This time of the school year students start running low on school supplies.  I can't seem to keep enough extra pens and pencils in the classroom!  Other supplies they are in need of include index cards to be used as flash cards, pocket sized hand sanitizer and pocket sized tissues.  These supplies make excellent "stocking stuffers" or holiday gifts.  Additionally, those students who are still not using a planner to record homework and long term assignment due dates would benefit from this valuable tool. 

Friday, November 6, 2009 marks the end of the first marking period.  Report cards will be mailed home the following week.  All PE make-ups and incomplete work must be completed by 11/6/2009. 

Friday, October 9, 2009 marked the end of the mid-marking period for marking period 1.  Five week reports will be mailed home within the next week.  Review this important report with your son/daughter.   Since there are only 4 weeks until the end of marking period 1, any owed work or gym make-ups must be completed ASAP.  Please ensure that your child is recording hw and long term assignments in some type of planner or assignment pad.  I also strongly recommend that students find a "hw buddy" in each of their classes to check with if there are any questions about assignments. 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend Open House.  It was a pleasure meeting you.  For those of you who were unable to attend, I have provided your child with my Open House handouts to take home to you.  These can also be found on my Handouts page.  Please be sure to contact me whenever you have a question or a concern. 

During the week of September 22, 2009,  11th grade students received an overview of the PSAT  (practice SAT) process in their social studies classes.  The actual PSAT exam is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2009 with scores being released in early December.  The Guidance department is offering an information night for parents of 11th graders on December 10, 2009 to discuss interpreting your child's PSAT scores, the college application process and SAT registration.  In preparation for taking the SAT exams, I have sent all of my 11th grade students to their psychologist to obtain an application packet for testing accommodations on the SAT exams.  Note that IEP testing accommodations are not guaranteed on SAT exams.  An application to use testing accommodations must be submitted to and approved by the SAT College Board.  This approval process can take several weeks so encourage your 11th grader to complete and return the application to their psychologist ASAP. 

Your students are quickly settling into the routine of school once again after a long, but somewhat cool, summer.  They are finding their way to class, meeting new friends, and working on their summer reading projects.  Many classes have already had their first round of quizzes/tests.   Please make sure your son/daughter has an assignment planner and is using it daily.  The key to success in high school is being organized, attending school daily, and doing your homework.  Your child should be spending several hours a night on homework, which includes reviewing class notes daily.  Research has shown that the student who reviews his/her notes daily retains far more information than those who only look at their notes the night before an exam. 

I plan on being in school on Thursday, September 3, 2009 during Freshman Orientation.  Please stop by my classroom, room 1115, and introduce yourself. 

I have just updated my TeacherWeb site for the 2009 - 2010 school year.  Please let me know how you like my site and what I can do to improve the appearance and/or content of this site.  I appreciate your input.