Next Friday, November 11, 2011 is Parent Teacher Conference Day.  There is no school for students.  I will be available from 7:00 AM until 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM until 2:30 PM to meet with you to discuss your child’s academic performance, behavior, work habits, reading level, and projected success on the English High School Assessment (HSA).  Although no appointments are necessary, if you wish to secure a specific block of time to meet with me please feel free to contact me at 301-497-2050 ext. 407 or email me at miche.mcquillan@pgcps.org with your requested time.  Appointments will be scheduled in 15-minute intervals on a first come-first served basis.  Conferences will be held in room 271.  Quarter one English 10 Grade and FAST reports will be sent home you’re your son on Thursday, November 3.  Grades can be accessed through the Parent Portal of SchoolMax.  If you do not have a log-in and password, please contact the main office to secure this information.

Also, please note that there has been a change in the second and fourth quarter curriculum.  Please see the chart below.

 Literature Selections

*Selections subject to change as required by PGCPS RELA Department.

I will also be instituting the HSA question of the day and other HSA preparation initiatives to help your child prepare to pass the English HSA on May 21 2012.  Internet homework assignments will also be given for HSA prep on a regular basis.  If your child does not have Internet access at home, he can complete assignments during Spartan Hour from 10:35 AM-11:05 AM.  Speaking of Spartan Hour, if your son has earned less than a 70% in English, he is required to report for Spartan Hour tutoring until the grade is 70% or higher.  Students who have demanding schedules in the evening are also welcome to attend Spartan Hour to complete homework and study.  Any time your son has a documented excused absence from class he is expected to attend Spartan Hour to make up all class work, homework, and assessments.

Your child’s success is very important to me.  Please encourage your son to spend at least one hour per night completing English homework, reviewing notes, rereading literature selections, and studying for classroom assessments and High School Assessments. Thank you for your support and assistance.

Sincerely,

Mrs. McQuillan Thomas

Parents and Students should check SchoolMax regularly to view the current grade in my class. If parents or students do not know how to login to SchoolMax, they should contact Ms. Wenchel in the main office.  Any time a student has a grade below 70%, he or she should be attending the first half of Spartan Hour on a daily basis for tutoring and make-up work.  Students should also be attending Spartan Hour tutoring the day that they return from an excused absence.  Make-Up work is only given during the first half of Spartan Hour.

Chapter Two Speech Assignment

Period 1B Due Date October 11

Period 3A Due Date October 10

The world we live in is a global society.   You will have to work and communicate with people from all over the world in the near future.  Every culture has its own set of norms and customs.  When called to interface and communicate and with people from various cultures it is important to know the customs and norms of the people.  Lack of knowledge of such customs could cause a break down in communication, and lead to the loss of a client or job. 

Your task is to select a culture and research communication customs and practices that are different from your own.  Select one or two customs and prepare a five-minute speech in which you discuss the customs and how they could lead to miss communication with an American citizen.

Remember the planks of confidence as you prepare for this presentation.  

Rubric

_____ Speech content shows evidence of documented research 10

_____ Speech is well-organized (speech has a clear introduction, body, conclusion) 10

_____ Note cards have been used correctly 5

_____ Speaker smiles and greets audience (Friendly) 5

_____ Speaker makes a good impression 5

_____ Speaker demonstrates dedication (speech appears to have been rehearsed) 5

_____ Speech represents newness (ideas are innovative) 5

_____ Speech demonstrates a conviction and enthusiasm toward subject matter 5

Total ___________