Welcome to Seventh Grade!

Mrs. Connie Lynn Farrer-Gomez

7th Grade 2025-2026

Assumption School

I am so excited to welcome your students to seventh grade! I look forward to working in cooperation with families to get to know each student and their learning goals. In seventh grade, a time of rapid growth and change, we are able to start digging deeper into our subjects and solve more complex problems both inside and outside of the classroom. I am delighted to join you all as a shepherd for the Class of 2027.

With Love,

Mrs. Gomez

Curriculum

Literature: Mrs. Connie Gomez

Text: The Language of Literature (McDougal, Littell); The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Covey); The Outsiders (Hinton); Julius Caesar (Shakespeare); Poetry (TBD) and Short Stories (TBD)

Expectations: Students are expected to read for at least 30 minutes for homework, whether from assigned text or independent reading. Students are expected to come to class with their textbook, prepared to discuss and/or write essays about assigned text.

Please create a quiet place for your child to read at home without distractions. Research shows that the highest achieving students are those who consistently devote leisure time to reading. Do not shy away from reading aloud to your child. Enjoying a story together is a wonderful way to bring literature to life at any age.

Subject Matter: Students will study novels, short stories, plays, and poems. They will be challenged to think critically about the text, analyze for themes and purpose, and identify literary techniques and figurative language. Students will read excerpts of Julius Caesar in preparation for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival in February.

Grading: Opportunities for academic practice will include homework, class discussions, note-taking, and quizzes. To demonstrate academic achievement, students will write essays and make presentations.

English & Language Arts (ELA): Mrs. Connie Gomez

Text: English Composition and Grammar, Benchmark Edition, First Course (Warriner)

Expectations: Students are expected to bring a notebook dedicated to English class for writing reflections, note-taking, and completing homework. These notebooks will be collected bi-weekly and the quality of work assessed.

Subject Matter: Students will become more skilled and effective writers, understanding the process of thinking, writing, and revising. This includes writing structure, grammar, mechanics, and using resources for writing and studying. We will also improve speaking and listening skills.

Religion: Mrs. Connie Gomez

Text: Finding God, Following Jesus (Loyola Press)

Expectations: Students are expected to participate in class activities and discussions and treat each other’s questions about faith with dignity and respect. Students must have a notebook dedicated to Religion class for writing reflections, note-taking, and completing homework. These notebooks will be collected bi-weekly and the quality of work assessed.

Subject Matter: Students will explore the life of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith. We will read and analyze Bible scripture, talk about how the year is divided in the Catholic Church, and memorize The Nicene Creed, Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, and Hail Holy Queen.

Grading: Notebooks will be assessed as academic practice. Five or more unit tests will be administered as an opportunity to demonstrate academic achievement.

Social Studies: Mr. Gabe DelCastillo

Publisher: Teachers Curriculum Institute

Every TCI program is designed to reach learners of all abilities using multiple intelligences teaching strategies and theory and research-based active instruction. You can learn more about TCI at http://www.teachtci.com. An important part of the program is an online Student Subscription. The subscription is our online textbook, and students will need it to complete assignments and study for tests. The TCI Student Subscription includes: Student text, End-of-lesson Reading Challenges, Reading tools such as highlighting, inline vocabulary definitions, and a main idea viewer. Students will need internet access daily for their homework and review. Many assignments will be electronically submitted in class as well as at home.

Expectations: Students are expected to be responsible, organized, respectful and use good communication skills. Work assigned to students should be neat, complete and with full effort. Students should participate in class discussions or on assignments with complete sentences. A big part of their success depends on the Interactive Student Notebook which will become a major resource for them for quizzes and tests. Notebook checks will be done regularly. History class will be an interactive, cooperative, and hands-on learning experience. Tests are given about every three weeks. Students are tested on material from the text as well as activities or discussions from class and note taking. All assignments must be completed on time. Absent make-up work and tests must be completed within a week of the student's absence. Students are responsible for making necessary arrangements.

Subject Matter: The seventh grade course focuses on medieval and early modern world history. This year provides students with opportunities to study the rise and fall of empires, the diffusion of religions and languages, and significant movements of people, ideas, and products. Although societies were quite distinct from one another, there were more exchanges of people, products, and ideas with every passing century. The focus is on questions that get at those larger geographical, historical, economic, and civic patterns.

Grading: The student’s grade is based on class work, the student Interactive Student Notebook, open-notebook quizzes, unit tests, projects and class participation. Homework assignments involving reading and note taking will be evaluated according to the quality and completeness of each assignment and will be reflected in the student’s effort grade on Progress Reports and Report Cards.

