Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions 
of students and parents.

1. When does school start?
2. Will I have math homework?
3. Is there extra help available from the teacher?
4. What is the best way to contact the teacher?
5. How is the semester grade calculated?
6. Is there any extra credit available?
7. Can parents meet with the teacher?
8. How can the parents know what is expected from their student?
9. How should I keep organized for math?
10. What is the Computational Practice Sheet (CP)?
11. What is the policy for late work?
12. How can parent/student know their progress throughout the semester?

When does school start?

September 8, 2009 at 8:47 am

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Will I have math homework?

Yes, several problems will be started in class and must be 
finished for HW, if not completed in class.  
Students are expected to check and correct all odd-numbered 
problems as they do their work in class or at home using the 
answer column in the back of the book.  
We will review answers to the even-numbered problems the next 
day at the beginning of class, and discuss any problems 
encountered while doing the HW.  
******Always show your work in pencil or no credit will be 
given.**********

CORRECTIONS are to be done in pen(not black ink) right next to 
the incorrect work so that student can see what they did wrong.

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Is there extra help available from the teacher?

Yes, students can come before school at 8:30 to Room 46.  
Have your question ready, so that I can help you quickly.

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What is the best way to contact the teacher?

Email is the preferred and most efficient way to communicate.  .
My email is dderossett@pylusd.org.

Phone messages may also be left at 714) 986-7460 X 47446, and I 
will return your call as soon as possible.

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How is the semester grade calculated?

The scores received on quizzes and tests are the bulk of the 
grade with homework and class participation added in as a smaller 
percentage.  Properly corrected and signed tests are REQUIRED.  
When a student corrects their mistakes, he or she is more able 
successfully move on. 
Chapter notebooks are due on the day the chapter test is given.  
These should be well-organized with all homework assignments 
properly labeled and corrected.

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Is there any extra credit available?

No, students are expected to complete the daily homework neatly 
in pencil with all work shown.  
Students are also expected to return ALL tests and quizzes after 
corrections have been made in pen and the test is signed by the 
parent.  
This is an effective way to keep parents informed of their 
child's progress, as well as alert them to any struggles that may 
arise.

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Can parents meet with the teacher?

Of course, just email or call and make an appointment.  The best 
day for me is usually Thursday after school or Friday before 
school.

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How can the parents know what is expected from their student?

Students are to record the daily assignment from the board in 
their binder reminder upon entering class.  Most nights the 
homework is posted on my web site as a secondary reference.  
All HW and tests are to be written in pencil only.  If pen is 
used, the assignment or test will not be accepted. 
ALL grading and corrections will be made in pen (not black ink)
immediately next to the problem missed.  Please do not use black 
ink, it looks too much like pencil.
ALL WORK MUST BE SHOWN OR NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN.

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How should I keep organized for math?

For MATH,students are required to purchase several folders of the 
same color for math.  These folders must have 3 brads AND a 
pocket on each flap of the cover.  The chapter title page for 
the chapter goes inside the brads with completed homework 
placed in order behind it.  In the front pocket, students 
put the Computational Practice (CP) sheet for the week.  
A note-taking system is being implemented this year.  Students 
will take notes on the right side of the sheet they will use to 
do HW.  This will help the students connect the information 
received in class with the HW. 
In the back pocket, students are to keep several sheets of 
unused, loose-leaf notebook paper.  
This system works beautifully.  Whether the student is in 
class or at home working, everything needed is 
at hand.  I will collect and give an organizational grade 
for the chapter notebooks.  A score showing the number correct 
out of the total is to be put at the top of the HW and 
corrections are to be shown in ink for credit. 
The chapter folder with corrections is due the same day the 
chapter test is given.

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What is the Computational Practice Sheet (CP)?

This worksheet is provided periodically (about every 10 days), 
and the student is to complete 4 problems a night from this 
sheet in addition to their assigned classwork.  STUDENTS SHOULD 
BE ABLE TO GET 100% ON THESE CP'S by obtaining extra help ahead 
of the due date.  On the due date, we will correct the CP and 
take a score.  All work must be shown in the space provided.
The CP sheets contain various problems that strengthen the 
student's basic skills.  There is adding, subtracting, 
multiplying and dividing of whole numbers, mixed numbers, 
fractions, and decimals.  Each quarter students are 
tested on these basic skills and grades above 70% are posted.  
It is one of my joys to watch the list drastically increase 
as students practice these skills daily.

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What is the policy for late work?

1 day late - 50% credit of the score (only corrected papers will 
get the maximum late points possible)
2 or more days late - 1 point will be entered into Aeries.  If 
there is a blank or 0 in Aeries, it means the student did not 
turn in an assignment.
Absent work is given full credit if it is graded, corrected and 
turned in 2 days for every day missed.  After that, 
it will be considered late.  Students are responsible for their 
missed notes and work.

There is a reward system for 100% assignments turned in each 
quarter.  So even if an assignment is late and will not receive a 
grade, it can be accepted for credit towards the reward.
A no name or no period paper is considered late or missing.

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How can parent/student know their progress throughout the semester?

The new AERIES system is designed to keep parents informed and 
should be checked often.  All tests are to be corrected by the 
student, signed by the parent and returned to the teacher.
Periodically, I will send out an email from Aeries, so that 
parents can be aware of the grade.  These are FYI.
Progress Reports are also distributed from the district by mail 
to the parents half-way through each quarter.      
Students are also responsible to keep their parents informed of 
their grade in class.  
Also, EVERY quiz or test is returned to the student with a 
score for a parent signature.  I ask that the parent sign 
the test each time after the student has corrected problems 
missed and that the student return it the next day for filing.  
I often give extra points for returning the signed and corrected 
test the next day.   
The website will state when a test has been given and returned 
for signing.
Each chapter has a mid chapter review and a test will be given.
At the end of each chapter, a chapter test will be given.  
The notebooks are due the day that the end-of-chapter test is 
given.
Pop quizzes may be given at any time and will be based on 
successful completion of the homework.
Parents, please ask to see the quizzes and tests with 
the corrections done properly IN PEN.  This will greatly enhance 
your student's learning.

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