, Mr. Buchanan, Ms. Lapsys, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Mahoney, Mrs. Harvey