Math: Mr. Jason Poon & Mrs. Camille Bass

Texts: Math Accelerated: A Pre-Algebra Program (McGraw-Hill); Pre-Algebra (Glencoe)

Expectations: Students will be expected to complete problem sets and corrections daily, as well as ask for help when a particular concept is unclear. It is also imperative that students take clear notes everyday and use them to complete homework and study for assessments. Homework will be checked daily, and notes will be checked periodically.

Subject Matter: Students will expand their understanding of the number system to include square roots and integers, as well as reviewing previously learned topics such as fractions and decimals. Foundational algebraic concepts, including inequalities and linear functions. They will also focus on strengthening their study and organizational skills to prepare for the transition to mathematics at the high school level.

Grading: Grades will be based on in-class assignments, quizzes, tests, and projects. Retests will also be available to students who did not show proficiency on an assessment, but students will be expected to complete various tasks in order to qualify for the retest. Although homework will not be used to calculate their actual letter grade, its completion and correctness will help determine their conduct and effort grades.

Science: Ms. Regina Hammond

Materials: FOSS Kits by Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley

Expectations: Students will be expected to complete daily tasks, quizzes, exit tickets, tests, investigations, and projects. Students are expected to come to class ready to engage in class discussions, prepared by completing any assigned tasks, and bringing any required materials to class each day. Students should arrive to class ready to collaborate with their peers, deeply investigate, and to learn about the many wonders of science!

Subject Matter: Throughout the year, we will be going over topics related to Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. We will have a particular focus on Photosynthesis, Ecosystems, the Cycling of Earth’s Materials, Natural Hazards, Chemical Reactions, and Phases of Matter.

Grading: Grades will be based on daily class participation, tests, quizzes, projects, and completion of homework.

Spanish: Mrs. Andrea Contreras

Expectations: Students are expected to participate in classroom activities and projects and communicate with me and other students in Spanish.

Subject Matter: Students will:

recognize and recite classroom words
talk about wants and needs
recognize animals in Spanish
recognize food in Spanish
recite the alphabet, colors and numbers in Spanish
practice how to greet and introduce themselves
discuss in Spanish the things they need and want for their class
discuss the calendar and weather
describe themselves and personality traits
describe the items in their rooms and pictures
describe how they prepare themselves for school
describe extended family and family life in general
recite and translate prayers

New vocabulary, books, games, and music will be introduced around the theme of activities and personal traits.

Grammar: Students will learn vowels, adjectives, gender, cognates, infinitives, negatives, structures to express agreement and disagreement.

Cultural Perspectives: Students will learn about several Spanish-speaking Countries and cultural differences. They will also learn about Holidays (Independence Day, Day Of The Dead, Christmas, Cesar Chavez Day and Cinco De Mayo, Children’s Day, Three Kings Day).

Grading: Grades will be based on class participation as well as completion of homework.

Physical Education: Mike Shimabukuro

Expectations: Students will be expected to participate to the best of their ability while showing respect to their classmates as well as their teacher. They are also expected to have as much fun as possible during physical education!

Subject Matter: Students will learn the basic fundamentals of sports (football, baseball, kickball, basketball, soccer, hockey, Lacrosse, volleyball) along with team building activities in which they will be working in small and large groups. Students will also learn many life lessons that are created during class activities.

Grading: Students will be graded based on effort, participation, and how they treat others during their physical education classes.

Art & Performing Arts: Mrs. Karen Barbera

Expectations: Enhanced communication. My primary goal this year is to strengthen communication with families. To support this, I am implementing a new classroom procedure to ensure we can connect effectively if challenges arise. If you hear from me regarding a classroom challenge, please know it is simply my effort to present a united front and partner with you to help your student succeed.

Additionally, to share all the exciting projects happening in our classroom, the "Art Start" newsletter, previously available just to students, will now be sent to all Junior High families. Stay tuned for the first issue!

Subject Matter: This year in Visual and Performing Arts, students will deepen their skills and take on more complex and rewarding projects. Our program is designed to challenge students to think critically, express themselves clearly, and prepare them for high school-level arts.

This synopsis outlines the course structure, digital tools we will use, and the expectations for a successful and productive year.

Grading: Student grades are based on the diocesan guidelines and reflect their skill, effort, and responsibility. Key factors include:

Preparation & Responsibility: Students are expected to check Google Classroom for any needed supplies, arrive on time, and submit work by the deadline. Absent students must contact me to schedule make-up work.
Craftsmanship & Completion: Work must be completed according to the project's instructions, demonstrating proper technique and care. All work must be clearly labeled with the student's name.
Academic Honesty: All work must be the student's own. While we learn from the masters, copying is not a substitute for practice and personal experimentation.
Participation & Respect (Performing Arts): Active engagement is crucial. Students are expected to participate fully and create a supportive environment where all feel safe to perform and take creative risks.

