Students in grades 5-8 are requested to each bring in the following:

• a pencil box or pouch

• 2 packages of pencils

• 2 packages of pencil cap erasers

• a personal-choice decorative 2-pocket folder for the weekly communication folder (please not black, pink, navy blue, or green)

• a box of Kleenex for your homeroom

• highlighters (for ELA and Science)

• colored pencils (for Science and Social Studies)

for Math 

• • 2 boxes of pencils

for ELA

• • a spiral bound 1-subject notebook - wide ruled with pockets

for Science

• • a 1 ½ inch 3 ring binder 

  • 1 composition notebook

for Social Studies

• • a spiral bound 1-subject notebook - wide ruled

Your middle school teachers this year are:

• Ms. Tremblay - English Language Arts, 8th grade homeroom

• Ms. Fritz - Social Studies, 7th grade homeroom

• Mrs. Burdick - Math, 6th grade homeroom

• Mrs. Shepard - Science & Technology, 5th grade homeroom

Teacher: Ms. Sonja Fritz

Contact Information: sfritz@sau71.org, (603) 863-1080 ext. 105  (email is the best way to reach me, as I am not always able to answer the telephone during school hours).

Parent Communication: For the 2025-2026 school year Ms. Fritz will be using email to send information home to families in lieu of a printed newsletter or notices (except when there are forms which require a signature).  General information about the class will also be posted in the class website, which can be accessed via the LCS homepage.

Instructional Materials

5th grade - Core Knowledge Foundation  (Exploring Maps; The American Revolution; The United States Constitution; Geography of the United States); iXL online learning platform

6th and 7th grade - Moose on the Loose (online social studies curriculum: civics units); Core Knowledge Foundation (Understanding Economics); Holt Social Studies: World Geography; iXL online learning platform

8th grade - Core Knowledge Foundation: A History of the United States, volumes 1 & 2; iXL online learning platform

Due Date Expectations

It is expected that students will turn in their work on the day that it is due.  We understand that sometimes things are forgotten at home, therefore students will be allowed a maximum of one week beyond the due date to turn in missing assignments.  Anything later than one week will not be accepted.  Late work may receive a grade reduction based on the assignment type and the number of days it is late.

Homework Expectations

Homework is generally reserved for completion of classwork that did not get finished during the day and occasional long-term projects.  The expectation is that homework will be turned in on-time and completely finished.  If a student has difficulty with an assignment then it is their responsibility to speak to the teacher and seek assistance as soon as possible; requests for extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Grading Policy

Our grading scale in the middle school (grades 5-8) is as follows:

A = 90 - 100 %

B = 80 - 89 %

C = 70 - 79 %

D = 65 - 69 %

F = 0 - 64 %

Grading Breakdown:

25% Formative assessments include: active participation in class discussions, class work, and homework.

75% Summative assessments include:  tests, quizzes, reports, and projects.

Retakes

Any student who earns an unsatisfactory grade on a classroom formative assessment may make corrections and resubmit the work to try to improve their grade.  Any corrections must be done during the student’s own time (Flex, ASAP, recess, etc.) as they will not be given time during class.

A single retake opportunity for a quiz or test will be allowed at the teacher’s discretion, provided that the student makes a request for a retake to the teacher and shows they have taken steps to improve their understanding of the material before the retake occurs.

Make-Up Work

It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve makeup work after an absence.  

Missed/make-up work is to be done in a reasonable amount of time based on the length of the absence.  

Previously issued assignments must be turned in the day the student returns from their absence.

Behavior Expectations

Students are expected to treat each other and the school staff with respect at all times, be honest in their words and actions, move in a safe way that avoids harm to themselves and others, and put forth their best effort in all of their work.  This expectation includes interactions over digital learning tools (email, Google Classroom, etc.).  Violations of these expectations will be handled according to the severity of the infraction.

• Cheating is not tolerated.  This includes plagiarism - copying another’s words and claiming them as your own.  Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a zero for the assignment and be given the opportunity to re-do the work on their own time.

*Adjustments or accommodations may be made in this syllabus to meet individual and class needs at the discretion of the teacher.