Notes:
 
Tutorial Times:  NO TUTORIALS on TBA 2012-2013, for this is my duty day all year long.
All tutorials,whether for morning or afternoon, should be scheduled with me personally, due to my duty obligation(s), lesson preparation in the classroom, faculty meetings and committee meetings.  A tutorial sign is posted on my classroom door.  If I know that you are coming, I can be better prepared.  If, unfortunately, I am unavailable, I can make arrangements with another English teacher and have your lessons ready.
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 I email parents weekly through the Parent Portal with lesson plans, homework information and campus activities.  Please contact me atdmiles@weatherfordisd.comshould you have concerns or questions. 
     You can join the Parent Portal at any time of the year.  Please contact the campus attendance clerk for more information at 817-598-2847. 
     If you do not have email access and wish to speak with me, please call 817-598-2847 during school hours. 
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How to Access Your Online Textbook
 
1.  Go tohttp://my.hrw.com.
2.  Log in with username (dmiles250) and password (milesngc).
3.  Click on the log in tab.
4.  Go to the online textbook link.
5.  Click on book pages.
6.  Enter the page number you want in the little box above the book cover.
7.  Click on "go" and you are in!!
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Dear Parents,
      If you find that I am your student’s WHS NGC English teacher on the 2012-2013 class schedule and you wish to be added to my distribution list, please send me an email WITH YOUR STUDENT’S FULL NAME IN THE SUBJECT LINE AND THE CLASS PERIOD. My email address is: dmiles@weatherfordisd.com.  I cannot place you on the English I distribution list until I receive a valid email address from you.  I promise to acknowledge, or reply in turn, to your email at my earliest convenience, usually within twenty-four hours.  If I do not acknowledge your email, it could be that your email was blocked or undelivered, perhaps due to the strong filters within our Internet system.  Please send a second, and if your email goes unanswered, please call 817.598.2847, press one, then dial 3762 and leave a message for me.  I promise to help resolve the matter.  One of my strongest gifts is connecting with parents and I hope to connect with as many as possible this year!
      Another convenient method of contacting me is with the QuickNote at the bottom of the page on my web site. Be sure to reference your student's full name. 
      The quickest and most convenient method of communicating with me is through e-mail. I am extremely proactive in keeping parents updated regarding lesson planning, homework, classroom information and activities, and school-related deadlines and notices, and direct email to you would improve communication.  I plan to provide on-going information to you and your student throughout the year, and email has been a perfect avenue for keeping parents informed. 
     Please stay connected with your student's academic progress through WISD's parent portal.  For instant access to your WISD student’s grades, attendance, homework, and upcoming assignments, monitor the parent portal on a regular basis.  Informed parents can help guide their students and help keep them on the right track.  Further, I highly recommend keeping email addresses and telephone contact numbers updated within this system for school notifications.  If you have not signed up for parent portal, you may do so at any time during the school year. Contact our attendance office at 817-598-2847 as soon as possible, please, for it will facilitate a successful academic year for your student. 
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Darla Miles
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 Dear English I Students:
     Welcome to a new school year and more specifically, welcome to high school! Today marks the beginning of new experiences and goals. Ninth grade is where you begin opening doors to college and careers, and facing many of the challenges that will usher you into adulthood. I am pleased and honored to share this important time with you. This promises to be an exciting year. To meet the goals set forward in our school district, we’ll pursue a stimulating curriculum combining reading and writing with media, drama, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. 

     As your English teacher, I would like to take this opportunity to let you know what you can expect from this class as well as what I will, in turn, expect from you. I am committed to building an interesting and productive classroom community where all members learn from each other. I expect you to participate fully in both creating and supporting this environment. You can do so by speaking to others respectfully, listening attentively, thinking deeply about the different ideas presented, and staying focused on the tasks at hand.

     In this environment my focus will be on helping you improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as well as facilitating your quick and effective transition from middle school to high school. Reading and writing are two keys to power in our society. I teach not only because I want to share my love for literature and writing, but also because I want every student to have access to this power.

     In order to be successful, you are expected to take responsibility for your learning and behavior: attend class every day, be prepared with reading and homework assignments, challenge yourself, and always work to your personal best.  Please study your Greek and Latin root word lists every week, for vocabulary development is foundational to reading and writing and is an ongoing component in my classes.

     I do have high expectations for, as well as confidence in, every single student in the classroom. Regardless of your academic standing in the past, ninth grade offers you the opportunity to start fresh. However, should you find yourself struggling with assignments, I strongly encourage you to seek individual assistance from me. Indeed, it is your responsibility as a young adult to get help when you need it. I am available before and after school and my tutorial times are on the poster taped to my classroom door. 

     In May, students will take an end-of-course exam. I will be satisfied with nothing less than a 100% pass rate on this exam. Meeting this goal will take continuous hard work on the part of every student, their family members, and me, but by working together and continuing to hold high expectations for ourselves, we will all succeed.

     Thank you for your attention to this letter.  I look forward to an exciting year of instruction and getting to know you each of you in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Darla Miles