Elementary Academics
Accelerated Reader Book List
Class Status
Students are promoted to the next grade upon successful completion of all subjects in a given year.Promotion Requirements
To be promoted to the next grade a student must maintain a general average of 70%, with the final grades in each subject no less than a D.Criteria for Retention:
Kindergarten and 1st grade-- Lack of developmental readiness could result in the recommendation of retention.
Grades 1 through 5
- Failure in one or more subjects for the school year necessitates summer tutoring. When successful completion of the summer program has been verified by the administration through written testing, the child may proceed to the next grade.
- Failure in two or more subjects necessitates a review of records by the administration and a conference with the parents and teachers. The possibility of retention is most probable; however each case will be treated separately.
- In general, a student can be retained for the following reasons:
- Not meeting academic requirements
- Absence--When a student is absent more than 20 days without a doctor’s certificate, his/her records will be examined to determine the possibility of retention
- Social or behavioral problems that negatively influence the child’s work.
Retention Procedure
To retain a student in the same grade for the next academic year, the following procedure is observed:
- The teacher diagnoses the student’s problem at the earliest possible date and provides the student all possible assistance to remedy this situation.
- The teacher meets with the parents on a regular basis beginning with the earliest reasonable time.
- The teacher informs the Assistant Principal by the end of January of the possibility of the student’s retention.
- By the end of January the teacher, Assistant Principal, parents, (and student) review the student’s work performance to date and discuss the possibilities of his/her academic success for the remainder of the year. This meeting is followed by a written communication to the parents reviewing the content of the meeting.
- No later than March of the second trimester, the school informs the parents in writing of the possibility of the student being retained in the same grade during the next academic year.
- The teacher continues to provide all assistance possible and regularly discusses the student’s progress with the parents.
- By the last marking period (April, May) the school informs the parent in writing of its decision regarding the student.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of the elementary course of study with a general average of at least 70%.Grading System
Grades Pre-K, K, 1 & 2
Subject Marking and Effort/Conduct Codes
Four codes will be used to indicate student progress toward meeting standards. These codes will be finalized and defined by the Archdiocese. The final decision will be made within the internal review
committee and the administrative team. At this time we are considering: Independent, Progressing, Emerging, and NA (not assessed at this time). NA is used if that standard has not been assessed during the current trimester.
Grades 3 – 5
Letter Grades
A 93 – 96
B+ 89 – 92
B 85 – 88
C+ 80 – 84
C 75 – 79
D 70 – 74
F 69 & below
Effort and Conduct Grades
Outstanding 97 – 100
Good 85 – 96
Satisfactory 75 – 84
Improvement Needed 70 – 74
Unsatisfactory 69 and below
Standards
The following six codes and numerical values will be used to indicate student progress toward meeting standards.
Proficient 97 – 100
Very Good 93 – 96
Good 85 – 92
Satisfactory 75 – 84
Improvement needed 70 – 74
Not Yet Demonstrating 69 and below
Awards
Throughout the year students are acknowledged for various achievements.Accelerated Reader Honor Roll
Each month students who achieve appropriate points in the accelerated reader program are named to the accelerated reader honor roll. At the end of the year students who achieved their goal, receive special honors.
Student of The Week
Teachers choose to recognize individual students weekly. The teacher determines the criterion for this award.
Student of The Month
Students are chose for special recognition throughout the school each month. The Assistant Principal in consultation with the teachers determines the criterion for this Award.
Religion Requirements
Religion is required for each year a student attends the elementary level. All students enrolled in the elementary level must attend religion classes and services. Students are encouraged to attend weekly religious services of their own faith.
Progress Reports
Students and parents/guardians will be notified of academic progress at the mid-point of each trimester by means of an “Academic Progress Report”. Please follow any recommendations noted on the report, sign it, and return it to the teacher. Either parent/guardian or the teacher may request conferences. In either case both parents/guardian and teachers make an effort to insure continued communication with each other regarding student progress.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued three times a year. Distribution dates are noted on the school calendar. Report cards serve to show the students and the parents/guardians the Student’s educational growth and development in each subject area over a given length of time.
Testing Program
The following tests are administered to elementary students:
- Standardized Testing --The Stanford 10 and OLSAT are administered in April to students in grades 3 through 5.
- Local Reading, Language Arts, and Math screenings on all grade levels
- ACRE tests to determine student understanding of the Catholic Faith. This test is administered to 5th grade students in September or October.
- Assessments provided by the publisher for various educational programs which are used.
- Teacher made assessments to determine student retention of subject matter.
Instruction/Curriculum
On the elementary level students are grouped heterogeneously with some ability grouping in Math and Reading, and some departmentalization within grades. Classes in Art, Music, Computer, Physical Education and Spanish are integrated into the student’s weekly schedule. The instructional program is developed in concert with the Archdiocesan Course of Study and regulations of the Maryland Department of Education for Non-Public Schools.Homework
Homework is assigned as a reinforcement or extension of the daily program. Assigned homework should be completed. It is the parent’s responsibility to supervise the homework and guide the student to select a quiet, well-equipped place for study. As the child becomes older, the major responsibility should shift to the child. Yet even with older students some parent supervision is expected. Parents should emphasize that study is as essential as written work.
The suggested time allotments based on the most recent research is as follows:
- Grades 1 and 2 ordinarily should not exceed 30 minutes.
