This document provides an overview of the upcoming school year for Ms. Stewart's 8th grade English Language Arts class. It introduces Ms. Stewart and her background and interests. It outlines expectations for student behavior and assignments. It previews some of the novels and projects students will work on over the course of the year. Emergency procedures for the school are also reviewed. The document aims to welcome students back and get them excited about the learning they will do.

1. WELCOME BACK!!
2016/2017
MS. STEWART
8TH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
MIDDLE SCHOOL
“EXCELLENCE WITHOUT EXCUSES”
AUGUST 8TH, 2016

2. ABOUT ME!!!
• My name is Ms. Stewart.
• This is my first year teaching.
• I graduated from Rust College in Holly Springs, MS with a Bachelors of Arts
(English Literature)
• I like reading, but I love to write.
• I am a mother. I have one son. His name is Darryl.
• I like chicken and sweet tea.
• I like to teach.
• I like to travel. I have been to Niagara Falls in Canada.

3. MY VIEWS ON LEARNING!!!
• If you apply your self anything is possible. Consider yourself a baby again. You did not just get up and
walk, you had to apply determination and strength in order learn how to walk. You had to keep trying
and after being consistent and determined, you applied your strength and then were able to walk.

4. GUIDELINES
• Always be respectful to your peers, instructors, your classrooms, your school and at events.
• No making fun of, laughing at ,nor mocking your peers.
• Be courteous and mindful of others feelings.
• Raise your hands in order to be recognized and do not speak while someone else is speaking.
• No getting out of your seats without permission.
• Be prepared for class!!! And ready to work!!!
• NO EXCEPTIONS!!!! NO COMPROMISING!!!!

5. ASSIGNMENTS PROCEDURES

6. HOMEWORK PROCEDURES
• Homework is to be turned in before
you start on your DO NOW.
Anything turned in after that is
subject to point deductions.
• If you choose not to complete your
homework, you will be issued a pink
slip clarifying the reason why the
assignment was not completed. This
notification will go in your
documentation folder.

7. THE WAY WE DO THINGS!
• At the beginning of class, look at the board and complete
the DO NOW. You will only have 7 minutes to complete
this assignment.
• Learn all designated areas where work is turned in or
picked up.
• Learn the classroom and what areas to find materials
needed for class.
• Keep things neat and clean around your desk.
• Always present yourself in a decent way.
• Absolutely no cursing or sagging!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Be responsible for all of your actions in the school and
outside of the school.
• If you are unsure about anything…PLEASE ASK ME!!! Don’t
be scared!!!

8. WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS
YEAR!!!!!
• As your teacher, I am looking forward to making challenges and assignments that will
prepare you to excel in the classroom and the real world.
• You will complete rigorous work that will prepare you for the high school and college
setting.
• As your teacher I will plan assignments using EL
learning which will be new to the school this year.
This is to help you excel in learning.

9. WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR!!!!!!
• At the end of the year you will be able to write
an in depth essay that will challenge any
reader’s mind.
• At the end of the year you will be able to read
novels and comprehend them on your grade
level.
• At the end of the year you will be able to
interpret what you read.

10. SOME NOVELS WE WILL READ!!!!
• The Omnivore’s Dilemma: The Secrets Behind What
You Eat, Young Readers Edition by Michael Pollan
• Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
• Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival,
Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
• Midsummers Nights Dream by Williams
Shakespeare
• We will also include many excerpts and short
stories.

11. OUTCOMES• At the end of the year your vocabulary usage and comprehension will be
expanded.
• At the end of the year you will be able to write grammatically correct.
• At the end of the year you will be able to have formal and informal
conversations.
• At the end of the year we will have met all of the standards.
• At the end of the year 85% of you should master 85% of your standards.
• At the end of the year you will be better than you are today!!!
• At the end of the year you will be ready for 9th grade!!!!!

12. EMERGENCY PLANS
Disaster, Fire, and Severe Weather Drills
Drills are held at scheduled and unscheduled times
throughout the year. These drills are necessary for the
safety of the students, staff, and faculty. Becoming
knowledgeable of drill procedures will help minimize
emergency situations. Teachers inform the students of
procedures for evacuation and post evacuation
procedures in the class according to the Emergency
Management Plan. Everyone should know the specific
directions for reaching a point of safety from all areas of
the school building. During the drills students and
personnel are expected to conduct themselves in an
orderly manner. Becoming knowledgeable of drill
procedures will help minimize emergency situations.
Teachers should have student rosters and the red MCS
Employee Multi-Hazard Emergency Management
Procedures and Protocols Manual.
Emergency Dismissal/School Closing (Policy #3002)
Parents and students should have a plan in case of early
dismissal due to inclement weather. Please listen for alerts
from the local media regarding school closing on days when
threatening weather exists. Students will be released to
parents/guardian listed on registration forms only

13. EMERGENCY PLANS
SEVERE WEATHER PROTOCOL
During Severe Weather-Warnings:
(Tornado, Thunderstorms, High Winds, Lightening)
NOTES: Crouch against inside wall and cover head; close doors to classrooms and/or
hallways. Avoid all windows. Additional information is found in your red MCS Employee
Multi-Hazard Emergency Management Procedures and Protocols (Introduction Tab and
Earthquake * Inclement Weather Tab). This procedure/protocol manual should be posted
in your classroom.
1st floor teachers will come in the hall and students will crouch and cover on the wall that
is
on the same side as their class.
2nd and 3rd floor classes will come downstairs and crouch and cover facing the wall
opposite
of the classrooms, in the assigned area.
EARTHQUAKE PROTOCOL
Earthquake Drills/Warnings:
Drop, Cover, & Hold
NOTE: Students should crouch under desk or table and cover head; leave doors open
and avoid windows.
In the event that an earthquake warning occurs when students are in the following
locations, please adhere to these instructions. Cafeteria- If at all possible, students will
get under the lunch tables and assume the position for maximum protection.
NOTES: Avoid all windows. Additional information related to this protocol can be found
in your red MCS Employee Multi-Hazard Emergency Management Procedures and
Protocols Manuel (Introduction Tab and Earthquake * Inclement Weather Tab). This
procedure/protocol manual should be posted in your classroom.

14. EMERGENCY PLANS
Lock Down/Intruder
Cover window inside the door.
All students should be in the back corner of the
rooms QUIET.
Turn off lights.
Close and lock doors
Fire Drill Protocol
Firm Alarm Siren
Follow exit location and route per classroom
location.
Students should form a single file line on Zone
Zero.
Teachers should take attendance and indicate all
clear or need help (located in Red Manual)

15. LET’S GET STARTED!!!!
• Locker assignments
• Book assignments
• Seat assignments
• Meet each other
• Fill out agreements
• Learn the classroom procedures!
• Look over important information in the
handbook.
• 2016/2017 WILL BE A GREAT YEAR!!!

16. REFERENCES
Chickasaw Middle School Handbook
Shelby County School District Handbook