Ms.+Pringle's+Welcome+Letters+for+7th+and+8th+Grade+Families

Ms. Pringle's Welcome to 7th Grade Families! September 8, 2015

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Relatives;

Part I: Getting to Know Me… Please allow me this opportunity to welcome you and your family to our incoming seventh grade class, where our motto for the upcoming year is, “Exceed expectations and go beyond the norm”. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to have the opportunity to join forces with you in what will be our most successful year at Fitler Academics Plus. The energy level will continue to soar throughout the building and I already have many wonderful things planned for an action packed school year. I would like to start out by introducing myself and telling you a little bit about my vision. My name is Rachael Pringle, and I am heading into my eighth year as an educator at Fitler Academics Plus. In addition to adding both a 7-9 Math Certification (April 2013) and 7-12 English Certification (September 2009), to my Master’s degree and Certification in Elementary Education, I also have an Undergraduate degree in Theatre from Temple University. I am currently teaching 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts and it will conceivably be your child’s most challenging and exciting academic year to date. I am a strong advocate for public school education. I believe everyone is entitled to the best education available and shouldn’t have to pay for it. I also see the public school system as a way of keeping our communities together. I am very “old school”, in that I believe it takes a village to raise a child. In today’s society especially, keeping children on the right path is a very difficult road to take alone, (I say this as a single parent who counts on the support of many individuals). This means as a teacher, I cannot do it alone. I will need your help, both in and out of the classroom. I am only a part of the equation; I become an extension of you from September 9th until June 19th. For ten months, your children will find their home away from home in room 305 for ELA. It is my mission to provide a safe environment for our children. Our classroom will be a trusting community where all students can be risk takers with their learning. They will be encouraged to ask questions and I will be challenging them to apply the highest critical thinking skills to their everyday lives. I believe each child is capable of learning. I also feel children (and adults) learn in many different ways. I will find the way(s) in which your child learns best and incorporate it into our lessons. I will have only the highest expectations of our children because when you aim high great things can be achieved. I am also a believer in celebrating family. This means bringing culture into our classroom. I want our children to know that their lives have meaning. As soon as they walk through the door on the first day of school they will know they are a valuable part of our immediate family in room 305 as well as our extended family at Fitler. We will celebrate the individual. Each voice will be heard.

Part II: The 7th Grade Journey Begins: As we embark on the most critical academic year for your seventh grade student, I put together a rather challenging and comprehensive reading assignment that was to be completed this summer. This was a mandatory assignment. Students were to return with their completed assignments on the first day of school, as we will begin to discuss each book at great length. I have plenty of group and individual projects planned the first few weeks of school, and I am planning to use an idea from one of the books as our service learning project for seventh grade.

The seventh grade year is the most critical year for high school admittance. All special admit, city-wide, and charter high schools will be looking at PSSA standardized test results from the 2014-2015 academic year, the four-term cumulative grades, attendance records, and behavior comments for seventh grade. Most high schools will permit no-more than 5 lateness’ or 10 UNEXCUSED absences, (the bus not showing up, late wake-up, sick parent, or stayed home due to field trip are NOT excused by the district). They are looking for 88% and above in ALL standardized tests, and A/B averages with only some schools permitting a ‘C’ in a MINOR subject (Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies are major!). The field is extremely competitive and I will do my best to ensure that your child has every opportunity to make it into a special select high school. However, that being said, it is up to your child to bring their ‘A’ game from the 9th of September through June 19th of next year. I am cutting all umbilical cords from this point on. ALL students must become fully accountable and responsible for their education and futures. The assignment I sent home for the summer was the beginning of the hardest year academically for your child. It acts as an excellent indicator of my high expectations as a teacher and mentor. The grades for this assignment will be the first for the marking period and there will be assessments given in both comprehension and vocabulary within the first several weeks of school to confirm all students completed the assignments in the proficient and advanced manner I am expecting. I consider myself to be a high school preparatory teacher and mentor. We will be all about the academics in seventh grade. There is little, if any, room for error. If this sounds harsh, please forgive me, however I have only the highest expectations, (for all my students) at heart. I will keep my expectations at the same level as I have these past seven years, but please know, the content is much more difficult and the homework will increase as the year progresses. In seventh grade, there is room only for success and positive learning environments. Students will need to find a way to leave their elementary thought process behind and step into a more mature social and educational atmosphere. We can accomplish this together, as a team. On that note, I possess only the deepest concern and best intentions for each and every child who enters my classroom. I intend to see all 54 of my seventh grade students succeed. I know that with your help and their "A" games, we will reach greater heights! Communication is a critical component to the success of my students. I have developed a communication network that has proven to be a winner over the years. In my attempt to maintain strong, positive relationships with all of my families, I encourage you to reach me during the day, (215-951-4009), or in the evenings, (484-412-8605; 6pm-8pm), to discuss your child’s progress. I have designed a Wikispace especially for room 305. I am in the process of updating it for the current school year which includes both the seventh and eighth grade Literacy curriculum overview, and other pertinent information I feel you should have. You can reach the site by going to:

