Welcome Back!

Social Studies and Literature

Mrs. Satkoff

email: satkoff@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

Opportunity Session:  Wednesdays

 Welcome to the 2023-2024 School year!

“Those who trust in the Lord…will soar on wings like eagles.”  Isaiah 40:31

“Once and Eagle, always an Eagle”  Celebrating 25 years

Curriculum Social Studies

6th Grade:  Ancient World History

7th Grade:  Civics with Economics

8th Grade:  American History

Grading for Social Studies and Literature

Grading is done on a point system.

Tests and Projects will be 100 points.

Quizzes can be 10-50 points depending on the type.

Classwork is 5-25 points.

Homework is 5 points.

Some assignments will be started in class and finished at home.  These assignments will count as classwork.

 

Schoology

All assignments, tests, and quizzes in Social Studies will have information on Schoology.  Students should check their calendar for upcoming due items and assessments.

 

WELCOME 

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I am beyond excited to begin another exciting school year of learning and growing both academically and spiritually. 

 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY 

My teaching philosophy incorporates an array of teaching methodologies that integrates a multi-sensory approach to mathematics and a deeper understanding of concepts by continually aligning the standards to real world scenarios. 

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS 

 

Respect and Responsibility: 

  • Treat all classmates, teachers, and staff with kindness and respect. 
  • Take responsibility for your actions, words, and belongings. 
  • Listen actively when others are speaking and raise your hand to contribute. 

Punctuality and Preparedness: 

  • Arrive to class on time with all necessary materials. 
  • Complete and submit assignments by the given deadlines. 
  • Be ready to engage in learning from the moment the class begins. 

Active Participation: 

  • Engage actively in class discussions, activities, and group work. 
  • Ask questions, seek clarification, and share your thoughts and ideas. 
  • Participate in a positive and meaningful way, contributing to the learning environment. 

Academic Integrity: 

  • Always do your own work and give credit to others’ ideas when using them. 
  • Avoid cheating, plagiarism, and any form of dishonesty in your academic pursuits. 

Organization and Neatness: 

  • Keep your workspace clean, organized, and free of distractions. 
  • Maintain an orderly and organized arrangement for your materials and belongings. 

Effort and Growth: 

  • Strive to do your best and put in consistent effort in your studies. 
  • Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. 
  • Learn from mistakes and setbacks, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

 

 

ACADEMICS 

 

Point System Grading: 

  • Scoring Basis: A point system assigns a specific number of points to each assignment, test, or project based on its difficulty and significance. 
  • Total Points: Throughout the grading period, you accumulate points from all completed assignments and assessments. 
  • Calculation: Your grade is determined by the total points you earned divided by the maximum points possible. 
  • Fairness: Each assignment’s point value reflects its importance, ensuring that major assessments have a greater impact on your grade. 
  • Focus on Mastery: Point systems emphasize mastery of content rather than the specific number of assignments completed. 

Schoology: 

  • About: Schoology is an online platform designed to facilitate digital learning, communication, and collaboration between educators, students, and parents. 
  • Course Management: All course content including assignments and assessments will be managed via Schoology. 
  • Calendar and Notifications: The platform offers a calendar feature to keep track of assignments, due dates, and events, coupled with notification alerts. 
  • Parent Access: Parents can create accounts to monitor their child’s academic progress, view assignments, grades, and communication from teachers. 

 

 

Grades: 

  • RenWeb:  RenWeb is the official gradebook used by BTCS. Checking grades online provides you with real-time insights into your child’s academic progress. It’s an effective way to stay informed about their achievements and areas that may need extra attention. By regularly reviewing their grades, you can offer timely support and celebrate their accomplishments, contributing to their overall success in school. 
  • Missing Assignments: Math assignments are critical practice to ensure understanding of material. A student will receive a referral for every 3 missed assignments. 
  • Late Assignments: For the first grading period, late assignments will be accepted for half credit if received the following school day. Late assignments will not be accepted after the first grading period.  
  • Absences: Students have the same number of days that he/she was absent to make-up work. Absent work should be submitted via email instead of Schoology. 

