HOMEWORK POLICY

(Per SBDM policy, revised April 2006)

Teaching teams at each level shall coordinate to ensure that homework does not exceed 10 minutes per grade level.

Homework is an extension of classroom instruction and will consist of additional practice of skills taught during classroom instruction, parent-child activities that contribute to classroom units, and daily reading logs that record the time students spend reading at home. Teachers will monitor homework completion and habits of individual students. Team leaders should follow up with any parent or student request for assistance with homework assignments.  Students in Primary will not be given a letter grade for homework. Intermediate students may be given a letter grade for homework. Students who consistently turn in completed homework may be rewarded.

Class work will only become homework if class time is not used efficiently. It is the responsibility of the student to record in their agenda: instruction time, class work assignments, and homework.

It is the policy of Natcher Elementary that there will be no homework or additional classroom testing during the CATS testing window for the students participating in the assessment.  There will be no homework on nights that school programs are scheduled.

AGENDA BOOKS

Students in grades 3-6 will be required to have an agenda book to help keep them organized and to communicate with families.

SUPPLEMENTAL TIME

Teachers will assess students' needs to flexibly group students for extra assistance and/or enrichment in both reading and math.  Paraprofessionals will be assisting teachers during these times to ensure smaller groups when necessary.  We will be providing a 30-minute session for both supplemental reading and math instruction at every grade level.  Students will rotate among different team members as necessary after pre and post assessments.

SUMMIT/Gifted and Talented Program

SUMMIT, Services for Unlimited, Multi-talented Minds and Inspiring Talent, is a program for identified gifted and talented children selected through procedures outlined by Warren County Board Policy. Each teacher for each child who meets the required criteria completes pupil selection forms and formal identification takes place at the end of primary (3rd grade).  Individual assistance is provided on an “as-needed” basis.  Students are often “flexibly grouped” throughout classes based on individual needs and abilities of the student. 

The classroom teacher provides students differentiated services.  The Gifted and Talented teacher, Mrs. Nancy Binder, may also provide differentiated services in the classroom to identified students. 

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

The Preschool Program provides early childhood educational experiences, which will promote the child’s physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth.  The Warren County Schools offer a Preschool Program for four year olds who are 4 by October 1st.  They may qualify either by income or disability eligibility.  Three year olds who are 3 by October 1st may qualify by disability eligibility.  For more information, please contact the board office at 781-5150.

PERMANENT RECORDS

An active record of the student’s progress is kept at school. The school record remains after students depart.  The major items found in the permanent record are:

1.Factual information

2   Grades earned

3.  Attendance record

4.  Reading progress

5.  Achievement test scores

A discipline file is also maintained at the school.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

In primary grades, student progress is reported to families three times a year through the use of a narrative report designed by the Warren County School District.

For 4-6 grades, a report of the student’s progress is sent home to parents every nine weeks. This summary is in the form of a report card, which is to be signed and returned to school promptly. Intermediate teachers also send home interim reports of student progress near the mid-point of the grading period.  These are an indication to the parent that improvement is needed in one or more of the subjects.  These should also be signed and returned to school the day after they are sent home. 

Teachers in grades 4-6 will provide parents with information on using the on-line grading program (TeacherEase) to check student progress.

PRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAM

The primary school is that part of the elementary school program in which children are enrolled from the time they begin school until they are ready to enter the fourth grade.  An appropriate primary program for all children recognizes that children grow and develop as a “whole,” not one dimension at a time or at the same rate in each dimension.  The primary program provides a classroom climate, which is non-competitive and encourages children to learn from one another as well as from their teachers.  The program values teachers and parents as partners in the child’s education. Teachers regularly collaborate, plan, consult, and involve parents to create for the child a climate of respect, success, and joy necessary for lifelong learning.

The primary program is characterized by the following seven critical attributes:

1.Developmentally appropriate practices

2.Multi-age, multi-ability classrooms

3.Continuous progress

4.Professional teamwork

5.Positive parent involvement

6.Qualitative reporting methods

7.Authentic Assessment

HONOR ROLL

We appreciate the hard work and dedication of the students at Natcher Elementary.  In order that we might recognize their effort and achievements, students in grades 4 – 6 have the opportunity to be on the Honor Roll.  Students can achieve this recognition by:

Principal’s Award

oAll A’s on the entire report card (including final grades and conduct).

Outstanding Honor Roll

oAll A’s and B’s on the entire report card (including final grades and conduct).

S.T.A.R. (STUDENTS TAKING ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY) REWARD

Every four to six weeks students who receive 1-3 assignment alerts will be rewarded.  Students who receive 0 assignment alerts will receive additional rewards.