Mr.

Kim Fall 2020

Dear Parents and Students,

It is my absolute pleasure to be your Algebra I teacher in this upcoming

2020 school year. My name is Mr. Kim, and I am a first-year teacher at
Capistrano Valley High School. I received my BS in pure mathematics
from University of California, Irvine, and a MA in pure mathematics from
California State University, Long Beach. I have worked as a tutor helping
students become more confident and stronger mathematicians for a
little over ten years now, and I look forward to now working with your
child and doing the same. I will do everything I can to support your child
and help them grow as a mathematician.

Mathematics is best learned not by hearing, but by doing. In this

classroom, I want students to be active learners who are curious and ask
questions, often take risks, and are not afraid to make mistakes. I will
foster a classroom environment that is positive, safe, and supportive
where students know they are not on this journey alone. We will learn
and grow as mathematicians with one another, collaborate regularly,
and have meaningful mathematical conversations on a regular basis.

In this course, students will enhance their problem solving and critical
thinking skills as well as learn the California Common Core State
Standards for Algebra I. This course will bridge the concrete to the
abstract study of mathematics as students will study topics that include
simplifying expressions, evaluating and solving equations and
inequalities, and graphing linear and quadratic functions and relations.
Real word applications will be presented within the course content, and
conceptual and procedural fluency will be emphasized throughout the
Mr. Kim year.

Room F-2
School Number: (XXX) XXX-XXXX
Email: pskim@capousd.org
In Person: By Appointment Only
Lastly, I invite you to Open House on February 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm if you
would like to meet and talk and get to know more about the class. If
you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me anytime via
email at pskim@capousd.org or at the
school number (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
Please, never hesitate to reach me.
I look forward to an exciting school
year ahead!

Sincerely,
Mr. Kim
Mr. Kim Fall 2020

Classroom Rules and Expectations

1. Students will be on-time, on-task, and prepared to learn every day.
2. Students will be respectful to the teacher, to the classroom, and other classmates.
3. ALL electronics (iPods, cell phones, gaming devices, ear buds, etc.) are to be put away during class
4. Students will raise their hands to speak and will remain quiet while someone else is speaking.
5. No food or drinks allowed in the classroom (except water)
6. Students will use polite and appropriate language at all times.
7. Students will be expected to actively participate in class discussions, individual work, and group activities.
8. Students will make mistakes, learn from them, and continuing grown as mathematicians.
9. Students will have a positive attitude and put forth their best effort at all times.

8. Students will have a positive attitude and put forth their best effort at all times.

Consequences

1. First Strike: Teacher will provide a verbal warning.

2. Second Strike: Teacher will have a one-on-one meeting with the student.
3. Third Strike: Teacher will have a meeting with the student and the
student’s parents.
4. Fourth Strike: Teacher will have a meeting with the student, the student’s
parents, and the counselor.

Cheating

Cheating will NOT be tolerated in this class. Any student caught cheating and/or copying from another student
or resource on homework assignments, quizzes, or exams will be given a ZERO grade and will be referred to the
Assistant Principal for parent contact as well as possible disciplinary action. Cheating includes, but is not limited
to: having any electronic device on or near you; use of ear buds or headphones; any study guides, notes,
homework, etc. not put away and hidden from view; trying to pass off someone else’s knowledge/work as your
own; copying from solutions manuals or internet sites without proper citing; writing formulas, problems, or
solutions on your body, clothing, desk, etc. during an assessment. Any student caught stealing an exam or quiz
or have access to a stole exam or quiz may be subject to removal from the class with a FAILING grade.
Mr. Kim Fall 2020

Attendance Policy

Students are encouraged to attend all classes

Tardy Policy
on a regular basis. Regular attendance will help
the student have a more successful school
year. Parents are encouraged to maintain Students are expected to arrive to
regular contact with the attendance office staff class prepared and on time. You
regarding absences. After three unexcused will be considered tardy to my class
absences, a student is considered truant. if you are not in your assigned seat
Parents will be sent a letter notifying them that when the tardy bell rings. Tardies
their child is habitually unexcused/truant. will be dealt with according to
Additional unexcused absences/truancies will school policy.
prompt a mandatory meeting with the District
Attorney’s office and potential prosecution.

