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=Welcome to Grade 7!=

September 2011 Dear Students and Families, Welcome to Grade 7! We are excited about the opportunity to get to know you, and we are looking forward to a happy and productive school year. “Success is not a place at which one arrives, but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.”

This means a couple of things. First, it means that although the end result (grades) are important, the journey that we take along the way as we curiously investigate the world around us, stretch our thinking, grow in character, and become a true community of learners is just as important as that end goal. What this also means is that we work together to have a successful expedition through seventh grade, we need to do it in the spirit of:
 * Being there – giving 100% in all that we do
 * Being responsible and disciplined
 * Planning, setting and meeting goals
 * Being a curious explorer- get your hands dirty and S-T-R-E-T-C-H your brain!
 * Making choices to be positive, encouraging and having great attitudes
 * Playing – Work made fun gets work done!

Seventh grade is a tremendously important year in your education. We will take steps together as you work towards success and prepare for your future. As we travel the road of this seventh grade trip together, you will be challenged to grow in many ways and, if you are willing to work hard, you will love the direction that this journey will take you in!

All Betty Gilbert school rules will apply in the classroom. Students are also asked to:
 * Rules:**
 * Show respect (to other people, the environment and yourself)
 * Do your best (which requires believing in yourself, being prepared and always trying as hard as you can)

At the beginning of class:
 * Procedures:**
 * Place agendas on top of your desk
 * Be seated and quiet
 * Place completed homework on desk


 * At the end of the day:**
 * Pack up your belongings only after you have been asked to do so
 * Clean the area around your desk before you leave

The purpose of homework is two-fold: to reinforce what we have learned in class, and to teach responsibility. A child who has done his/her homework is prepared, in class, to hear explanations of what he/she has had trouble with at home. A child without his homework done loses twice – both in learning through reinforcement, and in listening to explanations in class. We are trying, in grade 7 to help students develop good work habits for future years. Each evening, you can expect your child to arrive home with his/her homework written in the agenda. Please review this information daily, as we may write notes home occasionally in this space. When a child arrives to school without his homework done, it is our policy to send a “Homework Alert” home for parents to sign that evening.
 * __Homework:__**

Progress reports (weeklies) will be sent out weekly to inform you of what work was/was not completed and any behavior issues (good or bad). These are to be signed and brought back every Monday morning.
 * __Progress Reports:__**