This is the End

The last few days of the 2011-2012 school year are here.  This year has been challenging for many of my students.  Some have been challenged academically, while others have had to overcome discipline and personal issues.  Hopefully, most of my students have learned the importance of taking personal responsibility for their actions and education. 

I'm looking forward to seeing many of the 7th-grade students in my 8th-grade Life Science course this August.  It will be a rewarding experience for most of them.

For all of this year's 8th-graders who are promoting next Tuesday: my heartfelt best wishes go out to all of you!  Continue to do your best in everything.  You have my support and love, always.

Have a great and safe summer!

Spring Fever

It's that time of the school year when students start to slip with their grades and the effort they make: spring break is over and the focus is summer vacation.

Now is NOT the time to start slacking off!  Many of my students need to redouble their efforts and continue to seek my assistance so their grades will remain high.  It's been a tough year, especially for the 7th grade students who aren't used to working independently in order to be successful.  As parents, you need to encourage your child to not give up.

The focus for 8th grade throughout this month will be AIMS testing; preparing for it and then taking the tests.  They need to realize that it is a requirement to pass all sections of the AIMS test in order to receive a high school diploma, so the preparation that they are receiving this year will benefit them later.

I'm very proud of several of my students for the excellent work they are doing in science!  They know who they are, so I won't embarrass anyone by listing them here.  Just know that you've made me very happy with your efforts.  Thank you!

Heading into the home stretch

It's just a few days before three quarters of the school year has passed.  I am continually reminding my students to seek my help in order to improve their grade, but unfortunately very few take the time to do this.  I hope that many of the parents will attend the next report card night so I can discuss the steps that their child will need to take in order to avoid being retained.

Students always tell me, "You gave me an F".  I don't "give" a student anything but an opportunity to show me what they learned.  I record their efforts.  It is their responsibility to work hard on their assignments, and to study for their tests, in order to succeed.  It's the same way with most everything in our lives: success depends upon our ability and willingness to put forth a maximum effort.

I will continue to offer free tutoring to my students throughout the fourth quarter so they have the opportunity to achieve their goals.  Please encourage your child to work hard and do their best.

A New Opportunity

We are at the half-way point of this school year, and now is the time for many of my students to take the opportunity to raise their grade in science.  This can be easily accomplished by the following:

1. Turn in all homework assignments completed and on time.
2. Take advantage of my policy for retaking exams that you don't score well on the first time.
3. Seek my assistance, whether it's in the morning before school, at lunch, or after school.

There is no excuse to have anything less than a grade of "C" in my courses.  The choice is up to each of you.  The decisions and habits you make today are what will decide YOUR future.

Christmas Wishes

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish my students and their families a Merry Christmas.  I hope that this holiday season will be one filled with much peace and happiness.  Take this time to reflect on the things that matter most to you, and recharge your "educational batteries" for the remainder of the school year.  I'll see all of you in January if all goes well.

Back to blogging

This year has been very hectic, so I must apologize for not writing during the first quarter.  That being said, I have many of the same concerns this year as I did last year.  Many of my students need to spend more time reviewing their notes and preparing for unit exams.  Reviewing notes should be a DAILY occurrence.  Fifteen to twenty minutes each night would greatly improve your child's test scores.

I want to remind everyone that I still offer tutoring each morning before school, at lunch, and most days after school.  If your child is struggling in my class, this will help tremendously.  I hope more of my students will take advantage of this help.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

"This is the end"

We finally made it!  In just a few days the 2010-2011 school year will be over (which I'm sure will be a relief  for some of you).  My students faced a lot of challenges this year: a new teacher to Liberty, a demanding course, and high expectations.  I hope that many of them learned to be responsible for their actions.

So, what now?  Relax, enjoy the summer, and I'll see you in August when you will improve your abilities in science with the Life Science course.

To the 8th grade class: you know how I feel about all of you.  You were an incredible group of young people, and I will miss you.  Please stay in touch.