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Dear Parents,

Welcome to your 6th grader’s first year at Hillsdale Middle School. This letter is to introduce myself and to provide your family with some basic information about the upcoming year. 

COMMUNICATION

The most efficient way to reach me is through email.  Please allow 48 hours for a response.  Some days are very busy and I don’t have time to give thoughtful responses.   

Ms. Miller (Math & Science) milleral@cajonvalley.net

THE PLANNER

All boxes in their HMS planner should be filled in for every day they have my class, (Monday-Friday) even if no homework is assigned. It is good practice to create a daily routine at home in which you compare the assignment written in the planner with the homework your student presents to you. 

ZANGLE PARENT CONNECTION 

Zangle will provide you with access to current grades, class schedule, attendance, status of assignments, Progress Report and Report Card grades, transcripts, and grade point average (GPA). Parents will be issued a pin and password through the office.  It’s important to note that grades are constantly changing. 

LATE WORK

I accept late work up to two weeks after the due date with no penalty.  However, for late work after I have graded assignments, students must EMAIL ME A SCREENSHOT of any work completed on the computer with the score they received.  I do not go back and check assignments after they have been graded.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

In order to protect each student's right to learn and to enjoy being part of the class. There are three simple rules to follow in the classroom. As a part of enforcing the rules, your student may bring home a letter for you to sign. The final consequence for breaking a classroom rule is to bring that signed letter back to class. It’s a clean slate the following day.

RULES:

1. Follow directions quickly-the first time.
2. Raise your hand to speak or to leave your seat.
3. Respect your classmates and your teacher.

CONSEQUENCES:

1. Warning if a rule is broken.
2. Time-out if it occurs again.
3. Letter home requiring parent signature.
4. Detention if parent signature isn’t returned

MASKS:

One of our rules focuses on respecting those around us. Wearing a face mask in the classroom is a perfect example of this. It’s up to us to communicate to students the importance of wearing masks properly over our nose and mouth. Some students are having difficulty keeping their masks over their nose.  They may need a better fitting mask with a nose wire.  It is recommended that they have enough masks to wear a clean one every day of the week. Thank you for  helping us  avoid outbreaks of  respiratory illnesses in the coming year.

SUPPLIES

MATH/SCIENCE CONTENT SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Every week I will post the plan for the week in google classroom.  You can check that your student wrote their homework in their planners.  They are always given time to write in their planners in class.

MATH

Google classroom-- Videos for most pages of their packets, many other assignments and activities are posted in google classroom.  This is the first place to look for what we are doing in class if you are absent.

Mathlinks packets-- I use mathlinks packets instead of the Go Math textbook.  One packet is usually 2-3 weeks worth of work.  It is important that they keep their packets in good condition in their binders.  I will most likely be giving them 1-2 packets ahead of time in case anyone (or a whole class) gets quarantined, we will still be able to move forward with our learning.  Packets are graded on effort and completion at one point per page.

Khan -- Khan Academy is used to give students additional practice on the specific topics we are learning in class.  Each level assigned is worth 5 points.  Videos must be watched all the way through.  Each practice level must be completed to 75% or higher to receive credit.  If you are having trouble finding a level, look under the “past” tab.  Most likely, it is past due and Khan has put it in that section.

IReady-- The ÒõAPPµ¼º½ Valley District recommends that students complete 45 minutes of IREADY each week to fill in any gaps in their learning.  This is graded at the end of each month.  Students receive 10 points for every hour completed.

Tests/Quizzes--  Tests and quizzes are worth 50% of their grade.  When students are confused about their grades, this is usually the reason.  Tests and quizzes have a large impact on grades.  It is important that they study well to be sure they truly understand the information.

SCIENCE

Google Classroom-- is used less frequently for Science.  But, it is still used.  Most assignments will be through the Amplify platform.  Supplemental assignments such as edpuzzle videos, projects, etc. will be in google classroom.

Amplify-- is our Science curriculum provided by the District.  It is a user-friendly student interactive platform that we will be predominantly using.  Students can check missing, completed, and graded assignments in their Amplify profile.

Other-- Occasionally, I will assign edpuzzle videos, projects or miscellaneous assignments through google classroom.

Those are the basics! I am committed to focusing on the social and emotional needs of your child as well as their academic progress and will do my best to make sure we are all having fun while we are learning.  

Your kids are awesome! 

Sincerely,

Lisa Miller