Miss Comfort
8th Grade ENGLISH
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I would like to introduce myself as your child’s 8th grade ELA teacher at Kennedy Charter Public
School. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with your child. I am a native of
Richmond, Virginia and a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University.
I have high expectations for my students. In our classroom, they will behave in a way that is
appropriate to young scholars, and they will work hard to master the content and skills needed to
complete 8th grade English. Our classroom will be framed by the theme, “My success is my
responsibility.” Your child should bring home a copy of my classroom Rules, Consequences and
Procedures on the first day of school. Please read over these rules and procedures with your
child and sign the attached sheet.
I believe in constant contact with parents/guardians and will do my best to be available to you as
well, in order to best service your child. I can be reached at (704) 761-8178 any time before
6PM. Also, you may e-mail me at Sharika.Comfort@kennedycharter.org. Additionally, you
are welcome to come observe in our classroom at any time. Please contact me beforehand if you
are interested.
You can expect your child to have homework generally 3 out of 5 nights a week. Please check in
with your child to make sure that they have completed their homework for the following day.
To provide me with information to best contact you, please fill out the short questionnaire
attached to this letter and return it to school with your child for their first homework
grade.
This is going to be a great year for my students. I look forward to working with them and
hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Sharika Comfort
Ms. Comfort - 8th Grade Syllabus 2014-2015
English Language Arts
I.
Objective/Course Description:
Students study writing, literature, vocabulary, and grammar. Eighth grade English emphasizes
critical reading skills through synthesis and evaluation of different literary genres. Grammar is taught
through example and instruction to develop the ability to use punctuation, parts of speech, and
correct word usage. The objective of the writing curriculum is to help students develop an
understanding of expository writing, literary analysis, and journal writing. Vocabulary is taught
through systematic units that help students improve and expand their vocabulary skills through
learning synonyms, antonyms, parts of speech, and correct word usage in context.
II.
Supplies:
 1 pack of number 2 pencils
 1 pack of ink pens (only blue or black ink may be used)
 1 Composition Notebook
 1-inch 3-Ring Binder to be used for English Only
 1 Bottle of Glue
 1 Box of 24 Crayola Crayons
 1 Pair of scissors
 College-Ruled Looseleaf Paper
***Optional*** Pocket Dictionary
Your child needs to have these supplies by the end of the first week of school. I will be performing
a Materials Quiz that day for a grade. If you have any trouble obtaining these materials, please have
your child speak with me, before the due date.
III.
Class Rules:
1. Come to class prepared to learn – this means bring all required materials, homework
assignments, etc.
2. Be respectful and courteous at all times.
3. Remain seated unless given instructions or permission to do otherwise.
4. Keep your area neat, and throw away paper as you leave the
classroom.
5. Respect mine and other students’ property, personal space, and opinions
6. Profanity of any kind will NOT be tolerated in the classroom.
IV.
Grading Scale and Grade Scale
Homework – 10%
Classwork – 30%
Quizzes – 25%
Tests/Projects – 35%
A – 93%-100%
B – 85%-92%
C – 77%-84%
D – 70%-76%
F – 69% and below
V.
Homework Policy
Homework is expected to be turned in the day after assigned, unless otherwise specified. I do NOT
accept late homework!
As a standing rule, each night students will be expected to read independently for at least 30
minutes. Students will fill out a reading log each night to be signed by a parent and returned to
me every Friday for a homework grade. Readings will be assigned bi-weekly.
VI.
Make-up Policy
It is the student’s responsibility to get make-up work when absent.
1. A student absent for any reason should promptly make up all assignments missed.
2. A student will be responsible to pick up make-up work from the teacher.
3. A student with an excused absence will have THREE SCHOOL DAYS from the day
missed to complete any make-up work without penalty. The student should make
arrangements with the teacher to make up the work.
4. I do not accept late class work when the student is present.
VII. Re-Do Policy
When a grade for a completed test is below 70%, you will be allowed to re-do that assignment.
Students have 5 school days from the date of the test to re-take. If the re-take grade is higher, it will
replace the original. However, if the assignment was never completed, the grade given will stand.
There will be No “extra credit,” assignments given.
VIII.
Parent Conference
If a parent conference is desired, your parent may contact me or a school administrator. I encourage
parents to schedule a visit out of curiosity, as well as concern.
Academic Honesty Policy
I am responsible for neither giving nor receiving assistance on tests, examinations or class
assignments that are to be graded as the work of a single individual. I understand that the
actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance or unfair advantage on any form of
academic work constitutes an academic violation, as does the act of plagiarizing information. I
am fully aware that an academic violation will result in a zero with no opportunity to make up
the assignment and will be documented with a discipline referral to administration.
I look forward to a productive year!
Signed,
Ms. Comfort
Student Signature_______________________________
Parent Signature ________________________________
Parent Survey
(MUST be completed by parent/guardian)
Child’s Name: _________________________________________________________________
Guardian’s Name: ______________________________________________________________
Relation to Child: ______________________________________________________________
Cell Phone Number: ____________________________________________________________
Work Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Name: _______________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Phone Number: ________________________________________________
E-mail Address: _______________________________________________________________
1. Do you prefer e-mail or Telephone communication? (please ensure a valid e-mail has
been provided on the line above).
2. When is the best time to contact you? What is the best number to use?
3. Is there anything I should know about your child (medical conditions, trouble seeing the
board, bladder problems, personality, etc.?)
4. Would you be interested in visiting/helping out in our classroom?
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