Q. When should I see progress reports for my child's grades this year?
A. Teachers are required to distribute progress reports every three weeks. If you do not see a progress report please contact me for the information.
Q. What materials should my child bring to class everyday?
Please be sure that your child is prepared everyday.
*The book that we are reading AND a book that your child is reading on their own.
* 2 black and white composition books for English (1 classwork, 1 homework) both need to brought to class everyday.
*1 plain 3 inch, 3 ring binder. No Velcro, zipper, etc. on the binder. No flex file notebooks.
*Looseleaf for the binder (throughout the year)
*1 set of dividers
*1 large pencil pouch
* 1 set of colored pencils
* 2 highlighters, any color
* 2 each of red, black, blue and green pens (yes, all are needed)
* 1 large eraser
* #2 pencils with erasers
* 1 large box of tissues for English teacher (will be shared with team)
Q. I would like to have a parent-teacher conference with all of my child's teachers. Who do I contact to schedule an appointment?
A. Contact your child's guidance counselor. Refer to the Contact page of this Web site.
Q. My child says that they did not have any homework, how will I know?
A. English students are REQUIRED to read 20 minutes every evening (including weekends.) Therefore, if your child says they have no written homework for English, check their agenda book first. If it says none, simply be sure they have read the required reading.
Q. My child says that they did all of their homework at school, how will I know?
It is highly unlikely that your child would have had enough time to complete all of their homework at school. Children are given about 2 hours of homework nightly. Ask your child to show them the completed assignment. Check this against what was written in the agenda book. You can now rest assured that your child has completed the assignment.
Q. Why does my child need to read every night?
A. It is absolutely essential that each student be engaged in reading a book of his/her choice each day. As a part of English class, students are given only roughly 45 minutes per week to silently read in class in order to work toward their reading goal of 25 books per year. Research has shown that for every five books a middle school student reads, his/her SAT verbal score increases by ten points. Please be sure that your child is reading either with you or on their own.
Q. My child has trouble reading, how can I help them with the required reading?
First, check your child's new set of dividers. There is a purple section for reading/foreign language. Please look on the reading strategy summary chart. Try those strategies with your child.
In addition, reading to and with your child is always helpful to them. Take them to the Montgomery County Library, become familiar with the sections of the library. This may help create an excitement for reading and create an awareness of what options there are for reading.
Q. My child was absent from school, how will they find out what they missed and get caught-up?
A. Have your child check out the homework page of this Web site. Have your child see Miss Kelly or a classmate during the school day on the first day back from their absence to get any handouts. If they need extra assistance, have them see Miss Kelly for help.
Q. I have a hard time motivating my child to do their school work, what can I do?
A. Build in some positive rewards for completing school work. You know what your child likes, so use these areas for rewards. For example, if all assignments are completed tonight, an extra 30 minutes of TV or video game playing time can be given to them as a reward. If a child has had things taken away as a punishment, consider gradually granting back privileges for completing nightly assignments.
Q. My child is having problems with a peer, what can I do to help?
A. Let Miss Kelly know that your child is having problems with a peer. Talk to your child about possible solutions. You may also want to contact your child's guidance counselor.
Q. My child has difficulty staying organized, and often loses their homework before they get a chance to turn it in. What can I do to help them stay organized?
A. Check your child's binder and school supplies nightly. Be sure they have all of the required supplies. Be sure their binder is in good shape, and that each class has a separate section in the binder. Avoid using folders, as students tend to stuff papers randomly in them, and papers can easily fall out and get lost. Provide a consistent place and time for them to complete their school work at home. Supervise their homework time. Check their papers to be sure they are headed correctly with their name, date, subject, period, and teacher name in the upper right-hand corner. Check to make sure they have filed their papers in the correct section of the binder (science papers in the science section, math in the math section, etc.). Be sure they place completed homework in the front of the binder to turn in the next class period. Use post-it notes as reminders to turn in things. By providing this structure, your child is learning how to maintain organization.