Welcome!

This year, due to the need to communicate with so many students and parents digitally, I am trying my hand at making a website for Open House. It's a little rough around the edges, but hopefully it gives you all the information you need! Please follow the instructions below, and if you have any questions as you are reading through the information below, include them in the email I requested from you. I will get back to you as soon as physically possible. Thank you for the assistance in this unusually challenging year! -Ken Crimmins

ALL PARENTS PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: kenneth.crimmins@osceolaschools.net

-Student Name

-What period the student has me for class

-Parent Name

-Parent Email Address and Phone Number (The BEST ONE TO REACH YOU AT)

-DOES YOUR STUDENT HAVE ANY ALLERGIES?

-Is there anything you think I should know about your student before beginning the year (Are they easily distracted by friends, do they have a history of not doing homework, should I be watching them so they don't set fires in the classroom, ETC.)

Supplies

Lysol Wipes
box of tissues
Pens/Pencils
A Folder or Binder
Headphones

Classroom Expectations   

Always follow the school rules inside the classroom.   
Be respectful to your teacher, peers, and property.   
Be prepared for and engaged in what is happening in the classroom.

Computer Expectations   

Every student will have access to a computer periodically in the classroom. Students are expected to use the computers properly and agree to the rules and procedures described on the school computer contract before use.

Classwork Policy   

Learning is growth, and making mistakes is okay! If performance is not up to a student’s expectation and they have shown sincere effort during class time, Extra Credit opportunities will be provided upon request until two weeks prior to the end of a given quarter. Students are expected to work and learn until a mastery of Florida State’s ELA standards is reached.

Homework Policy   

Traditional Homework in my class is kept relatively minimal. Due to this fact, when assignments are given, they are to be completed on time, in complete sentences, and to be the unique work of the student turning in the assignment. Assignments that do not adhere to these three qualities will receive a score of 0, and no opportunity to make up the work will be extended.

Absence Policy   

If you are absent for any reason, you will be responsible for completing missed work. You are allowed two days to make-up work for every one day that you are absent. Students are responsible for requesting their own missing work.

Grading Scale

Formative 45%

Summative 35%

Class PArticipation 10%

Intervention 10%

All grades can be checked online Through FOCUS

Formative and summative are written classwork and tests. Class participation refers to behavior and engagement in class. Intervention refers to all work completed during the day’s Intervention period

		Email kenneth.crimmins@osceolaschools.net

	Phone 407-870-0857

I invite you to contact me through EMAIL before calling the school. I receive emails directly to my phone, which is almost always on me, and in most cases I can respond to you within 24 hours.

Deadline extensions for in-class or at-home assignments will only be given with prior notice of inability to complete work, or in provable extreme circumstances. I encourage you to reach out to me with any issues that will affect the completion or quality of work. As long as I know before the due date, I am usually generous.

Mr. Crimmins: English Language Arts: Kenneth.crimmins@osceolaschools.net

Welcome,

Thank you for already taking an interest in your child’s schooling; it is great to have your support! I am excited to be a part of your child’s 8^th grade school year and am looking forward to working with you and your family throughout the year.

Please feel free to contact me at any point during the school year. If you are concerned about something that is happening in my class, or if you would just like to speak about your child’s progress, I would be happy to speak with you. You will find my contact information at the top of this letter. Due to my other professional and personal responsibilities I ask that you please allow up to 48 hours (2 days) for a response; however, I will do my best to respond within 24. If you wish to inquire about grades, I ask that you do so two weeks or more prior to the end of each quarter so that your student has ample opportunity to complete any additional assignments they receive. I expect 8^th grade students to be somewhat independent, and to REQUEST opportunities to better their grades when needed. While I will certainly let the students know if I see their grades are not up to par, they will be responsible for taking the steps to fix the problem on their own. While I am known to give extra credit upon request, asking for extra credit during the two weeks before grades are being sent home is considered “Too Little, Too Late”, in my classroom.

Due to the impact of the coronavirus, we would like to stay clean and healthy by using Lysol wipes on any shared equipment or high touch surfaces regularly. If you can send a package of wipes to class, it would be greatly appreciated! This helps me greatly, because these items are in short supply, and are often subject to quantity limits on purchases. Sanitizer will be provided in part by the school, but it will not be enough to keep the classroom as clean as I want it to be. Your child will also need a pair of headphones for listening to videos or reading on the computer. Other items that would be appreciated for the classroom are tissues and Paper Towels. Students are encouraged to bring a binder to contain the physical handouts they will receive in class. All students will have access to a standard 3-hole punch. Most other school supplies that your child needs will be provided for them in this class.

My goals for this year are two-fold. My primary goal is to prepare students for the linguistic challenges they will face in dealing with both Fictional and Informational texts in high school, higher education, and the working world beyond. It is my intention for ALL my students to leave this school in May overly prepared for the new difficulties and challenges which await them both digitally and physically. My secondary goal is to familiarize students with the process of how learning works and to hopefully change the minds of those students who do not believe themselves capable of academic success. In my class, I have found that when a student has low grades it is rarely representative of their competency. Usually the reason is their work ethic or a lack of self-confidence. I will strive to create an environment where whichever element needs support is given as much as I can provide.

This year will be an exceptional challenge, and we are all as a community required to rise and overcome the difficulties we will be presented with. Know that I am here to support you in any way I can, and that ultimately, your and your child’s mental and physical health take priority over any academic concerns. If there is something going on which is causing difficulties for your student in completing their work, reach out to me and I will most assuredly help. The only issues I cannot work with are the ones I don’t know about.

Thank you again for your support!
Regards,
Mr. Kenneth Crimmins (Kenneth.crimmins@osceolaschools.net)