August 23, 2010

Dear Parents

I am very pleased to have your student in my business class this year. Your student is enrolled in a class that I feel will do much to prepare him/her for the future. I am enthusiastic about the classes I teach and very interested in your student having a successful, productive year.   Within the first week of school your student should receive a class syllabus and lab, discipline, and grading procedures that will be used this year. Please take the opportunity to go through these with your student.

 I would like to summarize some of the information covered:

·         My tutoring times will be from 7:30-8:15 am Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Other times may be scheduled as needed.

·         Daily grades will count 50% and test grades will count 50%. Students should do well if they turn in assignments as they are assigned. If your student doesn’t feel that he/she can meet a deadline they are to feel free to come to me to work out appropriate arrangements to turn in the work. I will drop one daily grade each 6 weeks. Extra credit points may be awarded at different times during the six weeks for specified activities. 

·         Technology classes as well as block scheduling make it imperative that students attend class on a regular basis and make up assignments missed when absent in a timely manner.  If your student is absent he/she will need to come by as soon as they are back at school to pick up assignments. There will be some assignments that can be made up at home but there will also be assignments that need to be completed at school. Students will have one day for each absence plus one day for making up work missed. As noted in the Parent/Student Handbook it will be the student’s responsibility to ask for makeup work. 

·         All students deserve the opportunity to be successful and productive while in class. Students should also be able to transfer skills learned in business classes to the world of work. The expectations in my classroom are designed to ensure that both objectives are met. Students will be expected to be in class on time, prepared to work, allow others to work, be respectful of others and the equipment in the classroom and complete work in a timely manner. Each student received a detailed copy of the discipline procedures to be followed in class to provide everyone an equal opportunity to learn in a safe and positive environment.

I am excited that your student will be in my class this year. I am looking forward to working with you and your student to provide the best for him/her. If either of you have any questions please e-mail me at abirkhim@weatherfordisd.com or call me at 817.598.2858 Ext. 3590. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as possible. My conference period will be 3A. 

Sincerely

Alice Birkhimer
Business Teacher

CTE: Making today count for tomorrow’s success