Dear Parents,
I have designed this website for you and your child so that you both have constant access to the most important information about my class. I hope that you find it useful and easy to use!
Parent-Teacher Interaction
In addition to this website that I have provided for you, LAUSD offers multiple ways for parents to stay informed about their child's performance and to interact with their teachers. There are Open House and Parent Conference events as well as three progress report cards (issued every five weeks each semester) before the final report card grades are given. In most cases, these established norms are sufficient for both the parent and the teacher to maintain contact.
In extreme and rare cases, however, a special phone call or parent conference may be initiated by the teacher or the parent. I promise to keep these special contacts to a bare minimum, very brief, and to the point, and I would appreciate the same in return. Because teaching your child, preparing lessons, and assessing student work receive my top priority, I am only able to check or respond to messages once daily during my office hour.
Grades
As for grades, I have planned my entire semester in advance for your convenience. Click on the "Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading" tab to view my grading sheet for the entire school year and all due dates for the current semester's assignments. This should keep you and your child organized and will answer any grading questions you should have.
I input scores for each five-week report card into LAUSD's computer program (MISIS) two times during each of the four grading windows (once at the two-week mark and once at the five-week mark), at which time they are available for immediate parent access. Please be advised that specific scores and grades will not be available again until the next grading window opens.
In other words, expect new scores to be inputed into MISIS at these eight regular junctures each semester:
- 2nd week
- 5th week Progress Report Card
- 7th week
- 10th week Progress Report Card
- 12th week
- 15th week Progress Report Card,
- 17th week
- 20th week FINAL Report Card.
Cell Phone Policy
As explained to every student from the first day of school and reinforced throughout the school year, cell phones must be turned off and remain out of sight at all times while in my class. If I see or hear a cell phone, it will be immediately confiscated and will only be returned to the student's parent (by appointment). There are no exceptions to this rule. It is more important for students to focus on their education, to follow rules, and to accept consequences for their choices than it is to be coddled or to be granted second chances. Thank you in advance for your understanding and support.
I look forward to meeting you and to a wonderful school year with your child!
Mr. Ward