Weekly Press Release

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

I wanted to touch base with you since I combined last week’s weekly press with this weekly press.  I always feel it is important to try to touch base at least once a week with you.

 

So what is new in biology?

 

1. 1st nine weeks ended Friday, Oct. 26th.  Make sure that if there is any work that needed to be turned in, students drop it off to my classroom by Monday, Oct. 29th by 7:30am or it will remain a zero. 

 

2. There is tutoring each day unless I have a meeting.  Students can come by classroom after school. 

 

5.  Binder check:  Our binder check was on Oct. 24/25.  This was a simple test over the binder to check to see if students have been organized throughout the semester and followed directions.  Students have received a paper on how to set up binder.  It was also in the class syllabus given at the beginning of the year.  For more information, visit the class web site:  www.sciencerule.com and go to the download section.  You will find a summary of how to set up the binder.  Any student who would like to have me assist them in organizing their binder can come to tutoring and I will be glad to help them. On the binder check, I had 10 questions - 2 questions per section.  If a student did not have their binder, they had to write their name on the test and write ” I did not bring my binder today.”  They will receive a zero unless they come during tutoring hours.  This must be conducted by Monday, Oct. 29th or it remains a zero.

 

6.  Nine weeks test:  The test is made by the district and is given throughout all the subjects. Oct. 22/23: ELA (English Language Arts) classes.  Oct. 23/24: Math classes.  Oct. 24/25: Science classes.  Oct. 25/26: Social Study classes (history etc) and electives classes. Some students will also be re – taking TAKS testing the same week as benchmark:  the re-test is scheduled by the state of Texas.  The test is graded and will be recorded as part of their major grades in their nine week average.  I will have this posted on K 12 when I receive the grades (hopefully by Monday as they have been having technological difficulties).

 

7.  I have given them a nine week’s review sheet.  It can be found on the web site under assignment download.  They were able to use the review on the test if they had it.  I did not tell students this until the day of the test as I felt it was a reward for actually studying as they should have.  Students who turned in their review sheet will receive extra credit.

 

8.  The class web site is a great way for students to get information.  The message board currently has about 75 extra credit points available for students.  I have posted 12 different questions that students can research and answer.  These questions are related to the topics we have discussed in class.  I also gave students an overview of where everything is on the web site and sent that information via to you through email.   www.sciencerule.com 

 

9.  Parents can check with K12 program for grades or contact me if you are concern about the grades in biology. Grades will be updated after each time I add a grade.   

 

10.   Our food lab date is set:  Oct. 26 and Oct. 29th.  We will be making a cell out of cake and candy.  I wanted to say thank you so much for the overwhelming amount of food that you have been donating.  Oct. 26th – B day students, we have had so much food donated that students have been able to eat the food cell, had candy in class and still take some home.  Remember, 1st and 2nd period, you will have your food lab on Monday, Oct. 29th so don’t forget your items.  4th period - due to some situations with the substitute teacher on Oct. 23rd and further investigation, I had to prolong the cake lab until Wednesday, Oct. 31st.  So please, if you are in 4th period, feel free to bring your items early but remember that you will have your lab on Wednesday instead of Monday.  After the lab, there is a 20 question that follows — if students are listening and participating in the lab, they should be able to be successful on the quiz.  Of course, eating the food cell is the best part! 

 

11.  It is important for students to be in class throughout the year.  According to my syllabus, students are allowed 5 times to leave the classroom throughout the semester.  A semester is through final exams in January.  Students have been issued 5 hall passes.   Students must present to me one hall pass prior to leaving the classroom.  Once students have used all 5 hall passes, they are not allowed to leave the classroom to get a drink of water, or go to the restroom.  At the end of the semester, any unused hall pass will be turned into me and 3 points will be added to a test grade for each hall pass.  Many students have already used most of their passes or they have lost their passes.  These students will not be allowed to get new passes until the next semester.  If they borrow or get a pass from someone they may leave.  This is my policy.  Please understand that they have time in between classes and that if I do not limit the amount of times, there would be a line to the restroom a mile long.  This allows them to make a choice:  Do I really have to go to the restroom or do I just want out of class?  They only have 5 times in 18 weeks.

