Class Policies, Expectations, and Information

Expectations and Policies

Homework Policy

I believe homework is a valuable tool that helps students reinforce and extend concepts taught in school, prepares students for upcoming lessons, teaches responsibility, creates a connection between home and school, and helps students develop regular study habits.  I also believe that parents play a crucial role in fostering a positive attitude toward homework, and students will benefit from a consistent homework routine.  Therefore, I ask parents to provide the necessary supplies and environment, set up a daily homework time, offer support, and contact me if they notice any problems. 

Assignments will be given Monday-Thursday.  Homework assignments will fit into one of the following categories: practice homework, preparation homework, extension homework, or creative homework. 

Practice Homework

Practice homework helps students master skills and reinforce in-class learning. Learning spelling words and completing math worksheets are examples of this type of homework.

Preparation Homework

Preparation assignments prepare students for upcoming lessons or quizzes. Reading an article, completing a KWL chart, or reviewing material are examples of this type of homework.

Extension Homework

Extension homework helps students connect what they learn in class with real life. It requires students to transfer specific skills and concepts to new situations. Journal writing and conducting experiments at home are examples of extension homework.

Creative Homework

Creative homework helps students integrate multiple concepts and promotes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This type of homework often takes the form of open-ended questions and long-term projects that allow students a choice.

Daily assignments will be written on the board.  Students are responsible for copying them into their assignment books, which I will then sign and return.  Parents are asked to check the planner daily or weekly, depending on the student's level of responsibility.  Homework assignments will be posted at the beginning of the week on the homepage of my website.  

Homework should typically take the students between twenty and fifty minutes to complete, with the exception of studying for a test.  Homework is due the next day unless otherwise stated.  Students may have time to start homework in class if they use their time wisely.  Students will occasionally have projects in various subject areas. There will be one book project assigned each trimester that students will complete outside of class.  Students will not be assigned homework over the weekends; however, unfinished classwork or missing homework may be assigned.  Students are expected to budget their time wisely to complete long-term projects, so completing tasks over the weekend/vacation is encouraged.

Homework should always be meaningful and fit into one of the homework categories listed above.   The purpose of homework is to practice and reinforce skills that lead to greater academic success in the classroom.  All homework is expected to be turned in on time.  It is a student's responsibility to complete and turn in assignments.  Students are expected to submit their work the following day to receive full credit.  If homework or classwork is not turned in on the due date, it must be submitted within five days.  After that point, a student will no longer be able to submit that assignment.  If the purpose of spelling homework is to prepare for a test, it doesn't seem very reasonable to allow a student to make it up after the test is taken.  If a student consistently misses assignments, a meeting will be requested with parents to develop a plan to improve homework success.  

Students are expected to stay on top of their grades by checking them online with their parents.  Grades are updated every day.  I will also send all graded work home on Friday.  Please check your child’s folder for graded work.  Return the folder on Monday, empty.  Progress Reports will be sent out about halfway through a trimester. 

Work Quality 

Fifth graders are expected to take pride in their work.  Below is a list of expectations for work quality in fifth grade.

·    Name on paper/Class Number

·    Date

·    Written neatly, and when assigned, in cursive

·    Proper use of capitalization and punctuation

Work in Math should be complete, and all work should be shown, especially in problem-solving.  Students should label problem-solving answers.

Work should be completed in pencil, or blue or black pen unless students are completing an assignment that requires color.

Work that does not meet these expectations will be redone.

Students are encouraged to make corrections to their classwork and homework.    

Tardies/ Absences

Fifth graders arrive at the building at 7:50. Our day begins with a check-in, morning message, attendance, and morning work. Students are expected to be settled and working by 8:00. It is important that your child arrives on time so that they are ready to begin the day and do not fall behind with morning work, which is used to reinforce reading and math skills, to extend topics we are covering, or to catch up on class work. In the rare event that a student is tardy, they must check in at the office before proceeding to their classroom upstairs. They will still be responsible for the work they missed.

When a student is absent, homework can be picked up in the office at the end of the day if requested by 9:00 a.m.; otherwise, students will be given their missed work upon return.  Students will have the same number of days they were absent to complete and submit the missed work.  The student is responsible for turning in their missed work on time.  No additional reminders will be given.  It can become difficult for students to catch up if they are repeatedly absent and/or tardy. 

If students are missing school due to a planned vacation, they will not always have an opportunity to receive classwork before their trip.  They are encouraged to read, journal, and read ahead in their textbooks.  Students will be given work when they return and will have the same number of days to complete it as they were absent.    

Classroom Conduct

​Classroom Economy

This program has the same overall objectives for all grades—to instill basic financial responsibility and teach the value of delayed gratification.  Students earn and spend money in a simulated microeconomy. Using classroom “currency,” students earn money for jobs and pay rent for their desks. They can earn bonus cash by participating in extracurricular activities, helping others, and earning excellent grades. On the other hand, students who don’t meet classroom expectations will be fined some of their classroom dollars. That could happen, for example, if they fail to complete assignments or fail to listen when other students are speaking. The classroom economy helps students learn valuable life skills such as organization, the value of saving, and delayed gratification. Rather than being told about the importance of these skills, they actually experience them. Additionally, the system aligns well with our curriculum. We’ll also have a little fun with it. After paying rent, students can save money to spend at semi-monthly auctions where they get to bid on popular prizes such as sitting next to a friend, a homework pass, or indoor recess. The students will certainly enjoy themselves, and I know you will appreciate the skills and knowledge they learn along the way.

Additionally, we will adhere to the CKS Discipline Policy.  The mission states that Christ the King School provides an excellent education in a Catholic community of love and care, fostering respect for oneself and others, and nourishing a lifelong devotion to God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. In honoring this mission, the CKS community believes that all teachers have the right to teach and all students have the right to learn. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate at all times. Cooperation and communication with parents are keys to a successful and positive learning atmosphere.

The philosophy of CKS is predicated upon the fundamental principle that no education is complete unless it encompasses the development of the whole person. Spiritual development is the basis of this philosophy, for it is through spiritual development that physical, emotional, and intellectual growth are complemented and unified. Spiritual development helps the child grow in the gift of faith and become increasingly aware of and responsible for one's duties to God, oneself, and one’s neighbors.  A critical aspect of a Christ the King education is teaching to the “whole student,” therefore, respect for oneself and for the worth and dignity of others is key. The development of positive behavior and a positive attitude is the responsibility of the student, parent(s)/guardian(s), and the school.

Christ the King School recognizes that good behavior, both on and off campus, helps foster a positive learning environment. Accordingly, all teachers will disseminate and explain classroom and school rules, as well as the consequences for not following rules. 

The purpose of the discipline system is to encourage students to take responsibility for their actions and foster a positive learning environment. Self-discipline is the ultimate goal for each student.  

All discipline policies are at the discretion of the teacher(s) and the administrator involved.

Student appearance is very important!  If a student is not in compliance with the uniform policy, they will receive a warning.  Further infractions will result in detention.  Please refer to the family handbook for our uniform policy details.

Birthdays/Class Parties

We love to celebrate birthdays!  Please notify me in advance if you plan to bring a treat for your child and when you will be doing so.  We have 15 students in our class this year.  Food allergies will be announced at the beginning of the school year.  We kindly request that birthday treats be individually sized for easy distribution and consumption. ☺  (No sheet cakes, etc.) If your child has a summer birthday, we can arrange for a birthday celebration during the school year.  We do not celebrate half-birthdays in fifth grade.

We will have class parties for the following holidays: Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.  Look for more detailed information from our room parents.