http://hivealive.wikispaces.com

I encourage you to check the Wikispace out and see what last year looked like in terms of content and homework. In addition, I send out daily and weekly emails with updates and homework assignments. Daily homework will be posted to Wiki and any changes or updates will be made directly to the homework page.

Here’s to an excellent partnership and an A+ year,

Rachael A. Pringle rapringle205@gmail.com or rapringle@philasd.org

Ms. Pringle's Welcome to 8th Grade Families! September 8, 2015

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Relatives;

The 8th Grade Journey Begins:

As we embark on a critical academic year for your eighth grade student, I put together a rather challenging and comprehensive reading assignment that was to be completed over the summer. This was a mandatory assignment and was handed out at the beginning of June.

Students were to return with their completed assignments today, as we will begin to discuss each book at great length. I have plenty of group and individual projects planned the first few weeks of school, and I am planning to use an idea from one of the books as our service learning project for eighth grade.

As you know, last year was a very crucial year for your children, as high schools will be looking at their seventh grade transcripts later this fall. Many students feel that once they get passed 7th grade, they can sit back, kick back, and chill for the 8th grade year. NOTHING CAN BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!

It will be equally important for your child to put their absolute best foot forward both academically and behaviorally from September 8th through June 22nd. Ms. Simms, Mrs. Hensford, and I will be working with our 8th graders as they start their high school applications. We will be available to offer assistance and guidance as to which schools would best work for each student based on their interests and 7th grade transcripts.

In addition, Mrs. Hensford and I have many exciting things planned for this 8th grade class. Last year, our students took a trip to New York and participated in a Hip-Hop Tour, Soul Food Luncheon, and some free time to explore Harlem. Students also opted to have their eighth grade luncheon on board the Spirit of Philadelphia. We took four trips to the Free Library of Philadelphia to meet with some very exciting authors. We held class elections, and students documented it all with an amazing yearbook. The year rounded off with a very tight race for our top honors in the graduating class, (Only .10% separated our top four students).

This year, communication will be a critical component to the success of our students. I have developed a communication network that has proven to be a winner over the years. In my attempt to maintain strong, positive relationships with all of my families, I encourage you to reach me during the day, (215-951-4009), or in the evenings, (484-412-8605; 6pm-8pm), to discuss your child’s progress.

I have maintained a Wikispace, which was designed especially for room 305, for the past five years. I am in the process of updating it for the current school year which includes both the seventh and eighth grade ELA curriculum overview, and other pertinent information. You can reach the site by going to:

http://hivealive.wikispaces.com

Daily homework will be posted to Wiki and any changes or updates will be made directly to the homework page.

I thank you in advance for your support and cooperation throughout the 2014-2015 school year.

Here’s to an excellent partnership and an A+ year!

Rachael A. Pringle <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 170%;">rapringle205@gmail.com or rapringle@philasd.org

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 [6PM-8PM] 6:00-7:00: 7th Grade families should report to Room 304 8th Grade families should report to Room 305

7:00-8:00pm 7th Grade families should report to Room 305 8th Grade families should report to Room 304

*We are looking for as many parents to join our Home & School Association this year. We need our parents to help make Fitler a stronger school community. HSA will have a table set up at Back to School Night. Please stop by and get in on the action! We need you!!!