Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Oak Hill Middle School.  This year we want you to “Find Out How Good You Can Be (F.O.H.G.Y.C.B.)”.    We believe that smart is something you become, not something you are.  Any student who is willing to work hard and put in his or her best EFFORT will be successful.   We are looking forward to a great year, and we thought this is a good time to share some important information with you. In addition, PLEASE read the Oak Hill Handbook which is on the Oak Hill web site. Remember, education is a team effort.

Homework:  Students should expect to get around one to one and a half hours of homework a night.  An important part of sixth grade is learning to manage time and work.  This means students will be getting extended, long-term and ongoing assignments that should be worked on when there is time.  

Late Work and Unfinished Work:  It is not acceptable for students to have unfinished work or to finish work late.  In rare cases we realize there may be extenuating circumstances.  We ask parents to send us a note to let us know when that is the case.  Otherwise, students should realize that late or unfinished work will affect their progress and their grades.  We will try to notify students and parents about missing homework, but it is important to realize that finishing homework is the student’s responsibility.

Assignment Book:  All students have assignment books.  It is their responsibility to fill them out every day for each of their four core subjects. (English, Math, Science and Social Studies.)  Students have been instructed to write down NONE in their homework book when there is no homework for a class.  Parents should check the assignment book as frequently as needed.  

Team Website: Additionally, we ENCOURAGE parents and students to check the Team’s web site daily at http://team64homework.blogspot.com after 5:00 PM to read not only the homework for that night but any other messages that relate to what is happening on our Team.  This is an important method of communication from us to you and contains many links which are helpful when doing homework.

Supplies:  Hopefully, you have seen our supply list.  Please make sure your scholar has his or her supplies by Monday, September 9.  In addition, please send in a check made out to “Oak Hill Middle School” for $24 to cover the cost of the grammar workbook, Time for Kids, and a pair of goggles for science that will be used throughout middle school. We realize that these are challenging economic times for many. If your family needs help with this, please let us know and we will make arrangements to help.

Classroom Store:  Students are expected to come to school prepared each day.  We realize that there are times when materials get lost or misplaced.  Ms. Sullivan will have a supply of materials:  pencils, pens (including red) and highlighters for sale at a nominal fee.

Independent Reading:  Students are expected to engage in independent reading for at least two and a half hours a week in addition to silent reading during EXTENSION.  Each student should have an independent reading book with them in school. In addition to the Newton library and the school library, there are books available in Mr. Bunting’s classroom for students to borrow.  Students will be responsible for completing a “Reading Log” documenting their reading.

Communication: We want to maintain open and easy lines of communication between parents, students and teachers.  Please help us by keeping in touch about important changes in student’s lives and keeping contact information up to date. The first progress report will be sent home the week of October 15th, and the first term ends Wednesday, November 27.  The first report card will be available electronically about a week after that date.  

Team 6-4 Parent Coffee:  Parents are invited to a coffee on Friday, Sept. 13th from 8:00 to 8:30 in the morning in Room 150.  This will give you a chance to meet us and other parents from Team 6-4.

EXTENSION:  We want EXTENSION to be a time during the day when students have a chance to get extra help, do enrichment activities, work on organization, and begin to develop freedom and responsibility to manage their own time.  EXTENSION is not a time to socialize.  The first half of EXTENSION each day will be devoted to silent reading.  The second half of EXTENSION will be used for extra help, organization, catching up on missed work including tests and quizzes, enrichment and homework.  NOTE:  Chorus, Band, Orchestra, Learning Center and Speech & Language also take place during EXTENSION.

Absence or tardiness:  If your child is absent or tardy a note is required by the office.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at anytime during the year. You will be receiving a separate mailing regarding our “Listening Conferences”.  We are looking forward to a great year and to seeing everyone at the:

1. Supplies and Check for $24 due no later than Monday, September 9.
2. Team 6-4 Parent Coffee on Friday, Sept. 13 at 8:00 AM in Room 150
3. Whole Sixth Grade Parent Coffee Monday, Sept. 16 at 8:00 a.m. in the Oak Hill Library
4. CURRICULUM NIGHT on Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 PM.

                                                Sincerely,

                                                Norma Sullivan, Chuck Bunting and

                                                            Jane MacNeil

 Parents-

• Please initial the student assignment book tonight in the “F/T Comments” (F/T) section for Tuesday on the bottom of Page 16 indicating that you have read this letter. Look for where your child has highlighted this.
• FYI:  At this point we have a field trip planned for September 26th to Camp Chickami.  We will be sending home forms and information.

For Your Fridge:

Contact info

TEAM 6-4 Website:

http://team64homework.blogspot.com