Lorraine Blakely

Eisenhower Middle School

blakely@aps.edu
505.269.3356
2016-2017
Dear Parents,
I am very pleased to be able to work with your child in our Gifted Education
English/Language Arts Class at Eisenhower this year. Middle school is an exciting time
in a students life, and we all will work to help your child have a successful transition into
middle school and to further their love of learning.
An important goal for this class is to help students develop skills in independent learning.
We will emphasize writing. Your input, after the first writing assignment, in helping to
correct spelling and mechanics on rough drafts is appreciated. Be patient and remember
how full of pitfalls the English language can be for the young writer. Discussions and
writing will be based on readings both inside and outside of class. Please encourage
your child to read as much as possible and to complete all reading assignments.
One of the books used is Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop. Your student will be
provided with a book. However, Eisenhower does not have the funds allocated for each
student to have his or her own book to be able to write in. Our preference is for each
student to purchase a copy (through English Class) of the book for personal use and to
be able to write in the book. The costs have risen over the last few years, and it is now
$13.00. You may send cash (correct change, please) by September 23, 2016. If you
choose not to purchase a book, your student may use a book belonging to EMS, but will
NOT be able to write in it. This situation is challenging for most students. If you prefer to
order the book yourself, you may do so online at www.sadlier-oxford.com. We will be
using Level B ISBN0-9780821580073.
Creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving skills will be covered through
research, discussions, projects, and experiential and challenge activities. Many of the
projects are multidisciplinary, meaning they are not necessarily confined to traditional
language arts topics.This will help us address the varying skill levels, learning styles, and
interests of our gifted students.
Homework will be assigned on a weekly basis and details will be recorded in the
Eisenhower Agenda. The assignments will vary, depending on the activities covered in
class. If homework is late, there will be a reduction in the maximum points that can be
earned (a penalty). Your child may also be offered the opportunity to participate in a
working lunch program, where they can complete the assignment. If your student must
turn in an assignment late due to a personal emergency, please write a note in the
Agenda and sign it, or send Mrs. Blakely an email, and it will not be counted as late.
There will be several projects that require some longer-term scheduling, so please

become familiar with your students Agenda to help them develop the necessary
planning and organizational skills.
Hopefully, we will offer opportunities for field trips to enrich and expand the curriculum.
We will attempt to schedule these to interfere as seldom as possible with other classes
and will inform all teachers. We need parents to accompany students on our field trips,
and hope any of you that have pertinent skills or information will act as guest speakers
for our classes. During Curriculum Night there will be a sign up sheet for various
classroom and field trip volunteer activities. When acting as a chaperone, you will need
to go through the background check through the APS web site. We need to have parent
help, so please know that you can still be a part of your childs school experience.
The grading scale is EMS policy: A=90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=59 or below
Please check Synergy often to keep updated on your childs progress. You will get
additional information about the system at a later date.
Requests for extra credit assignments are discouraged. The assigned work is adequate
for any students grade. Assignments with low grades (Below 77%) can be redone for
additional credit, as long as they were complete when submitted.
Students are expected to be respectful and ready to work. If a student displays the
behaviors espoused in the School Wide Positive Behavior Support, success will surely
follow! Since we are Eisenhower Generals, we reach for the stars by displaying
behaviors that reflect Safety, Teamwork, Attitude (positive), and Responsibility. (Please
see the agenda for more information). Problems will be dealt with on an individualized
basis ranging from student and parent conferences, notes in the agenda or an e-mail,
time out, and/or office referrals.
Supplies: Binder, (1.5 or larger to stay in classroom), tabs for binder (8 or more),
folder for homework and projects, pens (different colors to edit/grade), pencils, lined
paper, highlighter, jump drive (4GB or larger, to be used for all classes).
Resources: Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/join/xPTRPpgdn to sign up for practice options
Remind: see attached note
Weebly: www.lblakelyems.weebly.com
Curriculum Night is September 8th, and I hope to see each of you on that night. We
look forward to a productive, enriching, and exciting new school year.
Sincerely,
Lorraine Q. Blakely

Students Name: (Printed) ___________________________________

I have read the parent letter for Lorraine Blakelys English/Language Arts class
Parents signature:_________________________________

Date:_________

Students signature: ________________________________

Date: ________

____I am interested in going on field trips and am willing to be finger printed and to go
through the background check through APS. There may be a cost involved.
____I have gone through the background check process within the last two years and
am willing to chaperone field trips. I will provide teacher with copy of confirmation
provided by APS.
___I need more information about being a chaperone. Please contact me directly. The
best way to reach me is: ______________________________
___I am interested in participating in sharing my skills, knowledge, and interest with the
class and/or Eisenhower community.