Dear Parents, Family Members, and Guardians,
My name is Caryn Capalbo. I am your child’s 7th grade AVID Elective teacher for the 2012-2013 school
year. Your child has been chosen to participate in AVID, a program dedicated to helping students
achieve their goals of going to college. The AVID class, held within the regular school day, provides
support, academic monitoring, and tutoring. The writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative
learning, and reading are the core strategies of the program.
What is required of an AVID Student?
Each AVID student carries a binder in which he or she is required to keep materials from all academic
classes. Students keep track of assignments in their planner and are required to take Cornell notes
and/or Learning Logs in all academic classes. The binders are graded regularly for organization by college
tutors. Led by tutors, students participate in tutorial groups in the AVID classroom. In addition, students
are taught study skills, test preparation, time management, and the writing process.
The grading system used in the AVID Elective class is as follows:
Participation: 10%
Class work: 45% (This includes Cornell Notes and Learning Logs for academic classes)
Tutorial Forms and Sessions: 25%
Organization and Binder Checks: 20%
Who are AVID Tutors, and What Do They Do?
AVID tutors are college students who receive training in methodologies used in AVID: writing process,
Socratic questioning, collaborative learning, and reading. They are in the classroom weekly to serve as
models and to help students achieve success in rigorous classes. They are trained not to give students
answers but rather to guide them toward answers.
What Can Parents do to Support AVID Students?
Communication between the AVID teacher and the parent(s) is essential. I will contact you to share your
student’s progress, and appreciate any information you share with me. At home, parents can see to it
that students are doing their homework in a quiet place with few interruptions. In addition, stressing
your belief that your student can succeed in middle school, high school, and attend college will also
motivate him/her to work harder and achieve more.
If you wish to speak to me at any time for any reason I can be reached via email at
caryncapalbo@wpcsd.k12.ny.us. You may also contact me by phone at (914) 422-2223.
Thank you very much for all of your support! I am looking forward to working with you this year.
Sincerely,
Caryn Capalbo
AVID7 Elective Teacher
ADVANCEMENT VIA
INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION
Name of Student ____________________________
Enrollment date: September 5, 2012
AVID is an elective college preparatory program that prepares students to attend a four-year
college upon high school graduation.
Student Goals:
1. Academic success in college preparatory courses.
2. Successful completion of college eligibility requirements.
3. Enrollment in college prep-courses throughout high school to ensure enrollment in a fouryear college or university after high school.
Student Responsibilities:
1. Maintain at least a 3.0 in achievement and satisfactory citizenship and attendance in all
classes. A grade of a C or less in any academic class will warrant probation.
2. Maintain enrollment in college preparatory classes.
3. Maintain an AVID three-ring binder with a planner, Cornell notes, assignments in all classes,
and tutorial sheets.
4. Take Cornell notes and/or learning logs in all academic classes.
5. Complete all homework assignments and commit to at least two hours of homework every
night.
6. Participate in AVID tutorials at least twice a week.
7. Participate in AVID field trips and activities.
Student Agreement:
I agree to accept enrollment into the AVID elective class, which will offer me academic support.
I want to succeed, and I understand that I must take individual responsibility for my own
success. I agree to remain in the AVID elective class for at least one school year. I will be
allowed to remain in AVID only if I meet the student responsibilities listed above.
Print Name: ___________________________________
Student Signature: ___________________________________
We agree to support the efforts of the student in meeting these goals.
___________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Signature
___________________________
AVID Counselor’s Signature
_______________________________
AVID Teacher’s Signature
_______________________________
AVID Administrator’s Signature
Binder Expectations for 7th Grade AVID Students
• Two-three pages of Cornell notes per week for each academic class
• Planner completed each day with daily class work and homework assignments recorded for all
classes (parent signature may be required).
• Handouts and returned work/tests in appropriate sections.
• Minimum supplies include pencils, pens, and extra paper.
Binder Contents
Required Binder Contents
• Good quality, 3-ring binder, 3 inch rings
• Five to six colored dividers with tabs to separate each academic class including AVID
• Zipper pouch to store supplies (3-hole punched heavy duty zip-lock bags also work)
• Two pens and two sharpened pencils
• Loose Leaf paper
• Planner
• One Eraser and one highlighter
Suggested Binder Contents (Extra Credit on Weeks 1 and 2 Binder Check)
• Dictionary for foreign language or ELA and/or thesaurus
• Calculator
• 12-inch ruler
Dear AVID7 Students,
Welcome to 7th grade AVID with Ms. Capalbo! You have been selected to participate in the AVID
program this year. AVID stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, and this program will
help you succeed in your academic classes. We are going to have an exciting year challenging
ourselves to achieve all of our academic goals!
Guidelines: As a student in my classroom, you will be expected to1. Come to class prepared to learn each day
2. Respect your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.
3. Participate in all group activities
4. Complete all class work, assignments, and participate in the Tutorial Sessions.
Grading System: I will use the grading system below to determine your grades
Participation: 10%
Class work: 45% (This includes Cornell Notes and Learning Logs for your academic classes)
Tutorial Forms and Sessions: 25%
Organization and Binder Checks: 20%
Class work: We will do activities on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to help us succeed in our
academic classes. Many of these activities will be given a grade of + (95 points),  (85 points), or (75 points). Some of these assignments will be graded formally using rubrics.
Assignment Calendars: These will be handed out at the beginning of each month. One side of these
calendars will list all of the assignments for the month and their respective due dates. If any due
dates change, I will distribute a new calendar. The other side of this calendar will be blank so you can
write down any tests, quizzes, projects, or essays that you have due in your academic classes.
Tutorials: We will have Tutorial Sessions every Tuesday and Wednesday. You will be working in
groups, supervised by college tutors, to help you answer questions that you have in your academic
classes. You will be expected to complete a Tutorial Request Form prior to each Tutorial Session.
These forms will be graded and are a significant part of your AVID grade.
Organization and Binder Checks: Over the course of the year, we will be discussing many ways that
we can stay organized. You will be expected to maintain your binder throughout the year. Your
binder will be checked using a Binder Check Form once every two weeks, either by your Tutors, Ms.
Capalbo, or your fellow classmates. On the back of this letter, you will find a Binder Requirement
Sheet that details the expectations for your binder and a sample Binder Check Form.
I am certain that this year will be an exciting and enjoyable learning experience. We
will work together to ensure your success.
Sincerely,
Ms. Capalbo