Dear Biology Parents,
Welcome to the 2000-2001 school year! I will be teaching your child in College Prep Biology this year. I look forward to a successful, productive year and hope you will join me in furthering your child's education. This letter is to give you an overview of the course, as well as significant dates and project information.
Students are expected to bring a ring binder with loose-leaf paper and any assignments for the current unit of study and sharpened pencils or pens, colored pencils, and their agenda to class. Students should spend a minimum of 20 minutes a day working on Biology outside of class. They will have weekly reading assignments, weekly vocabulary quizzes, and weekly tests, but will not always have written assignments for homework.
Vocabulary quizzes will be administered every Tuesday. Reading homework assignments will be due on Thursdays, and unit tests will be given on Friday. Please be aware of the fact that tests questions will be predominantly taken from lecture notes and other assignments covered in class…. Students should not focus only on the textbook reading assignments in order to study for tests. If your student has trouble taking lecture notes, this should be brought to my attention at the beginning of the year so that we can work together to address this problem. Also, please be informed that after the first test, a small percentage of test questions will be taken from previous material, so students are encouraged to learn the material well, rather than "cram" for the test, then "brain dump" the material!
Absences and Make up Work:
It is the responsibility of the student to inquire about make-up work on the day of return to class. Make-up work is due within five days following the student's return to school. For extended absences, the please request assignments through the attendance office. For all prior assignments, the due date is the day of return from an excused absence. Makeup work must be done outside of class. Tuesday afternoon from 2:00-3:00 I will be available for completion of makeup tests/ quizzes. I am available every afternoon from 2:00-3:00 for extra assistance.
Because we are here for learning, students will not be permitted to leave class for anything other than dire emergencies. Ample time is provided during class change for visits to lockers or restrooms.
Your child should have an information sheet and a lab contract. Please read and sign the lab contract. Check the information sheet to verify all information. Many students do not know daytime phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses for their parents/guardians. Please include it on the information sheet if possible to aid us in contacting you if necessary.
Listed below are the dates progress reports and report cards will be issued this year. Please note the days of semester exams and plan for your child to be in school those days. Students are strongly encouraged to keep all returned assignments - therefore, you can get a good indication of your child's progress between reports by looking at grades on those returned assignments.
First Semester
End 1st six weeks September 22
Issue 6 week report September 28
End 1st 12 weeks November 2
Issue 12 week progress report November 9
First Semester Final Exams December 18-20
Second Semester
End 2ndsix weeks February 9
Issue 6 week report February 15
End 2nd 12 weeks March 23
Issue 12 week progress report March 29
Second Semester Final Exams May 21-23
Below is a statement for you to sign verifying that you have read the contents of this letter and discussed them with your child. Please sign and return the bottom portion of this letter! I am including my e-mail address for your convenience in contacting me. I can also be reached by calling the school at 770-806-3815.
Once again, I do look forward to teaching your child, and I hope to see you at open house September 14!
Lori Andrews