2018 – 2019 Pre-AP Algebra I Parent Letter – Mrs. Susan Navarrette
E-mail: sanavarr@episd.org
E-mail: sanavarr@episd.org
Hello...I will not regularly maintain this page. It's only for you early birds who are looking at it right now. :) . We will exclusively use Schoology during the year.
Welcome parents and students! I am very excited to begin the 2018-2019 school year. This is my 16th year at Dr. Hornedo Middle School and I am your child’s PreAP Algebra 1 teacher. I hope to spark interest in the area of mathematics, encourage students to take ownership of their education and of course, be successful.
The EPISD Power Up initiative has created an active learning environment for today’s future ready learners through the use of technology. Beginning this year, all middle school students will be issued a laptop for use at home and at school. This technology will provide our students with access to many diverse resources including our very own EPISD Flexbooks. Students will be expected to utilize the laptop for work assigned in class as well as homework. In the event your child does not have access to wifi (even temporarily), it is their responsibility to use an alternate plan (i.e. neighbor or friend’s wifi, library, stay late or arrive early to school, etc.) . Students will be using Schoology exclusively to access assignments, video links, attachments, etc.
In an effort to “go green,” I am requesting you complete my parent letter electronically. Your electronic receipt, acceptance and response of this letter will also ensure that your email address will be correctly input into my address book, which will facilitate communication on your child’s behalf. After reading this letter in its entirety, please complete the Parent/Student Questionnaire.
To ensure a positive and productive learning environment, there are a few procedures that I require my students to follow:
MATERIALS
Most of the items listed below are also part of the 8th grade Hornedo School Supply List available on the Hornedo website and in our front office. Please have your child assemble their binder and pencil pouch as shown below and bring to class every day starting with the first day of school:
HOMEWORK PHILOSOPHY
Homework should not be looked at as simply a way to satisfy grade requirements, but rather as an opportunity to practice and eventually master what is being taught; it is an opportunity to take risks and make mistakes. Students will not be penalized for risk-taking or for the errors that may result. On the contrary, students will be given the chance to correct and, therefore learn from their mistakes.
Homework will be assigned regularly. Due to the nature of this rigorous math program, it is crucial that students complete all homework assignments. Please check your child’s notebook/planner frequently for assignments and organization. Also remember that assignments are posted on the calendar on my website.
All “checked” homework will be returned to the student. It is the responsibility of each student to keep their checked homework in their binder. Following the completion of approximately 10 homework assignments, students will record their homework grade on a rubric supplied by the teacher and turn in that rubric as a single homework grade.
Graded homework assignments which are lost by the student prior to completing the rubric will earn a grade of zero unless the student makes up this assignment after school in my classroom.
FLIPPING THE CLASSROOM:
EPISD is strongly endorsing the use of the “flipped” classroom as appropriate in our classrooms. This year I will frequently assign either a video or note-taking exercise for your child to complete on-line as part of their homework. We call this assignment a “Sneak Peek”. The following day they will receive additional, enriched instruction and will have an opportunity to ask questions and practice the new concept. As mentioned earlier, your child will be issued a district laptop for used throughout the school year. In the event your child does not have access to this on-line instruction, they will be expected to utilize other available options. They have access to Hornedo computer labs and library which are open before and after school, our EPISD wi-fi which can be accessed anywhere within our building or they can even utilize the computers at any El Paso Public Library.
CLASS WORK/HOMEWORK:
1. To receive credit, students must write show all their work and make corrections as we go over the assignment. (This helps me assess student’s thinking.) "Answer only" papers are NOT acceptable.
2. Each student's work will be kept in his/her binder.
3. All assignments and tests must be neat and legible. It is important for students to take pride in their work.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
We will be moving at a fast pace and attendance is vital to the success of the program. Please refer to the EPISD Policies for questions concerning excused vs. unexcused absences. The responsibility of obtaining make-up work lies with the student by checking the classroom “While You Were Out..” folder. Make-up work will be accepted as per EPISD policy. Students are allowed the number of days absent in which to turn in make-up work. The responsibility of obtaining make-up work lies with the student. Tests will be made up before or after school for students with excused absences—please see me to make arrangements.
