Family Letter

Greetings, family of a 6th-grader with Mr. Adam!

I'm delighted to be your 6th-grader's English Language Arts (ELA) teacher.  For fifteen years, I have loved teaching this fun and special age!  Please feel welcome to call me Adam (or “Mr. Adam”, which is how 6th-graders address me).  If you're interested in learning more about me, head to my About Me page on this Site containing a section of pictures of my family and me that I showed to students, along with my "About Me project," which your 6th-grader will complete too (next week)!

It is my immense pleasure to inform you all that this year’s middle school launch has been fabulous so far, and I’ve enjoyed meeting these new wonderful humans.   I am so thrilled and impressed with my students and how they've navigated this important transition thus far.  My time with your student has already felt successful, respectful, exciting, and positive.  I've been blessed with observations of joy, eagerness, kindness, and engagement, and I am very grateful for how smooth, friendly, and rewarding our class has been so far.  Kudos to YOU, parents / families!

This update is intended to be a thorough-yet-concise overview of information that's relevant for you!  Please know that more details will be shared and communicated at Back-to-School Night this Wednesday, Sep. 17th.  I have also invited you here to tell me more about your student and your feelings in this brief survey.  PLEASE, really, I care to learn about your thoughts and reflections; you are the expert, and I value your perspective!  

Overarching Goals.  

We will focus explicitly on independence, resourcefulness, and accountability throughout middle school.  I suggest that parents can assist by slowly releasing the job of managing their education to your student.  It may seem scary and/or impractical, but they can do it, and we will heavily support that endeavor in the classroom.

Homework.  

Much to say, but for now, basically homework = regular reading for pleasure (novels) please!  Work that is not completed during class should become homework (including due to absences).  Please remind and encourage your student to establish routines as much as possible, specifically regarding their regular reading time.  I have a (hopefully) inspiring collection of quality and engaging books on this website (Reading tab), and students will become familiar with it and contribute to it!

Grading.  

As you probably know, PPS has officially shifted to a proficiency grading system, in which specific standards will be assessed.  This will likely seem familiar as that method is typically used in elementary schools.  You can see the assessed state standards for each quarter here on my website.

• Class work will be “housed” in Canvas.

• Grading will be transparent and as-live-as-possible in Synergy. 

IEPs / TAG / 504s. 

If your student receives any special services, I'm just quickly assuring you here that I've read the corresponding documentation, and I welcome future conversation around those topics.  The family survey mentioned above is the best place to start this dialogue!

Thank you for your time and for your support and advocacy for your student's education!  I'm very hopeful and committed to a wonderful year!  I look forward to reading your responses to the above survey, and I'd love to meet you in person at Back-To-School Night on Thursday if you would please introduce yourself to me then!  Warmly,