2006-07

1. And Most Esteemed PARENTS! 2006-07

2. Communication • Look for a Junior High Newsletter in the 2nd and 4th Tuesday packet every month. • Look for Homework to be posted on class web sites and bulletin boards outside classrooms • Know the best times & numbers to reach your teacher

3. Mrs. Baker jbaker@sasfresno.com Mrs. Young fyoung@sasfresno.com or ffitzgerald@sasfresno.com Mrs. Mastropoalo nmastropoalo@sasfresno.com Miss. Wolowodiuk kwolowodiuk@sasfresno.com Mrs. Cornwell jcornwell@sasfresno.com

4. Materials • All students should have pens, pencils, paper, and necessary supplies in class each day • Students will not be dismissed during class to return to lockers for forgotten items

5. Uniform Policy • All policies in the Student Handbook will be enforced by the junior high staff. • Shirts must be tucked in at all times. • White plain shirts ONLY under Polo Shirt. • No colored t-shirts, t-shirts with wording or colorful camisols • Waistband of Shorts is not to be rolled over • Socks must be seen above the cuff of the shoe. Minimal reminders will be given before detentions are assigned.

6. CJSFCalifornia Junior Scholarship Federation Is an organization recognizing scholastic achievement for Junior High Students.

7. How do students join? • Students need to complete the CJSF registration form and return it by September 15th. • At the end of each trimester, each student will receive a summary of earned points. • For your child to be a member, they must have a minimum of 12 points per trimester, 2 of 3 trimesters for the school year.

8. Rewards 7th and 8th Graders receive: • A CJSF card of acknowledgement and a trip to Wild Water Adventures in May. • 8th Graders : • Earn eligibility for CSF in high school if a gold seal is awarded at graduation. • Accumulating 90 or more points during 7th and 8th grade, you will receive a certificate and a gold seal on your diploma.

9. 7th Grade Life Science • Text: Prentice Hall Focus on Life Science • Usually the books are at home for the student to read. The book is also on the laptop. • The laptop has the resource CD-Rom already loaded and is good for review.

10. Content • Cells – Structure and Processes • Genetics • Structure and Function of All Living Things • The Six Kingdoms of Life • Evolution and Earth’s History

11. Information Methods • Laser Disc • Videos • Textbook • Handouts • Lab Activities • Laptop

12. Homework, Tests, Grading • Homework will not be nightly but it may consist of finishing a lab handout, reading, studying for a test, or working on their science fair project. • Occasional quizzes may be given to cover a handout or chapter section. Students will know a week or so before a test. They will be given information or study guides for the tests. • Grading will be based on total points for the trimester.

13. 8th Grade Physical Science • Text:Prentice Hall Focus On Physical Science • Usually the book is at home for the students to do their reading. It is also loaded on the laptop for them to use. • The resource CD-Rom is loaded on the laptop and is good for reviewing information.

14. Content • Energy, Motion, and Forces • Density • Simple Machines • Human Body Systems • Properties of Matter • Periodic Table of the Elements

15. Information Methods • Laser Disc • Videos • Textbook • Handouts • Lab Activities • Laptop

16. Homework, Tests, Grading • Homework will not a nightly but it may consist of finishing a lab handout, light reading, studying for a test, or working on their science fair project. • Occasional quizzes my be given to cover sections of a chapter. Students will know a week or so before an upcoming test. They will be given information or study guides. • Grading will be based on total points for the trimester.

17. Science Fair Project Usually due the beginning of February. Displays are set up in the Social Hall in February

18. What is the Project? • A science experimentation NOT a research paper. • An extension of the classroom AND a state standard. • Resource information is on my website.

19. How do they get started? • There are suggested links I will give out and put on my website. • The first and hardest step is the idea. • Not all science experimentation works so it is OK for the project to fail.

20. Grading Sheet • This is also on my website. • Students get graded for all aspects of the project. • Please follow this sheet. • 7th Graders may work with another student while 8th Graders are to do their own project.