LATE WORK POLICY
Students who do not have their homework, MUST fill out a Personal Responsibility Report (Pink Slip) and turn it into me when homework is being collected.
In accordance with the Hornedo Late Work Policy, if a student does not have their assignment on the due date, it may be turned in the next day for a maximum grade of a 70%. If it is still not turned in, the student will earn a zero. Because this is a rigorous and fast paced class, students will be strongly encouraged to turn in their homework on time so that they do not fall behind.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
Pre AP Algebra students’ grades will be comprised of the weighting of the following three categories.
SEMESTER EXAMS
Pre AP Algebra students will take a semester exam at the end of each semester which account for 10% of the overall semester average.
STAGES OF DISCIPLINE
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Student conference with teacher.
3rd Offense: Contact parents and/or Parent/Teacher/Student conference.
4th Offense: Lunch/after school detention with 24-hour notice and/or counselor referral.
5th Offense: Discipline referral to assistant principal
CONFERENCES
If you would like to contact me, you may call the school at 236-3300 or e-mail me. Please allow at least a 24-hour notice for a conference. My conference period is from 7:50 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and I am available most days after school.
You can help your child in several ways:
Mrs. Susan Navarrette
E-mail: sanavarr@episd.org
Approved by M. Varela (Principal)
Welcome parents and students! I am very excited to begin the 2018-2019 school year. This is my 16th year at Dr. Hornedo Middle School and I am your child’s PreAP Algebra 1 teacher. I hope to spark interest in the area of mathematics, encourage students to take ownership of their education and of course, be successful.
The EPISD Power Up initiative has created an active learning environment for today’s future ready learners through the use of technology. Beginning this year, all middle school students will be issued a laptop for use at home and at school. This technology will provide our students with access to many diverse resources including our very own EPISD Flexbooks. Students will be expected to utilize the laptop for work assigned in class as well as homework. In the event your child does not have access to wifi (even temporarily), it is their responsibility to use an alternate plan (i.e. neighbor or friend’s wifi, library, stay late or arrive early to school, etc.) . Students will be using Schoology exclusively to access assignments, video links, attachments, etc.
In an effort to “go green,” I am requesting you complete my parent letter electronically. Your electronic receipt, acceptance and response of this letter will also ensure that your email address will be correctly input into my address book, which will facilitate communication on your child’s behalf. After reading this letter in its entirety, please complete the Parent/Student Questionnaire.
To ensure a positive and productive learning environment, there are a few procedures that I require my students to follow:
MATERIALS
Most of the items listed below are also part of the 8th grade Hornedo School Supply List available on the Hornedo website and in our front office. Please have your child assemble their binder and pencil pouch as shown below and bring to class every day starting with the first day of school:
- 1½" binder
- 5 dividers labeled 1. Keepers, 2. Warm Ups, 3. Notebook/Homework, 4. Graded Papers, and 5. Notebook Paper
- Sheet protectors (place 5 in the Keepers section and 5 in the Graded Papers section)
- One notebook – either spiral or composition (place in the Notebook/Homework section)
- Loose leaf and graph paper (place in the Notebook Paper section)
- Planner (PTA preferred - sold at the beginning of the year)
- One Pencil Pouch to include:
- Pencils (mechanical preferred)
- Glue sticks
- Grading pen (any color except black)
- Colored pencils
- 1 pack of dry erase markers (1 marker per nine weeks)
- One small sock to be used to clean student's whiteboard
- Students must bring their fully charged laptop to class everyday to access class materials. It is also strongly recommended that students have a set of small earbuds to use for listening to instructional videos.
HOMEWORK PHILOSOPHY
Homework should not be looked at as simply a way to satisfy grade requirements, but rather as an opportunity to practice and eventually master what is being taught; it is an opportunity to take risks and make mistakes. Students will not be penalized for risk-taking or for the errors that may result. On the contrary, students will be given the chance to correct and, therefore learn from their mistakes.
Homework will be assigned regularly. Due to the nature of this rigorous math program, it is crucial that students complete all homework assignments. Please check your child’s notebook/planner frequently for assignments and organization. Also remember that assignments are posted on the calendar on my website.
