Mr. Bryon Howard
Taylor Junior High
Math
Room 702
472-1565 bkhoward@mpsaz.org
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to Taylor Junior High. This is my 8 th Year in education. This will be my first year in Mesa Public Schools. I am excited to be at Taylor Jr. High this year and I look forward to helping your child be successful in math and have a wonderful learning experience.
Please review this letter with your child and return the attached signature page by Wednesday, August 19th - to indicate that you have read and understand these policies. Please feel free to contact me via telephone or email if you have any questions.
Expectations
Mesa Public Schools, along with many other states, is implementing the national
Common Core Standards for Math and Language Arts, which promote higher level thinking skills. Students learn best by seeing, hearing, speaking and doing
– sitting and watching is not an option. To be successful, students should be prepared to actively participate in daily activities, as well as bring necessary supplies to class.
Supplies
Pencils, erasers, red pens, 3-ring binder with a math section, paper, and a spiral notebook – (college rule).
Also nice to have, but not required – highlighters, dry erase markers (black only) and eraser, pencil sharpener, colored pencils or crayons.
Grading
Final grades will be weighted with formative assessments (classwork, homework, quizzes) counting 25%, and summative assessments (final performance assessments and exams) counting 75%.
Homework
There will be a math assignment almost every day. Unless otherwise specified, assignments are due the next day. After grading assignments, students should keep them so they can review for tests and quizzes. Often students will be allowed to use their notes on quizzes. When a student fails to come to class with homework completed, they will receive a stamp in their planner in the column next to the Math period number. Please check planners regularly so that you will be aware of any homework issues.
I am available most days after school until 4:15 for students who need extra help.

Makeup work
Students need to make up notes they’ve missed if there is an excused absence.
Students are also responsible to obtain the work they missed. Assignments are posted on a classroom calendar. Students will have one day for every day missed to make up classwork.
Quizzes/Tests
Quizzes and tests must be made up either before or after school. Makeups must be completed within a week of the absence.
Students are allowed to make corrections on unit tests for a higher grade during the same quarter. Students must make corrections on any test earning a D or F.
Corrections will earn back ½ credit of points lost.
Extra Credit
No extra credit is planned. If students put forth effort, participate actively, and attend class daily, there is no need for extra credit.
Behavior Expectations
This year’s classes agreed that we all have the following rights in the classroom:
The right to learn
The right to be safe
The right to be treated with respect
Students who act in a manner that interferes with these rights will face one of the following consequences:
* concerned look/verbal warning
* informal conference with student
* time in a “buddy” room
* parent contact and possible detention on the following day
* administration involvement
Thank you for allowing me to teach your child this year. My goal is for every child to feel successful with math. If you ever have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please sign and return the bottom half of the next page to indicate that you have read this letter and agree to the policies. It is very helpful to have your contact information including telephone and email. Thank you. I know it is going to be a great year!

MA07 Syllabus 2015-2016
Unit 1: Integers (…,-2, -1, 0, 1, 2,….)
Unit 2: Rational Numbers (2.5, 7 ¼, -2.2,…..)
Unit 3: Expressions and Equations (algebra)
Unit 4: Inequalities (<, >, = ….. ≤, ≥)
Unit 5: Ratios & Proportions (2 to 5, 2:5, 2/5)
Unit 6: Percentages (100% = 1.00)
Unit 7: Constructions & Scale Drawings (4cm = 600 miles)
Unit 8: Circles & Area (C = (pi)(D)) (area = “squared”)
Unit 9: Surface Area & Volume (3D shapes, volume = “cubed”)
Unit 10: Probability & Statistics (The chances getting tails = 50% or ½ or
50 out of 100….)
Cut on line
th
Student Name (print, first and last) ______________________________
Math Period (circle) 1 2 4 7 8
Mother’s Name (print, first and last) _____________________________
Mother’s email: ____________________________________________
Father’s Name (print, first and last) ____________________________
Father’s email: ____________________________________________
Best phone number to reach parent/guardian ______________________
I have read and understand Mr. Howard ’s policies.
Parent Signature: __________________________________________
Student Signature: _________________________________________