 

12.  Lesson plan for this past week:  The week started off on a B day.  Monday, Oct. 22nd: cell discussion over worksheets. Tuesday: Oct. 23rd: Cell worksheet packet (same packet that B day students received on Oct. 16th.)  Substitute teacher (Miss Cunningham at appointment).  Wednesday/Thursday Oct. 24/25: Nine week benchmark test and binder check.  Friday, Oct. 26 and Monday Oct. 29th: Cake Cell food lab.  Grades due Oct. 26th.  End of nine weeks: Oct. 26th.

 

Have a great day,

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

Wow!  How time flies.  Can you believe that the nine weeks will end on the Oct. 26^th?  Now this week and next week is vital and have lots of information so I apologize ahead of time for the details as things are a little crazy with PSAT, Academic coaching, homecoming events, benchmark testing, re-testing for TAKS, binder checks and then to top it off, I had training to go to on Oct. 16^th and will also be out on the 23^rd for my doctor’s appointment.  What a crazy couple weeks.

 

So what is new in biology?

 

1. 1^st nine weeks ends Friday, Oct. 26^th.  All work must be turned in by this date or it will remain a zero.

 

2. This week Schedule:  Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 15/16^th: Normal bell schedule.  Miss Cunningham has training on Tuesday and will not be in class or tutoring.  Wednesday, Oct. 17^th: PSAT schedule.  Thursday, Oct. 18^th: Advisory schedule.  Friday, Oct. 19^th:  Pep rally and homecoming carnival: short class schedule. Homecoming starts at 7pm.

 

3. Next week schedule:  Normal schedule for the most part.  Tuesday:  Miss Cunningham will not be in class (substitute teacher).  No tutoring on Tuesday.  Wednesday/Thursday: Benchmark test for biology and binder check.  Thursday: Advisory schedule.  Friday is last day of 1^st nine weeks.

 

4. There is tutoring each day unless I have a meeting.  Students can come by classroom after school.  The week of Oct. 22^nd, I have duty and will start tutoring at 2:45.  Though I usually stay until 4pm or later if students need me to do so, on Wednesday, Oct. 24^th, I will be staying no later than 3:45 as it is my dad’s birthday and I will be sending some family time with them.

 

5. Binder check:  We will be having our binder check on Oct. 24/25.  This will be a simple test over the binder to check to see if students have been organized throughout the semester and followed directions.  Students have received a paper on how to set up binder.  It was also in the class syllabus given at the beginning of the year.  For more information, visit the class web site:  www.sciencerule.com and go to the download section.  You will find a summary of how to set up the binder.  Any student who would like to have me assist them in organizing their binder can come to tutoring and I will be glad to help them.

 

6. Nine weeks test:  The test is made by the district and is given throughout all the subjects. Oct. 22/23: ELA (English Language Arts) classes.  Oct. 23/24: Math classes.  Oct. 24/25: Science classes.  Oct. 25/26: Social Study classes (history etc) and electives classes. Some students will also be re – taking TAKS testing the same week as benchmark:  the re-test is scheduled by the state of Texas. 

 

7. I have given them a nine week’s review sheet.  It can be found on the web site under assignment download.

 

8. The web site is updated.  www.sciencerule.com  The sciencerule team has had some technical difficulties with some things not wanting to load correctly.  However, we have been able to fix the problem.  I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.  I encourage all parents and students to use the web site.  I will be sending out information soon on details on where everything is in case you are not sure where to go on the site.  However, check it out.  Encourage your child to do the extra credit on the message board.  www,sciencerule.com  

 

9. If a student failed the ecology test, they are able to retake the test.  Students must do the corrections and then bring the corrections to tutoring.  Once I have looked over it and discussed any questions, students can retake the test.  The corrections will go for points towards the retest.  All rest must be done prior to the end of the nine weeks.  If a student has not taken the ecology test, it must be done ASAP – before the end of the nine weeks!

 

10. Students will be receiving all graded work and an updated progress report for this class on Monday/Tuesday (Oct. 22/23).  So you can ask your child to look at their progress in the class.  All work needs to go in the binder.

 

11. Parents can check with K12 program for grades or contact me if you are concern about the grades in biology. Grades will be updated by Monday, Oct. 22nd.

