9th Grade Parent Letter

Mr. Lykins

Dear Parent:

My name is Matt Lykins and I am your child's English teacher for the first
semester of the 2002-03 school year.  I hope and plan for this semester to
be a successful one.  Ninth grade can be an intimidating and even scary
step in your child's educational life, but I'll try to keep abreast of
their educational and emotional needs as best I can.

Which leads me to this letter.  I believe whole-heartedly that the
relationship between teacher and parent is as important as the
relationship fostered between teacher and student, and I hope, with this
introduction, to begin with a step in the right direction.  Your thoughts
about and insights into your child are a valued and necessary resource and
I do not ever want you to feel as if your opinion doesn't count.  It does,
I promise.  To that end I am giving you my number and e-mail.  I urge you
to get in touch with me--day or night, and I mean that--if you have ANY
questions or concerns.

My Phone Number: 523-8543
My E-mail: matem080997@msn.com (this is my home email; my school email is
posted on the school website)

I have several expectations for your child.  They are:

1. I expect them to treat myself, their fellow students, and our property
with the utmost respect.  
This means that they will treat others the way they expect to be
treated--with kindness, fairness, and courtesy.  It also means that if
they feel the need to borrow or mess with someone's things, have the
courtesy to ask.

2. Have ALL necessary materials.
Passes will not be given if they forget.

3. Please be in seat when the bell rings.  
I will count them tardy if they are in the room but not in their seat.

4. Stay in their seat until the bell rings.  
We have plenty to do, and will rarely be done until the bell rings.  

5. No eating or drinking in the class.  
It mucks up the floors and desks and brings insects.

6. No passes unless it is an emergency.  
At the beginning of the year, I have no idea who will go where they say
they will when I let them out of my sight, so no one goes anywhere.  If
they have to go to their locker, use the restroom, or call someone, make
sure they do it between classes--time management is key.  That
time--between classes, is their time.  Class time is our time, and
unneeded distractions such as people constantly entering and leaving,
interrupts the flow of the flow of instruction and discussion.

If you have questions, please call.

Also, you child will need some materials for this class:

1. A 3-Ring Binder with Pockets--these will stay in class and will
hold classroom notes, discussion questions, vocabulary, and journal
entries.  They do not leave the room except when you need them for tests
and/or papers.

2. Dividers and Tabs for the following Sections:
	A. Reader's Log
	B. Vocabulary
	C. Grammar and Usage
	D. English Terms and Notes
	E. Works on Progress
	F. Learner's Log

3. Their text or appropriate book--they must have this for class.  They will have two: a literature Textbook and a Reader's Handbook, which is part of their school fees and will be their's to keep.    

4. A Spiral Notebook for Home Prompts and Reading Notes

5. Their Talawanda Planners, which will be provided the first day.
	
Also, I'm trying something new with independent reading.  We'll be reading
fifteen minutes every day, of whatever you want, provided it is a book, either fiction or non-fiction.  They must have their independent reading book with them every day and they are required to read 400 pages a quarter.

Grading Policy: Our department policy is that if an assignment is turned in after the PERIOD an assignment is due, the assignment is automatically a 60%.  If a student is absent, then they get the number of days absent plus one to turn in the assignment for full credit, as is the school wide policy set forth in the rules and regulations.  

I'll be handing out a weekly schedule each Monday.  I encourage you read
the schedule and remind your child of upcoming assignments.  If you want a
copy, please write your e-mail (or address) on the bottom of this letter
after you've signed it, and I'll make sure to send you a copy.
     
      Thanks for your help!

      Matt Lykins