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 Report Cards, HW, ..

 Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
  1. What's different about the 'New Report Card'?
  2. Will we learn about our child's progress before the report card? When?
  3. What is a RUBRIC ?
  4. HOMEWORK ?
  5. Can Progress Reports help students?
  6. Does each grade have its own style Progress Report?
  7. How can parents help children do well - or better - in school?
  8. When will Report Cards be distributed this school year (2007-2008)?
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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.
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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.
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What is a RUBRIC ?

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.
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HOMEWORK ?

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!
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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.
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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).
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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.
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When will Report Cards be distributed this school year (2007-2008)?

1st Trimester - December 5th
2nd Trimester - March 13th
3rd Trimester - June 12th
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Last Modified: Tuesday August 07 2007
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