YOU MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING ITEMS EVERY DAY:
1.  Your independent reading novel (free choice, but each new book 
must be checked by me for appropriate content and reading level.)
    This must be brought back and forth from school so that it can   
be read during any down-time in either location, so it is probably a 
good idea to just leave it in your backpack which goes wherever you 
are.
  
2.  Pens and pencils (we often alternate usage; pencils are 
mandatory for math work which we often do in Skills). Please 
remember to keep an updated stash in my room (a Ziplock with extra 
basic materials is sufficient.)
3.  Assignment pad (I will check that pads had the previous night's 
homework recorded so that "forgetting what the HW was" does not 
become an issue.  Three ways are currently available to 
verify your assignments:  the pad, the website, and a study 
buddy - so see if you can find a reliable classmate that you might 
even enjoy working with on a collaborative project.
    There are also important memos and reminders that go home from 
Period 1, so the assignment pad is important as both a reminder
and a safe location where these things can be clipped.

    In addition to these tangible items, we also expect the positive
attitude noted in the Welcome to Skills letter, accessible from 
the homepage of this site. Being ready and willing to learn and 
share what you already know goes a long way in having a successful 
year. We foster a community of respect in our building and in my 
room, so practice it by respecting yourself, others, and your 
community, even if that community is as small as you and one other 
person in the room. :)