Looking forward to a wonderful year!

"I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart." - Vincent van Gogh

Music: Mr. Bill Vaughan

Expectations: Active participation through singing and memorization of the musical score in class is primary. In order to do this, good behavior in the classroom and church is a must. Attendance and an animated spirit at all school-sponsored Masses, Christmas and Spring Concerts is mandatory.

Subject Matter: In music class, we sing, sing and sing. We prepare music for weekly Masses, the Fall Festival, and the Advent/Christmas and Spring Concerts. In the midst of all this singing, I train every student to become a cantor (if he or she wishes). We learn how to read music, learn about instruments and a bit about the story of music.

Grading: A letter grade will be based on assessments made at the time of a performance. Along with these assessments, I also review behavior in the classroom and church, active class participation, and attendance at mandatory liturgies/concerts.

Junior High Guidelines:

Absences: Students who are absent are responsible for all work and should make arrangements with the teacher to make up tests. Students and parents are responsible for getting all missed assignments. Students have the same number of days (up to three days) to make up assignments after a student’s absence. Students should schedule a time during recess or lunch to conference with individual teachers regarding questions about absent work.

Birthdays: I love to celebrate our students! Unfortunately, we are not allowed to do so with food or treats. Birthdays can be celebrated at school by donating resources to the classroom. The student’s donation will be shared and used during the week of his/her birthday. Please communicate your plans with me beforehand.

Communication: If you would like to discuss your child’s progress, I would be happy to do so electronically or meet with you in a scheduled conference.

Discipline: Teachers and staff continue to use a school-wide social and emotional program, “Positive Discipline.” The focus is creating a positive learning environment where students understand the importance of self evaluation, group problem solving, empathy and self worth. This student-centered process begins on the second day of school during the Junior High “Vision Day” Orientation. Junior High students and teachers join together on the second day of school to focus on being school leaders. Students discuss successful learning environments, student behaviors that support learning, and student/teacher agreed-upon logical consequences and solutions.

Dances: Various Catholic schools in our area host dances for Junior High students each month. Attendance is not required. The dress code and permission slips for dances are available on the school website. Please note, students cannot have more than TWO missing assignments from any classes during the previous month by the time the dance is announced, must not be on academic probation, and must be at school on the day of the dance to be able to attend dances. One parent chaperone is required for each dance we are invited to attend. I will distribute a dance schedule to families promptly upon receiving it.

Chaperones arrive 15 minutes early and leave after the last Assumption student is picked up from the dance.
Chaperones supervise the sign-in and sign-out process assuring that each student is signed in and out by an authorized adult.

Exceptional Needs: To ensure that the needs of all learners are met, Assumption School supports both students and their teachers. Student services include both individual and small group instruction with a resource teacher. If you believe your student has special needs please discuss your concerns with their homeroom teacher.

Google Classroom: Students will have access to Google Classroom, a safe and efficient learning tool. Students will use their school-issued Google accounts for Classroom and all electronic communication with the teacher. Powerschool will be used for grading.

Homework: Homework must be completed in a quiet place, free from distractions, and submitted on time so that students don’t fall behind in the curriculum. Homework may include finishing or re-doing classroom assignments. Students may occasionally need internet access or printers to complete homework assignments. Students should also have access to supplies at home such as colored pencils, binder paper, measuring tape, scissors, books, and maps. All students should have a current library card. Please let me know if your student needs help accessing resources.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism may be done intentionally or unintentionally. Students must be given the tools to analyze the world around them from their own perspective and create their own expressions in response. Per the Oakland Diocese, “Students will not receive credit for plagiarized work; students will be required to do an alternative assessment and a diocesan-approved consequence for the behavior will be assigned.”

Powerschool: Powerschool is the Oakland Diocese school management system for attendance and report of achievement. A parent portal to check your student’s grades will be open after the first trimester progress reports. Parents can access their students’ grades in real time. Teachers post grades within 10 days of all assignments.

Service Learning Project: Service is a fundamental element of who we are at Assumption. This year, I will work on forming a service learning project that provides students the opportunity to be Active Christians in our community.

Student Responsibilities:

Readiness to learn: Be engaged with your studies
Kindness: Treat others the way you want to be treated
Organization: Keep track of your own materials and assignments
Preparedness: Plan ahead
Advocate. Ask for help
Honesty: Tell the truth
Diligence: Do the right thing even when it’s difficult
Accountability: Acknowledge these responsibilities

Website: Students and parents can find important information on our School Website

Name: Mrs. Connie Farrer-Gomez
Position: JH 7th Grade ELA Teacher
Email: Send email