Dear Parents and Students,

          Welcome! I am looking forward to this school year with you. My main goal for 
our class is to make you into a better reader, writer, thinker, and speaker. The purpose of our class is three-fold: 1) to introduce you to writing modes and ideas that interest you, 2) to maximize your progress in the skills of the language arts, and 3) to be part of the body of learners that seeks to answer essential questions about relationships, being a scholar and leader, and the ideas of identity and community. We will read plays, nonfiction articles, speeches and each other’s work.  We will be writing alone, in pairs, in groups we choose and to which we’re assigned, in response to ideas we see, hear, and invent.  We will be acting, discussing, drawing, playing, and most importantly, we’ll be building relationships with each other.  Often, we will be taking risks.

            I want to let you and your family know that your participation, attention, and sincerity will be vital parts of our class.  In fact, without you, this class cannot be what it promises to be.  All of the talents you possess have a place in what we’ll be learning this year; even the talents some may think don’t belong in school.  But sharing your talents with a room full of people requires a commitment from all of us to follow some guidelines that will make the classroom safe and comfortable. 

            In addition, here are several expectations I have of you, in order to make our class a place where we’re comfortable speaking when uncertain and trying when an experience is new:

• Approach all activities and assignments in this class with sincere effort and you will succeed.  In order to help all students progress as much as they can, I will be providing a variety of materials and challenges that are specifically designed for your individual learning needs. You can help me by letting me know early and often when you have particular learning needs that I should know about.  If you are not being challenged, or you encounter work you cannot complete even when all your talents are applied, please let me know.
• While I guarantee there will be lots of time for laughter, we will never engage in comments or conversations that are sarcastic, or intended to hurt others on the basis of their ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.  Due to its subjective nature, sarcastic humor directed at individuals or ideas is not allowed.
• “First Five-Last Five”:  The first five minutes and the last five minutes of class are vital.  Being on time means being in your seat ready to begin work.  You will start each day in our class on your own, by quietly completing the first item on the board (a warm up, journal, quiz, or taking out homework). If you arrive tardy, please sign in at the door before being seated.   The last five minutes are just as important: we review what we learned and discuss homework.  To make the most of this time, please wait for the teacher’s cue before starting to pack up.

Parents, please feel free to ask your students about how English class is going! Any encouragement and support will be appreciated. I am available through telephone communication or conferencing during lunch, 6th block, 7th block, advisory hours on Friday (8:30-9:15am), or after school. You can also contact me through email at nancy_bui@fuhsd.org or at 408-522-2400, extension 3878. I am looking forward to working with you to make this year exciting, productive, and interesting to you.  

Sincerely,

Nancy Bui