Grading Categories:  Each category of assignments is weighted as follows.

Assessments - 80%  This is all chapter tests and quizzes.

Classwork - 12.5%  This category includes check your understanding (homework), weekly warm-ups, classwork, projects, review sheets, etc.

i-Ready Completion - 2.5%  This is a requirement of at least 30 minutes and a 1 one lesson in i-Ready each week.

District Assessments - 5%  This category includes a District Performance Task for 2.5% and the Semester Final for 2.5%.

Grades are posted online on Infinite Campus. I will update the grades regularly and students/parents/guardians may and are encouraged to access them often.

IN CLASS - Absence and Late Policy: 
- Student work must be turned in at the start of the period or when checked/collected in class. Late work is NOT accepted.

- If a student is absent, they are responsible for the work they missed. Students receive two days for each day they were absent to complete assignments. Example: If you were absent Mon.-Wed., or 3 days, you have 6 school days to make up your missing work.

- If a student is at an ASB, Ambassador, Band, Leadership, etc. activity, the missed work is due the next day.  Students need to check in before going to the activity and get the work they will miss.  Absences due to activities are not given extra time to make up work.

- If a student is suspended, is on campus suspension or is truant, the missing work is due the day they return.  No exceptions.

- Students must check online or call a friend for the assignments. When they return they must check and record what they missed in their planner from the board or web page, and get the handouts from me or the extra copy bin (back of the room).

- Projects are due the day they are due. If the student is absent, the project needs to be dropped off at school by a parent/guardian/friend or a picture of the project needs to be emailed to me by 2:30 PM.

- Students who miss a quiz or test must make up the quiz or test on the day they return.  The only exceptions will be family emergencies or hospitalized illnesses, which must be confirmed by a signed parent note or e-mail.

- If a student knows that they will be absent 5 or more days, they need to get a Homework Contract from the office and asked to have it completed by all their teachers at least 1 week before the start of the absence.  All work needs to be turned in before or on the day of return.

IN CLASS - Weekly Warm-Ups:  
The first five minutes of most days will be spent getting out your materials and completing the weekly warm-ups. Because the assignment is active all week, you are expected to do your 2 questions daily, even if you are absent or tardy.

The Weekly Warm-Ups are an online weekly assignment. They are active from the start date (usually Mondays) until 2:30pm on Friday of the same week (unless otherwise noted above). You can access them from anywhere as long as you are logged into your school Google account. You are allowed to search the internet, use your notes, ask your table group, and ask your family members to help you. These are all review problems from prior grades or earlier this school year, as the weeks go on. You should be showing your work on your warm up work pages in your binder. The weekly work pages will be collected periodically throughout the semester. The goal is to complete about 2 questions per day.

You need to submit your answers every day in order to save your work. You can then edit your responses to complete the review on the remaining days of the week. Each question is worth 1 point and there is a bonus question each week for an extra point. After the week is over, the assignment is closed, graded, and you will be emailed a report of your correct and incorrect answers. The computer will only issue a correct response if you have the correct answer and have carefully followed instructions for how to enter your answer. Any discrepancies in which you feel you should have received a point, but did not, must be addressed as soon as possible. You will need to forward me your emailed report and tell me which questions you would like me to look over.

Tutoring and Assistance: 
Do not be afraid to ask questions! It is important to speak up and let me know when you do not understand something. I don't know you are having trouble unless you ask for help! My job is to help you in any way I can. I will again be offering tutoring in math this year every day at break and during 7^th period.  Come in at break to get a 7th period pass.  I have many videos online to help you.  You can also stop by room 804 to see when I am available or schedule a time to meet with me. Parents/guardians are welcome to e-mail me for a conference or to discuss questions/concerns.

More places to get assistance:

• My webpage video tutorial links
• Google Classroom resources and links
• Khan Academy
• Quizlet
• Online textbook in Clever

Welcome to Bella Vista Middle School!  We are all looking forward to a fun and productive year.
To tell you a little about myself, my husband and I moved to Murrieta from Irvine in 2004. This will start my 24^rh year of teaching.  I taught all subjects in 6th grade for five years in Corona del Mar, as well as tutored in grades 4-10th. Then, in 2004, I joined the Bella Vista team when we opened the school and taught 6th grade language arts and science, 7th grade science, pre-algebra, algebra 1, algebra essentials and algebra readiness, math lab and math 8. This year I will be teaching Math 8 and Accelerated 8 (Algebra 1).

I have done some extensive traveling since I graduated from Pepperdine University. I can say I have been on all seven continents! My bachelor’s degree is in biology and I have my master’s in education. I have two children, a son born in June 2006 named Aidan and a daughter born in June 2008 named Keeley.  We also have two golden retrievers named April and Winnie and two cats named Kanga and Roo. I love to spend time outdoors, reading and being with my family. I am looking forward to getting to know all my new students and their parents/guardians.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.  I will continue to try to update the grades and the web page every couple days. Students must ask themselves daily if they are Safe, Respectful and Responsible inside and outside of the classroom.  We expect all students to take school and my class seriously.  This is a difficult class and I know your student can do well.  It’s time to get ready for high school!  They are to come to class every day, on time, and with the required materials and assignments!  No excuses.  This year will be a great year!  Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Classroom Rules: 
I have very high expectations for my students and myself.  I expect my classroom to be safe and geared for learning.  A positive and respectful atmosphere is maintained.  I will not tolerate inappropriate behavior as it leads to an inadequate learning environment. I expect students to respect me, the school, themselves and all others.
- No eating or drinking, except water.  (No food, candy, mints, gum, etc)
- No hats in class.  (Why?  It's showing respect and etiquette.)
- Bathroom breaks - emergency only and if you can’t fill out the sign-out/in sheet correctly you will lose privileges.  No restroom use during tests or quizzes, unless it is an emergency and then cell phone must be left on desk.
- Backpacks and purses under your desk, NOT in your lap or the aisles.
- All technology (chomebooks, graphing calculators, etc) must remain flat on the desk or in your hands at all times.  Misuse will result in loss of privileges.
- Respect others and their property.
- Do not speak over others; raise your hand to speak.
- Do not disrupt the class.

