Forest Area School District
Elementary Handbook
PROGRESS AND PROMOTION
The “Guiding Philosophy” in reference to progress and promotion for the schools of the Forest Area School District is to encourage each student to achieve his or her maximum potential while in attendance in the school district. To reach this goal the administration, faculty and staff members of the school district will assist every student without partiality as much as possible without endangering the learning processes of the other members of the student’s group.
Promotion to the next educational level will be based on the student’s ability to profit most from experiences at that level. Factors to be considered in cases where retention at the same grade level is a possibility are:
- Achievement of the student in academic subject.
- Attendance record of the student.
- Ability of the student to do school work as reflected by a standardized test of mental ability.
- Attitudes of the student toward the school, the faculty, and his peer group.
- Sociological or psychological factors resulting from the student’s home life or community relationships that would influence his level of educational achievement.
- Age and size of the student in comparison to the age and size of the group he will enter.
A student will be considered for retention at the same grade level in grades 4-6 if he/she has failed two or more major subjects or a combination of major and minor courses that add up to two credits. Also, a student who has missed twenty or more school days in a school year may be considered for retention at the same grade level.
*As per Pennsylvania School Code, the final decision regarding the promotion or retention of a pupil shall be made by the building principal.
GRADING POLICY
REPORT CARDS
Kindergarten Students ~ report cards are sent home every nine (9) weeks. Progress is reported by:
- S = Satisfactory A = Advanced
- N = Needs to Improve P = Proficient
- U = Unsatisfactory B = Below Basic
First through Sixth Grades ~ report cards are sent home every six (6) weeks. Students will receive a percentage grade or an effort grade at the discretion of the individual teachers. Teachers have the option of assigning an effort grade to a percentage grade, but this must be done for all students.
GRADE SCALE
Effort grades are:
- X = Exemplary
- P = Proficient
- S = Satisfactory
- N = Needs Improvement
- U = Unsatisfactory
Percentage grades are:
- 100% - 92% = Excellent
- 91% - 83% = Above Average
- 82% - 74% = Average
- 73% - 65% = Below Average
- 64% and below = Failing
Students will not receive a grade of below 60% for the first five (5) grading periods. For the last (6th) grading period, students will receive the grade they actually make in each class.
FINAL GRADES
The final grade will be the true average of the six grading periods. All grades will be calculated to the first decimal place and rounded to the nearest whole number with .5 or higher rounded up.
INCOMPLETE GRADE
The “I” grade is given when a student fails to complete his/her work due to legitimate reasons. The “I” grade must be made up within 15 school days after the student’s return to school, or it will change to a failing grade.
HONORS RECOGNITION
Honor’s recognition will be made for grades 3-6. High honors recognition will be given to any student whose cumulative grade point average falls between 92% and 100% for any grading period. Honor’s recognition will be given to any student whose cumulative grade point average falls between 91.9% and 85%. In all cases where “honors” status is considered, no grade below 74% and/or “U” will be allowed.
SUMMER SCHOOL
While there is no guarantee, it is possible that a summer school program may be offered. The program is designed for remedial work and the courses offered depend upon the needs of the students and the availability of the staff.
HOMEWORK
Homework at Forest Area Schools is an integral part of the learning process. As an integral part, homework reinforces good study habit, independence, self discipline and classroom learning.
Objectives:
- To improve skills in subject areas.
- To review content materials.
- To prepare for acquisition of new material.
- To teach good study habits.
- To develop organizational skills.
- To teach time management.
- To develop research skills.
- To stimulate initiative, self-direction, and self-discipline.
- To create a desire for self-improvement.
Responsibilities:
Teacher:
- To make the purpose of the assignment clear.
- To ensure assignments are relevant.
- To provide accurate and fair evaluation of assignments in a timely manner.
- To preview assignments, prior to introduction of new materials.
- To be aware of demands on the students’ time.
- To use homework as a learning tool, not a mode of discipline.
- To provide short-term and long-term assignments that require research and library skills.
- To notify parents if a student’s assignments are consistently late or incomplete.
Parents:
- To provide an area conducive to study.
- To help motivate the student to fulfill homework responsibility.
- To establish regular study time.
- To help develop a suitable study schedule.
- To cooperate with the teacher in reinforcing the value of homework.
Students:
- To complete all assignments in the allotted time frame.
- To make up all missed assignments.
- To be sure the assignment is understood before leaving school.
- To maintain good study habits.
- To budget time for short-term as well as long-term assignments.
- To communicate with parents and teachers concerning problems with assignments.
DRUG FREE SCHOOL PROGRAM
All students at all grade levels will receive age-appropriate, developmentally based drug prevention instruction each year as part of their planned courses of study
DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS
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