September 2008

 

Dear Parent / Guardian;

 

            The math department at Fontbonne Academy is dedicated to helping your daughter become successful in mathematics.  As you know, we use the Saxon Math Series which is an incremental development of mathematics with continuous practice.  We firmly believe in the Saxon Philosophy: "We believe that people learn by doing.  Students learn mathematics not by watching or listening to someone else, but by doing the problems themselves.  We also believe that mathematics is not difficult, just different.  In our program mathematics is taught (and learned) just as a foreign language or a musical instrument is taught: incrementally through continuous practice."  Homework is essential!!

 

            If your daughter should need help with her math during the school year help is available through her teacher and the Math Subject Support Center.  Your daughter will be able to receive help in math during some of her unscheduled periods in any of the OPEN Math Subject Support Centers.  She may also receive help any afternoon after school beginning at 2:10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays by appointment, with her classroom teacher.  There is also limited peer tutoring available that is assigned during unscheduled periods through the National Honor Society and honor level math students.          

           

            The Mathematics Department will be publishing their grades on-line again this year.  ALL MATH interim reports will be available on-line during the days listed in the Student/Parent Handbook for interims.  NO paper interims will be issued. The information you need to access these grades will be sent home to you through your daughter. You may access grades through the Schoolmaster link on the Fontbonne web page. You may also access all class information and a current syllabus from the math website at geocities. (www.fbamath.org )

                                                           

            We urge you to encourage your daughter to be consistent with her homework, attempt all the problems, and get help often.  This will ensure her to have a successful year.  Attached to this letter you will find two copies of the department expectations.  Please read these expectations, keep the white copy for your records, and sign the pink copy and return it to your daughter's math teacher by Monday, September 8.

 

            Thank you for your help and we hope that you have a successful year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the teacher via email or phone.

 

Sincerely,                    

The Fontbonne Math Department