"Wisdom is knowing what to do next; skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it."
David Starr Jordan

Parent Resource Page

Hello,

My name is Gary Punchard and I will be teaching mathematics this year at Wickes High School.

About me: Let me tell you a little about myself. I have a Bachelors Degree in Education with a major in Mathematics and a minor in English. I also have a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am Advanced Placement and ESL certified. I have been teaching for 19 years, 16 of those teaching math and computer scicence in middle and high school. I began my career in McDermitt, Nevada, where I taught math and English classes 7 through 12. I also coached all girls basketball teams from 4th grade to varsity. I met my wife, Susan, while in McDermitt, and added two boys to the family while there. We then moved to the San Fransisco Bay Area so that Susan could attain her primary teaching degree. While there, I taught computer classes at Heald College, a two year college designed for computer networking degrees. After attaining her degree, we moved to DeQueen where we still live today. I taught math classes at the middle and high school for the last four years at DeQueen.

Subjects Taught: The subjects that I will be teaching are ACTAAP Prep, Integrated Algebra A, Integrated Algebra B, Geometry, and Precalculus, and Calculus. My classroom is located under the middle school cafeteria next to the computer lab. My conference period is 5th period (11:20-12:06). Feel free to contact me during conference or before school. You may also reach me after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the school until 3:30. You may call my home in the evening or weekend also. I believe an open communication between teachers and parents always results in a better learning experience for the child.

Homework: I believe that homework is necessary for success in education, and although I don't give many problems for homework, the ones I do give, I expect to be done. Only completed homework will receive credit, and no late homework is accepted unless there is an excused absence. If a student does not know how they did their own homework, they will not receive credit for it.

Quizzes: There will be one or two quizzes per week. Most quizzes will come directly from homework or from notes. Most quizzes are open note.

Tests: There will be three to four tests per quarter. The students will be allowed to use some notes on test. I will provide hints on how to arrange notes for best results on the test.

Projects: There will be at least one project or activity per quarter. The project will count as one test.

Progress Reports: In addition to the required progress reports given to students that are at-risk of failing first and third quarter, I hand out progress reports approximately every three weeks. I do not require parent signatures, so it is the parents responsibility to ask your child to see his/her progress report. The reports are detailed, and if you have any questions on how to read them feel free to contact me.

Quarter Grading: The grading breakdown for each quarter is as follows.

• Homework and Quizzes: 50%
• Tests and Projects: 50%

Semester Grading: Each semester contains 2 grading periods and a final.

• Quarter 1: 40%
• Quarter 2: 40%
• Sem. Final: 20%: There are NO EXEMPTIONS. Semester finals are designed to prepare students for college. All college bound students need semester final skills.

Class Rules: I want my classroom to be a safe and friendly environment for everyone that walks in it. All conduct and dress codes addressed in the student handbook will be followed in my class; however, I find it simpler to practice respect. Respect for yourself and others will always have positive results.

Contact Info: Anytime your child has trouble with homework, feel free to call or email me at any time at school or at home. Your child has my phone number, and my email is gary@punchard.com. If I am not home, I will return the call if the message contains a "no later than" time to call back. I have unlimited long distance, so to avoid unnecessary phone charges, a short call to me is all that is needed; I will then return the call.

I am looking forward to teaching your child this year. I love teaching and watching students discover new concepts and ideas. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach your child this year.

Gary Punchard
Wickes High School