Welcome to a great year of learning about the
beautiful world that surrounds us! I am
excited for a new school year to begin and to join with you in educating your
student about the wonders of the world.
My name is Christina Agurcia, and I am originally
from Illinois. I graduated from Lincoln
Christian College with a BS in Bible and from Illinois State University with a
BS in Biology. I am certified by the
State of Illinois to teach a wide range of science subjects, including biology,
chemistry, and physics. As well, I have
taken graduate education courses in zoology, botany, chemistry, physics, and AP
Environmental Science. To continue
gaining knowledge about pedagogical technique, I also have participated in
teacher workshop events, such as the ones offered by Discovery School and
Escuela International Sampedrana in San Pedro Sula, and most recently, a
workshop on environmental education hosted by the Wildlife Conservation
Society.
I
have over 10 years of teaching experience in the secondary science classroom,
and this will be my eighth year at Discovery School. Previously, I taught one year at a private
school here in Tegucigalpa and three years at a public school in the United
States of America.
I am
looking forward to developing an excellent working relationship with you. It is important that we keep in close contact
about your student’s progress. Each week
I will be updating a blog, which will have information about the material being
covered in class, student activities and homework, as well, as upcoming dates
for projects and tests. The blog address
is www.dshighscience.blogspot.com,
from this page you will find a link specifically related to physical
science. Students and parents should
check the blog weekly. As well, you can
follow your student’s progress through checking the online grading program,
Engrade. This program creates a
personal, secure account by which you can access your student’s grade and list
of outstanding work. Personal access
codes will be given to each student.
From that code, parents can create an account to review student’s
scores.
Students
will be given homework, as listed in class and on the blog. Students are responsible for turning this
homework into my classroom by 8:00 AM on the day the assignment is due. Any work submitted after 8:00 AM will be
considered late. Only excused tardies
(for medical appointments or late bus) will be accepted as a reason for turning
in work after 8:00 AM. Late assignments
will be graded at 70% of the value, if one day late, or 50% of the value, if
two days late. Work after two days late
will not be accepted. Students will be
required to stay in at snack and/or lunch to make up late work.
Classtime
is valuable, and therefore, a student should attempt be at school as much as
possible. However, if a student is
absent, he/she is responsible to complete all make-up work. Make-up work can be found in the “make-up”
folder for his or her class. Any missed
notes can be copied from a fellow student.
If a student missed a test/quiz/lab, she/he will need make an
appointment to complete the work. For
excused absences, students are given one day to make-up work per each absent
day. For one or two day excused
absences, the students should be prepared to take any pre-scheduled test or
quiz and submit any large project upon returning to school. For a longer
absence, the student will not be required to take a test or quiz on the first two
days after returning to school. For
preplanned absences, a student is to notify the teacher in writing previous to
the absence (at least 3 days). The
teacher will assign work, giving a schedule for work to be complete. No credit will be given for unexcused
absences or absences due to suspension.
If
you need to contact me individually, the best way is through email. My email address is cagurcia@discoveryschool.edu.hn. The office will also take messages for
me. If you would like to meet with me, I
would be happy to schedule an appointment with you.
If
your student has any concerns or does not understand a topic, please encourage
him/her to see me. I am available most
days before school, during snack, and during lunch.
Thank
you for entrusting me in joining you in the education of your student!
Sincerely,
Christina S. Agurcia
