DECEMBER NEWSLETTER &
SYLLABUS
December 9, 2013
It’s not your aptitude, but your attitude that determines your altitude.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
1.
Ms. Bates
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
I am Ms. Bates and I am your child’s new 6th
grade social studies teacher! I have a B.A. degree
in Middle Grades Education: English and history as
concentrations from UNC Charlotte. I have worked
with children and adolescents for over five years,
and love being able to empower students to
succeed.
I am elated to meet your child and also
ecstatic to help foster their academic, social, and
emotional growth this school year. It takes a
village to raise a child, which is why I strongly
condone parent involvement. Ask your child to
read to you. Ask them to disclose information that
they learned in class, and encourage them to talk
about their day in general. This is a pivotal moment
in your adolescent’s life and if we all work
together we can corral your child to a road of
success.
I will be sending out a newsletter every month
via email. The newsletter will consist of upcoming
quizzes, tests, projects, and major activities that
will be occurring in my class and at James Martin
Middle School. If you ever need to contact me,
please email me at reniau.bates@cms.k12.nc.us
Students are expected to be prepared
for every class. Every day students are
required to bring in a journal, social
studies 3 ring binder, agenda, pencils,
and paper. Other materials that will be
needed for projects will be requested in
advance.
2. Students are expected to turn in all of
their assignments on time.
3. Students are expected to be prideful of
any work they present. I set high
expectations for each student, regardless
of their ethnicity, social class, religion,
etc…. I expect every work they give me
to reflect their competence and
confidence in the associated assignment.
4. I will offer tutoring once or twice a week
(depending on requests). It is the
responsibility of your child to attend
tutoring sessions, or arrange a time to
meet with me if they are having trouble
with an assignment or concept. Please
contact me if transportation will be an
issue.
CLASSROOM GUIDELINES
1.
Respect yourself
2. Respect your teacher
3. Respect your peers
4. Respect your school
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Edmodo
I will be using Edmodo to upload all of the
assignments for my classes. You will have access
to your parent code when you log on to your
child’s Edmodo page. I will still send home tangible
copies of the assignment for students who do not
have internet access at home.
PowerSchool
Grades will be submitted to PowerSchool every
Friday by 5p.m. Most of you should already have
access to PowerSchool but if you do not, here is
the link:
http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/jamesmartinMS/Docu
ments/Parent%20Portal%20Registration.pdf
Behavior
I have set up a Class Dojo account. I will be using
this system to inform you on how your child is
behaving in my class. I will send out the permission
form along with your parent code on December
10th. This link can help you discover how to gain
access to your child’s dojo account.
https://classdojo.s3.amazonaws.com/share/Parent
accounts101.pdf
Positive dojo points are given to students if they
are:

Helping others

On task

Participating

Prepared for class

Teamwork

Working hard

Quality work
Negative dojo points are given to students when
they are:

Bullying

Disrespectful

Not completing homework/assignments

Off task

Talking out of turn

Unprepared
Class Dojo is a great resource that helps to build
positive skills and learning habits in the classroom.
CURRICULUM
This year, the topics we will be studying include
the following:
First Quarter: Early Humanity, Mesopotamia,
Judaism, Ancient Egypt
Second Quarter: Ancient India/Hinduism, Ancient
China/Buddhism, Ancient Japan, Islam, Australia
Third Quarter: North American & Latin American
Civilizations, African Civilizations
Fourth Quarter: Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome,
Middle Ages, Renaissance
ASSIGNMENTS
Formal written assignments may be typed or
written in blue or black ink. All handwriting must
be legible. In class, assignments will be placed in
a binder that stays in the classroom. All answers
must be written in complete sentences, unless
otherwise told by the teacher. Late assignments
will be docked 10% of the value of the
assignment.
GRADING
Tests, Projects, Quizzes: 60%
In-class assignments, notebook grades: 30%
Homework: 10%
MAKEUP WORK
Students are responsible for all assignments
missed during an absence. Due dates will be
determined by the teacher, depending on the
length of the absence.
WHEN WILL GRADES BE OUT?
Note: These are approximate dates and
subject to change.
1st Quarter Progress Report: September 27,
2013
1st Quarter Report Cards: Week ending
November 8, 2013
2nd Quarter Progress Report: December 13,
2013
2nd Quarter Report Cards: Week ending
January 31, 2014
3rd Quarter Progress Report: February 21,
2014
3rd Quarter Report Cards: Week ending April
4, 2014
4th Quarter Progress Report: May 9, 2014
4th Quarter Report Cards: After June 13,
2014
*All financial obligations (cafeteria debts,
textbooks, library books, etc.) must be met
before report cards are mailed home.*
The mandatory Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Schools grading scale is as follows:
A: 93-100%
B: 85-92%
C: 78-84%
D: 70-77%
F: 0-69%
Again, I am truly excited to build a relationship with
you and your child. Please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Below is the sheet I will need you to return back to
me by December 13th. Please read carefully over this
syllabus with your child and then sign and leave your
email address and phone number.
Sincerely,
Ms. Bates
TEAR OUT and TURN IN THIS PAGE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Student Name: _________________________________
I _________________________________ understand and will follow all classroom rules and
procedures listed above. I also will follow all Charlotte-Mecklenburg and James Martin rules
and regulations. I have discussed and read over this packet with my parent or guardian and
am fully aware of what I need to do to be successful in this class. I promise to try my best and
strive for excellence in this class.
Student Signature: __________________________________
Date: ____________________
Parents: please read over this packet with your child and fill out the information below and
sign at the bottom. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me at
edward1.cluett@cms.k12.nc.us.
Parent/Guardian name(s): ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Cell phone number: _____________________________________________________
Home phone number: ____________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature:________________________________________________________