September 4, 2012
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and Student,
Welcome to your new class! To help you start the year off right, here is a list of items I recommend to ensure your success this year!
While the following two items are not mandatory, it is important to keep in mind that your child will make use of those throughout the years in the Extended French programme, including high school.
A French/English Dictionary is a useful tool to have in this programme. There are dictionaries available for school use so students need not carry theirs back and forth (I know how heavy they can get!). While online dictionaries and electronic devices are useful and simple to use, I will expect students to know how to use a regular dictionary.
The Bescherelle 1 Art de Conjuger is very useful for French language learners. There are several types of Bescherelle, but this is the most useful. There are a limited number of Bescherelles available for students to use in class.
French reading material is as integral to student learning as the above. Books, magazines and even comics can be borrowed from the class, school and even the public libraries (torontopubliclibrary.ca). Moreover, some bookstores carry French titles or can acquire them for you. While I will assign some reading (including, but not limited to, novel studies), you should spend 15-25 minutes a night reading French material and are encouraged to explore texts of different genres.
Grade 7 math requires a calculator, a ruler, and a protractor, while there are some available for school use, you may find it helpful to have your own.
Binders with dividers are useful for keeping your worksheets in check! You will need one or two 1”- 2” binders for this year. I will also be providing duo-tangs for some subjects to help with organization.
A small pencil case is ideal. Today, I have provided you with a sharpened pencil, an eraser as well as a pen. Please make sure to have one (or several!) writing utensils with you every day!
Finally, I recommend bringing a water bottle to school every day. A hydrated brain is a healthy brain, and a healthy brain is ready to learn!
Please ensure that you have gathered these materials by Monday, September 12 th . Should you have trouble obtaining any of the above, please come and see me. Thank you for your cooperation.
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Sincerely,
Mlle Ponton

Bon retour à Cosburn! J’espère que vous avez eu un été incroyable. De plus, j’espère que vous êtes enthousiastes de commencer la 7 e année. Je sais que moi, je le suis! Vous avez laissé derrière vous les années juniors, et vous êtes des élèves du niveau intermédiaire.
Félicitations! Je suis fière d’être votre professeur cette année et j’ai très hâte d’apprendre à vous connaitre.
Alors laissez-moi me présenter ! Je suis née au Québec et j’ai vécu toute ma vie en banlieue de la ville de Montréal. J’ai une sœur cadette et un chien qui s’appelle Molly qui vivent tous les deux avec mes parents à Montréal. Ça fait seulement deux ans que j’habite
à Toronto et que j’enseigne à Cosburn. J’aime les arts, les sports, les activités plein air, la natation, la musique, la nourriture en général et plusieurs autres.
J’ai appris l’anglais quand j’avais environ 13 ans donc comme vous je sais ce que c’est d’apprendre une deuxième langue. Puisque je connais les difficultés auxquelles vous allez faire face, je vais faire de mon mieux de vous préparer pour la vie scolaire, c’est-à-dire tout ce qui se passe à l’école, et aussi pour la vie qui se déroule en dehors nos murs.
Nous allons partager de belles expériences éducatives cette année. Cette salle de classe sera ouverte et accueillante et vous allez vous sentir protégés et respectés ici.
Alors, bienvenue. Je vous souhaite une excellente année ici à Cosburn.
Sincèrement,
Mlle Ponton
September 4, 2012

Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s),
Welcome to a new school year at Cosburn Middle School! I hope you enjoyed your summer and are ready for another busy year in the Extended French programme! I know I am!
This is just a note to introduce myself and to outline the expectations for the following school year.
This will be my second year teaching at the grade 7 level at Cosburn, and I’m thrilled to be back!
As a former second language learner myself, I can honestly say that I know how it feels to walk in your child’s footsteps. I understand the academic demands placed on them and the challenges that they can create at home. As such, I will do my best to ensure that your child has what he/she needs to be successful this year and that you have the tools necessary to participate in your child’s learning.
As an educator, I value the opportunity to teach your child in a way that allows your child to learn and demonstrate his/her learning to the best of his/her ability. By creating a climate of respect and providing meaningful learning experiences, I endeavour to not only teach your child the curricular requirements for this year, but also the organisational and study skills needed for the future.
This year marks an important time for you and your child. As your child transitions from a junior to an intermediate student, he/she will be expected to complete more comprehensive and complex tasks in all subject areas. The foundation of French language skills he/she developed in the past will be built upon and applied to reading, writing and oral assignments throughout the year. After two months off, it will no doubt be a challenge for your child to become accustomed to the nightly homework, but with your support, we will continue the steady progression of your child’s French language skills.
Daily homework will consist of completing work started in class. Quizzes and tests will be announced in advance to allow for study at home. In order to reinforce learning, I highly recommend a minimum of 15-25 minutes nightly reading and review. It is imperative that students stay on top of their schoolwork in this programme, as it is very difficult to catch up once they have fallen behind. I encourage students to come in for extra help or clarification should they need it and while I schedule the time between 3:30-4:00 for this purpose, I will try to accommodate as many student’s schedules as possible!
To stay organised, an agenda will be required by each student. Agendas made specifically for
Cosburn M.S. will be on sale at the school this week. For my part, I will use the agenda for personal notes, questions or concerns when needed, so I ask that you review it every evening after your child has completed his/her homework to verify that you have seen and understood its contents. The agenda an excellent way for us to communicate, so please feel free to use it!
In addition to the agenda, a “home folder” will be used to carry important information to and from school each day. The home folder is the yellow pocket folder that contains all items of which you need to be aware: items for your signature (tests, quizzes, important evaluations and forms) as well as any homework sheets that need to be completed.

My expectation of each student is that they come to class on time and prepared to learn. This means that their homework is completed by the due date, their school supplies are with them in the classroom and their agenda and home folder are brought to and from home each day.
As per the T.D.S.B.’s Daily Physical Activity programme, we will incorporate a “gym” component into our schedule every day. As such, it is important that students ensure that their daily wardrobe and footwear be appropriate for these activities.
Should you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please feel free to contact me at school (416) 396-2335, through my website http://teacherweb.com/ON/CosburnMiddleSchool/MmePonton/apt6.aspx
I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation and enthusiasm. I look forward to working with you to ensure your child has a successful year. See you at Curriculum Night! (September 20)
Yours in partnership,
Katherine Ponton
Grade 7 Teacher
Extended French
Cosburn Middle School