Torch middle school parent handbook, Javier A. Cortez

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Torch Middle School Parent Handbook
Javier A. Cortez
7th Grade Math and Science
Bassett Unified School District
La Puente California
School Year 2003-2004

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September 24, 2003
Thank you for attending “Back to School Night” Welcome to our class, my name is Mr. Javier A. Cortez. I am
your child’s Math and Science teacher.
My philosophy of teaching is underline in three principals.
1. Every child can learn, with a positive attitude.
Before a child’s able to learn, he or she must believe that they are able to learn. Yes I believe that every child
can learn. I will try to inspire and empower your child to succeed in my class. I believe that students should
feel good about learning. Through my many activities that I have planned for the year, I will try my best, to
make your child feel good about mathematics.
2. Each child learns differently.
I kwon that there are children that learn better using visuals, therefore will create posters to enhance
students learning. We will also use cooperative groups to learn concepts in math and science. I make the
commitment to make math and science real to students, through the use of hands on experiments. I kwon
through my own experience and reading research articles that children also learn having real life
applications to the learning concepts, this is done using real life examples and field trips related to science
and math.
3. Parents and teachers must work together for the child’s success.
Communication between parents and teachers is extremely important. I will let you kwon immediately, if
your student is not doing the homework or misbehaving. I will also let you know about the California Math &
Science which your child will be tested through the year and in during the month of May, by the State of
California. My door is always open. If I am busy teaching, we can meet after school to talk about your child’s
progress- My phone number is (626)931-2747 my e mail is jcortez@bassett.k12.ca.us
Thank you again for coming. I am looking forward to work with you and your child.
Sincerely,
Mr. Javier A. Cortez
7
th
grade Math & Science Teacher
Room # 17

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Classroom management
I want students to feel safe and free to learn, so they can work to their best of their abilities. In this
class room there are consequences for those students who choose not to follow the rules.
Classroom rules
1. Be on your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.
2. Always be prepared with your supplies and assignments.
3. Listen carefully and follow directions.
4. Work quietly: ask permission to speak or to get out of your seat.
5. Do not chew gum, eat, pass notes or throw any objects.
6. Have respect for everyone and their property.
7. Students must wear their pants on their waste line.
Consequences
1. Verbal warning or reminder.
2. Write standards- write essay.
3. Serve detention- call parents.
4. Fill out report.
5. Refer to counselor- refer to other school official.
* For severe classroom disturbance
Absence and tardiness
It is the responsibility of all students to make up all the work missed because of absence or
tardiness. Good attendance and punctuality are essential for success at school.

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School Supplies
1. Five # 2 pencils.
2. Two pens (black and blue).
3. One compass.
4. Two three ring binders (one for Math and one for Science).
5. One ruler (standard or metric).
6. One box of crayons.
7. Line paper (college ruled).
8. One protractor.
9. One scientific calculator
Math and Science block schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
P1 Study skills Study skills Study skills Study skills Study skills
P2 Conference Conference Conference Conference Conference
P3 Algebra Algebra Algebra Algebra Algebra
P4 Algebra Algebra Algebra Algebra Algebra
P5 Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra
P6 Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra
Grading Policy
My grading policy that I have is simple. Grading is based on a percentage. For example, if a student
gets seven out of ten questions correct, the student will get 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 class.
A- 90% to 100% (Advanced ).
B- 80% to 89% ( Proficient ).
C- 65% to 79% ( Basic Level ).
D- 50% to 64% ( Below basic- below average ).
Fail – 0% to 49% ( Far below basic- Not meeting standards ).

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Grade percentages for 7th
grade Math & Science
SCIENCE
Homework 20%
Projects 30%
Quizzes 50%
________________
Total 100%
PRE-ALGEBRA
Homework 10%
Test- Quizzes 80%
Class work 10%
________________
Total 100%
ALGEBRA
Classwork 10%
Homework 10%
Quizzes 20%
Midterm 30%
Test 30%
_______________
Total 100%
Mr. Javier A. Cortez
Room # 17

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Helping at home
Parents ask how they can help their children with mathematics at home. It can be hard not to “tell” your children how to do
the math even if you want your children to figure it out for themselves. Some of the math may even look unfamiliar. But you
can help by asking questions that guide your children without telling them what to do. Good questions-and good listening-will
help your children make sense of the mathematics, build their confidence, and encourage mathematical thinking and
communication. A good question opens up a problem and supports different ways of thinking about it. Here are some you
may try; notice that none of them can be answer with a simple “yes” or “no” .
Getting started
What are you thinking?
What do you need to find out?
How might you begin?
What tool will help you?
While working
What have you tried?
How did you do that?
How could you make the problem simpler?
What else do you notice about?
Tell me about what you see in the problem?
What do you already kwon?
Make a drawing to explain your thinking
What do you need to do next?
Do you see any patterns? Do you see any relationships?
Why did you do that procedure?
Reflect about the solution
Is your solution reasonable?
How did you arrive at your answer?
Convince me that your solution makes sense
What things did you try that did not work?
Copies with permission from “They are counting on Us”, CMS Fall 1995

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Torch Middle School
751 Vineland Avenue,
City of Industry, CA 91746,
(626) 931-2700

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