 

12. I would like to also say a personal thank you to many of you who have written emails and sent cards to me in regards to my health.  It is very touching and I hold your thoughts very close to my heart.  I have a keep sake binder that I have stuff like that and days that I need a lift, I read emails and thoughts that people have told me.  I will keep all of you posted.  I wanted to share with my students and parents about my health as it is important for students to be able to connect that question “why do we have to learn this” to the real world because more than 4 months of what we study is directly tied into what happened to me.  It makes it more real and it also allows them to understand that every day people battle with things that relate to why we study science.  I also want them understand that despite living with CML, I am able to stay positive and upbeat about life, my health and enjoy my job and it is my hope that they are able to see the connection that even in times that we think it may be a bump in the road, there is always sunshine and is often the way we approach life’s events that affect us the most.

 

13.  Our food lab date is set:  Oct. 26 and Oct. 27^th.  We will be making a cell out of cake and candy.  I will be sending out information over the weekend on the kind of candy I need for students to donate.  It is fun lab.  We compare cell parts to different types of candy.  Then we get to eat it!  There will be a short quiz that will follow.

 

14. We will be working on a cell web site in class.  It is a good learning tool and has puzzles, games and other activities that students can use to learn about cell parts.  Encourage your child to visit this site outside of class.  www.cellsalive.com

 

15. Each student has been issued a biology book.  If they have not received their biology book at this time, they need to go address this issue with the office ASAP.  They need to go to P 7.  Students are required to bring the book to class each day or they may leave their book in their designated period area in my classroom.   However, I am personally NOT responsible for their book if it is lost or damage.  I lock my door at all times when not in the classroom.  However, I can not always know if students are using their personal book.  There is a web site that students can use and I am in the process of looking into this so students can use the web at home.  However, they will need a book in class.  In addition, students will be signing a paper this coming week acknowledging that if they do leave their books in the classroom that I am not responsible.  If you do not feel comfortable in this situation, your child will need to bring their book to class each class period and not be able to keep their book in my classroom.  This is what the office has instructed me to do.  If not, all books must be removed and I am trying to allow the students the availably of having the textbooks in class.  I have tried to have a class set but that will not be an option at this time.

 

16. It is important for students to be in class throughout the year.  According to my syllabus, students are allowed 5 times to leave the classroom throughout the semester.  A semester is through final exams in January.  Students have been issued 5 hall passes.   Students must present to me one hall pass prior to leaving the classroom.  Once students have used all 5 hall passes, they are not allowed to leave the classroom to get a drink of water, or go to the restroom.  At the end of the semester, any unused hall pass will be turned into me and 3 points will be added to a test grade for each hall pass.  Many students have already used most of their passes or they have lost their passes.  These students will not be allowed to get new passes until the next semester.  If they borrow or get a pass from someone they may leave.  This is my policy.  Please understand that they have time in between classes and that if I do not limit the amount of times, there would be a line to the restroom a mile long.  This allows them to make a choice:  Do I really have to go to the restroom or do I just want out of class?  They only have 5 times in 18 weeks.

 

17. Lesson plan:  This is going to be a little different due to all the strange schedules.  However, here we go.  The week starts off on an A day.  Monday, Oct. 15^th: Cell city activity.  Tuesday, Oct. 16^th: Worksheet packet.  Substitute teacher (Miss Cunningham at training).  Wednesday, Oct. 17th:  Cell worksheet.  PSAT schedule.  Thursday/Friday Oct. 18/19: Cell Alive activity/ worksheet.(www.cellalive.com ).  Advisory on Thursday.  Homecoming carnival and pep rally on Friday.

 

18. Lesson plan for next week:  The week starts off on a B day.  Monday, Oct. 22^nd: cell discussion over worksheets. Tuesday: Oct. 23^rd: Cell worksheet packet (same packet that B day students received on Oct. 16^th.)  Substitute teacher (Miss Cunningham at appointment).  Wednesday/Thursday Oct. 24/25: Nine week benchmark test and binder check.  Friday, Oct. 26 and Monday Oct. 29^th: Cake Cell food lab.  Grades due Oct. 26^th.  End of nine weeks: Oct. 26^th.

 

 

 

Thanks for all that you do.  I know this email was long but lots of important stuff this week.  Have a fun day and remember to smile as we brighten up our lives and those around us.  When we do that, we create an atmosphere that promotes success.  Be the smile for your family, friends and people you meet.

 

Have a great day,