San Juan Elementary School

Report cards are issued three times a year and will be given out at a parent/teacher conference or sent home at the end of each trimester.

All parents and students are expected to attend a parent/teacher conference during the weeks of October 29, 2007 and March 24, 2008.

Teachers will send home conference times. Please make sure you schedule a time to meet and discuss the goals and objectives for this school year as well as for our Parent Compact.

Back To School Night is scheduled for September 25, 2007. Notices will be sent home with the date and times for this important event. All parents are expected to attend a presentation in their child’s classroom to receive valuable information about this school year.

All parents and students are encouraged to attend Open House which will be scheduled in the spring. This evening is dedicated to the demonstration of student achievement. It is an opportunity for all students to share what they have learned and to celebrate their accomplishments.

All parents are expected to volunteer at least ten hours per year per child. Parent Compacts will be discussed during the Fall Parent Conferences. Community volunteers are welcome to make arrangements ahead of time. It is important for all visitors and volunteers to sign in at the Center for Student Success office located in room 20 prior to entering campus.

We are continually seeking volunteers to assist with our after school programs. If you are interested in helping out please stop by the Center for Student Success or call (949) 496-3064 for more information.

Properly designed homework significantly strengthens student learning and achievement and is part of a well-planned instructional program. Homework can reinforce academic skills taught in school and enable students to learn how to conduct research effectively, develop ideas creatively and become life-long learners.

Homework will reinforce classroom learning objectives and be related to individual student needs and abilities. The common general purposes of homework follow:

To practice a skill previously taught by the teacher in the class.
To prepare for an upcoming lesson by researching background information prior to the lesson.
To elaborate on or extend knowledge of subjects learned or make connections with prior knowledge.
To make up work due to absences.

All San Juan students will have homework an average of four nights a week to reinforce academic standards being taught. In addition, students will be expected to read independently or have parents read to them for approximately 20 minutes daily.

Additional homework may be assigned to any student that is having difficulty in one particular area and that needs additional practice.

Homework is graded as an effort grade and takes into consideration completion and quality of the work. Most homework is practice, but at the discretion of the teacher, parts of long term projects may be given achievement grades.

llness/Excused Absences: All make-up work will be due to the teacher two days after the student returns to school.

Late Work: Missing assignments and late work must be turned in to the teacher within a week of: the last day of the absence or the date of the assigned work, and will be given partial credit only.

Consequences for chronic missing or late work may include recess detention, denial of special classroom privileges, parent conferences, attendance to a before or an after school homework class, or referral to the principal. Also, effort grades on the report card will be negatively affected.

Provide a suitable place for study, free from distraction.
Offer suggestions but encourage independence.
Participate eagerly in assignments that call for parental involvement.
Check to see that homework assignments are completed and initial the student’s spiral agenda book (grades 2-5).
Express interest in what the student is learning.
Assist in balancing homework with other activities.
Speak with teachers if assignments seem to cause students continuous problems.
Insist upon proper use and care of book and materials.

Parents will be informed about homework procedures by teachers during Back to School Night, at conferences, and through written communication from individual teachers and the school. Specific written instructions for parental help will be included with special assignments. Students in grades 2 – 5 grades will complete agendas which include homework assignments to share with parents on a daily basis.

Teachers will teach study skills such as time management, use and review of prior knowledge, graphic organizers, outlining, and agendas to assist students with homework assignments. Prior to homework being assigned, teachers will model procedures and provide guided practice to ensure that students understand the teachers’ expectations. It will be the teacher’s responsibility to be sure that students have access to resources, materials and support needed to complete a homework assignment. Modification of assignments on an individual student basis may be needed for some homework assignments. It will be the teacher’s responsibility to be sure that students have access to resources, materials and support needed to complete a homework assignment.

Listen carefully to all directions regarding homework.
Ask questions if the assignments are not clear.
Finish class work in a timely manner and begin homework assignments in class so the teacher is accessible if questions arise.
Keep an agenda of all assignments, including due dates and other specific requirements.
Take home all necessary materials.
Have a consistent time and space for study, free from distractions.
Budget time wisely. Begin assignments promptly and turn them in when due.
Strive for best results. Work independently unless help is needed.
Make up any work missed.