Ms.

Cephas
Bradford Academy
24218 Garner Street
Southfield, MI 48033
Room #336
(248) 351-0000 ext 11336
vinettecephas@choiceschools.com

8th Grade
English Language Arts (ELA)
2015-2016

Email: vinettecephas@choiceschools.com
Teachers Website: www.bams8th.weebly.com
Tel. # 1.248.351.0000 ext. 11336
Office Hours: by appointment only
Dear Parent,

elcome to Ms. Cephas 8th Grade Classroom! I am excited about the opportunity to get to know
you and your child, and I am looking forward to a continued enjoyable, productive, and successful
school year. This year I will be teaching English Language Arts (ELA) and my teaching partners are Mr.
Aryan (math), Mr. Jacobs (Social Studies), and Mr. Scott (Science).
This is my seventh year of teaching at Bradford Academy, and my second time of teaching 8th grade. I
received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a major in English and minor in
mathematics, from Wayne State University in 2003, and my Masters of Elementary Education in 2011.
In my spare time, I enjoy photography, cycling, traveling, reading, and watching plays and movies.
Curriculum areas we will focus on this year include: English & Language Arts and the incorporation of
technology. Throughout the upcoming school year, your child will become more familiar with
technology.
Homework
Read, nightly, 45 minutes a grade-level and above book and complete reading activities
Review for weekly grammar quizzes, spelling & vocabulary tests
Projects or homework assignments are at the teachers discretion.
Visiting your local library, for research and/or obtaining genre-specific young adult fiction books
All homework is due on the deadline date. Late or incomplete homework is not encouraged and will
receive the reduction of 50%.
I encourage all my parents with Internet access to email me so that I can place them on my Email Parent
List. Emailing is a wonderful tool that I use to keep my parents and students abreast of classwork,
homework, projects, and school notices. Your child will still come home with a hard copy of these items.
This will alleviate any surprises, especially at Progress Reports, and Final Card markings. Students are
required to complete their homework on their own and to the best of their ability.
My grading policy is set by Bradford Academy. Students are encouraged to maintain an average grade of
B (80%) or higher. Grades of C- (70%) or below are discouraged, and parents will be informed
immediately. Students are advised to complete and turn in all classwork and homework assignments
(including projects), in a timely fashion, as these count toward their final grade.
Powerschool is a wonderful online grade and attendance book which is accessible 24 hours, 7 days a
week. Please visit the Powerschool site, at least weekly. Once you have received your childs username

and password, sign up for Email Alerts for your childs weekly progress report. Regularly, encourage
your child to review this website to observe the development of his or her grades.
Included with this welcome letter are the 8th Grade Supply List and my syllabus.
Parents will be informed, in due course, of any special classroom or school events, planned by Bradford
Academy, and should regularly check their childs book-bag and the schools calendar.
My philosophy of teaching is to nurture and develop in my students the belief that they can do whatever
they dream, and I always look for the best in my students. As your childs teacher, I am willing to change
the structure and nature of my lessons; if it will help my students perform to their fullest potential. With
this in mind, I keep up to date with the latest advances in education, and explore and implement
appropriate best teaching practices. Foremost in my mind, I believe that working together:

Parent + Student + Teacher= SUCCESS

Once again, welcome to my 8th Grade classroom. Lets work together to make this the best year ever!
Sincerely,
Ms. Cephas
September 8, 2015