FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS! Click on the question here at the top and be taken
directly to the answer.
- My child is struggling. Can s/he get extra help?
- How can my child bring up his/her grade?
- Can my child get extra credit?
- How can I contact Mrs. VonDerVellen?
- How does the stamp incentive program work?
My child is struggling. Can s/he get extra help?
Of course! There are many options.
1) I usually arrive at school at about quarter after seven; if a
student gets a pass from me the day before, he or she may come
and see me before school.
2) I am available most days at advisory time.
3) I can help after school. I often stay until as late as 5:15.
Students may come to my room or phone from home.
How can my child bring up his/her grade?
A) Bring home the materials to study for tests. Don't wait until
the last minute; going back to practice a few questions now and
then as we are still working through a unit is a better way to
review than cramming at the end.
B) Get in all missing work! Not counting items categorized as "in-
class" on the grade report, anything that says "m" or "0" should
be turned in.
C) Rewrite a paper or redo a project that received a low grade.
See teacher for suggestions.
Can my child get extra credit?
Generally, NO. However, extra credit is sometimes offered to all
students in a class on a test or related to a project. There are
also usually a few times a year when I will give students extra
credit--unannounced--for handing in a big project ON TIME or
early.
Please see the above question, "How can my child bring up his/her
grade?"
How can I contact Mrs. VonDerVellen?
Email is usually the easiest and most reliable; I check email at
least once a day. Just click on the link in the column at the
left side of this page. Sending a note to school with your
student is another option. For topics of a more sensitive nature,
you will probably want to phone; the best time to reach me is
after school, between 2:45 and 4:30. Whatever method you choose,
I will do my best to get back to you promptly.
How does the stamp incentive program work?
Every student has been given a chart with ten stamps affixed
inside the cover of their assignment notebook. Students can earn
additional stamps from teachers for good behavior or academic
performance. Students can then use the stamps like currency; for
example, to go to their locker for forgotten materials, or to
earn a fun reward at the end of the quarter. Stamps can also be
taken away from students (by being X'ed off by a teacher) for bad
behavior or missing work.