This year students will be involved in a departmental arrangement of classes to better prepare him/her for the transition to middle school. This means that each student will be moving from classroom to classroom for different subjects and will be taught at least one subject by each of the three fifth grade teachers.

This type of arrangement requires a greater self-responsibility on the part of the students. The students must be responsible for having the proper books and supplies as they move between classrooms. Students must also be responsible for keeping track of assignments and getting these assignments completed and turned in on time.

Homework instills student responsibility, develops independent study skills, and furthers academic growth. The following paragraphs state the homework policy of the fifth grade.

1. Each student will keep and use an official Seton Assignment Notebook. The assignments are to be checked off as they are completed. Every assignment must be noted in the assignment notebook or the word "NONE" must be used to indicate no assignment.

2. Assignments in all subject areas may be given daily. Long-range assignments and/or projects may be assigned in Religion, Reading, English, Social Studies, and Science. Each child is responsible for completing assignments on time whether they are finished in class or at home. Homework should be completed in approximately an hour. If a child consistently takes longer to complete homework, a parent should contact the teacher.

3. Students who have been ill will be given a reasonable amount of time to complete make-up work based on individual circumstances.

4. If an emergency should keep the child from completing work at home, parents are expected to write a note to the teacher involved which would allow a one day extension.

5. Parents will be notified of all late assignments. The signed late slip is to be returned to Mrs. Barrett by 8:15 the day after they issued. It is the student's responsibility to present the completed late homework to the teacher on the next school day.

6. The grade for late assignments without a note will be taken down 5% for each day late up to three days. After three days, the grade will be a 67% (F), but the assignment must still be completed. The principal will be notified.

7. "Friday Free Time" is offered to students as a weekly reward for receiving no more than 1 late slip during the week. Students not attending "Friday Free Time" will attend a study hall.

8. Handwriting and neatness of papers is to be stressed in all assigned work. Grades will be withheld until rewritten to meet pre-set standards. Rewriting of a messy paper may be assigned as homework.

Success in education is dependent upon the combined efforts and close communication between school and home. Your cooperation in working with the faculty to implement this policy will be greatly appreciated.

You may call Seton Elementary School at 757-5500 to contact me.