Dear Parent/Guardian:

I welcome you and your child to the Thurgood Marshall Academic High School community! This year your child will participate in a one-semester course about ethnic studies. Throughout the course, we will look at how people of various ethnic groups shaped history and culture in the United States through units on identity, community, experiences, resistance and participation.

The class will consist of readings, essays, interviews, projects, and daily homework. The four basic guidelines I expect of your student are:

+ Regular and on-time class attendance
+ Being prepared for class (with paper and pen and completed homework)
+ Respectfulness
+ Cooperation

For specific course information and expectations and the grading policy, you can check the course outline given to your student on the first day of school. You can also keep track of your students progress in class by:

+ Checking your students homework planner
+ E-mail contact with me
+ 24-hour voice mail (415-695-5612)
+ Checking the homework page of this web site

I look forward to teaching your child this semester. Please also feel free to contact me with any questions you have about the class.