Thesis Statements

Tour of Bellevue West

My classroom without decor.

Library with comfy chairs!

Library has books and two computer labs.

The commons are of West.

Counseling Department.

The front office of West.

Cafeteria without some tables.

One of two school gyms. The south gym.

The entrance to the school.

What? How did that get here? My beautiful kids.

Introduction to Nikunen’s 9th Grade English Class General Policies :

Come and See Me!
The best time to speak with Mr. Nikunen is at the end of class. I am available before or after school and my plan time, 6th period or GPS.
 Rules
No passes except in emergencies.
Raise hand to speak or leave seat.
Clean up your area before leaving.
RESPECT
No food, drink, candy or snapping gum. 
Cheating-everyone involved gets a zero and parents are called. 
No mp3 players or cell phones. 
If you violate a rule, I’ll say “That’s one.” Which means once more during that class and you’ll have a detention.
 General Policies
Label all papers with First and Last name, period and date in the upper left hand corner of the paper. All writing must have a title. 
The schedule for the week will usually be on the board. Please refer to it on a daily basis.
 Neatness counts.
 All assignments-write on only one side of the paper.
 Need an internet contract.
Tardies-I keep close track of these and after 5 you will be sent down and get private dining.
Need admit after absences. 
YOU are responsible for getting work missed when you are absent. You then have 2 days to make it up. Studies have shown that missing school #1 way to fail.

Suggested Items: Writing utensil. Paper. Folder to hold things just for English. Notebook with your name on the front that can be turned in to me from time to time.  Good attitude.

Grading: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, 59 and below=F.  No late papers except with major assignments or Summative.  Summative is 70% of your grade (Essential Objectives) and 30% Formative ( homework, some tests & quizzes).  Grades posted on white board.

My name is Bob Nikunen. The last name is pronounced with all short vowels and is from Finland or of Finnish ancestry. I have lived most of my life in Bellevue and I graduated from Bellevue West in 1984. I joined the Army National Guard to pay for college and I graduated from UNO. I earned my Masters degree from UNO as well. I have been teaching English at Bellevue West since 1998. The grade I teach currently is 9th but I have taught sophomores and juniors. I am married with two children. Nik is 11 and Ana is 6. They both go to Central elementary. Nik loves the Lord of the Rings movies and football. Ana is into baseball and is an artist. I am somewhat of an artist; I love to paint abstract paintings and work with glass. I collect and sell vinyl records at a retail space in Benson. I am a born-again Christian and my faith encompasses my whole life and is very important to me.