St. Luke Junior High

1. St. Luke Junior High Welcome meeting www.saintlukeparish.org/school/

2. St. Luke Junior High Teachers Mr. Bill Andrews – 7th & 8th Grade Social Studies, 7th Grade Religion, 7th Grade HR Miss Katherine Blum – 7th & 8th Grade Reading, 7th Grade English, 7th Grade HR Mrs. Karen Blair – 7th & 8th Grade Math, 8th Grade Religion, 8th Grade HR Mrs. Kim Ritter – 7th & 8th Grade Science, 8th Grade English, 8th Grade HR

3. Order of Evening 7:00-7:20 General Session in Parish Center • Meet JH core teachers • Overview of information as it pertains to the JH 7:20-9:00 Follow Your Student’s Schedule(15 min. per class) • Meet each teacher more informally • Learn about • Course of study in each class • Particulars to that content area or teacher • Peruse your child’s classroom “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

4. Framework of JH Instruction Archdiocese of Cincinnati Graded Course of Study drives content. • Presentation of content is based on student prior knowledge and student learning styles Methods of instruction are geared towards higher-order thinking while meeting students where they are. Content material is offered in multiple modalities (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) Students are exposed to STEM curricula to enhance application of learned material in real-world settings Students are offered periodic advanced or supplemental activities to deepen content knowledge Dr. Jim Riggs, Superintendent: “[Curriculum is] based on the standards of the state of Ohio but we ratchet them up to represent more rigorous instruction and infuse them with our Catholic identity” (Catholic Telegraph, June 2013).

5. Teacher Expectations Teachers are expected to: Provide opportunities to demonstrate and grow in our Catholic faith. Provide a structured and safe learning environment for all students. Provide learning experiences for students of all learning abilities and modalities and the opportunity for all students to be successful. Offer risk-free environments in which students are encouraged to grapple with new content. Support students in the process of becoming independent thinkers and learners. “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)

6. Student Expectations Students are expected to be responsible, respectful and be a witness to their faith. • If you make a mistake, fix it • If you forget something, correct it as soon as possible • If you don’t know, ask via email, paper and pencil, or office hours • Respect others and authority • Follow rules designed for the safety and benefit of our Catholic community “Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.” ~ Ralph Marston

7. Schedules Be sure you picked up your child’s schedule from the sign-in tables. You will need it tonight and they will need it tomorrow. On-grade level teachers AM; Off-grade level teachers PM Healthy snack and restroom break before fine arts Best times to use the restroom throughout the day: before school, at snack break, at lunch, when standing in line between classes. (Simply give your materials to another student to place at your desk and go to the restroom.)

8. JH Calendar When is the fall social? When is confirmation? When is graduation? Where is that list of dates from the school??? Fret no longer…simply follow the link on each of our websites to the JH Calendar. “Fairness is not doing the same thing for every person, fairness is doing what each person needs.”

9. Five purposes of Homework • Practice – what was learned that day • Interaction – with the curriculum as well as peers • Application – taking what they have learned to a higher cognitive level • Extension – exploring beyond the rudimentary level of the concepts • Preparation – for tests, performance assessments, presentations, etc. “That people may know wisdom and discipline,* may understand intelligent sayings” (Proverbs 1:2)

10. Ins and outs of Homework Homework is due the day after it is assigned unless otherwise indicated. A HW assignment is considered late if it is not turned in when the papers are collected. This means that if it is turned in later during the class in which it is due or later on the day it is due, it is late. Plagiarism includes any complete sentence or idea copied from an original source without proper citing and is never permitted. Unintentional plagiarism is still plagiarism, check your work before you turn it in. “Fear of the LORD* is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7)

11. Support Office Hours: Blair & Ritter - T/Th 7:30-8:00 am, W 3:00-3:30 pm Andrews and Blum - W/F 7:30-8:00 am , T 3:00-3:30 pm Teacher Websites Email Classmates Parents “Too often we give our children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.” ~ Roger Lewin

12. Absent Work For those times when your child is absent from school, please keep the following in mind: • The same number of days of absence will be given to make up missed work • If a student has a prolonged absence due to a serious illness, other provisions will be made on an individual basis. • If a student is absent on the day a long-term assignment is due, the assignment is expected immediately upon the student’s return. Otherwise, it will be considered late. • Homework may be requested after two days of absence. • Test make-ups: Monday and Wednesday 7:15 AM

13. Opportunities for Student Involvement Writing contests Math Counts Ohio math league Student Council Geography/spelling Bees CYO sports Junior high Jobs 6/7th play 8th grade musical Lector/server/cantor Science fair advancement Rosary Club “Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

14. How to reach us • Mr. Bill Andrews – andrewsb@stluke.cnd.pvt.k12.oh.us • Mrs. Karen Blair - blairk@stluke.cnd.pvt.k12.oh.us • Miss Katherine Blum - blumk@stluke.cnd.pvt.k12.oh.us • Mrs. Kim Ritter - ritterk@stluke.cnd.pvt.k12.oh.us • You can reach us at (937) 426-1733 the following extensions: • Mr. Bill Andrews - 425 • Mrs. Karen Blair -429 • Miss Katherine Blum – 428 • Mrs. Kim Ritter - 432 • If school is in session, the phone will automatically turn over to voicemail. We will return your call as soon as possible. Please send a note to school if we do not return your call within 48 hours • Please let us know of any changes at home that might affect your child’s productivity or work habits at school. “We are equal as human beings and all different in our needs and abilities.”