Hi Parents:

Just a quick note to let you know a little about me and some useful information about my Spanish classes.

I LOVE teaching your children.  My personal philosophy is that there are two things that matter most in this life:  1) what we put in our heart, and 2) what we put in our head.  Because of that basic belief, I feel honored to work as a teacher.  I started teaching at Snake River High School in 1990, and I’ve been speaking Spanish since 1985.  I studied Spanish at BYU, ISU, La Universidad de Cádiz in Spain, and in the “University of Life.”  I’d be happy to hear from you any time, and the easiest way to get me a message is by email:  alvajack@snakeriver.org 

Useful Information:

1.  Your child should be studying vocabulary for at least 10 minutes every night.

2.  Tests and projects count 75% of your child’s grade.  If s/he is missing a project or
test encourage her/him to get it made up.  I allow make-up work all trimester long,
EXCEPT the last week of the trimester.  All late work, however, will be docked 20%. 

3.  Encourage your child to attend school regularly.  Students who miss several days of
school are usually the students who fail the class.

4.  We usually spend about 10 school days per chapter, therefore, students will have a test
and a vocabulary quiz about every 10 days or so.

5.  I encourage students to make a 3x5 index card of vocabulary words, culture
information, etc. for each chapter.  They can use it on the test.  I do not, however,
allow any verbs on the vocabulary cards.

6.  Students who use their time wisely in class, usually get the homework assignments
done during class time.

7.  Your child’s participation grade is a test grade.  Encourage your child to participate
appropriately, and not distract from the learning environment.

8.  I allow students to re-take ONE test per trimester if s/he chooses to do so.

9.  I NEVER assign a project one day, and make it due the very next day; students
always have at least a week’s notice to get projects done, and often have two weeks.

10.  I keep a file of the students' assignments.  If there is ever a question about whether
an assignment was done, your student may look through the pile and find his/her
assignment.