Assignments

There are a number of ways in which a parent can help with homework assignments.  Parents can arrange a place for their child to complete home study free of interruptions.  They can assist their child in making a scheduled time for home practice each day.  Parents can check to see that all homework is properly completed and that all books and necessary school supplies are brought to school daily.  Further, parents can encourage their child to extend interest aroused in the classroom through reading for pleasure, hobbies, and family trips to educational locations.

St. Michael School encourages the faculty members to challenge their students by giving homework and test assignments regularly.  The teachers are asked to give homework to review and reinforce class work.  Assignments will be limited on the nights before major school functions.  Parents are encouraged to meet with the teacher if their child is having difficulty completing his or her assignments. 

Teachers and parents share the responsibility for regular communication concerning a child’s performance in the classroom.  Class work and test papers are sent home for parent review and signature.  Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher for clarification or to discuss areas of concern.  Teachers will maintain close contact with parents when a student is not working up to expectations.  Some teachers make available online information to students to assist with assignments and home study.  Grades can also be checked by parents on line. 

Homework for Absent Students

When your child is absent, please call the secretary by 8:20 a.m. to notify the office of absence and to request if you would like missed class work for the day.

Grades K-4:  The teacher will assemble the missed work assignments and materials needed and it will be brought to the cafeteria and may be picked up after 3:00 p.m.  It is not possible for parents to go to the classroom to get assignments or to have the assignments ready before the end of the day.  If your child is too ill to complete the assignments, please contact the teacher to make arrangements for completing work after returning to school.  Please contact the homeroom teacher if you have any concerns about assignments or make-up work.  Students are responsible for getting their homework completed upon return to school if they were not able to collect it due to illness.

Grades 5-8:   Students in grades 5-8, because of the number of teachers, will receive missed work from each teacher when they return.  The teacher will set a time for work to be completed for his/her subject.  In case of an extended illness parents are asked to contact the student’s homeroom teacher.

In the case of a pre-planned absence, parents should write a letter to the teacher explaining the absence.  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain assignments from teachers prior to the absence and to complete all assignments and tests missed.

REPORTS OF STUDENT PROGRESS

Progress Reports

It is important for parents to keep informed about student progress at school.  There are several ways that St. Michael School will communicate with parents.

A.  Signed Papers:     Student tests papers will be sent home on a regular schedule.  Parents are asked to review and sign papers and return them to the teachers the next day.

B.  Progress Reports:   (Grades 1-8) All students receive a progress report in all subjects at the middle of each quarter.  Progress reports are sent home with the students on the days marked “progress report sent home” on the school calendar.  Parents are to sign the Progress Report form and return it to school the next school day.  It is the responsibility of the parent to review these reports and contact the teacher if there is a concern.

C.  Online:  Grades are posted on line.  Parents may check using family password given to parent by homeroom teacher.

Grading

The following grading system is used at St. Michael School in all academic areas and for conduct in grades 4-8:

            A         95-100% (Outstanding)            D         70-78%  (Weak)

            B         88-94%   (Very Good) F          Below 70% (Not fulfilling

                                                                                                            requirements)

            C         79-87%   (Good)                     I           Incomplete

Students in an advanced section may be placed on an adjusted grading scale.  Parents will be notified when the class has an adjusted scale.

A grade of 94 or below in a academic subject or conduct keeps a student off the principal’s list.  A grade of 87 or below in academics or conduct keeps the student off the honor roll.  A grade point average of  78 or below in conduct in any class keeps the student from athletic eligibility.  (See further information listed under “Clubs” for regulations governing club members and club officers.)

Conduct Grading System

Grades 1-3

Students in grades 1-3 will receive a weekly conduct report.  The report form will identify student behavior as either acceptable, needs improvement or unacceptable for the week.  An unacceptable or needs improvement mark on the 9 weeks report card will keep a student off the honor roll and/or the principal’s list.  (Weekly conduct reports will be averaged at the end of the nine weeks –5 or more acceptable =acceptable grade on the report card, 5 or more unacceptable grades/needs improvement = unacceptable grade on report card.)

Grades 4-8

Students in grades 4-8 receive a conduct grade on their report card using the grading system previously listed.  Students will receive a conduct grade from each teacher on their report card.  In addition these grades will be averaged for the students to receive a conduct average.  Retentions, detentions, and suspensions will result in conduct points being deducted from the quarter conduct average.  2 points for each retention; 4 points for each detention; 7 points for each suspension.  Grades of 94 or below on conduct average will keep a student off the Principal’s List.  A conduct average grade of 87 or below will keep student off the Honor Roll for the quarter. 

The letter “I” will be given if assignments are incomplete.  The incomplete grade will remain on the student’s record until the work is made up or until the “I” becomes an “F”.  A time limit will be set by the teacher and school administration.  Failure to meet these conditions will result in the grade “F” being assigned for the work missed.

Failures

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students who need to be retained will be recommended to the principal.  Parents will be notified of the reasons why the teacher recommends retaining the child in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.  In any case of retention, parents who disagree with the teacher’s evaluation should schedule a meeting with the principal and the teacher.

First-Third   In first through third grades a student will repeat the grade if he or she fails Reading, Language Arts, or Math.  Teachers may also recommend to the principal that a child be retained for other reasons.  In these cases the parents will be notified by the teacher and a meeting with the teacher will be arranged to discuss the need for retention.

Fourth-Eighth   In fourth through eighth grades a student will repeat the grade if he or she fails two or more subjects.  If a student fails one subject he or she must make it up in summer school (or by private tutoring meeting all state requirements) in order to be promoted to the next grade.  If a student fails Religion, he or she will be required to make up the work through private tutoring in the summer by a certified Catechist.

Student Files

Parents have the right to view their child’s records.  Please call the office to make an appointment if you would like to come to school to review your child’s permanent file.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parents are encouraged to make appointments to meet with individual teachers at any time during the school year.  If parents would like to speak with a teacher, they are to call the school office and leave a message with the secretary.  The teacher will return the parent’s call and arrange for a conference time.  Parents with a concern or question are asked to contact the teacher or teachers with whom there is a concern before contacting the principal.

Sometimes teachers will contact parents to schedule appointments to discuss student progress or problems.  Parents are asked to make attendance at these meetings a priority.