HEALTH/FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION: PARTICIPATION FORM FOR GRADES 4-6

An approved curriculum for Family Life Education is presented to students as a part of the regular health education classes. Before teaching the Family Life Education Curriculum in grades 4 through 12, teachers must have parental consent forms properly completed. Teachers will have an appropriate alternative program for those students choosing not to participate. The alternate programs will not exceed the amount of work required by teaching students in the regular classroom. Parents may wish to discuss this program with the teacher and/or principal before agreeing to student participation. The parent response form is attached to this Handbook.

As a teacher for your child, I would like to share with you the decision-making process relative to the Warrick County School Board Policy by including a unit on Family Life Education.

The purpose of this class is not to infringe upon the rights and responsibilities of the parent to instruct the child. But rather, we feel this class can be used as an excellent resource to open discussion in the home as well as the improvement of personal and social relationships with their parents and peers.

We feel that you, the parents, should be allowed the right to approve or disapprove of any such education for your child. If you choose not to allow your child to participate, a suitable alternative would be structured with no penalty to your child.

If at any time you would like to preview the material, please contact the school office for an appointment.

HOMEWORK

The School Corporation believes that the effective use of homework can extend productive learning experiences beyond the school day. Homework is only one part of the teaching/learning process. Homework is seen as giving the students the opportunity to extend theirclassroom learning and to practice skills while developing self-discipline and study habits that will benefit them in school as well as in careers at the completion of school.

The responsibility for the success of the homework policy is shared equally among administrators, teachers, parents, and students. We believe homework should give students the opportunity to accept the responsibility of participating in their learning process. The School Corporation supports the practice of assigning reasonable homework as a necessary part of the learning process and as a legitimate demand on the non-class time of the student. Homework is a flexible and individual instructional responsibility of the instructional staff of the school corporation. Because of the individual differences and needs of students, the school corporation does not require or expect all students to experience the same kind ofhomework in connection with classroom instruction. Basic guidelines regarding homework suggest that homework have a purpose, that understanding precede the homework, that homework be checked, and that such homework enrich and extend learning experiences. Homework should be reserved primarily for either the reinforcement of those skills which have already been introduced to the student or projects which are extensions of classroom work and should reflect individual pupil needs.

Homework Definition

Homework is properly defined as any work planned or approved by the teacher to be completed by the student outside of the regular classroom without the immediate and direct supervision of the teacher.

Goals To Be Accomplished Through Homework

1. To reinforce learning through the practice, application, integration, extension, and/or preparation of knowledge and skills.

2. To develop study skills, work habits, and a sense of personal responsibility so that the student may become an independent learner.

3. To stimulate originality and creativity.

4. To enrich school experiences and encourage a carry over into leisure and career-centered interests.

Purposes For Homework

l. Provides essential practice in needed skills.

2. Trains pupils in good work habits.

3. Affords opportunities for increasing self-direction.

4. Enriches and extends school experience.

5. Helps students to budget time.

6. Brings pupils into contact with out-of-school learning resources.

7. Promotes growth in responsibility.

Criteria helps to keep homework activities in line with our homework purposes.

l. Does the homework serve a valid purpose?

2. Is it within the capabilities of the pupils?

3. Has the class been motivated for the work?

4. Does the assignment grow out of school experience?

5. Are pupils entirely clear about what they are to do?

6. Can most pupils do the work without the assistance of parents or others?

7. Does the assignment minimize the temptation merely to copy information?

8. Can the homework be evaluated fairly and/or used in the daily program?

The amount of homework assigned should vary with the grade, age and the needs of the child and the class. The following guidelines are provided:

Primary Grades (1, 2, 3)

Homework is assigned to meet individual students' needs. Thirty (30) minutes per day should be sufficient for children in the primary grades. Homework should not be assigned every day, however, it may be assigned on weekends. Appropriate homework assignments include work missed due to absence, individual assignments, special projects.

Intermediate Grades (4, 5, 6)

Homework is assigned in language arts/reading and mathematics on a regular basis. In addition, special projects are suitable homework assignments. Homework may be assigned daily and on weekends. One (l) hour of homework per day should be sufficient for children in the intermediate grades, assuming they have efficiently used their class time at school. Homework should be consistent with course objectives and may include practice drills for review and reinforcement as well as extension activities.

Absences

When requested, makeup work will be sent home for students. They are expected to do the work and follow the time frame specified by the teacher for completion of the work. If the specified schedule can't be followed, parents should notify the teachers.

Students will be given one day for each day’s absence to complete work missed when absent. For example: a student who has three consecutive days of excused absences will have three days in which to complete the work.

Elementary Absences

When a student is absent from school for any reason, assignments missed during that absence are expected to be completed. Parents are encouraged to contact the office by 9:00 A.M. to make arrangements to have their child's homework picked up in the office between 2:45 and 3:20 P.M. unless special arrangements are made.

Role of the Parent

Cooperation by parents is a necessary factor in meaningful homework experiences.

Parents, you can encourage your children by showing interest and exhibiting helpful attitudes toward homework. You can do the following:

1. Provide a quiet, well-lighted place for your child to study.

2. Establish a regular "homework time" in the home and have a special place free from excessive noise and other distractions where your child can work.

3. Encourage and support your child's efforts.

4. Before going to the principal, superintendent or the school board, please communicate with the teacher whenever your child has consistent difficulty with homework assignments.

5. Encourage your child to seek help and ask questions of the teacher when in doubt about an assignment.

6. Help students organize adequate time for homework completion (time frame).

7. Familiarize your child with the resource materials available at the library.

8. Allow ample uninterrupted time to look over your child's homework.

Role of the Student

In the early grades, the effectiveness of homework assignments depends largely on the concern each student's parents and teachers show for his/her welfare. As the student matures, however, his/her success with homework becomes progressively more dependent on his/her own efforts. The students, with guidance from teachers and parents, should continue to develop responsibility for bridging the gap of communication between home and school. Each student has the responsibility to develop good work and study habits.

Students, you should do the following:

l. Clarify with the teacher any questions pertaining to the instructions before leaving class (i.e., its purpose, when it is due, and how it should be done.)

2. Take home any materials and information needed to complete the assignment.

3. Learn to budget your time.

4. Analyze your study habits and take advantage of available study aids.

5. With the aid of your parents,

a. Set aside a special time in which to do the assignment.

b. Find a workplace free from excessive noise and other distractions in which to work.

c. Organize your time so assignments can be completed in a reasonable length of time.

d. Check carefully the completed assignment.

6. When absent from school for any reason, complete missed assignments.

7. Return all work completed to the teacher by the date requested