Welcome back 7th and 8th grade AVID family- I hope that you have all had a relaxing, exciting, and memorable summer.
Over the summer, I met a bunch of awesome teachers from around the country at our AVID Summer Institute in Philadelphia. Together we shared a lot of cool ideas that I'm hoping to share with you as the year goes on. I'm looking forward to helping make this year's AVID class a place where you look forward to coming to each day. The AVID site team at TOR includes, Mr. Butera and Ms. Klein in 6th grade; Ms. Dietrich, Ms. Malozzi, Mr. Pavia and Ms. Fields in 7th grade; Mr Lennon, Mr. DeFilippo, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Restivo, and Ms. Stowe in 8th grade. These teachers will all support you in their own classes and in our AVID class.
In AVID, the year will start out with a few team building activities, a review of expected standards in and out of AVID, and going over the core basics of what it will take to be a successful student in our class. Along with these items, you can expect more of what were key components in AVID last year.. Guest speakers, tutorials, Cornell Notes, exposure to colleges, and all elements of WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reflection.
Just as you had the opportunity last year, you will have the chance to become an appropriate digital citizen; Web Searches, Blogs, and analyzing articles are imperative to achievement in education and in society. That opportunity will come in the form of being able to use a Chrome Book each day as needed. You must sign the school's digital citizenship form in order to begin using the classroom's technology. Upon doing so, we will once again review the standards and practices in appropriate use.
I'd like to stress 3 E's for our AVID group this year: "Efficiency", "Enthusiasm", and "Excellence". I noticed at times last year, we lost our way in terms of our ultimate goals at Turn of River. By always keeping these 3 E's at the forefront of our thinking, you will become a success and go into high school and beyond well prepared.
In conclusion, I am enthusiastic to start this school year. Just as in every family, I am sure that there will be laughter and tears, conflict and friendship, laughter and anger; However, I encourage you to always be honest with eachother and to have eachothers back. If we can always support eachother, we will all be successful.
Mr. Avroch
