Sawgrass Spring Middle School

2016 2017
Mrs. Dai Tolkov
Math - Pre Algebra

Dear parents and guardians,

Welcome! During the upcoming school year, we will become partners in one of the most important jobs we
havehelping your child become all that he/she can be. My primary objective is to promote academic,
emotional, and social growth within students. The administrators, teachers, and guidance counselors at Sawgrass
Springs Middle School are committed to this concept in order to provide the best possible education for your
child. I ask you to participate with us to ensure an exciting and successful school year for each student.
One of our goals is to have your child find the joy in learning by encouraging him/her to participate fully in
schoolwork. Being prepared is the first step to success, so I expect students to have all of their necessary
supplies and assignments each day.
In order to develop good study habits, I suggest you plan with your child to set aside a daily study/homework
period at home. I have found this to be most successful when the same time period is used each day. Your child
has been given a planner, and I expect each of our students to copy the days homework into the plannerwordfor-wordfrom the assignment board at the beginning of each week. This valuable book will help your child
remember which assignments are due, assist in keeping you up-to-date on your childs progress, and serve as a
parent/teacher communication tool. I greatly appreciate your nightly review of assigned work. Please know
there is something to do at home each night for math class.
I know that as a person matures, it is essential that he/she learn to assume responsibility for his/her actions and
for the consequences of these actions. Please take a few moments with your child to review some basic
expectations and procedures.
SUPPLIES
Students should come to class each day with the following:
*
Textbook pages for the current unit of study (will be torn from the consumable textbooks
kept in class)
*
Looseleaf notebook paper and graph paper
*
A 3-prong pocket folder or a 3-ring binder to store the textbook pages, looseleaf paper
and graph paper
*
Number 2 pencils or mechanical pencils with extra lead
*
An eraser
*
Blue pens
*
A highlighter of any color
*
The Student Planner
ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments are NOT OPTIONAL. Homework is the most important part of studying math. With consistent
practice on these assignments, students will be better prepared for quizzes and tests. Homework will be
discussed the day after it is assigned in order to review and clarify concepts. A variety of special activities and
projects will be given throughout the year as well.

MAKE-UP WORK
It is the students responsibility to make up any work that he/she missed when absent from school in the manner
defined in the Broward County Student Code of Conduct (Please refer to the Broward County Student Code of
Conduct at www.ssms.org). To find out the assignment(s) you can check the class website or call a classmate.
NOTES
Students are responsible for recording notes in class for each lesson. General rule: If I write it, you write it.
NOTEBOOKS
Students will receive a Homework Assignment Notebook Rubric at the beginning of each unit. Students are
responsible for recording the dates on this document and keeping papers organized in date order. Homework
should immediately follow the notes from that lesson. At the end of each chapter students will remove the
chapter materials from their binder/folder and submit the Chapter Notebook using the rubric as a cover
sheet. This packet must be stapled for full credit.
CALCULATORS
Appropriate use of calculators will be taught as it pertains to certain math concepts and taking the FSA Exam.
The recommended calculator is the non-solar TI30xa. (note calculators will not be used until Unit 5 around late
February).

Grading Scale

Regular
50%
25%
20%
5%

Tests
Quizzes
Classwork/Homework
Projects

Advance

55%
25%
15%
5%

Test
Quizzes
Classwork/Homework
Project

** Check Pinnacle regularly. Have a clear idea of grades for assignments in each class.
CONDUCT
In alignment with Broward County School Board Character Education, the following rules will be incorporated into
my discipline plan:
Students will:
1)
Follow the Broward County Student Code of Conduct and this Math Contract to develop
CITIZENSHIP.
2)
COOPERATE by following all teacher directions.
3)
Be RESPONSIBLE for their own learning by completing all assignments and being on
time.
4)
Utilize SELF-CONTROL by behaving maturely.
5)
Show RESPECT by speaking and dressing appropriately.
6)
Demonstrate HONESTY by following proper testing procedures.
7)
Practice TOLERANCE by accepting differences in others.
8)
Exhibit KINDNESS by using good manners.
Feel free to contact me as questions or concerns arise. Email is BEST! (My email address is below.) PARENTS,
PLEASE EMAIL ME THIS WEEK TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS LETTER. Please put your childs name and class period in
the subject line.
I look forward to an exciting and rewarding partnership with you and your child. Please plan to attend Open
House on September 8th from 6-8pm.
Sincerely,
Dai Tolkov
dai.tolkov@browardschools.com