Consequences: 
Consequences for inappropriate behavior and classroom disruptions will be met with one or more of the following.
- Verbal warning.
- Time out in the hallway. 
- Notification to parents of behavior issues.
- Class suspension with 2 discipline points.
- Administrative or Office Referral with discipline points.

Technology: 
You will need to bring your TVUSD chromebook or personal device daily.  I do not have extra devices to lend to you during class.  I have simple calculators (for Math 8) and graphing calculators (for Accelerated 8) available to students and I expect all school property to be treated with respect.  No cell phones will be used in class.  Students will sign the Digital License contract and any misuse of technology will not be tolerated.  Abuse or misuse will result in a phone call or e-mail home, possible repair charges, possible discipline points and the student losing privileges in class.

Work Presentation and Paper Headings:
- For credit, students must write their full name, date and period on all assignments.  Work will be handed back until this is complete.​  No exceptions.

- To help me in grading your assignments, I ask that assignments must be neatly written and not torn or crumpled.  Sloppy assignments will be returned, recopied and turned in the following day with the original assignment for full credit.

- Students must show all work on all problems.  No work = No credit!  Homework with no work shown will be returned, finished and turned in the following day with the original assignment.  Work is show in 3 parts: 1) write out the problem from the book (with some exceptions)  2) show all steps, even what you can do in your head or on a calculator (no exceptions)  3) show the complete answer boxed, circled or highlighted.  Work assigned from the workbook will need to have work shown on a separate page, stapled to the back.

- All math homework, quizzes and tests must be done in pencil.  Homework done in pen will be returned, recopied and turned in the following day with the original assignment for full credit, and quizzes/tests done in pen will be given no credit!

- AWSP - All Work Separate Paper - If an assignment cannot show all steps neatly and clearly, then the work must be completed on a separate sheet of paper.

Substitute Teachers: 
Students are expected to behave with excellence if ever there is a substitute in my classroom.  I will not tolerate disrespect os a substitute teacher.  If a student's name is written down as a classroom disruptor, that student will receive a classroom suspension along with corresponding discipline points, depending on the severity of the disruption.

Quizzes/Tests: Chapter quizzes are used as a method of review and assessment, while Chapter tests are given at the end of each chapter.  All assesments are kept in the classroom and parents and students are welcome to see them anytime.

Classwork/Projects: Students are required to take notes and are usually given time to start assignments in class each day. Any work done in class and collected the same/next day is generally considered classwork.  Work done over time and/or with partners is generally considered projects.

Check Your Understanding: Assignments are designed to review and reinforce what we have learned in class, it is assigned almost every day, Monday through Friday, and is due the following day, unless otherwise noted. Students who choose not to do their assignments will very likely do poorly on tests and quizzes and the class.
Students are required nightly to complete each assignment and then check their solutions and then compare their work with my work and solutions.  It is very important for students to understand what they don't know and correct their mistakes.

i-Ready: 
i-Ready is a review and intervention program available to all students.  Students can access their i-Ready through Clever.  Students will take a initial diagnostic at the start of the school year or when they start at BVMS.  Students are asked to work for 30-45 minutes and complete at least 1 lesson with at least 70% or higher pass rate weekly to improve their mathematics.  

Student Planners:
Every student needs a simple student planner and is required to bring it daily to class to aid in keeping assignments and due dates organized. Students must record their assignments in their agenda books daily.  This book is also used as a method of communication between teachers and parents. Parents should check the agenda book nightly to check for completed homework and any upcoming tests or projects. 

Student Work:
Students are to keep their workbook pages, class work, and homework in their math dedicated binder as they get it back.  Do not throw anything away!  Keep your work all year!

Behavior Expectations:
In addition to the school rules, the following are rules designed to create a classroom atmosphere that promotes respect for others, fairness, creativity, and learning.

- Be SAFE in the classroom, moving to your seat and ready to work before the tardy bell rings.  Keep your area clean and your bag and books out of the aisles.  Please put your backpack under your desk.

- Be RESPECTFUL, courteous and cooperative at all times to all people. Keep your hands, feet and objects to yourself. Do not interrupt when someone else is talking. No swearing, teasing, or fighting!  Absolutely NO food, candy, or gum in class.  The teacher, not the bell will dismiss you from your seat.  Do not stand by the door before the bell rings.

- Be RESPONSIBLE and prepared with all materials and assignments everyday. Participate in class to show you are prepared. Be responsible for you own behavior and property. If you are absent follow the make-up work policy.  Cell phones must be on silent at all times.  If texting or unapproved activities occur in class, the phone will be taken to office.  Do your best!  Do your own work.  Copying or allowing someone to copy you is unacceptable!

Materials:
Please try to have the suggested supplies listed within three days of starting the class.  Make sure you have all materials in your possession all year long!  I expect all students to have all their materials and assignments in a backpack daily.  I encourage parents to check student backpacks for organization and supplies often!  If you are unable to get or have the supplies please let me know and I will do my best to provide the materials.

Books and Workbooks:
Accelerated 8 students will receive a Algebra 1 textbook and workbook.  The textbook and workbook will stay at home.
Math 8 students will receive a Math 8 workbook for 1st semester and then in January will receive a workbook for 2nd semester.  The workbooks will stay at home.  

We will keep a binder for all math notes and classwork and be asked to bring it daily.  Students have access to all resources online.  See my web page on how to access the online resources and copies of the notes and work pages.