September 22, 2014

Greetings Student,
I am very excited to welcome you back to school this year as your Algebra II teacher!
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
-Nelson Mandela
The above quote is my personal philosophy of teaching. I firmly believe that you are our leaders of tomorrow.
My goal this year is to inspire you to reach your full potential and challenge yourself every day. I want you to be fully
engaged in the classroom, excited to learn new things, and confident in your own abilities. With this being said, I will do
my job as your teacher to create a learning environment that is filled with open discussion and hands-on learning
activities.
The course instruction will cover all, if not more, that the state requires. Topics that will be explored this year
include, but are not limited to, Linear Relations and Functions, Systems of Equations, and Quadratic Relations and
Functions. The class grade will consist of participation, homework, quizzes, and tests. You should expect to have
homework every night, at least one quiz for every chapter, and a test at the end of every chapter. To receive credit for
participation, you must be actively engaged in class every day, which includes class discussion, activities and/or group
work. The breakdown of your grade is as follows:
Homework: 20%
Quizzes: 30%
Tests: 40%
Participation: 10%
To maximize your learning, I expect you to follow all rules that are in your Student Code of Conduct. This
includes the rules and consequences involving the attendance policy, the tardy policy, the behavior policy, etc.
Additionally, I expect you to:
1) Come to class prepared every day. This means you have your textbook, pencil, paper, and any homework
that was assigned to you.
2) Have a positive attitude and be willing to participate in class.
3) Respect both your teacher and your fellow peers.
I aim to keep an open line of communication between myself, you, and your parents/legal guardians throughout
the year. If at any time you have a question or concern, please feel free to contact me by phone (904-304-6781) or email (dkicklighter@ufl.edu). I will be happy to talk to you. Additionally, you may check your progress in my class through
Infinite Campus.
Finally, classroom donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. Please feel free to send in pencils,
paper, tissues, and hand sanitizer. With that, I am looking forward to a very fun and exciting year!
Please read and discuss this letter with your parents. Sign and tear off the bottom portion and return by Monday,
September 29.
Sincerely,
Deanna Kicklighter
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