Good Afternoon,

It has been a rather unusual couple of weeks since the winter break with all the weather related closings and the other scheduled closings.  We are working to get in to a routine.  Students are struggling with turning work in.  This is a very serious concern that I have as a teacher.  It is impossible to be successful in school without doing the work.  It usually takes EL students longer to complete assignments that most students.  This makes it necessary for students to do some work at home.  One of our vocabulary words this week is "deadline."  I am trying to impress upon students the importance of meeting deadlines.  We all do this as adults with paying bills, meeting obligations at work, etc.  Junior high is not too young for students to know this concept too.  So here are some deadlines that students have for my classes.

Friday - January 26  2nd period Support Class

Vocabulary Quiz - January 16 list.  Students have had this list since last week.  We have been playing a review game in class daily to help us with the words and definitions.  The words are set up on Quizlet for students to practice independently.  We will have a quiz each Friday (unless it is a very short week, which should not happen). 

iLit - ALL assignments through week 13 should be completed.  (Students new to the country this year are not on this program.) A couple of students are many weeks behind. 

Friday - January 26 4th period Sheltered English Class

Reading Log - The form is on Google Classroom so all students should have easy access at all times. 

Today students were to turn in the two vocabulary words that they choose for next week.  They have had this assignment since last week.  Five of eleven students turned it in.  I am in the regular English classroom with most EL students and some students are struggling to bring pencils and notebooks to class.  Overall, being prepared for class is a skill that students need to work on.  In the junior high, we expect that students have materials with them in class and do not need to return to lockers for items.  Please check with your student to make sure he/she has the necessary pencils and earbuds. 

Absent?  Many illnesses are going around now.  We understand if a student is ill and must stay home.  Most teachers post class work on their Google Classroom so students can keep up on their schoolwork at home or shortly after returning to school.  Work MUST be made up.  The general rule is that if a student is absent one day, he/she has one day to make up the work, etc. 

In mid February we will take the OELPA test.  This is the annual state test that allows students to show their proficiency with reading, writing, speaking and listening in English.  The only way to exit the EL program is to pass all 4 parts of this test.  I have already had a couple of students tell me that they were going to fail the test on purpose because they like getting extra help.  This is a disappointing attitude.  Please encourage your child to do his/her best on this and all school work. 

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Have a safe, warm week!