Welcome to HMS – TEAM 8

1. Welcome to HMS – TEAM 8 • Consultant Teachers: Mr. Jeff Berdysiak & • Mrs. Linda Gaiser • English: Mrs. Colleen Sperry • Math 8A & 8B: Mr. John McDonald • Science: Mrs. Kaci Nowadly & Mrs. Amy Criddle • Social Studies: Mrs. Kelly Zawodzinski • Teachers’ Aide: Mrs. Holmberg

2. English Mrs. Colleen Sperry • Workshop Reading Assignments: • Students will read one book of their choice per month. • At the end of the month, students will respond to their books in essay form. Workshop essays are due on the FIRST FRIDAY of each month. • Students need to bring their Workshop books to class every day. • Every Friday is a Workshop Day in class. Students will read their books silently or write their monthly essays based on their book. I am available for one on one essay assistance during this time.

3. English Mrs. Colleen Sperry • Homework: • There will be ten point homework assignments per quarter for a cumulative homework average. • These assignments usually include vocabulary sheets, flashcards and in-class material checks. • Important Notes: • ELA State Test will now be given in May. • One 0% in the grade book brings an average down 8-10 points. • Extra Credit assignments are given near the end of each quarter. • Tests and projects count twice when calculating averages.

4. SOCIALSTUDIES Mrs. Kelly Zawodzinski • PACKETS provided to students for each unit, which include: • Vocabulary, readings, worksheets, rubrics for projects, primary source documents, and other materials • Homework assignments are from the packets and textbook. Homework is not given every night, but students should spend 10-15 minutes each night reviewing vocabulary. • Projects and major assignments have rubrics. Students are given time in the library and/or the computer lab during class to complete work. Some work has to be done at home. • If you child needs Extra Help or Test Review, please encourage them to see me and/or Mrs. Gaiser to schedule additional time.

5. SCIENCE Mrs. Amy Criddle & Mrs. Kaci Nowadly 8th Grade science is divided into two parts. • Physical Science (September--January) • Life Science (January—June) • Final grade is based on the four quarters plus the final exam (final is average of January and June exams). • Notes for each unit and chapter reviews are available on website. http://www.hamburgschools.org/92020897564127/site/default.asp

6. SCIENCE Mrs. Kaci Nowadly • If your child needs extra help, please encourage him or her to see me. • I am available before and after school for help and B day Encore for any team student. • All grades are posted on the parent portal. • I don’t return papers until all have turned them in. • I generally post grades within a day or two of the assignment. • Extra credit is available by reading a book on my resource list on library Destiny page. • If a students fails a test/quiz they may take second chance test to improve grade but must be taken within one week and only offered after school. Student is responsible for making all arrangements for make up with me.

7. Living Environment Biology • All grades received will appear on high school transcripts. • All students enrolled in this class will take the New York State Living Environment Regents Exam in June. • No late class work is accepted. (Labs will receive 10% off per day late). • Homework is given every night. (Reading is homework!) Mrs. Kaci Nowadly

8. Biology Lab • Biology lab meets every A day during Encore. • Students will complete lab reports that will be due the next lab class. • All labs can be corrected to a 17/20. • When an A day falls on a Friday students typically get an ENCORE period. • Allows students to make up work and see other teachers during the school day. Mrs. Kaci Nowadly

9. Math Mr. John McDonald • Student Materials: • Books: Math 8B Middle School Math—Course 3 • Math 8A Integrated Algebra 1 (NYS Regents Course) • 3 Ring Binder—Homework Assignments & Notes • Pencils--#2 (sharpened) ALL WORK MUST BE IN PENCIL! • Agenda (planner) • Calculator—Scientific (recommended TI-30XIIS) • TInspire Graphing Calculator PROVIDED for Math8A • Extra Help Available: • 3rd Period ENCORE (Enrichment & Correctives) • Before School : 7:15 – 7:50

10. Math Mr. John McDonald • Quarterly Grade Based On: • Homework Average—20% (Homework assigned DAILY.) • Quiz Average—20% (Announced & unannounced, point values vary) • Test Average—60% (After each unit, approx. every 2-3 weeks, based on 100 points • Final Grade Based On: • Each of the 4 quarters counts as 20% of the final grade • The final exam counts as the last 20% of the final grade

11. Math Mr. John McDonald • Progress Reports: • Each quarter, 2 homework progress reports will be brought home by students to be signed by Parent/Guardian and returned. • Usually, reports are sent home after the first 3-4 weeks and the 6-7 weeks of each quarter. • Progress Reports will list the number of missing homework assignments out of the total number assigned & the number turned in late.

12. STATE ASSESSMENTS • ELA: May 4th-6th 2011 • Math: May 12th & 13th 2011 • No exemptions ALL students must take state assessment. • Math A: Regents Exam June 2011 • General Science: May/June 2011 • Lab practical May 31st- June 2nd and the written exam June 6th. • Measures students’ 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grade science concepts (Biology students are exempt from these tests) • Biology: Regents Exam June 2011 • Social Studies: NO STATE ASSESSMENT!!!!

13. General Information • PROGRESS REPORTS: • Science, Social Studies, & English: • All student grades are kept on the parent portal. The district is going paperless so progress reports are no longer sent home. • If you do not have access to a computer you have to call the school and request parent portal printouts Daily list of homework assignments are available via email.

14. Have a Great Evening! Remember— If you would like to meet with teachers individually, please call to schedule a parent/teacher conference. *HMS—646-3250