 

OPPORTUNITY SESSIONS 

Opportunity Sessions Opportunity Sessions for math will be held every Tuesday from 2:50 pm – 3:30 pm in room 210. Students not picked up by 3:30 pm will be signed into extended care. 

Those who trust in the Lord …will soar on wings like eagles.”  Isaiah 40:31 

Mrs. Hoyos

hoyos@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

 

 

Middle School Language Arts

“Those who trust in the Lord …will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31

                                                                                 “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle”  Celebrating 25 years

email contact: volpi@blessedtrinitycatholicschool.org

Updated August 2023

Welcome to our class! My name is Mr. Volpi, and my primary concern is to give your child a quality Language Arts education rooted in Catholic values. In our English classes, we’ll focus on proper grammar, punctuation and mechanics, and spelling; careful and considered writing and essay composition; and creative, fun media presentations. In Literature, we’ll read a combination of Classical and Modern texts (informational, historical, poetical, argumentative/persuasive, short story, novel and play texts–just to name a few!). We’ll engage in respectful, robust class discussions pertaining to our readings, in addition to doing a variety of assignments and projects!

This year’s (’23-’24) Novel List (subject to change):

6th Grade: Refugee by Alan Gratz, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Grimms’ Fairy Tales (selected tales) by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

7th Grade: Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

8th Grade: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (on which this year’s 8th Grade Play is based!), Animal Farm by George Orwell, and The Diary Of A Young Girl: The Definitive Edition by Anne Frank

Day and Time of Help Sessions:  Help session will meet in the Science Lab on Monday, 2:50-3:30 p.m.  Students not picked up by 3:30 pm will signed into extended care.

Class Rules and Expectations:  Each student is expected to:  1.)  Be punctual to each class meeting.  2.)  Be properly dressed in school uniform; 3.) Have available all class materials (notebook, iPad, blue or black ink pen and/or pencil, etc.); 4.) Participate in class activities (please raise your hand until called on); 5.) Respect one another by being polite, civil and courteous.

 

Assignments and Assessments:  These are accessed and completed via the Schoology app, which is on your child’s iPad.  Assignment due dates are posted therein.  It is the student’s responsibility to stay abreast of all upcoming assignments and assessments via the calendar.

Grades:  Each assignment is worth a total of (see below) points.  The student’s total course grade is determined by dividing the student’s overall earned points by the total amount of available course points.

  • Tests and Major Assignments:  60-100 points
  • Class Presentations: 40-50 points
  • ‘Pop’ and Announced Quizzes:  15-40 points
  • Class and Homework:  5-10 points

*During the first quarter, late work will receive half credit.  After the first quarter, no late work will be accepted.

*Middle School students have P.E. each Tuesday and Thursday and are expected to arrive in their appropriate attire. Please see the handbook for further details.

Absence/Make-up Work Policy:  Students should have the same number of days that he/she was absent (excused due to illness) to make up work. Students can track along with what they’ve missed in Schoology.

Subject Focus:  6th Grade Homeroom, English, and Literature (Section 2); 7th Grade English and Literature (Section 2); and 8th Grade English and Literature

Noteworthy Upcoming Assessments: 

6th Grade – English Test: Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Unit 1 — 80-pt. test Tuesday, 8/29

7th Grade – English Test: Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Unit 1 — 80-pt. test Tuesday, 8/29

8th Grade – English Test: Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, Unit 1 — 80-pt. test Tuesday, 8/29

Literature: **All classes** —

Please get a copy of our first novel (the first listed in the above ‘Novel List’ for your child’s grade/class). We begin our novel unit Tuesday, 9/5.

6th Grade (Section 2) – ‘Overcoming Fear: Symbol Project’ – Poster presentations begin this week (50-pt. assignment)

7th Grade (Section 2) – ‘Mythological Character: Myth Creation Project’ – Poster presentations begin this week (50-pt. assignment)

8th Grade – ‘Logo Design: Real-World Product Creation Project’ – Poster presentations begin this week (50-pt. assignment)

posted 8/3/2023