Welcome Letter & Syllabus for 8th Grade Science
Dear Rhodes Families & Students,
Welcome to the 2015-16 school year at Rhodes Junior High School. I am looking forward to getting to know
you and your student this year. I wanted to take this opportunity to share some information about my class and
encourage you to communicate with me.
I am committed to helping every student learn in my class. I believe it is important for families and schools to
work together and share responsibility for student success.
During the Fall semester, Chris Petty, a Teaching Intern, will be co-teaching with me. He is working toward a
Master’s in Education and teaching certificate from Arizona State University. I will potentially also have a
Student Teacher here in the Spring.
In this syllabus, I will share the expectations for the class, so that we can work together to support your
student’s success.
Educationally yours,
Marissa Beaith
mmbeaith@mpsaz.org
480-472-2368
CURRICULUM
In Science class, students will develop content knowledge and skills in these subjects:
1. Scientific Inquiry (The Scientific Method)
2. Heredity (Genetics)
3. Animal & Plant Adaptations (Biology)
4. Force & Motion (Physics)
5. Properties of Matter (Chemistry)
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE NOTEBOOK
Scientists record all of their work in a notebook daily. Thus, Science students will keep a composition notebook
(called the Interactive Science Notebook or ISN), with all of their work.
In the notebook, students will record Cornell notes, keep articles, write lab reports, draw pictures, etc. If you
would like to see what your student is working on in class, the ISN will be your primary tool.
To ensure consistent participation, the ISN will be checked and graded regularly.
GRADES
Students earn grades based on a points system.
Grades are available for parent and student access via the online Portal. This is the web address of the Parent
Portal: https://mymps.mpsaz.org/#parents & the Student Portal: https://mymps.mpsaz.org/#students . If you are
unable to log on, please contact the 8th grade Counselor, Dr. Maria Ramirez, at 480-472-2288.
The Portal will be updated as assignments are graded, approximately once a week. Families and students with
concerns about grades should contact me immediately.
Extra credit is only available once a week via the Adult Input Page, on the inside back cover of the Interactive
Science Notebook. The student will teach the adult something they learned recently in Science class, and the
adult will write what he/she learned and date & sign. Extra credit points will be awarded when the student
shows the teacher.
At the end of the grading period, a percentage is calculated from the points earned, and a grade will be
assigned based on this scale:
A = 89.5-100+%
B = 79.5-89.4%
C = 69.5-79.4%
D = 59.5-69.4%
F = <59.5%
LATE WORK & ABSENCES
All assignments can be turned in, up until the end of each quarter. Late assignments will be given partial credit.
The student and teacher will determine an appropriate grade for late assignments, based on the lateness of
the work and its quality. Any student whose family would like to be part of the decision-making process about
the scoring of late work can schedule a conversation or meeting with the teacher.
If a student is absent, there are three ways to obtain missing assignments:
 In the classroom, a folder is set up for each day of the week. Check the folder of the day absent.
 In the classroom, see the teacher’s composition notebook for an exemplar of what has been completed
each day.
 On the teacher’s website, visit the calendar:
o SC08 http://www.mpsaz.org/rhodes/staff/mmbeaith/calendar/
o SC20 http://www.mpsaz.org/rhodes/staff/mmbeaith/sc20calendar/
On my Rhodes website, I will maintain a calendar that describes the day’s activities, as well as provides copies
of the day’s materials. The calendar can be accessed before school or after school in my classroom, if
students do not have computer access at home. If an activity cannot be completed by the student using the
calendar alone, the student should schedule time with the teacher to come in, before or after school.
At minimum, I will be at school 8:15-4:15, and if I’m in my classroom, I can work with any students who need
help. I prefer students schedule a time with me, so I can plan to be available; students may also knock on my
door anytime, to see if I am available.
TESTING
Students will take several quizzes and one test per unit. 3-5 days’ notice will be given for quizzes and tests.
Students should study the material in their Interactive Science Notebook to review. Assessments will be
completed individually, with no additional resources, unless designated for Special Education students in
his/her Individualized Education Plan. Families who wish to receive notice of upcoming quizzes and tests
should sign up for one or both Family Communication methods, detailed in the next section of this syllabus.
FAMILY COMMUNICATION
Students’ families can receive text message reminders from the teacher, regarding classwork and
assessments.
To subscribe on your cell phone:
1. Enter this number to send a text message: 81010
2. Text this message: @sc08 (for SC08 students) or @sc20p (for SC20 students)
3. Send the message
4. Follow any prompts that it texts to you
Families can also receive regular email blasts, which include information about upcoming tests or assignments.
Please write your email addresses on the signature page to receive my emails.
MATERIALS
Students must have all materials ready for class on Tuesday, August 18th.
1. Pencils
2. Two composition notebooks without spirals (1 for 1st semester, 1 for 2nd semester)
While all necessary Interactive Notebook materials will be available for all students to use in class, your
student will be at an advantage if he/she has his/her own:
1. Several glue sticks OR several rolls of Scotch tape OR a mini-stapler with staples
2. Colored pencils, crayons, or markers (No Sharpies)
3. 2 different color highlighters
All listed materials are available at the Rhodes Bookstore. If families choose to buy supplies elsewhere, that’s
fine. For families who are unable to buy supplies at this time, please call or email me, so I can provide them.
If families would like to donate supplies for classroom use, donations of the above supplies are always
appreciated, in addition to Ziploc bags.
ONE RULE
Self-discipline is vital to the success of our students.
Rhodes’ 3 B’s are Be respectful, Be responsible, and Be safe. Specific school expectations are located in the
POP Matrix, which the students were given on the first day of school. Positive and negative consequences will
be administered per Rhodes’ POP discipline program.
In my classroom, I have one rule:
You can do anything you want to do so long as it doesn’t bother anyone or interfere with the class.
FAMILY & STUDENT SIGNATURE PAGE
This page due on Tuesday, August 18th
Family and student signatures below indicate they accept the policies of Ms. Beaith’s 8th grade Science class.
We are coming to Open House (Thursday, August 27, 6-8pm). Yes ___
No ___ Not sure yet ___
Student name ____________________________________________________________________________
Student signature _________________________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian name _____________________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian phone number(s)_____________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian signature __________________________________________________________________
Parent/guardian email(s) – home, work, etc.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Please complete these questions, so I may best help your child: (Use the back or attach paper, if needed)
1. Does your student have special needs/hearing or sight concerns/medical issues/allergies, of which I
should be aware?
2. Does your student need special seating in the classroom?
3. Is there anything else that you would like for me to know about your family or your student?