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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM STUDENT PROGRESS
Parents are formally advised to their child's progress at school on a ten
week basis. Report cards are issued: for grades K-4 in November, February and
June. Parents are encouraged to make use of the comment section of the signature
card. The marking system is explained on individual report cards. Teachers send
home weekly and bi-weekly folders to keep parents aware of their child's
progress.
PARENT CONFERENCES
The school provides an opportunity for parents to confer with their child's
teachers grades 1-4 during the month of November. Kindergarten conferences are
set for early March, once full day sessions start. It is extremely important to
meet your child's teacher to establish good lines of communication between home
and school. Parents and/ or teachers may choose to arrange additional
conferences during the school year. If this need arises, please arrange a
mutually convenient time, in advance. Due to prior commitments, teachers may not
always be available for immediate conferences.
Only parents and or legal guardians will be provided with legal record of
students. Teachers are responsible to conference with parents/guardians, only.
HOMEWORK
Students in all grades have homework nightly. A parent's involvement in their
child's learning is essential and homework provides this means. It is an
integral part of the learning process and an effective tool for learning. After
initial instruction is given, a new concept needs to be put into practice so
that the skill becomes automatic. Since new concepts in some areas are presented
each day, homework becomes essential and is given on a regular basis.
The success of the homework program depends on the cooperative efforts of
students, parents, teachers and administrators. Some suggestions to help your
child meet success include:
provide a suitable study area that is quiet, well
lighted and comfortable and has the materials necessary to complete
assignments (paper and pencils)
develop a daily schedule for your child to complete
his or her homework each night
encourage your child to develop increase independence
check your child’s work for quality and completion,
but do not do the work or him/her
encourage responsibility for making up missed
assignments due to absence
assist your child in developing organizational skills
such as putting completed assignments in a homework folder.
Share your knowledge with your child, develop you own
learning activities at home, in the car or in the community
Students are expected to submit homework promptly. Grade level homework
policy will be discussed with parents during the annual Open House. Homework
assignment notebooks for grade 3 and 4 are sold in school.
If a child will be out of school for a prolonged amount of time due to
illness, parents should notify the school so that homework packets can be
prepared.
WORK STUDY
Most of our classes have children who need to leave the regular classroom for
additional support in various areas: speech, math, reading, gifted and talented
etc. A "work study" time (30 - 45 minutes) provides this space so that
no formal instruction is missed by any child. Students who do not leave the room
get to have extra help and work on additional projects during this period.
STUDENT RETENTION POLICY
It is the desire of the Waterford-Halfmoon School District that all students
make suitable progress and achieve a degree of proficiency to enable them to be
promoted to the next grade level. However, there are individual cases when, in
the best judgment of school officials and based on information available, a
student who has not achieved a degree of acceptable proficiency should be
retained at the same grade level. In such cases school officials will hold a
parent (guardian) conference to present the student's progress and proficiency
with their recommendations for retention. If the parent(s) do not support the
teacher(s) decision of retention, the child will be promoted. The parents must
write a letter indicating this and assume responsibility for the child's
achievement for the coming year. Should the child once again not succeed, he or
she may not go on to the next grade level.
STUDENT PLACEMENT
In April, parents are sent a form asking them to list information relevant to
a student's placement for the following year. Such information might include the
name of a child's best friend, his/her special interests, strengths and/or
weaknesses. A great deal of time and consideration in given to these future
placements. The teachers who have worked with students during the year use this
information along with their judgment in selecting personalities and teaching
styles which compliment each child's individuality, and thus, place the student
accordingly. The child's grade and teacher are listed on the June report card.
This decision is final.
LANGUAGE ARTS
The New York State Standards direct the development of all curriculum in the
elementary grades. Our Language Arts Program includes Reading, Writing,
Speaking and Listening. We use a literature-based approach to reading
incorporating phonic skills in the primary grades. Children begin the writing
process in Kindergarten using journals and chart stories.
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics is taught in grades K-4 focusing on
both the reasoning process and the mastering learning approach. Manipulatives
are used in all grades to enhance the learning process. The number concept,
addition and subtraction are taught in gr. K-2; multiplication and division in
gr. 3 & 4. The use of calculators occurs in grades 2-4.
SCIENCE
Science instruction is part of grades K-4. It is
taught in an inter-disciplinary fashion in grades K-2 using trade books,
magazines and hands-on activities to support the curriculum. Grades 3 and 4 use
a formal science text with a more sophisticated lab approach.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies is part of the total elementary
program. Grades K-3 use an inter-disciplinary approach involving much of the
curriculum in the Language Arts classes. Grade 4 centers on local history
involving guest speakers and field trips.
CHARACTER EDUCATION
As required by the NYS SAVE schools legislation, students receive education
in making good choices and positive character traits. Parents are the most
important teachers of good character and schools hope to reinforce this through
modeling and direct instruction. First through fourth grade classrooms will be
visited by our school social worker on a regular basis during which time
character education will be discussed .
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