Mr.

Tyson DeWitt
Westpark Elementary School
2700 S. 257th Dr.
Buckeye, AZ 85326
623-555-5555

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson

1234 E. 1st Street
Buckeye, AZ 85326

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,

My name is Tyson DeWitt. I am your son Johnny’s 8th grade Social Studies teacher here at
Westpark Elementary School. I writing to you to express some concerns that I am having about
Johnny and his behavior while in our 5th period Social Studies class. I am hoping that you can
help me address the issues of concern.
Johnny is a great student. He does not have any trouble finishing his class work or quizzes/tests
when they are given. He is very bright and is currently receiving an A in this class. The first
few months of the class, Johnny was very respectful to me and to the other students. Somewhere
over the last month or so his attitude has changed. My concerns have to do with Johnny’s
behavior, especially when it comes to other students.
This last few weeks Johnny has sworn at other students and has taken items off desks that belong
to other students. I have spoken to Johnny after class after each incident and when asked about
the swearing, Johnny only would say that the other student made him mad. Johnny also took
another student’s pen off their desk and put it in his bag. When I spoke to Johnny after class
about this incident, he said it was a joke and he was going to give the pen back after class. There
are Classroom Rules and Procedures for my class that speak about Johnny’s behaviors.
We went over these rules and procedures several times during the first few weeks of this class
and students signed a paper stating that they understood the rules, procedures, and consequences
for violating them. I had Johnny reread the rules I posted on the back wall near the door and
discussed the consequences of his actions. Rule four states “Be polite and respectful of others.”
The rational for this rule is as follows, “Respect and politeness can be used in many aspects.
Swearing or using words to demean another is unacceptable in the classroom. Raising your hand
to ask a question is polite and respectful to the teacher and other students. Respecting another’s
property and touching something without permission from the owner will not be tolerated.”
There are consequences for violating these rules. The first was a 10-minute classroom detention
that Johnny served during lunch on Monday. The second violation is a phone call to the parents.
I have not been able to contact you hence my letter. The next violation will be a referral to the
principal for discipline proceedings. I am hoping that we can be a team and address these issues
before I need to refer Johnny to the principal. I know that he can turn his behaviors around and
become that student he was at the beginning of the semester. Please contact me at your
convenience so we can discuss Johnny and make a plan that help him. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Tyson DeWitt
602-555-5555