Homework Policy

Homework is an integral part of this course and will be assigned on a daily basis (even over the weekend)
either from the textbook, a worksheet, or sometimes both. In order to earn credit, all homework must be
done in PENCIL, must be neat and eligible, ALL work must be clearly shown, and every problem must be at
least attempted. Copying answers from the back of the book or from another student is considered
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY and will be dealt with accordingly.

Grading
Students will earn points for exams, quizzes, homework, 90-100% A
projects (both individual and group), and participation. 80-89% B
70-79% C
Exams quizzes, unit projects, and semester final will make 60-69% D
up 90% of the overall grade. 50-59% F

Homework, class participation, and in-class projects will

make up the remaining 10%.
Mr. Kim Fall 2020

Starting and Ending Class:

At the start of each class period, students are expected to come into class and be seated in their seats before the tardy
bell rings. Students should have their homework and any other materials out so that they are ready to work as soon as
the tardy bell rings. At the end of each class period, students are expected to remain in their seats and continue working
until the bell rings. At no point should students pack up early unless otherwise instructed by the teacher.

Collecting and Returning Work:

Every day, students should have their homework on their desk at the beginning of class. Either the teacher will ask
students to pass up their homework down the row, or the teacher may walk by and check it for completion while students
work on that day’s warm-ups. On days the homework is collected, students will be able to pick it up the following day in
the designated box near the door.

Managing Late or Missing Work:

Any late or missing work will be accepted for up to half credit if done extremely well and turned in within the next 2 class
meetings. If students have an excused absence (due to illness, medical appointments, funerals, and any other even that
the school deems as excused) on days homework is due, they may turn it in for full credit upon their return. If their
absence is unexcused (non-medical, appointment, vacations, and any event the school deems as unexcused) or if they
are truant, their homework will be considered late and can only earn up to half credit.

Group Work:
When engaging in group work, every student is expected to stay on task, participate, work hard, and do their part.
Students are expected to support one another and encourage one another. During group work, students will be
assigned specified tasks and expected to complete it together. Every student is expected to contribute to the task at
hand because we are all part of the team.

Transitions:
When transitioning from one activity to the rest, the teacher will get the class’s attention during which he will expect all
students to stop what they are doing. As the teacher explains the next activity, students are expected to listen quietly
and carefully, so that students know what to do next.

Moving About the Classroom:

Students may get up to get a tissue, sharpen their pencil, or get supplies within the classroom at any time. Students
may use the bathroom by raising their hand and asking for permission. Students must take the hall pass placed near
the entrance of the door. Only one student may go to the bathroom at any given time, and no students will be
permitted to leave class during the first or last 20 minutes of class, per school policy.

Requesting for Help:

During class, students may raise their hand at any time during the lesson in which they have a question or need help.
Students may also come in during lunch time if they have any questions or need extra support. Students can also email
the teacher before 9:30 PM if they have any last-minute questions or concerns. Any emails after 9:30 PM will not be
read until the next day.
Mr. Kim Fall 2020

Parents: I encourage you to monitor your child’s progress on a regular basis throughout the school
year. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s progress
in our class. Communication is extremely important – please don’t wait until the end of the semester
to voice your concerns!

Please read our class syllabus CAREFULLY and COMPLETLEY before signing below!

By signing below, you agree with the following:

 I have read the syllabus with my child, _____________________________________________,
and have discussed the course requirements and class expectations with my child.
 I pledge to support and encourage my child to fulfill these requirements and expectations.
 I understand that it is important for students to complete their work on time.
 I understand that classroom policies are subject to change at the teacher’s discretion.

_______________________________________ ___________________________________________
PRINT Parent’s Name Parent’s Signature

________________________ ________________ ______________________________________

Parent’s Phone Number Best Time To Call Parent’s Email Address

Is there anything you would like me to know about your child that may affect his/her performance in
this class? If so, please explain:
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