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Los Alisos Middle School

8th grade Science
2015-2016
Mrs. Duartes Class Expectations

Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2015/2016 school year at Los Alisos Middle School. I will be your
childs Science teacher. The success of student learning depends on studentteacher-parent cooperation and communication, so I would like to share with you
some important information about the classes and my procedures.
Course Objective:
The purpose of Physical Science is to learn about:
-The Scientific Method and become critical thinkers by taking on the role of
Scientists and conducting lab experiments.
- Learn about lab safety
Learn the Nature of Chemistry, solids, liquids and gases, elements and the periodic
table, atoms and bonding and chemical reactions.
-Learn about motion, energy, forces, density and buoyancy.
-Learn about Space, Earth, Moon and Sun, The solar system, Stars, Galaxies and
the universe and exploring Space.

Attendance
Student attendance and participation are essential for a successful year. If students
are absent, they need to report to the office to obtain readmit card in order to return
to class. Students can only make up work if their absence is verified and it is their
responsibility to obtain their missing work from the teacher. It is NOT the
teachers responsibility to track down a student that has missing work of any type.

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Students must be accountable for making up missing assignments as it is a skill

that they will need in higher education.

Tardies
If your child is tardy once, they will receive a verbal agreement that will be
documented and signed by both student and teacher. Second tardy will result in
parent notification and documentation. Third tardy will result in parent notification
and 40 minute after school detention as well as documentation. Fourth tardy will
result in office referral set forth with correct documentation.

Required Daily Materials:

Your child will need 1 composition book (to keep science notes/classwork),
pencils, colored pencils, dark blue/black ink pens, eraser and a manual sharpener
with lid, dry erase marker, and safety goggles.

Homework/Planner
Your child will have homework at least four times a week. Please take time each
and every evening to look over the homework together with your child. Please
sign your childs planner after checking for completed homework. Late work will
be accepted, but the student will receive 50% of the credit.

Hall Passes
Your child will receive 2 hall passes each trimester. At the end of the trimester,
unused hall passes will be collected and counted towards extra credit. If your child
uses all of their hall passes during the trimester and needs to be excused for the
restroom, they will serve detention for 40 minutes after school (parents will be
contacted). Students will have opportunities to earn further hall passes during the
school year.

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Contact information
If you would like to speak with me, you may leave a message with the office at (562)868-0865
and I will return your call as soon as possible. I can also be reached at gduarte@nlmusd.org.

Science Grading Policy:

Test /Quizzes

30%

Projects/Labs

40%

Classwork/Homework 30%

Classroom Rules
I believe that all students can behave appropriately. The rules below will be followed in the
classroom. Respect will be an essential component of our classroom environment. This includes
respect towards: teachers, students, materials, and self.

1. Respect the rights and property of others. This includes what you say, your
tone of voice, and your body language.
2. Be in your assigned seat and ready to work. Stay in your seat unless you
have permission to get up.
3. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking. Interrupting others
or talking out of turn will not be tolerated.
4. Follow directions the first time they are given. Off-task behavior is not
acceptable.
Consequences
1. In class warning/ Verbal warning
2. Student/Teacher Conference during snack/lunch time or afterschool
3. Parent Notification (Call Home)
4. Detention After School (Parents will be contacted)
5. Parent Conference

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6. Office referral and Administrative Disciplinary Procedures

Please be advised that these consequences are in no particular order. They will
be imposed depending on the nature of the students behavior. Student behavior
will also be documented.

Rewards:
Class Dojo will be used as a class management system. You will receive a user
name and password where you will have access to your childs behavior. Your
child will also have a username and password. With Class Dojo, students will be
able to earn homework passes, hall passes, and etc.

With your encouragement, your child will be part of many exciting and rewarding
academic experiences this school year.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Duarte

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I have read and understand all the policies as stated above. Please complete the following
information and return to school by Tuesday, September 8, 2014.

_______________________________

_____________________________

Print Students Name

Students Signature and Date

_______________________________

_____________________________

Print Parents Name

Parents Signature and Date

Please provide the following information.

Please list the communication information in order to discuss the progress of your son/daughter.

E-mail: ___________________________________________________

Home Phone:______________________________________________

Cell Phone:________________________________________________

Please check the best form of communication between us:

__ e-mail

__home phone

__ cell phone

Other Information: (Circle)

Does the student have access to a computer?

Yes

No

Does the student have access to the internet?

Yes

No