Hi there! I am your child’s English teacher at Westmoore this year!
I trust this email finds you doing well, and enjoying the beginning to another great school year! I
have already had a great time getting to know your kiddos here at Westmoore in their Freshman
English Class! I realize the new school year WITH a new school can provide many uncertainties
and challenges, and I want you to know we have a great and capable staff here to help your
kids! I love what I do, and want your kids to succeed!
A little about myself: I have been married for almost 24 years to my best friend,
Kevin, and we have 4 children: Brianna, a senior at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri;
Adam, a freshman, also at Evangel University; Savanna, a sophomore here at Westmoore, and
Isabella, in 8th grade at Brink Jr. High! I have been teaching fulltime for 7 years now, this being
my fourth year here at Westmoore. I love being a part of the Jaguar family, and am also serving
as Freshman Class Sponsor and Co-Sponsor of FCA!
Thoughts and Questions: Please let me know if you every have any thoughts or
questions. Email is a great way to reach me during the day – I try to check it at least before
school, during lunch, and again after school. I plan to email you once a week, usually on
Mondays, to let you know what is on the “Agenda” for the week – so you know what your
student is working on.
Parent Portal: If you are not currently part of Parent Portal, I encourage you to join
this, so you can check assignments, grades, attendance, and more. You can also sign up for
“alerts” when new assignments and grades are posted. Contact our Counseling Center to get
signed up!
My goal in the classroom is to inspire your kids to learn daily through a variety of
methods. Our main areas of study will be Short Stories, Drama with Shakespeare’s “Romeo and
Juliet”, and Greek Mythology and adventure with Homer’s, “The Odyssey.”
Classroom Procedures: Your student should have already given you the Class
Syllabus and Classroom Procedures to go over with them, as well as a Parent Signature Page
for my records. IF your child has not given this to you, please ask them about it. They received
it their first day of class! I gave them over a week to return the Signature Page, as well as having
their supplies ready for class (A binder with 5 tabs labeled for our subject areas). If you see an
“M” in the gradebook, that means an assignment is Missing, and they haven’t completed or
turned it in yet. A “0” means they were there for the assignment, and didn’t turn anything in (or
scored a “0”). I will also make comments about work, if needed.
Homework: I rarely assign homework, except to study for a test, or perhaps a unit
project. Most days we should have time to complete our work in class.
What’s going on right now??
During the first few weeks, we spent time “Getting to know each other” with Back to School
activities and worksheets, plus Freshman Orientations, going over the School Handbook,
Yearbook Photos, Media Center Orientation, Freshman Class Officer elections, their first Moore
War Assembly, and more! I was able to learn more about each student with their first writing
assignment, in which they told me about themselves to help me teach them better, and with
clues I compiled Class Crossword Puzzles with! This was a great tool to help me know how to
help your student better! 
*Parent Homework Letter: Yes, I am asking my parents/guardians to write me a
letter about their child. This will go home with students today, and is due on Friday. I will not
grade your spelling or grammar! 
*Star-Spangled Lesson last week with 9-11 reflection: Do you know what
Ramparts are? Twilight? Gallantly? Perilous? Or, the irony in the setting of the poem by
Francis Scott Key to a British tune?? Ask your student – they should know!  We will test
over this next week.
**Freshman FB game here tonight @ 5pm (JV game at 7pm)
**Volleyball Southwest Showdown HERE this Thursday: Freshman 4pm, JV
5pm, and Varsity 6pm!
**Open House at Westmoore: is this Tuesday (tomorrow), September 15, from 67:30pm. Unfortunately, I have a family conflict (Savanna plays varsity volleyball with WHS at
Mt. St. Mary’s on Tuesday at 6:30), and will not be able to attend the Open House this year. If
you would like to meet another time, please let me know. Plus, the Parent Letter is a great way
for you to fill me in on your fine student! 
**TWO THINGS YOU CAN DO:
1. Please check my website calendar for up-to-date classroom information/lessons
2. Please sign up for my Remind Text Alerts to receive current information regarding
assignments, tests, room relocations, and more – the information is on my website, also, or do it
now by entering the message @ragsdale15 to the number 81010.
Thank you!!!  We are going to have a great year!!!
Deanna Ragsdale
English I and PreAP English I, Westmoore High School
Freshman Class Sponsor, FCA Co-Sponsor
Website and Classroom Information: http://www.mooreschools.com//Domain/2890
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” ― Benjamin
Franklin