Susan McGraw's Website

August 24, 2009

Dear Parents,

As I welcome your students back to the new school year, I want to take a moment to greet you as well and to invite you into a partnership with me where we will work together to create the best possible learning experience for your student.

With that in mind, I would like to share some information about this class, about the supplies that your student will need, about my expectations for your student, and about some ways that you can monitor the progress of your student.

Finally, I will ask you to complete and return the data information sheet I have sent home with your student.  It contains a check list for you to complete and instructions on how to email me at your earliest convenience so that I can capture your email address for future newsletters as well as individual correspondence.  If you do not have Internet access or prefer to speak to me by telephone rather than email, simply indicate so on that sheet and I will send a hard copy of all information to you directly with your student and contact you by telephone instead of email.

Please be sure to review the information I have provided for you following this letter.  I look forward to a great year ahead and to hearing from you very soon.

Sincerely yours,

Susan McGraw

CLASS INFORMATION:

Course Goals:

1. Expanding word power through increased vocabulary skills.
2. Improving student communication skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
3. Expanding student understanding of the  world in which we live through the literature we read.

Much of our classroom focus will center on developing and improving communications skills that are fundamental to overall student learning and success in high school, college, and beyond in the world of work.

Textbooks:

• The Language of Literature
• The Language of Literature InterActive Reader (student workbook)
• Writers Inc
• FCAT Preparation and Practice (student workbook)

Assignment Types and Evaluation Methods:

• Daily Participation
• Class-work and Homework Completion
• Reader's Notebook
• Writing Portfolio
• Notes
• Group assignments and Projects
• Objective Tests
• Essay and Short Answer Tests

Note:  Evaluations will include both formative and summative assessments by the teacher, student peers, and by the students themselves.

EXPECTATIONS:             

My classroom rules are the same as the rules for Flanagan High School.  As sophomores, I expect students to follow these rules at all times in order to assure that all of the students in the class are able to learn. 

Flanagan High School Rules:

1. Be in assigned seat, prepared for class when the bell rings.
2. Respect the rights and property of self, others, and the school.
3. Follow teachers' instructions the first time they are given.
4. Exhibit behavior that does not interfere with the teacher or learning process.
5. Bring no food, drink, or any distracting items to class.
6. Adhere to rules state din the Broward County Student Conduct and Code Book.

Progressive consequences when students don't follow the rules:

1. Verbal warning.
2. Reduction in the daily participation grade.
3. Detention plus additional reduction in daily participation grade.
4. Parent call plus additional reduction in daily participation grade.
5. Removal from class, administrative referral, plus additional reduction in daily participation grade.

STUDENT SUPPLIES:

I ask all students to provide the following supplies, however, I will be sure that you student has what is needed if this presents a hardship for your family.  For confidential assistance with student supplies, just email me at msmcgrawafterschool@gmail.com  :

• Bound composition book (Usually $1.00 - $2.99, but on sale at Publix 2 for $1.00 this week)
• Black ink pens
• #2 pencils
• 2 highlighters (different colors)
• Lined notebook paper (non-spiral)
• 3X5 index cards (100 to start)
• Thumb drive or flash drive for information storage (2GB for $12.99 @ Office Depot or for $10.00 in the media center at school while supplies last)
• Earphones (standard ear buds from their Ipod or MP3 Player will work fine)

PARENT MONITORING:              

 While it is always good to discuss the specifics of school with your own child, there are a number of ways that you can get an unbiased picture of what is going on with your student while he or she is at school.  Some of the resources available to you are:

1. The school web page at www.flanaganhighschool.com where you can read the latest news about the school and access a number of valuable links for additional and student specific information.
2. PINNACLE, the actual on-line teacher gradebook that you can reach through the school web site.  There is a link to Pinnacle for parents. 
   •  Just click on the tab for "Pinnacle Viewer on the left hand side of the main school page and you will receive instructions for sign on and a link to the actual viewer page. 
   • In Pinnacle you can check class by class daily attendance as well as the details and grades for each assignment your student is given.
3. Virtual Counselor, which you can also reach through the school web page by clicking on the tab that says "Virtual Counselor (student)" then clicking on the "parent" tab.  Here you can find information about:
   • your student's scores on standardized tests and assessments.
   • attendance and class grades.
   • graduation requirements and planning details beyond high school.