Dear Parent/Guardian:

My name is Coach Ferguson and I have the pleasure of welcoming your son/daughter into my science class this week. I am looking forward to an exciting year. It is my goal to provide all students with an educationally challenging, yet fun, experience in my classroom and the science lab.

Students will usually be assigned homework on Monday of each week, with the assignments being due on the Friday of that same week. There is no homework the week of an exam so they have more time to study for their test. If a change occurs regarding the homework dates, your child will be notified in advance, and I will send out a Remind. Students will be reviewed and tested after each unit is completed, and each test will count as a major grade. During most of the nine weeks, the student will be responsible for a project that will be assigned to them during the first week of each nine weeks they have one and due the week before the nine weeks ends. Projects will count as major test grades as well.

All of your child’s supplies for science class (2-inch binder, 8-tab dividers, and a composition book) will be left in the classroom. Cubbies will be provided for each class period for your child to store their binder, science notebook, and other materials. Your child will have access to these items should they need them for a homework assignment or review. Workbooks will be used as a resource and each child will be copies that they can write in and make notes. Homework, quizzes, tests, and other daily assignments will be kept in their classroom binder, but you may view your child’s work upon request.

Your child is an 8th grader this year, he/she will be administered the STAAR Science test in April. Classroom lessons and lab activities will be designed to help the students engage higher levels of thinking and problem solving which will be beneficial when taking this test.

In order to optimize your child’s learning experience, certain classroom rules and procedures will be in place at all times in my classroom and in the lab. Attached, you will find my classroom rules, expectations, and procedures, as well as, a laboratory safety contract. Both of these papers must be signed by both you and the student, acknowledging that you have read and understand these rules and procedures. This letter is for you to keep for reference. Please have your child return the signed lab safety contract, as well as, the back page of this letter.

I encourage you to visit my webpage on the Weimar ISD website. To get to my webpage you will go to www.weimarisd.org, click on schools on the top right side of the page, and select Weimar Junior High School. To the left there will be a column of quicklinks. Click on the staff websites and select my name, Sabrina Ferguson, to view my webpage. The webpage will be chalked full of important information regarding my science classes and a little about myself. Included are important dates, unit topics for the year (Year at a Glance), nine-week project information, and other valuable information.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email me at sferguson@weimarisd.org. My conference period is 7th period of the day. I also will have my Remind set up and will be updating you with upcoming tests, projects, and reviews. I look forward to a fantastic school year!

Remind code: WJH 8th Grade @8weimarjh

Sincerely,

Sabrina Ferguson

8th grade Science Teacher