• Dear Shivela Families, 

    Welcome to the new school year! This year will be an academic adventure that will offer new challenges, increased responsibilities, opportunities for growth, and a chance to prepare for the future. Students should be well prepared for their daily activities and be willing to participate with a positive attitude. Effort, determination, and hard work will be the keys to a successful and enjoyable year. I strongly believe that parent/guardian/family support is vital to a child’s academic and behavioral success. I hope to work as a team with you to promote your child’s success. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

    My goal for your child this year is to help him/her learn and progress to the best of his/her abilities. I want each student to be able to give and receive help when it is necessary, and to be able to accept responsibility and the resulting consequences for his/her choices. I believe these goals can be accomplished with your support. I truly believe that students have the right to learn and teachers have the right to teach.  

    Thank you for your time, interest, and support. I ask that you review these classroom and homework policies with your child.

    Please feel free to contact me using my Google voice phone number. It is connected to my mobile phone, so I may reply quickly, 951.290.8970 or e-mail me through my Outlook at cthompson@murrieta.k12.ca.us The students can email through Canvas Inbox.

    Sincerely, 

    Ms. BaBer 

      

    Supplies 

    In order to be successful in class, please have the appropriate materials daily. You are welcome to resources from the previous year.

    Your materials should include: 

    • One, 3-ring binder for multiple subjects – with pocket dividers
    • A GREEN Composition book for my Language Arts class- no spirals
    • A PURPLE Composition book for my Social Studies class-no spirals
    • Student agenda (Provided by the school and used daily) 
    • Quality Pens, Pencils and Erasers, extra lead if mechanical 
    • 4 Different colored Highlighters
    • Coloring Tools (crayons or colored pencils with a sharpener that has a secure lid)
    • Thin black markers for outlining 
    • 2 packages of index cards for flashcards (you could also just use paper)
    • Lined paper 
    • Reading book of choice - we use Sora, our online library

     

    Expectations 

    Be a Good Digital Citizen 

    • Communicate Respectfully 
    • Protect Private Info  
    • Follow Netiquette Guidelines 
    • Have Integrity and Only Turn in Original Work 
    • Give Proper Credit When Using Work from another Source 

    Be Polite - When you walk into any classroom: 

    • Greet others and look them in the eye! 
    • Walk in quietly ---- please don't be rude and continue your conversation with your classmates.  
    • You have four minutes between classes. If you are not in class when the bell rings, you will be marked tardy. 
    • Use manners! If you want something from someone, be kind when asking! Don’t assume! 
    • Consideration is key! Think of others before yourself. 
    • Remove your hoodie, mobile devices may be on vibrate in your backpack, along with any ear buds/earphones/air pods (NOT hanging out of your clothing). 

    Be Prepared  

    • Bring all required materials (listed above) each day. 
    • Stay organized. Binder checks will be done periodically. 
    • Complete the required class work in a timely manner.  
    • Use your agenda for assignment due dates, upcoming tests and projects. 
    • Practice using technology-Canvas, Office 365, OneNote, Commom Lit, Quizizz, ABI, No Red Ink, Quizlet, and more.  

    Be Hardworking  

    • Show effort and try your best (not perfection, but your very best). 
    • Attempt to help yourself first, instead of quickly asking the teacher. **I always say, “I want to help you, but I want you to help yourself first!” 
    • Show a positive attitude, Growth Mindset, and GRIT. 
    • Take notes, study, and review for tests. 

    Be Respectful 

    • All students have the right to learn, and the teacher has the right to teach. For this to happen, respect is necessary. Intolerance of others’ interests, personalities, and backgrounds is a zero-tolerance policy. Inappropriate/disrespectful behavior will be disciplined on a case-by-case basis. Students will not take away a learning opportunity from another student. 
    • “Respect” is a broad term, and it will therefore include our class Social Contract of expectations that the students and teacher will create together. 

    Be Responsible  

    • Turn in work on time. 
    • Ask for help at home and/or from the teacher. Make use of Study Hall! 
    • Check Canvas and ABI daily. Red boxes on ABI mean a missing assignment. 
    • Obtain class notes, handouts, and academic practice when absent. Check the crate. 

     Be Engaged 

    • Take school seriously! (It’s your job as a kid!) 
    • Participate in class. 
    • Leave distractions at home. 
    • Present yourself in a manner that makes yourself and others proud. 
    • Dress for school and learning!  (NO B, B, or B Showing) 
    • Use the restroom during your break and lunch time. 

    Be on Time 

    • Be in your seat ready to work quietly. 
    • Have any completed homework out ready to turn into the designated basket. 
    • Fill in your agenda for the day's work. 
    • Begin the opening activity (you will only have a short amount of time to complete the warm-up activity, so don't waste time talking). 
    • Read your novel, review your notes, or work on something quiet until the next activity and/or further instructions. 

    Be Patient - When the dismissal bell rings . . . 

    • Stay in your seat until you hear the teacher dismiss you and/or your table. 
    • Clean up your area, throw away any trash, and put away borrowed supplies. 
    • Leave quietly and in an orderly manner.  

     

    Homework Policy 

    Homework and other daily assignments are posted weekly on Canvas. Check daily for updates and revisions!  The amount of academic practice assigned will vary depending on the current unit. At times, shorter assignments will be given on various days throughout the week. Long-term assignments will include essays and occasional individual and group projects.  

