Happy Week to All,
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of you who so generously
donated to Honor Flight. We raised over $2500.00 to send to this very worthy
organization. I would also like to thank Major Paul Windler who spoke to our
5-8th graders on Wednesday, Veteran's Day. It was an excellent presentation.
A big thank you goes out to Ms. Garza who set up our Islamic speakers. They
also did a wonderful job presenting their religion and teaching us about
their faith. Education is the key to understanding and tolerance. I am
happy that our students had the opportunity to learn more about what the
Islamic faith and culture. .
Once again, we have a very busy week ahead of us. Tomorrow, 8th grade will
travel to Santa Margarita Catholic High School. This is our final high
school visit for the year. Your children have behaved so respectfully and
appropriately. I am so proud to be their teacher! Each high school has
complimented me on the demeanor of our 8th grade class; something we should
all be proud of!
I have had several questions on "Shadowing" art the various
high schools. Please note that "Shadowing" must be set up by the parent. To
set up a shadow day, call the high school that your child is interested in
visiting, and if you would like a certain student to guide your child for the
day, make the request. Most high schools are very accommodating.
Wednesday, November 18th is Donut Day. Student Council will be selling
donuts for $1.00 at recess. Our Canned Food Drive is also in full swing!
Please participate and bring in canned food items. This year we are sending
half of the goods donated to Orangewood and Christian Service at St. Norbert
will receive the other half.
Gentle Reminder...the 3rd installment/deposit for our Washington DC was due
November 2, 2009.
We have 2 very short weeks until the end of the first trimester. As I have
said before, these are the grades the high schools see with the applications,
so please continue to work hard at your studies so that they can see the
best “you”.
God Bless and Have a great week!
Mrs. O’
PS.... For more news and Mr. Loffer’s weekly letter, please log
on to Hawk headlines.
Homework Club Monday, November 16- Wednesday November 18.
No Homework Club on Thursday, November 19th due to a Curriculum Meeting
Congratulations to our Top Readers
Week of November 2
1. Kelsey
2. Daniel
3. Andrew
4. Sara
5. Mary
6. Kathrine
7. Olivia
8. Eric
9. Christina
10. Zachary
Mrs. O’Keefe – Junior High
Classroom Policies and Procedures
2009 - 2010
Classroom Expectations
• Be respectful to yourself and to others
• Be prepared and on time
• Ask questions in order to learn
• Do your best and a little bit more!
Grading Policy
In accordance with the grading policy at Saint Norbert School, the grade
scale for 7th and 8th graders is as follows:
A 95-100 C+ 77-79
A- 90-94 C 73-76
B+ 87-89 C- 70-72
B 83-86 D 60-69
B- 80-82 F 59 and below
Homework
Homework is an extension of material that has been covered in class during
lecture and/or individual reading. I expect all homework assignments to be
completed and turned in on time. Homework should be done to the best of the
student’s ability. Questions about assignments or specific problems on
homework should be addressed before the assignment is to be turned in. No
late homework assignments will be accepted. Any late projects or term papers
will lose an entire letter grade for each day that they are late!
Make-Up Work
#1 Rule....Try your best to be here evvery day! If you are out, it is your
responsibility to get any and all work that you missed, including classwork
and homework. You must reschedule any tests or quizzes that you missed.
Homework is always posted on my website. Find someone in your class who takes
pride in their school work, and double check with them to to make sure that
you have everything you need.
English
The language arts curriculum for the eighth grade students is largely
focused on teaching and reinforcing basic grammar skills, mechanics, and
structure. At all grade levels, grammar skills are taught and assessed
based upon each individual level. The eight parts of speech are the primary
focus of the first trimester in order to provide a solid foundation for the
rest of the year. Following the eight parts of speech, basic sentence
structure and parts of the sentence are taught.
Literature
Literature will consist of reading grade-level literary selections both in
and out of the classroom. We will focus largely on the four main elements
of literature – character, conflict, plot, and setting. In addition to the
reading selections from the textbook, we will also be reading one novel per
trimester. Key literary/poetry terms and concepts will be covered as well.
In addition, students will be expected to read 180 minutes (3 hours) on a
weekly basis. Generally, the students will be given 30 minutes of silent
reading in class each week, but they will be responsible to complete the
rest of the reading outside of school. All students are also expected to
complete their Accelerated Reader points before the end of each trimester as
they, coupled with the weekly reading logs, comprise 30% of the literature
grade.
Vocabulary
Since vocabulary has been incorporated into the curriculum to expand student
vocabulary knowledge and usage, we will generally cover one chapter in the
vocabulary book each week (Mondays and Fridays). We will begin by studying
word parts, prefixes, suffixes and root words. The denotation and
connotation of words will be discussed and studied. Most chapters will be
divided into a two week block of study. Week one will consist only of basic
vocabulary words, spelling, and part of speech. Building upon week one,
during week two of study students will be expected to know the definition of
the words and be able to use them correctly in a sentence. Spending time
studying and drilling both inside and outside of class should allow students
sufficient time to become familiar with the vocabulary words. The students
are expected to make an effort to recognize the words in the written/oral
context and should try to incorporate the words into their personal
vocabulary.
History
History will consist of class lectures, collaborative learning assignments,
and research. We will study the events from colonization through the Civil
War and Reconstruction, with special emphasis on the Constitution of the
United States. Focus will be placed on the challenges that faced the new
nation, as well as the causes, course and consequences of the Civil War.
Students will travel to Washington D.C., Boston, and New York City to
reinforce what has been discussed and taught in the classroom.
English Grammar 8
The language arts curriculum for the seventh grade students is largely
focused on teaching and reinforcing basic grammar skills, mechanics, and
structure. At all grade levels, grammar skills are taught and assessed based
upon each individual level. The eight parts of speech are the primary focus
of the first trimester in order to provide a solid foundation for the rest of
the year. Following the eight parts of speech, basic sentence structure,
diagramming, and parts of the sentence are taught.
History 7
History will consist of class lectures, collaborative learning assignments,
and research. We will study world history using the book Across the
Centuries. The focus will be:
• empires in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America, and
the
effect of geography, religion, leadership, and military strength on their
development;
• comparison of the lives of peasants, warriors, and nobles across the
centuries;
• the similarities of empires in different places and different times;
• how the growth of cities changed how people thought.
Discipline
Strike/ Calendar Behavior System
A “Strike System” is used in the seventh and eighth grades by all faculty
and staff. Students are given strikes for reasons listed but not limited to
those cited in the St. Norbert Parish School Handbook pages 22 and 23. The
faculty will monitor student strikes given each week; students whose choices
and behavior have warranted three or more strikes in a given week will be
issued an after school detention.
Students must carry their student planners with them at all times, and
strikes will be tracked in the calendar section of their planners.
Behavior grades will be calculated in the following way:
No strikes in a day…………………………..4 Points (A)
1 Strike in a day……………………………..2 Points (B)
2+ Strikes in a given day…………………….0 Points (F)
Consequences:
3 strikes/ teacher signatures in a week….students will receive a 45 minute
after school detention.
3 detentions in a trimester…. a conference will be scheduled with the
student, teachers, Principal, and parents,
and
a contract will be written.
4 detentions within a trimester…student will receive an in school suspension
for one day.
5 detentions in a trimester…. Student will receive an out of school
suspension for one day.
6 Detentions in a trimester….Student will be asked to leave Saint Norbert
Parish School.
***The school wide discipline plan is strictly enforced throughout the
junior high program. (P.23-24 Saint Norbert Parish School Handbook.)