Sand Ridge Jr. High                                                                                                                                       Ms. Taylor Resource English                                                                                                                                          
Dear Parents and Students,
I am looking forward to working with each of you during the coming year.  I am sure it will be a successful and productive year.  In order to ensure this success, I would like to share the following information:

Supplies required for this class: *a WSD provided Chromebook  *Loose-leaf paper  *Pen or pencil  

Rules/Expectations:
No food/drinks (other than water) in class (unless we are having a class incentive reward or there is a medical condition which requires a snack).
Students must be in their seats (with class materials ready) by the time the late bell rings.  (Students are subject to being marked tardy if they wait for the 2nd bell to ring and they are not in their seats.)
Follow teacher directions. Remain silent during instruction and reading time. Show respect to others.  This means to keep feet, hands, objects, and mouth to self.  It also means that put-downs, naming calling, and swearing is not allowed. Come to class prepared with paper and writing utensil.
Students are expected to read during reading time.  This is non-negotiable.  This is not a time to visit or do homework.  Please make sure your Chromebook is charged at home each night.
Phone are not to be out in my class.  Students will be asked to put their phone away if it is out. On the second infraction, students will be asked to put their phone on my desk. If it happens a 3rd time, the phone will be taken to the office for the day. Earpods/earbuds will only be allowed to be used during individual seatwork time if the class has earned the privilege for that day. Students are not allowed to have earpods/earbuds in during reading or instruction time. Fidget spinners/toys (such as tech decks) are not to be out during class.
Obey school rules—which includes school dress code. Stay on task. No cheating. If a student is caught cheating on an assignment they will be given a zero for that assignment. If plagiarism is involved, the student will have to re-do the assignment so that it does not contain something merely copied and pasted.

Please Note: Students not following the rules will be given a verbal warning the first time and the incident will be recorded on the tracker.  Further incidents of disruptive behavior may lead to a classroom removal for a time-out in another area and will be noted in the tracker. If the negative behavior continues, parents will be contacted, students may be removed to the office, and a record of the behavior will go in the tracker. (Students will be removed from class immediately if fighting, defiance, or the class has to be stopped because of misbehavior.)  If negative behaviors become habitual (after teacher-student conference and contact with parent) a teacher-parent-student-administrator meeting will be set up.  

Students will be given 5 hall passes per quarter (to use when truly needed.) *Medical conditions may understandably require more.  Content:  We will focus on developing skills in the areas of writing, reading comprehension, and vocabulary.  Students will have numerous opportunities to develop writing skills and explore whole new adventures through literature.*** NOTE ***Students will need to check out textbooks if they are needed to complete assignments at home.  Each student will be responsible to see that his/her book is returned the following day. However, the HMH collections book needs to be accessed online via www.WSD.net. (Go to parents/students and then go to programs and applications.)**Please be aware that on occasion we may use peer editing/correcting.     **Periodically, we may view “G” and “PG” movies as part of a unit. For example, we will read Wonder this year (grade 7) and compare the book to the movie. Grades will be based on the following:  daily warm-ups, in-class assignments, quizzes/tests, homework.

Extra Credit: Students are encouraged to do outside reading.  Up to 20 pts. can be earned (per quarter) by reading one book and completing a book review worksheet.

Grading Scale: A    94-100     B     82-85       C    70-73        D    58-61        A-   90-93       B-   78-81        C-   66-69        B+   86-89      C+   74-77       D+   62-65     D-   54-57  F   0-53

Make-up work:  Students will be given deadline dates for each assignment.  (Students should make note in their planners.)  Work turned in after the deadline will be docked 10%.  When a student knows he/she will be absent from school, a 2 day notice should be given to the teacher in order to gather the upcoming homework assignments for the student. (However, there may be times when students will be given missing work upon their return.) If you have any questions or concerns, I may be reached at the school (476-5320) 7:15-3:15.  I may also be reached via my email address: wtaylor@wsd.net Parents and students, thank you for your support on the above policies. Most work will be emailed to the student if I know they will be out for an extended time.