A resource for t Teachers who want to do a Parent Handbook fopr Back to School Night

1. Parent Handbook
Mr. Javier Cortez
Alamo Jr. High School
7th
and 8th
grade 2023-2024
ESL English as a Second Language
(432) 240-2800

2. My philosophy of teaching
1.We are champions and we will continue to be
champions
2.Before any student can learn he/she must believe
that learning is possible
3.A positive attitude leads to success.
4.Learning must take place at home and at school.
5.Each child learns differently

3. Classroom Expectations
I want students to feel safe and ready to learn at all times, so they can
work at to their best of their abilities. In this classroom there are
consequences for those students who choose not to follow my
expectations.
Expectations
1. Have respect for everyone and their property (No Bullying).
2. Be on your seat ready to work when the bell rings.
3. Always be prepared with your supplies and assignments.
4. Listen carefully and follow directions.
5. Work quietly, ask permission to speak, or to get out of your seat.
6. Do not chew gum, eat, pass notes, or throw any objects.
7. Follow the guidelines for the schools’ dress code.
Consequences
1. Verbal warning and name on the board.
2. Name on the board, check mark and counseled with the teacher
one on one
3. Name on the board, two check marks, and a phone call home at
the end of the school day.
4. Name on the board, two check marks and a referral to the office.
5. Referral, detention after school and refer to counselor or
administrator.

4. School Supplies
All 7th
and 8th
grade students will need the following supplies
Wired Headphones (preferably over the ear). No air pods please)
One composition notebook and one folder with pockets.
Pencils: at least 5 pencils, your student will need them!
Tissues: Please provide 3-4 boxes of tissues to help keep our
classrooms and students healthy.
How can you contact your teacher?
I am a Certified ESL Middle School Teacher and my full name is Javier Armendariz
Cortez. My e mail is: javier.cortez@midlandisd.net my school phone number is
432 240-2800 ext:
My conference time is from 8:40 to 9:25 you can also call and come to my
classroom.
Department Chair: Karen Vicory
E mail: karen.vicory@midlandisd.net
Grading Policy
My grading policy that I have is simple. Grading is based on percentage, for
example. If a student gest 7 out of 10 questions correct, the student will get a
70% on the assignment. The overall grade will be the average of all quizzes,
assignments, test, and projects. In addition the scale below will help you figure
out your child’s grade in my class.
A- 90% to 100% (Advanced )
B- 80% to 89% (Proficient )
C- 70% to 79% (Approaches grade level )
D- 60% to 69% (Below grade level )
F-50% to 59% (Far below grade level-not meeting standars).

5. This is an ESL, English as a Second Language Classroom.
Since I am an ESL Teacher your child will received all the support that he or she
needs in order to be successful. We use many different strategies, in order for your
child to learn English well and be excellent at it. Some of these strategies are: taping
into prior knowledge, using visuals, teacher gestures, and mimic, cognates,
repetition, and slower rate of the speech in English.
STAR Test: Every year around May your child is tested on the STAR Test in the State
of Texas. He/she will do well in he studies at home and at school using the reading
and writing strategist that your ESL Teacher will teach him, her.
MAPS Test: The MAPS test is administer three times a year to measure the progress
of the students through the year. Usually is done in August, December, and in May.
TELPAS Test: The TELPAS Test is done once a year and your child in order to exit
the Bilingual and ESL Program will have to score 4 in all four domains, (Speaking,
Listening, Reading, and Writing).

6. Mr. Cortez’s Schedule
Time Content
8:00-8:30 Breakfast
8:40-9:25 8TH
Grade ELAR
9:28-10:21 CONFERENCE
10:24-11:12 ESL 7TH
Grade
11:15-11:45 ESL 8TH
Grade
11:48-12:33 Lunch
12:36-1:24 ELAR
1:27-2:15 Reading Elective
2:18-3:06 Reading Elective
3:09-4:00 PLC