BACK TO
SCHOOL!
Great Valley
Middle School
Au g u s t 2 9 , 2 0 1 1
Volume 1, Issue 1
Welcome Mathematicians to Algebra
Algebra
This will be a wonderful year of math, and it will
be very challenging. The skills and concepts
learned this year in Algebra form the next
foundation for what will be learned in future math
courses. As we move from concrete math to more
abstract math, there may be challenges faced that
are new to the students. It is imperative that we
all work together to help ensure the success for
each student.
Organization and Materials
In order to be successful in math class, it is important that you stay
organized. These are the materials that you must have every day for
class.

A three ring binder designated for math (or a designated
section in a binder for math)
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2 spiral one subject notebooks. One for your homework and
one for class notes.
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3 dividers
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2 sharpened pencils
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1 different colored pen
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Covered textbook
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PCR book.
Some other materials that may be helpful include a basic, four
function calculator, a ruler, and a protractor.
About Mr. D.
My name is Jon DeVirgilio, but the students can call
me Mr. D. I taught for the past seven years at
Charlestown Elementary School and spent the last
five of those years teaching fourth grade. This will
be my first year teaching math at the middle school,
and I am very excited to be joining this wonderful
school and community.
I am a former Great Valley Student, and graduated
from the high school in 1996. From there I attended
the Honors College at Penn State University. Go
Nittany Lions!! After spending a year traveling the
world and two years teaching elementary school in
New Orleans, I moved back to my home town. I
earned a Masters Degree in Elementary Education
from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004. At that
time, I also became certified to teach Middle School
Math.
I love playing and watching all types of sports. I also
enjoy hiking and camping. I am an Assistant
Scoutmaster with Boy Scout Troop 78, and one of my
favorite places in the world is Camp Horseshoe,
where I have worked for many summers. I used to
run their challenge course which involved team
building, problem solving, climbing and going down a
huge zip line. Reading and spending long days at the
beach are also favorites of mine.
I am very excited to get this school year started, and
I am looking forward to working with each of you this
year!
Students are expected to copy notes and examples in class. To help
you, some of these notes will be on Mr. D.’s website. All homework
should be completed in your homework notebook. Any handouts,
worksheets, or returned work should be kept in the designated section
in your math binder.
Homework
Homework is very important and serves a number of different
objectives. Homework could be used to preview a certain
idea, reinforce concepts and skills learned, or to enrich your
mathematical thinking through a variety of problems.
Homework assignments will be posted in class and on Mr. D.’s
website.
Some people think that practice makes perfect, especially in
math. However, I believe that practice makes permanent. As
a result, when completing assignments that reinforce concepts
and skills learned, it is vital that you refer to your notes and/or
textbook for support. If you are practicing these skills and
strategies correctly, then the practice will make that learned
skill or strategy a permanent fixture in your brain. To
maximize the benefits of homework, don’t take short cuts, and
practice these skills and strategies correctly. It is expected
that all of your work is shown as it is modeled in class for an
assignment to be considered complete.
Homework should be completed in your homework notebook
and should be done in pencil. Homework is not considered
complete until you check it and correct any mistakes. You can
access the answers to the homework on Mr. D.’s website. It is
your responsibility to check your homework for accuracy and
completeness. When checking your homework, you should
make any necessary corrections in a different color pen. If
there are no corrections to be made, you should draw a star in
the different color pen on the top of the page. All homework
should be completed before class meets the following day.
Incomplete homework will most likely affect your learning and
will affect your Qualities of a Learner components on your
report card. In addition, homework may be collected and
graded during the year.
Welcome Mathematicians to Course Two Page 2
Preparation and Absences
I expect all students to be prepared for and
participate in class each day. Some of these
expectations include completing assignments on
time, working well in group activities, responding
to writing prompts, sharing problem solving
ideas, and asking questions.
Students are responsible for all activities whether
they have attended class or not. In general,
students have 2 days for every day of absence to
make up work. If students know of an absence,
they should request their work and/or schedule
make-up tests or quizzes in advance.
When returning to class from an absence,
students should check with a friend to copy notes
from the day(s) missed and complete homework
assignments within the 2 day time. Students can
also check Mr. D.’s website to view some of the
missed notes and the missed assignments.
8th Period Help
Quizzes, Tests,
and Assessments
Quizzes will be given in class and may or may not
be announced beforehand. These quizzes will
typically be given during the last 10-15 minutes of
class. Take home quizzes may also be given.
Students are encouraged to refer to class notes and
examples when completing these take home
assignments. Quizzes will usually include skill and
procedural open-ended questions in order to give
students the opportunity to show their work and
receive feedback on each step.
Cumulative tests will be given at the end of each
unit. Tests are written to be completed in one
class period. The tests could include both multiple
choice and open-ended questions.
Homework notebooks, class notes, and the math
section of your binder may be collected throughout
the year and graded using a rubric. More
information on these checks will be given prior to
the first collection.
Students’ grades can be viewed on Skyward.
th
Mr. D is available to help students during 8
period after students have spent time on their
own attempting each homework problem.
Students should be prepared with their textbook,
notebook, and a pencil when seeing Mr. D during
8th period since this is a very busy time.
If a student needs help or doesn’t understand a
topic that was covered in class, that student
should ask Mr. D. to see him during 8th period.
This time period is also a perfect time to make up
any work, quizzes, or tests that were missed
during absences. If students use this time wisely,
it can be of great help to them in their
mathematics journey this year.
Tips for Success
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Believe in yourself by remembering
that you are smart!
Actively listen.
Participate in class.
Ask questions.
Complete the homework on the
night that it is assigned.
Make corrections to your homework.
Study your notes each night.
Contacting Mr. D.
Please feel free to contact Mr. D. if there are any
questions or concerns about a student’s learning or a
student’s grades. You can email Mr. D. at
jdevirgilio@gvsd.org. The more we are all working
together and on the same page with each student’s
learning, the better and more effective this year will
be for everyone.
First Homework Assignment
You should bring this paper home and read it
together with your parents and or guardians. The
students should complete the attached worksheet
in complete sentences. Then, both the students
and the parents/guardians should sign the bottom
of the worksheet. The worksheet should be
turned into Mr. D. by Wednesday, August 31,
2011.