1. 6th Grade SS
Back to School Night

2. I am honored to be entrusted with teaching your child this year!
Welcome!!
Welcome to 6th grade!
My name is Kris Denues
I am honored to be entrusted with teaching your child this year!
I look forward to continuing to learn, laugh, and love this, the beginning of my 35th year of teaching.

3. Best Way to Contact Me Email: k.denues@loma.k12.ca.us
This is set as a hyperlink on my website
Please allow 48 hrs. for a reply
Please do not send me any mean s. I will not send you any either. I promise I only want the best for your child. We can talk, I promise. If you have a problem with me, my teaching style, etc. please talk to me first. I promise I will do the same for you. Thank you!
Classroom Phone: #5106
Google Voice Phone: Emergency Only, Please!
; sends me a text message. Please leave your name and number, and I’ll call you back.

4. PowerSchool
Please have your child check this. They also should come and talk to me themselves if they have a problem.
If there is an ongoing problem with the amount or type of homework, or anything else going on, and you feel we need a conference, no problem. Just send me an , and we’ll set one up a.s.a.p.
I will probably ask that your child is present at all meetings, so they begin to understand the process better. If the situation is sensitive, of course, this would not be the case, but please let me know in the , so I do not inadvertently mention it.

5. For Those of You Who Have Had Me . . . and To Those of You Who Are New. . .
One of the constant messages I say to myself is, “What life lesson(s) am I teaching by doing or saying this?”
I never want to teach students that a note from somewhere will excuse them, however, I know there are those occasions where that is exactly what needs to happen. The point is that it doesn’t happen very often, and every case needs to be looked at individually. So, please, do not assume a note from you will automatically excuse an assignment that was due. However, as with anything else, feel free to talk to me if I have not excused something you felt should be. I do not guarantee we will always agree, but I do guarantee we can always talk about it, and hopefully together, by the end of the conversation, we will come to a healthy solution and understanding for both your child and us.

6. This Class Is SS-The Study of Ancient Civilizations & Cultures
This year begins with Early Stone Cultures and goes through the Fall of Rome!
It is an OVERVIEW! We spend about two or three weeks on each culture.
We take notes and have written exams for each chapter, so they’ll need to study!
Additionally, I try and have a project for each unit as I’ve found over the years this is often how students learn and what they remember most later in life.

7. The due dates are: Thursday, 12/20 and Thursday, 5/23.
Textbooks are kept in class, and students have an online account (this is to hopefully keep their backpacks lighter). Books may be checked out by the students.
Additionally, we will have Weekly Readers and some current event assignments due. We work hard to have the kids make connections between what has happened in the past and what is currently happening.
Each student is also expected to complete 5 hrs. of Community Service each semester.
The due dates are: Thursday, 12/20 and Thursday, 5/23.
Three rules: If okay with you, okay with me!
Not something they usually do-i.e. clean room
No compensation other than “Thanks!”

8. Some of What to Expect . . .
Ups and downs; remember, they are most likely between 132 and 144 months old. They are doing great, and so are you!
Smiles and crying
Usually there is a meltdown of some sort during the first quarter sometime. Don’t panic! This is absolutely normal, and most everything is better after!
Finally, if you don’t believe everything you hear about me, I won’t believe everything I hear about you.  Trust but verify.

9. Dreams. . .
I want your kids to love this class, begin to love studying cultures, be happy, and independent learners. I’m so looking forward to working with them and with you this year.

10. Ongoing Needs . . .
Any Epson 273 ink cartridges you wanted to pick up, black and white or color, I would take! 