Dear Parent/Guardian:

My name is Scott Young and I will be your teenagers physics teacher this semester. This letter is my way of
introducing myself and outlining my expectations. So please, when you finish reading this letter, I invite you
to also read the Grade 11 University Physics course outline that was given to your teenager. It is a one-page
document that contains more information regarding lates, absences, and formative/summative task submission.
For your information there are 5 units in the grade 11 University Physics course and for each unit there are
both formative tasks (homework, labs, quizzes, ...) and summative tasks (test, project, lab report, ...). While
formative tasks do not count toward the final grade, completion and submission of the formative work
on/before the assigned date is used to earn bonus marks towards the summative unit test.
While some class time is used to work on assigned problems it is assumed that any work not completed will
be finished at home! Homework is extremely important because it not only allows the senior student to perfect
those skills necessary to become an effective self-learner but also to practice other equally important skills such
as time management and work/study skills - skills absolutely necessary to ensure success beyond highschool.
While studies repeatedly show a strong correlation between achievement and effort it is surprising to find that
some of the strongest students have the poorest work habits. As such, if your teenager did not develop or
practice and refine these work/study skills at the junior level they may experience academic difficulty (including
failure) at the senior level.
Equally important is your teenagers attendance. Missing class, especially at the senior level, is not only
disruptive for your teenager but stressful in terms of their success and their responsibilities to their studies.
In the case of an appointment or similar planned absence it would be appreciated if your teenager would let
me know prior to the day (in case of a planned activity). In the case of an unforeseen absence it is imperative
that your teenager take the initiative and make arrangements to get missed work or complete an activity. In
either case, it is also important that your teenager bring a note explaining their absence when they return
(especially if they have missed a summative assessment).
While I try to contact parents early in the semester with concerns, if you have any questions or concerns
yourself please contact me at 476-2196 EXT 4354. Alternatively, you may wish to visit my website youngswiki.wikispaces.com - it contains most of the course materials including quizzes (with answers), worksheets,
due dates, grades, ... Please keep in mind that if your teenager seems to be working hard and is not doing
well they may need to either change their work/study habits or their pathway. Extra help is also available,
either from myself or from other science teachers in the department. However, it is surprising that many
students do not take advantage of these opportunities. Please encourage your teenager to make school work
(particularly missed or failed school work) his or her first priority.
In closing I would like to remind you of PECIs Code of Conduct. Not only is PECI a learning environment it
is also a work environment. As such, the PECI Code of Conduct document will form the basis for expected
student behaviour/dress at all times, not only in the classrooms and hallways of PECI but during any field trips,
sporting events or other such activities associated with PECI. Thank-you for your time.
Scott Young
PECI Science/Physics Teacher
PS I am trying an app this semester called Remind, a free, safe, and simple way for me to communicate with
both students and parents about homework, upcoming tests, assignments, ... (students and parents receive
notifications by text message, on the app, on the web, or by email). You can find more information about this
product through my wiki site.