Welcome to 6Th Grade at Knapp Elementary School!

September 8, 2009

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian,

Welcome to 6th Grade at Knapp Elementary School!

This is my eleventh year as a teacher in North Penn School District. After graduating from North Penn High School, I attended Bloomsburg University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. I then earned a K-12 instructional certification and a Master of Science from Arcadia University. Although I already know many of my students I am looking forward to meeting new ones as well.

The delivery of instruction in 6th grade at Knapp will be teamed and presented in modular classrooms! Students will have different teachers for Math, Social Studies and Science. I look forward to working together with you and your child in his or her final year of elementary school.

Please review this packet carefully with your child, then sign and return the last page to me. In addition, I have attached a Parent Information Record that I would appreciate your completing and returning to school as soon as possible for ease in communication during the school year.

My email address is . This is the best way to contact me between 8am and 4pm. Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you have throughout the year, and I will respond to you as soon as I can. If email is not an option, please call (215) 368-2054 to leave a message. In-person conferences will be scheduled at the end of the first marking period and throughout the year as needed.

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you at Back-to-School Night on September 17th!

Sincerely,

Sean Devlin

Knapp Elementary School

Mr. Devlin – Sixth Grade

Welcome to Sixth Grade! In addition to learning a great deal, students will be growing both physically and socially this year, continuing to develop greater self-confidence and independent work habits as they mature into young adults. By working together, holding high expectations, and keeping the lines of communication open, this year will be a positive and memorable experience for all.

Homework

Homework is an important part of a student's academic life. Not only does it help to reinforce the skills and concepts taught during the day, but also it serves to build his or her independence, organization, confidence, and time management skills.

Determining what homework has been assigned for any given day is done by checking the student’s assignment book in his/her binder. The student is responsible for copying homework into this book during the day and seeing to its successful completion at night.

The amount of time spent on homework varies from student to student. Homework is designed to be completed independently, but support from parents, siblings, and/or classmates is appropriate if difficulty is encountered. If a student becomes frustrated by homework and has exhausted all possible means for completing it, as a last resort, a parent may sign the assignment, and it will be addressed in school the next day with no penalty to the student.

Each homework assignment in any given subject will carry a certain number of points which will be averaged into the student’s grade for the current Marking Period. In order for the student to earn full credit, he or she must complete the homework on time, as assigned, and with evidence of effort. Homework answers do not have to be correct for a student to receive full credit. However, if any of the former expectations are not met, the student will receive no credit (there is no partial credit for homework). If a student is absent on the day a homework assignment is given, he or she will have one full cycle from the day of his or her return to school to complete it for full credit.

Assessment

In addition to the Characteristics of a Successful Learner, students in 6th grade are assessed in the academic areas of Reading, Writing, Health, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Only Math, Science, and Social Studies will be assessed using letter grades.

For those subject areas assessed using letter grades, an “F” is failing, a “D” is below average, a “C” is average, a “B” is above average, and an “A” is excellent. For subject areas not assessed using letter grades, performance and skill level indicators will be used.

·  Most assessments (tests and quizzes) will be announced at least one week prior to their administration both in class and online.

·  There are no re-tests or take-home tests.

·  Students absent for a test will be expected to take it the day they return to school (provided it was announced prior).

·  Surprise assessments may occur at any time, but may not always count toward a student’s grade.

·  Any assessments may be sent home for parent signature(s), returned to school, and kept in a “test folder.” Test signatures are considered homework assignments. Students will be granted 2 nights to obtain a signature. If the test is not returned after the second night, then the child will lose recess for 1 day.

Organization of Materials

Organizational Binders

Students are required to use a binder that can be divided into sections to keep subject materials separated. Dividers and pocket folders will be supplied in school. The homework assignment book will be in front of the binder.

The binder will be maintained in good order throughout the school year or the student will spend time as needed at recess straightening it up.

Desks

Student desks are used to store books and academic materials. Students may only have supplies issued by the school in their desk.

The desk will be maintained in good order throughout the school year or the student will spend time as needed at recess straightening it up.

Mechanical pencils, oversize/novelty pencils, lead, pens, markers, sharpeners, highlighters, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, pencil boxes, or any other office supplies are not permitted except as specified by your teacher. Necessary materials will be supplied by the teacher if and when they are needed or earned by students as described in the “Additional Classroom Guidelines” section.

Books

Students will be issued quite a number of books in 6th grade. These materials are expensive and become the responsibility of the student as soon as he or she gets them. As such, the student will be responsible for paying for lost or damaged books at prices set by the school district. All hardcover books are to be covered at all times.

Classroom Management System

In order to guarantee all students a quality and safe educational experience in 6th grade, the Classroom Management System attached to this packet will be used in all classrooms. It appears exactly as posted in the classroom. Please review the expectations and consequences carefully.

Dress Code

·  No open-toed shoes, shoes that roll, or indoor shoes (slippers)

·  All shirts must have sleeves (cover the shoulder) – NO straps or muscle shirts (tank tops)

·  Shorts/skirts must be at least fingertip length (with arms extended fully at side)

·  Clothing may not have any kind of offensive or inappropriate writing, sayings, pictures, symbols, gestures, etc.

