Loudoun County Public Schools



Briar Woods High School

Mr. Seely

World History I

2018-19 School Year

Email: alexander.seely@

School: (703) 957-4400

Dear Parent/Guardian:

I am looking forward to working with your child this school year. I believe that education is a joint effort between students, parents, and teachers. I am hoping we can keep in communication throughout the year to help ensure your son or daughter’s success in World History. Moreover, it is my hope that every parent joins my World History email list, as it is the best way of staying up to date with your child’s progress. I encourage you to contact me when necessary. You can email me at alexander.seely@ or call (703) 957-4400. I will try to return all emails or phone calls by the end of the day or the start of the next. As for extra help, I will be available every day before school and after school on certain days. Be assured that I will do everything possible to help your child be successful in this class, as well as in life.

Attached to this letter is a copy of the course syllabus that states the material that we will cover in World History this year. Also, below is all the information that you and your child will need to know in order to be successful this year in class. Please read over all the information with them and complete the form below. Both you and your child will need to sign it. Simply return it with him/her the very next day.

Thank you for taking the time to read over this letter and complete the information below. Feel free to add any comments or call with any questions. I am looking forward to an exciting school year!

Sincerely,

Mr. Seely

What do I need for class?

o One 2 inch, 3-ring binder or one spiral notebook with pockets or folders

o One packet of notebook dividers

o Lined paper

o Agenda

o Pen or pencil

o Color pencils

o Flash drive (recommended)

What we will cover this year?

o World Geography

o Human Origins

o Early Civilizations of the River Valleys

o Classical Civilizations of China, India, Greece, and Rome

o The Rise of the World’s Major Religions

o The Early Empires of the Americas – Incans, Mayans, and Aztecs

o The Rise of the European States

o The Great Societies of Africa

What can I expect when it comes to classwork?

Students will regularly participate in classwork that might have students working in groups. Part of my grading for these assignments will be participation points. We work and live in a social world where students need to get used to working together, as well as how to discuss things with others.

Classwork will mostly be graded for accuracy and completion. Participation points will be given based on my observations as well as peer evaluations. Students will report on how cooperative and successful their groups were during the assignment. Students must report honestly and without bias.

How will I be Tested?

Tests will have 50 questions based on the Virginia Standards of Learning:

✓ Multiple Choice Questions

What happens if I am absent from class?

o If you are absent, check the folder marked with your Period Number, located on the bookshelf.

o You are expected to check the folder in class the next day back in school.

o I encourage any student to quietly come and see me for any work they are missing or if they know they will not be in school for some reason.

o You are welcome to pull up any homework or missing work off of Vision.

What can I expect when it comes to homework?

HOMEWORK IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LEARNING PROCESS! Homework is the means of anticipating new material as well as cementing the knowledge acquired in previous classes. As such, it is essential to the overall process of learning the subject matter and is an extension of classroom instruction.

I expect students to follow these guidelines when completing homework assignments.

1. All assignments must be completed and turned-in on time. No late homework will be accepted!!!

**Remember, emergency circumstances can prevent you from turning in your work or doing your best. If you have difficulty, you must see me or email me Before First Period so that we can make arrangements. Also, bring in a signed note from home explaining what happened.

2. Students will turn in work that is neatly done, and will be completed in pencil or pen: NO RED INK or RED PENCIL!!!!!!

3. Students who are absent must check the absentee folder when coming to class the next day (or pull things off of Vision).

4. Students must do their own work (excluding group assignments).

5. Checking out early or arriving late to school does not excuse you from turning in your work on time or from receiving assignments for that day.

6. You have till the end of the day to turn in an assignment – 100% credit in class and 70% after class.

If you choose not to do your homework or classwork, the following consequences will occur:

o Parents will be notified.

o Students will receive a grade of “0” on the work.

Parents: It is very easy to keep track of your child’s homework by checking in parent portal.

If you see a:

• 0 it means they did not turn in the assignment.

• T it means they turned in the work but it has yet to be graded.

• X it means they are exempted from that work.

• Z it means they did not turn in an assignment but can for full credit – example: excused reason to be late or absent from class that day.

Communication with Students and Parents

The best way to contact me is through email. I check it throughout the day, when I am not in the classroom, as well as multiple times each night. If anyone, parent or student, ever has a question (that includes things on assignments) please feel free to drop me an email.

Emails: All parents are welcome to sign up for my email list. This is just a great way of keeping you on top off all of the things happening in class.

* Remember – you are always welcome to put on multiple email addresses, as well as have email addresses removed from the list.

* To be added to the list please make sure to check the box on the “Parent Contact Form,” attached to this packet.

1. PLEASE print your email as NEATLY as you can.

2. I do my best reading and entering them in, but there are always a few that get typed in incorrectly.

3. If you don’t receive an email from me by the 2nd week of school, please send me an email and I will make the needed corrections.

Vision: All students will receive a password to access my vision page. There they can pull up all worksheets, notes, homework, and vocabulary terms.

You will also find my assignment calendar for this year. I will try to keep it as updated as possible, meaning that I will post information regarding assignment due dates, test days, project due dates, and quiz days in a timely manner.

* Dates are always subject to change!

(Return This Form)

Parent Contact Form

Name of Student Block

Name of Parent or Guardian Name of Parent or Guardian

(First and last names) (First and last names)

Home Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email Address(es)

_______________________ ________________________

Preferred method of Contact (email or phone#)

Is there anything I should know about your child to help them have a successful school year?

Honor Code

The Briar Woods High School community embodies a spirit of mutual trust and intellectual honesty that is essential to the nature of the school. As members of this community we uphold the values of honesty, integrity, responsibility, accountability, and respect the property of others.

I have read this letter, the syllabus, and the honor code and understand that I must take responsibility for my academic advancement, as well as my classroom behavior.

Student Signature: Date:

I have read and discussed with my son/daughter this letter, the syllabus, and the honor code and the expectations of this course.

Parent/Guardian Signature: Date:

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