7th Grade General Information

We are developing a strategy for increased school / home communication. We are asking that the agends be kept in a 3-ring binder. It is meant to bridge the gap of information that sometimes exists as children become more independent. We honor that independence and want to foster communication between school and home, as well as child and parent.

In this binder, you will find a pocket for papers to go home and a pocket for returning papers to school. There is also a resource section with information on citations, focus areas, expectations, etc. We encourage parents to ask to look at their child’s agenda binder. It is a tool that can help a child become more organized and successful in school. Parents can see what is for homework or they may see that their child is not using the agenda to its fullest and can help their child develop a better habit.

This binder belongs to the child, the school, and home. We will guide students into increasing independence in using this tool. First term we will check agendas everyday in afternoon homeroom. Second term we will remind students and go over what is for homework. Third term we will expect students to use the strategies independently.

The agenda is also useful for brief notes to and from school. This puts some of the responsibility on the student to be the messenger. Teachers may jot down a missing assignment or parents may have a question about due dates. Students must take an active role in the solution, they are the connection!

Every Friday morning from 7:40-8:00 AM, the seventh grade classrooms will be open for parents to drop in. Our use of the agenda binder may not be sufficient to answer all questions. Drop in day is a way for parents get an quick check-in or to get an idea of what their child’s daily environment is like. This is not meant as a formal conference time, but more of a casual discovery time. Team teachers will be available to discuss strategies to help students succeed. We are hoping to increase communication between school and home. Teachers available are: Ms. Adams, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Harte, Mr. Waters, and Mr. Fersch. Please remember to sign in and out at the office.

Content area teachers are available for extra help after school. Students are encouraged to stay if they want help with homework, studying, organization, challenges, or make-up work. The following are scheduled days, but many teachers stay on other nights as well.

Mrs. Sparks runs Homework Club Monday through Thursday after school from 2:40 - 3:30 PM in room 212. All students are welcome, but must remember that this is a work time not a social time. Students are asked to have a ride promptly at 3:30 PM.

• Manage yourself.

-Enter the room quietly and prepare to learn.

-Come to class with your agenda, textbook, homework, notebook, pen, pencil.

-Be neat and organized.

-Please ask permission to leave the room and sign out. Try not to leave during instruction or class discussion time.

-Responsibility for learning belongs to you. It is your responsibility to complete class work and homework and let your teacher know if you do not understand an assignment or directions. It is your responsibility to make up work when you have been absent.

- Always do your best. Even when you make mistakes, learn from them. The most important thing is to keep trying.

• Respect people, property and learning.

- Be courteous and raise your hand to respond in class. Listen attentively to what others have to say and wait your turn to talk.

- Students will sit correctly at their desks and show interest in class activities.

- Do not disrupt learning when using the pencil sharpener.

- Keep conversation appropriate to the learning environment.

• Cooperate with others

- Be respectful of all students and staff.

- Treat others the way you want to be treated.

- Do your share of group work.

- Rude and discourteous behavior will not be tolerated.

• Act in a healthy, legal and ethical manner.

- Make good choices.

- "Do not do what you would undo if caught." - Leah Arendt