Teacher	Policies	Homework
Announcements	Projects	Links
Study Hall	Student Work	SMS
Mr. Bond	Mrs. Bourque	Mr. Budaj
Mrs. Dennis	Mrs. Knowlton	Mr. Dean
Mrs. Vakalis	Mrs. Berthelette	Mrs. Hadjsalem

 
 
 
 
 

     It's that time of year again !!! My name is Michelle Farr, and I will be one of your child's teachers this year.  I have been teaching as a middle school special education teacher for 14 year. I began my teaching career in East Haddem, Connecticut.  Then I taught at a private school in Milford, Connecticut for 3 years. For the past 10 years I have been a teacher at Stafford Middle School in the 7/8 West Cluster.

    I graduated with a B.A. in Psychology/Special Education from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.  I later received my Masters degree in Special Education from Central Connecticut State University.

    In my free time I love to garden, cook, and spend time with family and friends.  My husband is a PE teacher for grades 1-5 in Windsor, Connecticut.  We have a tuxedo cat, named Spencer, who is quite the curious little one. He knows how to fetch and even growls at things, like the tape measure!!! A few years ago we also rescued a beagle/lad mix puppy from Arkansas. Her name is Abbe, and she looks just like a miniature black lab. She learned several tricks and commands the first few months she came to us and loves her treats. Each day when I come home from work she greets me at the door with kisses. This year when I go home I also look forward to my son, Jonathan's smile. He was born last school year during April vacation. He is such a happy and adoreble little boy who is constantly changing and accomplishing new milestones.

Mission Statement-
    "To create a positive learning environment where diversity is treasured and abilities are magnified."

Extra Help-
Support is always available during academic support. If students need further assistance, I am also available a few days a week after school excluding Tuesdays and some Wednesdays when I am in meeting or involved in the Arts and Crafts Club.  Students must check with me at least one day before staying after school.  This will make it possible for proper arrangements to be made, such as, parent pick up or signing up for the late bus in the mornings.

Contact-

Please feel free to contact me at 684-2785 or farrm@stafford.ctschool.net  if you have any questions or concern.  I will get back to you as soon as I can.

I look forward to meeting and speaking with you throughout the school year.

                    Sincerely,

                     Michelle Farr
 
 

POLICIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HOMEWORK POLICY     Homework is an integral part of the curriculum.  It can improve students thinking, memory, and help then to develop positive study skills.  Homework can also encourage them to use their time wisely and task responsibility for their work.       It is expected that homework is completed and handed in the day it is due.  If homework is not on time, they can receive partial credit if handed in the next day.  If the homework is not returned it will result in a zero. A detention will be given for every 3 homework assignments missed during each marking term.             *Projects that are handed in late will result in a loss of 10 points for each day late.      If a student is absent the day an assignment is given, it must be completed within 2 school days after they return (unless other arrangements are made at the teacher's discretion).  If the student is absent the day an assignment is due, it will be due the day they return.      Homework will be given most days including some Fridays.  It is the students' responsibility to call a buddy, check their teachers' homework web pages, and/or check the bulletin board for postings.  Students are expected to write their assignments in their assignment books on a daily basis.      PARENT STRATEGIES HOMEWORK HELPER HOMEWORK  SMS     Policies Menu

GRADING    POLICY       Students MUST be on time for class.  If a student is tardy to class and is without a pass, they will loss 1 point off their final grade after every third tardy.   The following criteria will be used to determine the marking term grades:          50% Tests/Quizzes/Projects          25% Homework          25% Class work  Any test/quiz below a 70% must be corrected and signed by parent/guardian.  If the signed test is not returned by the final due date a call will be made home.  In order to inform parents about student progress, progress notes will be sent home during the middle of each marking term to students whose grades fall below a C average.  One will also be sent home if grades drop drastically.  These progress notes must be signed and returned for a homework grade.  Policies Menu

BEHAVIOR   POLICY      Students must follow all school rules and expectations as listed in the student handbook. In addition, all students will:   1. Be prepared when bell rings (binder, writing utensil, journal, homework, assignment book, textbook)  2. Follow teacher directions without arguing  3. Raise your hand and wait quietly to be called on  4. Respect others and their property  5. No gum, food, or candy allowed (unless given teacher permission)  CONSEQUENCES include:  Verbal warning Lunch/ After school detention Phone call home Office referral     Policies Menu

