1. Back to School Night 8 th Grade Homeroom Information New Handbook Policies Buddies Tests/Quizzes/Projects Plagiarism Infraction Cards Trimester Report Cards Conferences – Group High School

2. New Policies - Handbook Please take the time to read the handbook and new additions this year A few changes are: - Clothing list for Tag Days - Hair length (rules) - Field Trip $ - NON-refundable - Vacations – work will not be given ahead of time

3. First Grade Buddies Each student will have a buddy even if it means sharing a buddy Gift exchange will only happen at Christmas and at the end of the year. We will purchase Halloween treats for 1 st grade buddies Halloween parade – please keep costumes appropriate Buddy breakfast – November 21 Buddy Picnic – May 29

4. Tests/Quizzes/Projects Calendar – each month is posted on bulletin board where information will be recorded Students are responsible for missed assignments regardless of reason for absence Guidelines, due dates for long-term projects are found on individual web pages. Please support dates and encourage students to be responsible by handing their work in on time.

5. Infraction Cards Same as last year Five infractions equals 2 points Any infraction for uniform will result in a lost T-shirt day at the end of that month.

6. Backpacks are allowed this year Cell phones are to be turned in every morning. Each student has an envelope with his or her name on it. We have asked that cell phones, ipods, cameras be placed in this envelope for the day. They can be picked up at the end of each day. Backpacks, Etc.

7. Trimester Reports/Conferences First Trimester – December 1 Second Trimester – March 10 Third Trimester – Awards Assembly (6/5) Conferences will be group conferences but we are willing to have individual conferences if this is preferred. First conferences are scheduled for November 24 and 25 (before Trimester One ends)

8. High School Open Houses Dates will be available on the bulletin board outside our classrooms. High School visits – schedule early Call Admissions Office Students are responsible for all work missed Please let us know when visits are scheduled – we will try to inform other teachers Students are responsible for tests, quizzes, projects on due dates regardless of visit date

9. High School Entrance Exams Sallies, Charter, St. Mark’s, St. Elizabeth’s, Padua will hold exam on Saturday, December 6. Mrs. Kissel will send home information. Ursuline – November 22 Archmere – December 13 Acceptances usually come out in February Sallies will send in “waves”

10. Review Classes at SMM Skills review classes are offered at SMM. Look for information in your parent packet Classes in math and grammar (select both or just math or just grammar) Test taking skills and time management are offered to all who sign up for these sessions

11. Important Dates December 19 – Christmas Program January 20, 21, 22 Midterms January 28 – Teacher and Staff Appreciation Luncheon May 1 – (tentative) 8 th Grade Retreat May 18 – May Crowning May 19 – NJHS Installation May 27, 28, 29 – Final Exams for 8 th grade May 29 – Buddy Picnic June 3 – New York Trip June 5 – Awards Assembly June 8 – Graduation

12. Reaching Me Feel free to email me at smmyourinsons@hotmail.com smmyourinsons@hotmail.com Call school and leave a convenient time and number where you can be reached Be patient if I do not get back to you right away. Planning period is 3 rd period and I am not in my room during this time. If you need to speak to me immediately, inform the office staff and I will leave class to take your call. Please reserve this for an emergency.

13. Homeroom Moms Mrs. Wierzbowski and Mrs. Olsen are our homeroom moms this year and they would like to say a few words.

14. Grammar – Grade 7 Grammar will include English, Spelling and Vocabulary, and Writing We will move through the book beginning with Chapter 14. We will begin spelling and vocabulary next week. Writing assignments will vary from those completed in class and those that are assigned ahead of time and planned out in class but written at home. Students need to become proficient in writing. We will work on skills together.

15. Prealgebra – Grade 7 Students are in the fast-paced math group Homework is a MUST – students receive 100 points at the beginning of each trimester. This is a quiz grade. Notebook – students must keep a notebook; counts as a quiz grade Quizzes and tests Expectations - Students are expected to complete homework assignments - Students are expected to keep a neat, complete notebook - Students are expected to seek help when necessary I am available at 7:30 each morning except Tuesdays; I will be available at lunch time if I do not have outside lunch duty

16. 8 th Grade Grammar Grammar includes English, Spelling and Vocabulary, and Writing Tests are given in English beginning with Chapter 14 Spelling and Vocabulary tests Writing Assignments – in class as well as long-term No homework grade given

17. Algebra Part One Students will receive 100 homework points Students will keep a notebook Pacing will be as fast as is practical Students need to request help Times available for help: 7:30 every morning except Tuesday, lunch time if I do not have lunch duty Free to email me with questions – are not to email me about what their homework assignment is We will cover approximately two-thirds of a year of Algebra Students are not encouraged to test out of Algebra One

18. Reading We will read various stories offered in the book. We will not go through the book in a specific order. We will read Night and two Acts of Anne Frank beginning in February. This will coincide with Social Studies. Research Project - Dates will be posted on web page - Timeline will be sent home - Students choose topics (appropriate) - Information will be discussed in class to prepare them - We will try to schedule research time - Three parts to project: Preliminary, Final Draft, and Oral Report - Each part is worth 100 points - Preliminary will be placed in Trimester One; Final Draft and Oral report will fall in Trimester Two No book reports

19. Religion We will cover Morality Book Students will be responsible for notes Students will have quizzes and tests Possible projects (small in scope)