Hello, everyone.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to update this sooner!  Hope everyone had a nice weekend and that all of you will be ready to start the first full week of school tomorrow.

LAST REMINDER!!! Please, please PLEASE have your two separate notebooks tomorrow (Period 4 - you guys have until Wednesday).  If you do not bring them in tomorrow, you will need to stay after with me tomorrow afternoon.  This is very important.

Those of you who brought your "Bio-Poems" home to finish, please bring them in tomorrow as well.

-Lunch forms are due no later than next Friday 9/17, don't forget!

We concluded the "Introduction" week and I already feel as though I know some of you fairly well.  I hope you can all feel the same way with me eventually! 

Starting tomorrow, every day, when you walk in the room, there will be a journal prompt for you on the board.  You come into class, grab your journal from the room and begin writing as soon as that late bell rings.  You will be given, roughly, five to seven minutes to write.  Every Friday, I will collect all of the journals, read through and comment in them.  Yes, your journal will count as part of your grade so I suggest you take this very seriously.  Also remember, when you write in your journals, don't worry about there being a "right" or "wrong" answer - write/respond how ever you feel.  Unless there is talk of violence to yourself or others, these journals will be private.  I will not share them with anyone without your permission -- I promise.

Tomorrow, we will be doing group work for a little bit and I have decided for most of you, I will assign the groups.  Seats will also be changed. If you continue sitting where you've been sitting, you will gain little or nothing from this class.  When there is group work, I want you to work with different people because many benefits, as well as potential new friendships could come from it.  In the "real world", you won't be sitting with or working with your best friend (in most cases).  You will be paired or teamed up with either a complete stranger or someone you know little about.  You must learn to accept that, especially now.  Some of the best friends I have in my life were the people I didn't know anything about at first.

While I'm not going to tell you our activities for the week, I can tell you that there will be quite a variety and I think you will enjoy it.

That's all for now.  If anyone has any questions, drop me a line at

MsH3482@aol.com

-Miss H.

Welcome, classes, to the first day of school!!  I could clearly see how excited all of you were today --- yes, I'm being sarcastic!

Here is a run-down of today's class (I basically went over the rules of the school and some rules of my own):

• IDs:  Do not walk into the classroom without it around your neck – no excuses.  If your ID is not on you before you walk into my room, you will be sent down to 206A and will receive a detention, regardless of whether your ID is in your locker or pocket.  You are not new to the school, you should be aware of this rule.
• Dress code:  Girls:  COVER YOURSELF!!  No short shorts/skirts, no spaghetti straps, etc.  Failure to follow this will result in going to 206A.  Boys, and girls as well, use your head - don't wear clothing with either lettering or graphics that may be considered offensive .. this includes the FCUK clothing line. 
• Cell phones/media devices/pages/walkie-talkies, ect: If I see/hear it, it’s mine.  It will be confiscated and sent down to Mr. Ragnoni.  Teachers are not allowed to use cell phones during school hours, therefore neither are you. I know you will be bringing your phones to class and that's fine, but hide it from me. If I don't see it or hear it, I won't know you have one .. therefore, you won't get into any trouble .. ok?
• There is to be no food or drink (except water) permitted in the classroom (unless you do not have a lunch period, for which I will need to see documented proof).  Same goes for gum – it will not be tolerated.  I don’t care if your other teachers let you chew gum – this is my rule and I expect you to follow it.
• Lastly, respect me and you shall be respected in return. 

These rules may sound harsh to all of you, but remember - I don't make the rules.  These rules were in place long before I started working here.  I am simply reminding you of their existence and warning you that disobedience of these rules will not be tolerated.

Information Cards:

I am requirng that each of you fill out an index card with the following information:

Full Name:

Nickname or name you would rather be called:

ID #:

Home address:

Home phone #:

Name(s) of your parent(s) or guardian(s) and a number where they can be reached in case of an emergency:

Your email address:

Any school activities (Clubs, sports, ect.) that you participate in:

What you feel are your strengths and what you feel you need to improve on:

Hobbies and interests:

Future goals:

Something I should know about you (if you're shy, near/far-sighted, have difficulty speaking English, ect.):

What you hope to work on in this class:

Remember, this information is for me (only).  The only reason I am asking for this is to know more about you. 

Reminder to FIRST PERIOD:  Please make sure you return your lunch forms no later than 9/17 (next Friday)!!!

ALL CLASSES:  You must have two (2) separate notebooks (any kind) by MONDAY!!!  Failure to do this will result in a detention (with me) and, since we will begin using both notebooks on Monday, you will fall behind because you won't be able to do your work.  This is incredibly important!

On a side note:

I could tell most of you felt awkward and shy today.  We don't know each other well yet, and that's to be expected.  I want to remind you not to feel that way.  We're going to have a great year together.  Once we get to know each other better, you'll see -- things will go smoothly.  You all seem like very good kids and I'm looking forward to the days ahead where I can learn more about you (and you about me)!!

See you all tomorrow!

--Miss H.