Gasper de Portola Middle School

18720 Linnet St, Tarzana, CA 91356

818-342-6173

Dear Parents or Guardians:

Welcome to Ms. Cimarusti’s English and History class and Mr. Terrien’s Math and Science class! There are several things that your child will need to know in order to succeed in these classes. We have listed below this year’s class rules, procedures, grading scale, and academic objectives. We have also attached a recommended supply list. We encourage you and your child to review this letter and attachments together, sign, and return the Signature Sheet to homeroom by, August 18.

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Class Rules: Be Prompt, Be Prepared, Be Polite, and Be Productive

Student will be in his/her seat, with supplies out and ready to begin class, when the bell rings.

Student will raise his/her hand to speak and/or move from seat.

Student will keep hands, objects and comments to himself/herself.

Student will follow the teacher's directions and be productive in class at all times.

Student will follow school rules and procedures at all times.

If these rules are not followed then the student may receive consequences for such behavior. Student disruptions during productive class time will not be tolerated.

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Procedures

1. The school will send home a progress report every five weeks. This is not a final grade. The student will be given multiple opportunities to improve. Please monitor your student’s grades weekly at schoology.com.

2. Parents may request a parent conference with all teachers by calling 818-654-3300 to schedule an appointment, or by emailing either teacher directly at for Mr. Terrien or for Ms. Cimarusti.

3. The Portola Middle School Agenda Book, given to each student, will be used to write down all homework and assignments and parents are asked to monitor it nightly.

4. Homework can be accessed schoology.com.

5. All homework and classwork will be accepted in blue or black ink, pencil or done on the computer.

6. It is the student’s responsibility to find out missing work when they are absent. If the student is absent several days you may request homework through the counseling office.

7. Students should turn in missing work from the absence the following day. No late work is accepted without points taken off.

8. Work habits grades are based on homework, attendance and percentages. Cooperation grades are based behavior in class.

Grading Scale:

A = 90-100 %

B = 80- 89 %

C = 70- 79 %

D = 60- 69 %

F = 59 % and below

Note: All assignments will be graded on this scale and averaged together.

Math/ScienceEnglish/History

Quizzes/Tests 70%Essays35%

Projects andTests35%

Classwork20%Projects and Classwork20%

Homework10%Homework 10%

Total 100%Total 100%

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Work Habits:

E = Excellent / S = Satisfactory / U = Unsatisfactory
Homework / Student turned in all homework / Student has turned in most homework / Student has turned in very little homework
Classwork / Student turned in all classwork / Student has turned in most classwork / Student has turned in very little classwork
Supplies / Student comes everyday with all necessary supplies / Student comes most of the time with the necessary supplies / Student hardly ever comes with the necessary supplies

Cooperation:

E = Excellent / S = Satisfactory / U = Unsatisfactory
Absences / Student has all absences excused / Student has only 1 or 2 absences not excused / Student has more than 2 absences not excused
Tardies / Student has been tardy 0-1 time / Student has been tardy 2 times / Student has been tardy 3 times
Behavior / Student shows Excellent behavior (i.e. raises hand to speak, starts assignments readily, eager to learn) / Student shows Satisfactory behavior (i.e. sometimes talks, sometimes ready to learn) / Student shows Unsatisfactory behavior (i.e. talks too much, gets out of seat without permission, disruptive)

Important websites:

Portola Middle School:

This website is useful for important school information such as calendars, special events, phone numbers, contact information for school staff.

Grades and Homework: schoology.com

Please bookmark the above websites and monitor them often.

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Use of email communication:

If you do not regularly use an email account, it is highly recommended that you get one now and monitor it on a regular basis. It is a great way for you to communicate with your child’s teachers. It is difficult to return a phone message during school hours but an email can be responded to much quicker.

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We look forward to helping your child succeed this year. Please contact us if you have any concerns at the email listed below.

Sincerely,

Mr. John TerrienMs. Cimarusti

I have read and understand Cimarusti/Terrien Team course letter.

**Please note that listing your email address is important so that I may send you emails, notifying you of class field trips, to give you access to the grading system, and to give notices of progress reports and opportunities for extra credit, and etc.

PLEASE WRITE NEATLY!

Student Name (printed) ______

Student signature______

Math/Science Periods 1-2 or 5-6 Eng./Hist. Periods 1-2 or 5-6

Student E-mail address______

PLEASE PRINT NEATLY

Parent/ Guardian #1: Print name______

Home #( )______Work or cell#(______)______

SIGNATURE______

E-mail______Relationship to student:______

PLEASE PRINT NEATLY

Parent/ Guardian #2: Print name______

Home #(____)______Work or cell#(_____)______

SIGNATURE______

E-mail address______Relationship to student:______

PLEASE PRINT NEATLY