Letter to Parents

Dear parents and students: 

Gifted English, Language Arts (ELA) incorporates all of the skills required 
by the St. Tammany guarantied curriculum for 8th grade students but at an 
accelerated rate, one level above the 8th grade standard.  Students 
will integrate literature, composition and grammar skills through a holistic 
approach in a 2-hour block of study.

The content of Gifted Social Studies class incorporates the study of 
Louisiana history through the story of the people as well as the events and 
ideas that shaped our nation and state. Gifted Social Studies class not only 
requires students to memorize the specifics about these important features 
but also prepares students to understand why these features occurred and 
helps students predict the effects of certain individuals, events and ideas 
on present day culture.

In order to accomplish these tasks, the classroom environment must be 
maintained in an orderly fashion.  Students should be prepared to learn and 
be polite to everyone in the classroom. Any student who chooses to ignore 
these guidelines will receive disciplinary actions according to school 
policy.  

Gifted ELA/ Social Studies class will continue to follow the parish grading 
guidelines.  All grades will be recorded and averaged by the numerical 
score; therefore, it is imperative that students complete and return all 
assignments. Failure to turn in an assignment will result in a zero grade.  
Students should keep all graded work in their binders.  

If a student does not complete an assignment in class, it is the student’s 
responsibility to complete it for homework.  When a student is absent from 
class under any circumstances, it is the student’s responsibility to get the 
missed assignments and complete them for homework.  It is also the student’s 
responsibility to complete any graded assignments or tests before or after 
school within THREE days of the absence.  Students will have multiple 
opportunities to correct work and have it regraded, but this must be done 
within the time frame allowed.

Grading policy:  	20% Exam – one comprehensive assessment
			80% class content
			        1  book report with visual/ quarter (ELA)
				1 reading counts novel 950+/ quarter (ELA)
				1 class novel/ quarter (ELA)
				participation in literary circles (ELA)
				all tests and/or quizzes
				all class projects and assignments
					
I look forward to working with all of you this year.  Feel free to contact 
me at jamie.bossenmeyer@stpsb.org to address any concerns.

Sincerely,

Jamie F. Bossenmeyer