·  Accessories, jewelry, watches, and/or makeup (male or female) deemed to be a distraction will not be permitted

·  Writing or drawing on skin or shoes/clothing is never permitted

·  Outerwear should be appropriate in accordance with the weather conditions

Additional Classroom Guidelines

1. Proper hygiene and cleanliness begins at home each and every day and is expected of all 6th graders. As a courtesy to others and to contribute to a healthy work environment, all students are strongly advised to take daily showers, use deodorant, brush teeth, and wear clean clothes.

2. Students are NOT permitted to possess or use any of the following items in school:

·  electronic devices (games, computers, pagers, PDAs, cameras/camcorders, radios, CD players, iPods, MP3s, etc.)

·  trading/playing cards, photographs, or any collectibles

·  any object deemed to be a “toy” or item leading to distraction

·  hygiene products and supplies (except if kept in a purse or bag for use in the restroom or for use on gym day)

·  Cell phones are permitted at school; however, they must be kept in the student’s backpack, and turned off during the school day.

The above items and others deemed to be inappropriate for the school environment will be confiscated and held for parent pickup or until the school year ends, whichever comes first.

3. Gum and candy are not permitted to be consumed during the school day. Students violating this guideline will receive 2 checks on the day of the violation.

4. Snacks outside of the lunch period are permitted under teacher discretion, assuming the following guidelines are met:

·  Absolutely no peanut/peanut butter snacks

·  No candy

·  Does not require utensils

·  Does not require hand washing afterwards

·  Snacks must only be one serving

·  There is to be no sharing

·  No snacks are to remain in desks overnight

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the loss of this privilege temporarily and possibly permanently should repeated incidents occur.

5. All work both in class and at home will be completed in pencil – pens may not be used except for editing, self-correcting, and scoring. In addition, class work and homework should be completed in whichever form of writing is most legible.

6. Recess equipment is provided by the school and is not permitted to be brought from home.

7. Coats, jackets, gloves, scarves, caps, hats, visors, hoods, sweatbands, sunglasses, or other head coverings may not be worn inside the school building during the instructional day except as indicated by a student’s religious beliefs or special event.

8. Relaxed language (i.e., “shut up,” “sucks,” etc.), profanity, slang, street talk, potty talk, code words, TV/movie/video game character imitations, baby talk, sound effects, animal noises, singing, humming, clicking, poor attitude body language or sounds (eye rolls, sighs, etc.), belching, or inappropriate gestures will not be tolerated and “checks” issued accordingly.

9. Writing on books, desks, shoes, clothing, nametags, or anything else that is not supposed to be written upon is not permitted.

Odds and Ends

1. Birthday treats may be sent in for a student’s birthday on or around his or her birth date. Per NPSD policy from 2007, all birthday treats must be distributed and consumed in the cafeteria during lunch. Please do not send in additional treats for building staff members as distribution throughout the building will not be permitted in order to preserve the instructional time of all classrooms.

2. During the course of the year, students go through a large quantity of tissues. If possible, please send in a box of your favorite tissues that can be shared with the class throughout the year.

Thank you for your cooperation and support. I will be speaking at greater length on many of the items in this packet, middle school preparedness and transitioning, and special 6th grade activities on Back-to-School Night, so I hope to see you there. Best wishes for a great 6th grade at Knapp Elementary!

Classroom Expectations

1. Think positively

2. Show respect

3. Control behavior

4. Act responsibly

5. Be honest + kind

Classroom Consequences

1.  1st check – warning

2.  2nd check – loss of next recess

Parent contact will automatically be made for the following:

3.  3rd check

·  detention

·  possible removal from classroom

4.  4th check

·  immediate meeting with Mr. Mazza for further action which could include (but is not limited to):

o  exclusion from school-sponsored activities

o  additional detentions

o  Saturday school

o  suspension from school

Any combination of three checks in a week in the same classroom will result in the issuance of a “Three Check Letter” which must be signed and returned the next school day or recess is lost.

Any combination of eight checks in a month will result in a detention. Multiple detentions during the school year will result in the loss of 6th grade privileges and activities.

Whenever a detention is assigned, parents will be notified in writing and asked to select a convenient time for it to be served. Recess will be lost until the detention is arranged.

All penalties for failure(s) to meet classroom expectations will accrue consecutively until the time is served. Lost recesses in multiples of four may be served as detentions.

This system is designed to be progressive, but certain serious offenses such as those listed below may result in an acceleration of consequences (as determined by the teacher):

·  Hitting, fighting, or any inappropriate physical contact

·  Inappropriate or abusive language/gestures

·  Bullying or any kind of harassment

·  Vandalism or stealing

·  Lying or forgery

·  Writing and/or passing notes

·  Cheating, plagiarizing, or copying homework

·  Shanking or any inappropriate body exposure

·  Serious classroom disruption

·  Throwing anything in the classroom

·  Insubordination or talking back/disrespect

·  Leaving the classroom without permission

·  Public displays of affection

·  Other serious offenses in the NPSD Student Discipline Code

Knapp Elementary School

Sixth Grade – Mr. Devlin

2009 – 2010

Student’s name: ______

Date: ______

The contents of this packet were reviewed with me in class by Mr. Devlin. I understand the expectations for sixth grade and will do my best to meet them.

Student signature:

______

I have read and discussed the information contained in this packet with my child. To the best of my knowledge, he/she understands this information.

Parent(s) signature:

______

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