August 7, 2014

Dear Parents & Guardians,

My name is Mr. Haywood. I am your childs new English teacher. I have
taught social studies in the past; this is my first time teaching at John F. Kennedy
Memorial High School. I am pleased to have your 7
th
or 8
th
grade child in my
English classes. English is a very demanding, but rewarding course. My students
are expected to work hard and put forth their best effort. Homework will be
assigned at least once per week. Please check with your child about English
homework assignments. Self-discipline and good behavior are important!
Over the course of this school year students will be introduced to the
Common Core State Standards, a demanding set of learning & teaching goals
implemented by the Mississippi Department of Education and most other states
across the country. I believe the Common Core will prepare students at JFK to
compete with any student in the U.S. and across the world.
Students are required to have an English binder, Weekly Dailes
notebook, and Grammar Journal (two composition books). I expect students to
have all needed materials by Monday, August 18. I will check binders &
notebooks weekly as part of a participation grade.
The course syllabus and behavior contract I am sending home with your
child contains more information about expectations, classroom rules, and
classroom procedures.
Please feel free to schedule a conference with me by contacting the school
at (662) 741-2510.
I will also be contacting parents and students regularly using
Remind101, a tool that allows me to send one-way text messages. Parents and
students wont be able to reply to or contact the Remind101 number below. I will
update you about homework, tests, quizzes, projects, and other important
information. To sign up for Remind101:
English 7 Text @82fd15 to (662) 592-4319
English 8 Text @d7041 to (662) 592-4319
Homeroom Text @a473a to (662) 592-4319

A note about homeroom class:
Almost all rules that apply to my English classes apply to homeroom.
Students are expected to arrive on time. Students will be asked to keep their
voices at a level 0 (no talking) or level 1 (whispering). Also, bring something to
complete, read, or practice during every homeroom. It is not idle time!

I look forward to working with you and your child!

Best,


Mr. Jontarius Haywood