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Mrs. Tremper, Vice Principal |
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Report Cards, HW, ..Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
What's different about the 'New Report Card'? 1. It is based on trimesters instead of quarters, as it was in the past. 2. Each grade (1-8) has its own Report Card with items specific to the grade. Please note the categories listed under each Subject heading. These are the specific skills and/or competencies the student are required to master. 3. Grades for Personal & Social Growth and Effort areas will be based on a 4 point rubric. That means that instead of receiving "O", "G" ,"S","I",or "U", the student will receive either a "4", "3", "2", or a "1". Please note the definitions at the top of the left side of the report card. and also refer to the Rubric for both Personal and Social Growth and Effort which we sent home in September. We would expect that most of the students will receive "2"s and "3"s at this first report period. A plus or a check mark will be placed next to areas where there is either a strength or a weakness. 4. Grades for Technology, Music, and Physical Education will also be based on a 4 point rubric (grades 4-8). PLEASE NOTE the definitions of the "4", the "3" . . . at the top of each Report Card. Your children and their teachers have worked very hard this trimester. The Report Cards describe student progress. They tell us (at home and at school) what kinds of things your child is learning and able to do, as well as where more work is needed. To make the most of this "event" it is good to discuss the report with the child - ask your child if she/he has done her best. Be sure to celebrate the successes which are shown on the report, and then to set a goal for this next trimester - one thing the student can do to improve - - - maybe to study 10 more minutes each night, or to raise his/her hand in class, use flash cards to prepare for tests, . . . Keep in mind - it's not the letters and numbers that matter so much, it is what they say about about individual student progress. Will we learn about our child's progress before the report card? When? Yes, each grade will use a Progress Report to communicate with parents regarding student progress. These Progress Reports may look different for each grade. The 1st Trimester Progress Reports will be sent home on October 23; 2nd Trimester on January 24; and 3rd Trimester on April 24. A RUBRIC is a tool used to evaluate an assessment. Rubrics are used with Performance Assessments (projects) and Writing assignments. The Rubric lists the skills or knowledge that must be demonstrated by the student. The student should receive the Rubric when the assignment/activity is given. The expectations are stated or listed, and are quite clear to the student. He/she knows exactly what he/she has to do to get a good grade. However, the best thing about a Rubric is that after it is scored by the teacher, it shows specifically what the student knows or can do, and what he/she doesn't know or can't do. Actually, the grade itself is almost incidental. What is important is that you, the parent, and your child review the scored rubric and acknowledge the student success, and then make a plan to correct any weaknesses which were indicated on the Rubric. While Rubrics are not really a new way to do things, the use of Rubrics in our classrooms is relatively recent. While visiting classrooms these past few weeks, I have seen some of our teachers using Rubrics for assessing student work such as: Oral Reports, Math word problems, and Book Reports. Our "Special" teachers are using Rubrics to assess student progress and achievement in the areas of Music, Technology and Physical Education (grades 4-8). All of our teachers are using a Rubric for assessing Personal and Social Growth, and a Rubric for assessing Effort. Teachers have reviewed these Rubrics with the children and we hope that they are aware of the expectations. Simply put, a RUBRIC is like a recipe. It, in effect, spells out what you have to do to get a "4" or . . . RUBRICS help students become independent learners. Homework doesn't have to be a drag. It shouldn't be a negative experience. It should help children to learn to work on their own. Research has shown that homework extends the time available for learning, and children who spend more time on homework usually do better in school. Homework can help children develop good habits and attitudes toward work. It can also teach self-discipline and responsibility. We also know that teachers, students as well as parents and caregivers all play a vital part in the homework process. The following tips can help to make HOMEWORK a good learning experience for your child(ren): 1) Set a regular time for homework; 2) Choose a fairly quiet study area with good lighting and supplies nearby; 3) Remove distractions such as the TV, radio, telephone, toys, etc.; 4) Provide aids to good organization, such as folders and calendars/planners; 5) Look over the homework, but do not do it for your child; 6) Review tests, assignments, and all communications from the teacher and school; 7) Contact the teacher if there's a problem with homework - be sure you know the appropriate length of time for homework for your child's grade; and finally, 8) Homework is usually more than writing and math problems- STUDYING is homework too! Can Progress Reports help students? We certainly hope Progress Reports will improve student performance. Our hope is that parent and student will sit together and review the Progress Report. Strengths and weaknesses- areas where improvement is needed- should be discussed. Students, even at a very young age, can set new goals for themselves, and this is a perfect time to do that. Parents can help by suggesting some choices, some ideas for improvement such as choosing a different time to do homework; taking a short break between subjects; using flashcards; or even using the home computer to practice spelling words. Whatever you do, be sure to celebrate good work. If satisfactory progress has been achieved to date, celebrate. Remember that each child's best is different. Does each grade have its own style Progress Report? In most cases, yes. With moving into trimesters this school year, we decided that all grades (1-8) would use some kind of progress report. Before this year, only the upper grades used progress reports, and only to report on students who were experiencing difficulty. All grades are using a progress report which resembles the report card (without specific grades). How can parents help children do well - or better - in school? According to research, the following are the top ten ways you can help your child succeed in the classrrom: 1) Create an environment in your home that encourages learning (i.e. use of puzzles, paints, computers, educational TV programs, good music, magazines, etc.) 2) Provide your children with a well-balanced "schedule". Establish routines that include set times for meals, play, work, and bedtime. 3)Read to your children every day. It will expose your children to material that might be too difficult to read on their own, and it will help build their vocabularies. 4) Encourage your them to read extensively - expose them to a wide variety of interesting reading materials. Studies report that as much as 75% of what children learn will come from the printed page. 5) Show your children how to be organized. Show them how to use such organizational tools such as calendars, notebooks, schoolbags, etc. 6) Teach them effective study skills - read textbooks(i.e headings, pictures, captions, etc.); prepare for tests (flashcards, outlines, tape recorder, . . .); regular study time and place. 7) Urge them to participate in class - ask questions, volunteer answers, and take notes. 8) Help them to learn how to tackle homework assignments - it should become their responsibility. Help them learn which assignments to do first, how to plan the time, and not to rush through it. Also, help them learn that reading and studying are important kinds of homework. 9) Talk to your children about school. Ask them to name one good thing that happened that day . . . at least one new thing they learned. Most importantly, show them that you are genuinely interested and concerned with that major part of their lives. 10)Develop a good relationship with your children's teachers. Always consider yourself as a partner in this education process/business. You and the teachers both are interested in your children's success as students. When will Report Cards be distributed this school year (2008-2009)? 1st Trimester - December 4th 2nd Trimester - March 12th 3rd Trimester - June 11th |
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