Letter to parent/guardian(s)

Dear parent/guardian(s),

Welcome to senior English. My name is Jennifer Curtiss and I will be your child’s teacher throughout the 2009-2010 school year. Recently, I graduated from Washington State University with a degree in English and a Secondary Education endorsement. Also, I student taught at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup. I am looking forward to spending the next couple of months with your young adult and with your cooperation, molding them into an academic achiever and fine member of the community.

This senior-level course incorporates reading and writing skills, through a study in literature from various countries, cultures, and time periods. We will be reading, discussing, and analyzing classic works from the Greeks and Romans all the way up to more modern pieces such as The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. The focal point of the class will be freedom – more specifically: artistic, political, psychological, and physical freedoms. As we explore the various freedoms, students will analyze what makes liberty so important to the human mind and how can we, as society, remove the constraints that hold us back from achieving our greatest potential?
The outlined assessments have been carefully analyzed to guarantee that each student is successful. Each student learns and absorbs information differently which means each student performs in a different way as well. Because your students will be entering the ‘real world’ next year, I place students in the driver’s seat. I am providing your child with the opportunity to be in-charge of their learning experiences and show responsibility. There is a class website with assignments, rubrics, syllabus, and grades to access at home. Furthermore, there will be two student led conferences (one each semester). Your student will be the one to lead the conference with guidance and they will be able to show off their progress in the class.

Summative assessments will consist of a majority of the points in this class. There will be a mid-term and final in order to ensure the development of critical thinking skills. The other summative assessments include portfolios and papers. A portfolio allows the student to showcase his or her talent and growth as a writer, reader, and editor. This serves the needs of the student and it helps to create literate, confident, problem-solvers with confirmation of their success. I am weighing the summative assessments more because students will be demonstrating their knowledge gained from the entire unit.

Additionally, formative assessments, which are informal, will allow the student and I to look and reflect upon the learning process of specific skills. Dialectical journals will be used as a building block throughout each unit. It will help students break down literature and understand it easier. More importantly, students will be able to relate the pieces, in some way, to their life.

Participation is a vital aspect and of great importance to me as a teacher. With creative and active lessons, students should be fully engaged for the duration of class. It is important for students to be attentive during class discussion, have material ready for that day, and be active in the learning process. A set criterion for participation will be handed out the first day of class. Quizzes are important to evaluate each student’s knowledge; however, not all students do well on tests, which is why quizzes do not pull much weight. The results from these assessments will help me review, modify, and re-direct the learning that needs to occur in order for students to be successful. Below, you will find a breakdown of the grading for my class.

Summative:
a) Portfolios 30%
b) Papers 30%
c) Mid-term/Final 10%

Formative:
a) Dialectical Journals 15%
b) Participation 10%
c) Quizzes 5%

As it is your student’s senior year, I do not find it necessary to compile a long list of rules and regulations. The students will be treated as adults; however, there will be little tolerance for behaviors that impede the learning experience (i.e. arriving late). My expectations are high for the students and I anticipate your child will take an active role in the learning process by coming prepared for class, being active in class discussion, and reading on a daily basis. On the same note, I realize that in order to place such high expectations on the students, I must first have high expectations for myself and am willing to devote the time and energy necessary to a productive and successful year.

At the conclusion of the class, it is my sincere desire that your child is equipped with the critical thinking abilities necessary to tackle the challenges of life. Furthermore, as a teacher, it is my goal to prepare your children for grand theater of life. Therefore, I expect students to make a sincere effort to develop not only intellectually but morally as well. because their attitude will reflect upon the class environment, and the students are in charge of their own attitude. Finally, to me, education is more than learning and memorization. I hope that your child embarks from this class as a changed individual, a difference maker in the world. I ensure you that I will make all efforts to create a learning environment where this is possible.

In order to achieve such goals, it is important that I have your support and cooperation. At this time, I would like to extend an invitation to touch base with you. At your earliest convenience, please feel free to contact me at any of the means listed below. Again, I am thrilled to welcome you to senior English. I look forward to a phenomenal year with your child.



First and last name
1234 Street Number
City name, State and Zip code
(123) 456-9877
curtiss_jennifer@schooldistrict.edu