NOTEBOOK POLICY      Students are required to keep classroom binders. However, this all depends upon the class/teacher they are in.  The binders are expected to be:   well organized  divided into the proper sections that were determined at the beginning of the school year first and last names written on all papers all papers/notes dated neatly written in (no unnecessary drawings on papers)     Notebook checks are conducted at least once a marking term when a unit or chapter has been completed. These notebook checks count as a quiz grade.         Policies Menu

STUDY HALL/ACADEMIC SUPPORT      Throughout the school year students will be working in my room during their assigned academic support days.  There are certain expectations and supports that are important for you to be aware of.  ASSIGNMENT BOOKS                     Assignment books are expected to be brought to academic support on a daily basis.  They will be checked and/or completed in the beginning of  academic support.  If a student does not bring their assignment book and/or other materials needed they only have the first 10 minutes to collect them from their lockers.  Also, if this becomes a habit, a call will be made home to discuss the issue.      2. BEHAVIOR POLICY                     Students MUST be on time for class.  If a student is tardy to  academic support and is without a pass, they will receive a detention after every third tardy.  Students must follow all school rules and expectations as listed in the student handbook. In addition, all students  will:   1. Be prepared when bell rings (binder, writing utensil, journal, homework, assignment book, textbook)  2. Follow teacher directions without arguing  3. Raise your hand and wait quietly to be called on  4. Respect others and their property  5. No gum, food, or candy allowed (unless given teacher permission)  CONSEQUENCES include:  Verbal warning Lunch/ After school detention Phone call home Office referral     3.  MAKEUP WORK                        If students miss a homework assignment, this will be the first assignment the student will complete for the teacher they owe the work to (if requested by the teacher).      4.  ABSENCES        If a student is absent, it is the students' responsibility to call a buddy, check their teachers' homework web pages, and/or check the bulletin board for postings found in the back of my room.  Students are expected to write their assignments in their assignment books.      5.   EXTRA HELP         Support is always available during academic support. If students need further assistance, I am also available a few days a week after school excluding Tuesdays and some Wednesdays when I am in meeting or involved in the Arts and Crafts Club.  Students must check with me at least one day before staying after school.  This will make it possible for proper arrangements to be made, such as, parent pick up or signing up for the late bus in the mornings.       Policies Menu

    Managing your time wisely can be very difficult for students in their middle school years.  Not only do students have to worry about what their homework is for the night, but also becoming more involved with extra-curricular activities and hanging out with their friends. Here are some helpful suggestions for you and your child that will help with their time- management skills.

1. Monitor homework assignments by checking assignment books and making sure they are filled out each day. If the assignment books are not being filled out the parent should contact one of the teachers ASAP.
2. Assign a quite and well lit place without distractions to complete homework.
3. Have a set time to complete homework (maybe after school once you have a snack).
4. Be sure to put homework in the proper folder/notebook so you can hand it in on time.
5. Be sure that everything you need to take to school the next day is in your backpack before you go to bed.

LANGUAGE ARTS

MATH

 
 
 
 
 
 

The Children's Literature Web Guide
Internet resources related to books for children and young adults.

Education Place
Internet source for students who are seeking text book support and a variety of graphic organizers.

Funbrain 
A variety of games to review english skills.

Idiom Site
This site explains the origins of some of our language's more colorful words and expressions.

Online! Citation Styles
This site provides citation styles for World Wide Web sites, Email messages, Web discussion forum posting, Listserv messages, and Newsgroup messages.  Detailed descriptions and examples of each are given for MLA, APA, Chicago, and CBE.

Puzzlemaker
Puzzlemaker is a puzzle generation tool for teachers, students and parents. Create and print customized word search, crossword and math puzzles using your word lists.
 
 

                                                                           BACK TO LINKS
  

Funbrain 
A variety of games to review math skills.

Education Place
Internet resources for students who are seeking text book support.

Math. com
Internet resources for student practice on various areas of mathematics.

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PROJECTS

 



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PROJECTS