Letter to Parents

Welcome Parents,

This will be an educational and exciting year for your child. We will be reading several novels, short stories, dramas, and articles of nonfiction, and experiencing poetry by world writers. All material is translated from the original text. Throughout the year we will be writing using different formats and platforms.

Every teacher conducts his or her class as they see fit. Education is a continuum. Students should embrace their education as much as the teacher who shows passion for their art. I guide the lessons but your child is included in the ownership of molding their own education. Active participation is required as well as beneficial for learning. Productive and appropriate classroom use of Chrome books is required. Using their cell phone in class to text is prohibited, offensive, and distracting to me and the student. Continual warnings will lead to a loss of points and/or removal from the class period. I have made this clear on the purple contract that you signed in September.

I do not believe in pop quizzes or pop tests, all assignments are announced and posted on Google Classroom. It is the student's responsibility to view Google Classroom. It is in the best interest of the student to review their work every night so they are prepared for upcoming tests and quizzes. This also helps manage anxiety for future assessments.

Reading is taught daily with grammar, vocabulary, and writing mixed in. Students are expected to bring their charged Chromebooks, independent reading book, and 3-ring binder to class every day unless notified. If your child chooses not to bring their materials to class they will lose class participation, cooperation, and preparation points. Vocabulary work is given on most Wednesdays unless told in advance of a change. Your child will have an assignment, a quiz, or a test every Wednesday on vocabulary. Please make sure they stay on target. Additionally, I have created an electronic Google calendar for the class with future assignments. They have access to this calendar through Google classroom. If your child is absent, it is their responsibility to ascertain what was done in class that day.

Students need to be more proactive in their education. Google Classroom is where I will post upcoming assessments, events, and assignments; however, not every single assignment may be posted. Your child needs to write down the assignments while in the classroom. I am available after school to my students if they need assistance; additionally, there is a tutoring service open to the students Tuesday through Thursday in the media center after school. Wednesday is the optimal day to receive additional help in any class since the school day ends at 1:40 PM specifically so students can work with teachers and club activities. Any missed test or quiz due to an absence should be taken as soon as the student returns to school, but not limited to the Wednesday Activity Period. Make-up tests and quizzes are not given during my class time. They are given after school so the student does not miss any current work. If assignments are not made up, a zero is given as the grade. Your child will see their grade before it is posted on Power School. They are fully aware of their successes in my class.

I look forward to having an open line of communication. Thank you for signing the purple paper which was the student contract. By expressing my expectations and objectives to both you and your child, I feel we will have a productive and successful year. If you need to reach me, please call you may use the following avenues: the English office-Ms. Johnson, Language Arts Supervisor, your child’s guidance counselor, or through email and allow a couple of days for me to get back to you. I will be more than happy to communicate with you during school hours.

jpallante@bloomfield.k12.nj.us (973) 680-8600 ext. 4378

Thank you for coming out tonight.

Mrs. Pallante