August 31, 2005: Newsletter for September

I�d like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to be your child�s teacher this year! I have a year full of exciting educational opportunities planned, and I hope seventh grade will be a great year for your child. I know you have a lot of forms to fill out and reading material, so I've made a short, bulleted list of things seventh grade parents and students should know:

The Website: You'd probably be rich if you had a dime for every time you heard "Oh no, I left my assignment book in my locker and I don't know what I have to do for homework! I guess I can't do it, then." Thanks to modern technology, my students can no longer use the 'forgotten assignment book' excuse again, because they can look up their homework assignments ONLINE! My classroom website is a valuable tool for both parents and students. On the website you will find everything from a list of classroom rules & expectations, to procedures, homework, newsletters, a classroom calendar and more! The website is located at http://www.geocities.com/mscognato. Feel free to check it out and explore some of the nooks and crannies. Students will be taught how to use the website within the first two weeks of school.

Homework: There will be homework almost every night. Your student can find the homework posted on the wipeboard in my classroom or online on my website (listed below). Homework can be found by clicking on the Hogwarts link, clicking on their house and locating the date. Students will be taught how to use the website in class. Some days the homework will not be posted on the website. The website is to be used as a secondary resort only. Ideally, every student should copy their hw into their planner every single, solitary day, bring it home and do their hw. But, when the ideal fails, they can log on and look it up.

Newsletters: There will be a newsletter almost every month. You can always get it online and print a new copy in the Leaky Cauldron part of my website. It must be signed and returned by the date specified below and is worth 10 hw points.

Materials: Every student should come to class with a 3-ring binder and dividers (5). We will organize our binders in class on Friday, September 2nd. Please do not label the dividers yet. The binder should not have any other subject in it. Students are also expected to have a pen and their assignment book/planner. Being prepared each day is a part of their grade in 7th grade English.

Classroom Rules & Expectations: Students have been given a copy of the classroom rules & expectations. You can also find a copy on the website.

Parent Volunteers: As the year goes on, I will be in need of parent volunteers. When I need volunteers, I will ask in the newsletter.

How to Contact Me: The best way to contact me is via email. During school hours I can be reached at [email protected] and after school I can be reached at [email protected]. I highly encourage you to send any email to both addresses, especially if it is urgent. You can also reach me by phone at 802-674-6344 and leave a message on my voicemail. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Enclosed with this month�s letter you should find:
1. Copy of classroom rules and expectations. This is yours to keep at home.

Announcements:
1. The signature part of this letter needs to be signed and returned to me by Friday, September 2nd. It is worth 10 points! Feel free to write comments on the back if you have any questions or concerns for me.

If you have any questions, please write them on the back of this sheet or email me at [email protected].

Sincerely,
Lauren Cognato

__________________________________________________________
I have read the September newsletter for English 7:

Student Name (please print): ______________________________________________

Parent Signature: _____________________________________________

Student Email address: ___________________________________