When you filled out your child’s registration packet, you may have indicated that you would like your child to complete his/her homework while at the Extended Day Program. We think it might be helpful if we explain how the homework session at the grade 1 and grade 2 levels is conducted.
The homework session at Warren EDP starts around 4:20, giving your child a chance to have recess and a snack. If your child will be doing homework with us, we strongly encourage you to have a discussion with him or her about what your expectations are in terms of homework. Some parents want their child to do their homework at EDP everyday, others choose to have them do it a few days at EDP and the other days at home. Also, a lot of children, especially first graders, take the term “homework” literally and will argue that “My teacher said it was homework. I am not at home so I don’t have to do it.” We explain to the children that while it is called “homework”, it actually means any work that the teacher assigns to be done after school. While it sounds like we are being petty, this becomes a huge struggle with kids and can use up a lot of time when the staff is trying to get everyone else to the homework session in a timely manner. If you explain this to your child now, it will be most helpful.
2. All children are asked daily if they have homework. In the beginning of the school year, we help children check for homework and as the year progresses we expect them to take more responsibility for this themselves. If you find your child has neglected to do his/her homework during EDP, please let us know right away so we can monitor the situation more closely.
3. There are approximately 45 students at the beginning of each homework session with 6 staff members. Please keep in mind that while the teachers are happy to clarify directions, check homework for accuracy, and assist the children in getting started, consistent one-on-one tutoring is not within the realm of the EDP homework session. In addition, students are often asked to complete something with a parent, work on reports, be quizzed on spelling words or create some sort of project that requires individual attention. In this case, homework will need to be completed at home. We will do everything we can to see that as much homework as possible is completed here at EDP, but parents must play an active role in this process as well. We are limiting homework time to 30 minutes, as we have found that working on homework for long stretches of time stresses the children out and is counter- productive.
4. In the event of a field trip, party or other special event, the homework session may be held later or not at all. Please understand that occasionally your child might come home with unfinished homework due to scheduling differences here at EDP.
5. Children and staff (and parents) are not allowed to go back to the classrooms for forgotten homework. The rooms are locked and it is a privacy issue to go into a classroom when the teacher is not present. If we find that it is becoming a habit with some children to “forget” their homework, we will have to make other arrangements to get the homework to EDP before school is out. Remember, one of the Core Values of the Warren School is responsibility, and remembering homework folders and doing homework are ways we can promote this Core Value!