All “checked” homework will be returned to the student. It is the responsibility of each student to keep their checked homework in their binder. Following the completion of approximately 10 homework assignments, students will record their homework grade on a rubric supplied by the teacher and turn in that rubric as a single homework grade.
Graded homework assignments which are lost by the student prior to completing the rubric will earn a grade of zero unless the student makes up this assignment after school in my classroom.
FLIPPING THE CLASSROOM:
EPISD is strongly endorsing the use of the “flipped” classroom as appropriate in our classrooms. This year I will frequently assign either a video or note-taking exercise for your child to complete on-line as part of their homework. We call this assignment a “Sneak Peek”. The following day they will receive additional, enriched instruction and will have an opportunity to ask questions and practice the new concept. As mentioned earlier, your child will be issued a district laptop for used throughout the school year. In the event your child does not have access to this on-line instruction, they will be expected to utilize other available options. They have access to Hornedo computer labs and library which are open before and after school, our EPISD wi-fi which can be accessed anywhere within our building or they can even utilize the computers at any El Paso Public Library.
CLASS WORK/HOMEWORK:
1. To receive credit, students must write show all their work and make corrections as we go over the assignment. (This helps me assess student’s thinking.) "Answer only" papers are NOT acceptable.
2. Each student's work will be kept in his/her binder.
3. All assignments and tests must be neat and legible. It is important for students to take pride in their work.
MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
We will be moving at a fast pace and attendance is vital to the success of the program. Please refer to the EPISD Policies for questions concerning excused vs. unexcused absences. The responsibility of obtaining make-up work lies with the student by checking the classroom “While You Were Out..” folder. Make-up work will be accepted as per EPISD policy. Students are allowed the number of days absent in which to turn in make-up work. The responsibility of obtaining make-up work lies with the student. Tests will be made up before or after school for students with excused absences—please see me to make arrangements.
LATE WORK POLICY
Students who do not have their homework, MUST fill out a Personal Responsibility Report (Pink Slip) and turn it into me when homework is being collected.
In accordance with the Hornedo Late Work Policy, if a student does not have their assignment on the due date, it may be turned in the next day for a maximum grade of a 70%. If it is still not turned in, the student will earn a zero. Because this is a rigorous and fast paced class, students will be strongly encouraged to turn in their homework on time so that they do not fall behind.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
Pre AP Algebra students’ grades will be comprised of the weighting of the following three categories.
- Daily grades (50%) will come from the following types of assignments:
- Notebook organization of completed class work
- Vocabulary entries
- Practice Worksheets
- Homework
- Warm ups
- Projects
- Quizzes (20%)
- Tests (30%)
SEMESTER EXAMS
Pre AP Algebra students will take a semester exam at the end of each semester which account for 10% of the overall semester average.
STAGES OF DISCIPLINE
1st Offense: Verbal warning
2nd Offense: Student conference with teacher.
3rd Offense: Contact parents and/or Parent/Teacher/Student conference.
4th Offense: Lunch/after school detention with 24-hour notice and/or counselor referral.
5th Offense: Discipline referral to assistant principal
CONFERENCES
If you would like to contact me, you may call the school at 236-3300 or e-mail me. Please allow at least a 24-hour notice for a conference. My conference period is from 7:50 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. and I am available most days after school.
You can help your child in several ways:
- Know what your child's assignments are by checking their Planner daily. This page is filled out in class daily and is a record of assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.
- Check my teacher website daily.
- Have your child share his or her math notebook with you, showing you what has been recorded as we progress through the content. Ask your child to explain why these ideas are important.
- Look over completed work (homework, quizzes and tests) and make sure that errors have been corrected.
- Encourage your child to attend after school tutoring. Tutoring is being offered by several teachers daily every Monday through Thursday until 3:30 p.m. in their classrooms.
- Parents are strongly encouraged to check the Parent Portal on a weekly basis at www.episd.org. If needed, a computer is available in the Hornedo front office. Please contact the front office for information.
Mrs. Susan Navarrette
E-mail: sanavarr@episd.org
Approved by M. Varela (Principal)
