Freshman English
Mrs. Starks
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
Welcome to Freshman English! My
name is Dalia Garcia Starks and I am
looking forward to a fun and productive
year with your student. This is my fifth
year teaching English at Red Mountain,
and my twelve year teaching English in
the Mesa district. This newsletter will
provide you with an overview of the
various aspects of your child’s experience
in our classroom this year. Please let me
know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Dalia Garcia Starks
Contact Information
My classroom number is 480-472-8160.
Please leave me a voicemail, and I’ll
return your call. My email address is
dmgarciastarks@mpsaz.org
Passport
All students will be required to keep, fill
out, maintain, and utilize their planners
effectively at school. Grades will be
updated every Friday, please check your
parent/student portal for student grades.
Extra Credit
There will be rare opportunities for
students to earn bonus points on some
assignments. Extra credit will not be given
to save a poor grade.
Suggested Materials
The following materials will help bring
more success to your freshmen year:
 Spiral notebook (to use/have everyday)
 Loose-leaf notebook paper
 Pencil
 Black or blue pen
 Highlighter
9th Grade Grading Policy
*Cumulative Grading*
Tests/essays/projects/finals:
Classwork/ class participation:
Rough Drafts
Assignments
Warm-up notebooks
Homework:
Independent Reading project:
Quizzes/Exit tickets:
Grading Scale
90-100% A
80-89%
B
70-79%
C
60-69%
D
0-59%
F
Tutoring
•I will be available for tutoring
every Tuesday and Thursday at
12:30pm in room 605!
50%
20%
10%
10%
10%
Make Up Work
Student Expectations
Students are solely responsible for getting
make up work. All assignments are
recorded on the large wall calendar, and
corresponding papers are filed near the
calendar. Your student has been
instructed how to get missed work after
an absence. As per district policy
regarding make up work for excused
absences, students are granted two days
for every one day that they miss (the day
they return, plus one) to complete all
work that was missed, including tests and
quizzes.
•Students will come to class prepared.
This includes having all of your required
materials.
•Late work will not be accepted! Be
responsible and be organized!
•Plagiarism and cheating will not be
tolerated. Anyone caught copying an
assignment or cheating on a test will
receive a zero.
•Students who are having a hard time in
English or any class, will be sent to
tutoring with teacher, and/or Saturday
school!
•We want every student to be successful
in High school, therefore, please take
advantage of all of the resources available
for you!
•Students will follow all rules outlined in
the Red Mountain Student Handbook.
•Students will arrive to class on time and
ready to work. After the 2nd tardy: lunch
detention, 3rd tardy: Parent phone
call/Detention, 4th and on: Office referral
•Students must respect themselves,
others and classroom property.
•All electronic devices must be kept out
of sight. Failure to do so will result in
item being confiscated and turned into
the office for parent pick up.
Curricular Focus
Our English classes will be placing a large
emphasis on writing and the writing process.
Expect to learn the following plus more!
•AVID strategies/Cornell Notes
•Personal Narrative
•Expository Essays
•Argumentative Essays/Research
•Poetry and Literary Analysis
•Romeo and Juliet
•The Odyssey
•Analytical Paragraphs
•Animal Farm
 Independent Reading Project
 Short Stories
Optional materials
The following is a list of “optional
materials.” If your student brings in an item
from the list, they will receive 5 extra credit
points, 15pts. max. Thank you!
 #2 Pencils
 Tissues
 Hand Sanitizer
 Spiral notebooks
I have read and understand all procedures, expectations and
guidelines in Mrs. Starks Freshman English class.
_______________________________
Student Signature
Date
____________________________
Student (please print)
_______________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Date
_____________________________
Parent/Guardian (please print)
If I need to contact a parent/guardian for any reason, whom
should I call or email and when is the best time? Do I have your
permission to post pictures of your student working
independently or in a group on my newsletter and/or my English
webpage? _________________________ (signature means yes).
________________________________
Parent/Guardian to contact (please print)
________________________________
Parent/Guardian email
_____________________________
Phone number(s) & best time to call