Welcome

1. Welcome Samantha Cortes ELA Teacher 1301 E Tonopah Ave N. Las Vegas, NV 89030 Phone: (702) 799-7080 ext. 3063 Fax: (702) 799-7195 sjcortes@interact.ccsd.org

2. 2014-2015

3. Citizenship Scores O=Outstanding Citizenship S=Satisfactory Citizenship N=Behavior Needs Improvement U=Unsatisfactory Citizenship

4. JD Smith Mission Statement The staff, students, parents, and community partners of J. D. Smith Middle School are committed to creating a safe and positive environment where individuals make dreams a reality through academic achievement and positive citizenship.

5. JD Smith’s Motto Teach Strong Learn Strong Meet the Challenge

6. CCSD Student Dress CodeMale Female All items of clothing must be in the above approved solid colors. No words, patterns, or logos, with the only exception being the school logo. Pants/Shorts, blue jeans, and denim pants - all sized to fit. NO SAGGING! Shirts with collars (any tee shirts worn underneath must be in one of the above approved colors). Sweaters and sweatshirts must be worn over approved collared shirts. Sweatshirts may be long or short sleeved, and may be with or without school logo. Ties are allowed (no words) NOT ALLOWED: sweatpants and shirts without collars Pants/Shorts, blue jeans, and denim pants - all sized to fit. NO SAGGING! All items of clothing must be in the above approved solid colors. No words, patterns, or logos, with the only exception being the school logo. Shirts/blouses with collars (any tee shirts worn underneath must be in one of the above approved colors). Sweaters and sweatshirts must be worn over approved collared shirts. Sweatshirts may be long or short sleeved, and may be with or without school logo. Skirts/skorts and jumpers/dresses no shorter than fingertip length (blue jean material allowed) Tights/leggings worn under approved clothing allowed NOT ALLOWED: sweatpants and shirts without collars

7. CLASSROOM RULES No talking when the teacher is talking Raise your hand if you have a question. Wait to be called on before you speak. Show respect to everyone including yourself. Don’t get out of your seat unless asked.

8. HOW DO I STUDY? • Rewrite notes. • Make flashcards of notes. • Go online to the book’s website and do practice quizzes • Read notes out loud to yourself or other people. • Quiz a friend or have a friend quiz you.

9. STUDY TIPS:Taking notes and keeping a journal • The best reason to take notes is that you will forget a great deal of what the teacher or your classmates said after class is over • Notes should help you remember what you learned in class. They should also serve as a guide when you try exercises on your own • When taking notes, have a pencil or two, good erasers, a highlighter and plenty of paper • If writing in paragraphs doesn’t work, write in outline form instead • If you have too many details, try to paraphrase.

10. STUDY TIPS:Listening skills Itisimportantto try to listen as actively as possible Listen attentively. Think about what the teacher is saying Ask a question if you are uncertain By listening attentively, you will also be ready to respond if you are called upon to answer a question.

11. STUDY TIPS: Working together Learning to work together in a group is an important skill. To make your group more effective, practice these good habits. The only way a group can cooperate & work together successfully is to use common courtesy and share a common goal. Everyone in the group should take part in the project and no one should be left out. Practice disagreeing without putting someone down.

12. STUDY TIPS:Managing your time • A weekly planner helps you organize your assignments & plan for time to complete them. • Keep this schedule in your notebook • Make a to do list. • Set aside a specific time for doing homework assignments take a 5 minute break between each assignment. • Set realistic goals, do not be too hard on yourself. • Go over all directions your teacher has given you for completing. • Keep completed assignments someplace where you cant forget to take them to school.

13. STUDY TIPS Pick up flyer for more details

14. J. D. SMITH PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN Failure to meet Classroom Behavior Expectations will result in the following consequences: 1st Infraction: Student-Teacher Conference (Verbal Warning) 2nd Infraction: Written Warning (Letter Home) 3rd Infraction: Student Relocation 4th Infraction: Parent Contact (Phone Call) 5th Infraction: Parent/Teacher Conference 6th Infraction: Dean’s Referral

15. LIBRARY RULES:CHECKING OUT A CLASSROOM LIBRARY BOOK • When you check out a book from the classroom library, take the index card with your name out of the box. • Write the name of the book and date on the index card. • Place the index card in the card box provided. • Check out time is three weeks. • After three weeks, you must return the book or renew it.

16. LIBRARY RULES:RETURNING A CLASSROOM LIBRARY BOOK • When you return a classroom library book, find your card in the card box. • Write the return date next to the checkout date, return the card to the box. • Place the book in return book basket.

17. LIBRARY RULES:GENERAL RULES • Check out and check in times will be before class begins, after class, or when the teacher gives permission. • You are responsible for the book you check out. If you lose the book, you must replace it. • If you replace the book without the card and the turns up missing, you are responsible for the book and must replace it! Be sure to follow directions.

18. Practice Homework Practice is done everyday, reading and writing every night. There is practice everyday!! Repeat, practice is done everyday.

19. Thank you for attending Open House! Please contact me for any questions, don’t hesitate! sjcortes@interact.ccsd.org I look forward to working with you this year!