    Assignments that are not completed in class are homework and due for the next class. 

    Written Assignment Requirements 

    • Work must be legible. 
    • Assignments will have the heading on the right-hand corner: first and last name, date, period and the title of the assignment at the top of each page.  
    • No name = no grade! Students can check the board for any posted "no name" work.  
    • Directions must be followed on all assignments! If a student chooses not to follow directions on any assignment, or part of an assignment, points will be deducted from the student’s earned grade on that assignment. 
    • When answering questions, students must answer in complete sentences using part of the question in their answer. 
    • Typewritten work will be MLA style (taught in August) Times New Roman 12 pt. Font, double spaced 
    • Papers being handed in must be tidy; no torn, ragged, or shaggy edged papers will NOT be accepted.     

     

      Late Work Policy 

    • Assignments are expected to be turned in fully completed and on time. 
    • Late work will be accepted; however, points will be deducted. 
    • Late work will not be accepted for a grade after the end of a grading period-there are 4.
    • If the student is absent, it is their responsibility to get the materials and/or assignments and plan to make up the work. Assignments are on Canvas. 

     

    Extra Credit Policy 

    Extra credit is offered periodically. It is usually an essay and/or project that requires some ‘extra” work and/or research. These projects are completed at home.  

     

    Guest Teacher Policy 

    I consider a substitute to be a guest in my class and, therefore, misbehavior will not occur. If a student’s name is given in a guest teacher’s report for misbehavior, a detention and/or other form of consequence will be assigned to that student. 

     

    Grading Policy  

    Grading is based on percentage.  

    100% A+ (work that is above and beyond) 

    90% - 99% = A  

    80% - 89% = B  

    70% - 79% = C  

    60% - 69% = D  

    59% and below = F 

     

    Grades will be calculated using a weighted average in the gradebook: 

    60%     Assessments, Essays, and Projects 

    40%     Classwork and Homework 

    Overall grades are calculated using a weighted average in the gradebook: 

    • Assessments: tests, quizzes, quizzers, quizitos (all the same, but fun names) 
    • Projects and Writing: book shares, group and/or individual content projects, and essays 
    • Classwork/ homework: academic practice, notes, vocabulary, computer assignments 

    Grades are updated on ABI (Aeries), please check regularly. Please make sure you obtain your code to access your child’s grades in the Aeries system if you have not already done so. See me or student services for help.  

    Grades will be updated in the Aeries system on a daily/weekly basis, so you and your child will always be able to check and see their current grade and/or any missing assignments. 

     

    Proficiency Levels  

    A = 90 - 100 %: - Mastery Level -- the student can complete top quality work without supervision, has achieved outstanding mastery of the standards, and writes at a ‘5’ level on writing assignments.   

    B = 80 - 89 %:   - Above Average – the student can produce quality work but may not be at the top of their field, has achieved above average mastery of the standards, and consistently writes at a ‘4’ level on writing assignments. 

    C = 70 -79 %:  - Proficient – the student produces satisfactory work, has met the requirement at a minimal level, has achieved adequate understanding of the standards, and consistently writes at a ‘3’ level on writing assignments. 

    D = 60 - 69 %: - Basic - the student produces unsatisfactory work, has achieved some understanding of the standards, and consistently writes at a ‘2’ level on writing assignments. 

    F = 59 % or below:  Below Basic – the student produces little to no work, has achieved little to no understanding of the standards, consistently writes at a ‘1’ level on writing assignments. 

     

    Website Information 

    Our LMS (Learning Management System) is Canvas. It is a "one-stop, all-encompassing" LMS. Your child has access to Canvas and should access it daily.  

    • Students access Canvas using their 9- digit school ID number and their password that they created at the beginning of their school year.  
    • Please have them share this site with you, as this is my means of communication with your students. I can add you to my Haiku page upon request. 
    • Many valuable resources are posted on this page. I encourage students to use this site daily for Language Arts and Social Studies.  

     

    Parent Involvement and Communication 

    When composing an email, please include:

    • Greeting
    • First and Last Name
    • Period
    • Question
    • It's polite to ask the recipient a question or two regarding their health, how their day is going, or some other type of friendly pleasantry.
    • Think of sending an email the same as you would talking with someone face-to-face.
    • I would like to use e-mail cbaber@murrieta.k12.ca.us and/or my Google phone number 951.290.8970 as the main form of communication. 
    • To help facilitate home-school communication, develop organizational skills, and promote individual responsibility, students are required to record all assignments in their agenda daily.  

     

    In Class Miscellaneous Policies 

    Tissues – Please get a tissue whenever necessary. Let me know if you’d like to blow your nose outside. 

    Food – Please eat your food outside of the classroom. 

    Drinks – Please feel free to get a drink during independent work. You may have a water bottle on your desk.

                 Other drinks may be kept on the back counter. Coffee on my desk (just checking to see if you read this-ha ha) 

    Restroom – Please use the restroom before and after school, breaks and lunches. Emergency passes are allowed and class passes after 30 minutes of class time has passed.  

     

    Thank you for being a part of your child’s academic career. It’s going to be a great year! I look forward to seeing you! 

     
Last Modified on September 27, 2024