21. County Competition • For projects that are highly creative or are thoroughly done, they will have an opportunity to compete at the county level in March. • Usually 20 projects go, and we do have students win medals.

22. The decline of literature indicates the decline of a nation. --Johann Von Goethe

23. Mrs. Youngth Grade Language Arts English Text: Grammar and Composition Handbook and Workbook Assignments: Daily in class (minimal work to be completed as HW) Tests: Concluding all chapters Vocabulary: five SAT level words assigned weekly, recorded in individual notebooks/note cards and complied at year end in a personal glossary Quizzes: every Thursday Essays: New writing assignment every three to four weeks in conjunction with other subjects and effective writing process and progression. Spelling Text: Word Skills, Green Level (8) Assignments: Daily to be completed and corrected in class. Tests: Approximately every two weeks as the unit ends.

24. Text: varied short stories, novels and poetry Tests: Group novels, as announced; Independent Reading (Book Tests) the last Thursday of each month. Independent Reading: Students have lists of individual reading choices. One book from each category will be read (the order does not matter) each month for a total of eight independent novels for the year. Independent reading takes place out of the classroom. Students must read for a minimum of 30 minutes per night, five nights a week, complete a Weekly Reading Response Journal, and turn in a Weekly Reading Record for credit.

25. Mrs Young Accelerated 7th Grade Math Text: Mathematics: Structure and Method Course 2 Assignments: Daily, begin in class and finish at home if necessary (15-20 problems per day). Quizzes: ½ way through each chapter Tests: At conclusion of each chapter Laptops: Use will follow topics in the text book. Points: Daily work 10 per assignment Notebook 5 per day Bonus varies with opportunity Quizzes 100 per quiz Tests 100 per test Projects varies with opportunity

26. HOMEWORK POLICY • All assignments are due on the day specified. • Late assignment will not be accepted (excluding those from excused absences). • NO EXCUSES! • Missing assignments will result in the issuing of a Level A and require detention be served the following Wednesday. The assignment must still be completed and turned in, but will receive less credit. The goal is to encourage individual responsibility, organization, and time management concurrently with crucial academic content.

27. ReligionMrs. Cornwell Text: Church History: Our Christian Story Growing In Love: Family Life Homework: Daily assignments may need approximately 10-15 minutes to complete at home. Tests: Conclude each chapter **Watch for those extra credit questions** Projects: Various throughout the year Christian Service hours: 15 hours per trimester (10 points per hour) with an extra credit of one hour permitted. Forms are available online.

28. ReligionMrs. Cornwell Texts: Living Our Faith: Morality and Growing In Love: Family Life Homework: Daily assignments may need approximately 10-15 minutes to complete at home. Tests: Conclude each chapter **Watch for those extra credit questions** Projects: Various throughout the year Christian Service hours: 15 hours per trimester (10 points per hour) with an extra credit of one hour permitted. Forms are available online.

29. 7th Grade Language ArtsMrs. Mastropoalo English, Reading, Spelling grades on Report Card Literature and Grammar books are in a laptop file (Keep in locker) Accelerated Reader information to come Check Web Site for handouts, useful web sites related to study, weekly homework

30. 8Y ReligionMrs. Mastropoalo • 6th period: 1:00 am-1:50 pm • Music on Tuesday 1:15 • Focus: Morality + Family Life (2nd Trimester) • Textbook in laptop file • Sunday Mass attendance/Monday discussion • Homework once per week (web site) • Mrs. Mastropoalo’s Religion Corner (Under construction—Please refer to Mrs. Cornwell’s site in the mean time): handouts, useful web sites related to study, prayers, etc.

31. Social Studies • 7th Grade: The Medieval World and Beyond • 8th Grade: The United States Through the Industrial Revolution • Textbook and Interactive Student Notebook • Hands-on/Group Work – Highly Interactive • Current Events – Local, State, National and World • 7th Grade Major Project: Medieval Feast (February)