- Grade 3 ordinarily should not exceed 45 minutes
- Grade 4 ordinarily should not exceed 60 minutes
- Grade 5 ordinarily should not exceed 90 minutes
If a parent recognizes that a child consistently spends less or more than the suggested time for homework, parents should contact the teacher directly. If home assignments cannot be completed because of home conditions, e.g. sickness, death of a relative, etc., students will be permitted to defer doing the prescribed work. A written explanation to the teacher will obtain this permission. Ordinarily, homework is not given on weekends. At all grade levels, homework is included in determining the subject area grade on the report card. When a teacher notices that a student is consistently missing assignments, the teacher will notify the parent, and a conference will be scheduled to discuss appropriate methods to remedy the situation. No student is ever given work to do that has not been covered in class. Some long-term assignments are given; that is, some work or project that is due a week or two from the day it is given.
Parents/Guardians support the teachers and fulfill their supervisory responsibilities by attending to the following:
- Review the assigned work with the child
- Provide a quiet, well equipped place
- Provide the time required
- Provide assistance to the child as needed
- Emphasize with the child the need for study
- Assure the return of homework to the school
- Help the child plan his/her time so as to complete long-term assignments by the due date
Work Habits
Teachers and parents work together to help students establish strong and consistent work and study habits. Guidelines to assist in this task are as follows:
- Written assignments must be neat, legible, and complete.
- Books, and notebooks should be free of scribbling inside and out
- Notebooks, folders, and supplies should be replaced when worn or depleted.
- Students should always have a library book to read.
- At all levels, students are required to do homework.
- Requirements for class work and homework are determined by the teacher annually and are communicated to the parents verbally or through written correspondence.
- Parent comments regarding class work or homework assignments should be directed to the teacher assigning the work.
Test Papers
- Test papers that are returned to the students should be signed by the parent/guardian and returned to the teacher the following day. A parent’s signature on a test paper indicates that you have seen the paper. Questions about tests should be directed to the teacher who gave the test.
Textbooks and Materials
- Textbooks are on loan to the students for the school year. Book fees are used for the replacement of worn and damaged books, and to purchase consumable workbooks for the students.
- Art and computer materials are purchased using money collected from fees paid by the parents at the beginning of the school year.
- A list of additional materials and supplies needed by the students is sent to the parents annually.
- Textbooks used on the elementary level are chosen from a suggested list found in the Archdiocesan Course of Study, and approved by the elementary faculty and administration.
Conferences
In any effective educational system, communication between the School and parents are imperative. To encourage open communication the following guidelines concerning conferences has been included.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
- Two days are set aside for parents-teacher conferences each year.
- A teacher or a parent may request a conference at any other time during the year. An appointment can be arranged by writing a note directly to the teacher, or through the elementary office.
- Conferences before school will not be allowed unless previously arranged by the teacher.
Parent-Administrator Conferences:
- Parents wishing to discuss a problem occurring within the classroom should FIRST contact the teacher involved.
- If results of that conference are perceived as unsatisfactory, they are encouraged contacting the Principal. The Principal can be reached by phone during school hours. If the Principal is unavailable leave a message and/or your telephone number and your call will be returned.
Communications to Parents
- Communication to parents consists of monthly newsletters with occasional update as needed. School Communications are sent to the parents through a correspondence envelope given to the youngest or only child once a week.
- Whenever a situation occurs that causes concern, the concern should be addressed first at the level at which the situation arose. Therefore the parents should first contact the teacher involved and the, if necessary, teacher and parents should go to the principal. However, PARENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO INTERRUPT TEACHERS EITHER BEFORE SCHOOL OR DURING CLASS HOURS. TEACHERS SHOULD BE SEEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
- Is a conference with the Assistant Principal or teacher is needed, please call the office or write a note at least a day or two in advance of the conference date. Should a written request sent to a teacher be unanswered after allowing sufficient time, the parents are requested to call the office and leave a message with the secretary. The Assistant Principal will broker communication.
- In the best interest of students, the school welcomes and encourages verbal and written communication between parents and teachers. Report cards conferences will be scheduled at appropriate times through the year.
Emergency Cards
Emergency card information for each child is to be kept current. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY CARD FOR EACH CHILD AND THE SCHOOL IS INFORMED IMMEDIATELY OF ANY CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER. Children will only be released to persons designated on the emergency card unless otherwise instructed by the custodial parent/guardian.
Restricted Areas
When school is in session, students may not be outside the building unless they are involved in a class or recess and are accompanied by a faculty member. Empty classrooms are restricted areas. Corridors are to be generally cleared of traffic except for movement at the change of class.
Homeroom Parents
Parents who have completed the STAND program are asked to serve as assistants to the teachers in planning class activities when the teacher request volunteers. From time to time gifts are presented to our teachers and the gifts are greatly appreciated. Solicitation of funds for gifts for teachers is not permitted.
Student Records
The student records are maintained in the Elementary School office. The school will disclose educational records consistent with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Directory Information
Parents whose phone numbers are unlisted MUST give the school either the unlisted number or a number where the parents can be reached. It is essential that the school have this information in case of emergency. It will be kept in strictest confidence. Any change in phone number or address is to be given to the school office and the homeroom teacher in writing within a one-week period after the change occurs. Please see page 24 in the Handbook.
Volunteers
Parents, guardians, and friends of the school are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents in various areas. Some possibilities are: playground supervision, library, cafeteria, health room, small group work, classroom helpers, field trip chaperones, and fundraising events. A written communication in the fall provides an opportunity for volunteers to express their preferences for becoming involved in many areas of school life. All volunteers must complete the STAND certification process.