Homework Policy 2019-2020

Daily Homework Assignments – Not Counted Toward Report Card Grades

Homework assignments by topic will be posted each day by all K-5 classroom teachers. All K-5 teachers will assign homework.
Teachers will encourage children to complete all homework.
Parents will determine the appropriate amount of daily homework their child will complete (all, some, or none) based on their own personal and academic philosophies and the developmental needs of their child. For example, if a student is far above grade level in reading but struggles with math, the parent may decide to have his/her child focus more time on math and skip the evening’s reading assignment.
Parents are encouraged to work with their children to identify topics/questions which can be reinforced in the classroom to help strengthen the home/classroom connection. Teachers will encourage children to share these topics/questions in their review of the homework assignments. Teacher will check homework daily and will reinforce learning based on identified areas of improvement.
Daily homework completion will not be counted towards report cards grades.
Teachers will assign daily homework as follows:

Kindergarten approximately 30 minutes (Monday -Thursday)

First Grade approximately 40 minutes (Monday- Thursday)

Second Grade approximately 50 minutes (Monday-Thursday)

Third Grade approximately 60 minutes (Monday-Friday)

Fourth Grade approximately 70 minutes (Monday-Friday)

Fifth Grade approximately 80 minutes (Monday-Friday)

Independent reading is included in these guidelines and is adjusted as the year goes on.
Homework assignments may include written work, studying, reading in content areas, research, etc.

Long Term Projects/Graded Assignments – Counted Toward Report Card Grades

Long term projects and graded assignments will be assigned by classroom and cluster teachers.
Long term projects and graded assignments are mandatory and will be counted toward report card grades.
Long term projects and graded assignments may be completed entirely at home or they may be a combination of in-school and at-home work sessions.
Long term vacation projects and graded assignments will be assigned the week before vacation and will be due a week after the return to school. Two weekends (at the minimum) will be included in this time.
Long term projects and graded assignments that require going to the public library will include a weekend to accommodate working families.
One Time Only – If a child forgets to hand in his or her long term project or graded assignments on the due date, there will be a one-time-only, 1 day grace period without penalty.
If a child forgets his or her long term projects and graded assignments on future occasions, each late day will incrementally diminish the score.

Sick or Injured Children

Each child should have at least two homework buddies to call if he/she has questions about the homework assignment.
Children who are out sick for 1-3 days will obtain homework assignments from their homework buddies or from the teacher when they return to school.
Parents should not call the school to have teachers provide homework.
Children with serious (e.g. hospital stay) or long-term (e.g. broken legs) medical situations will be assigned daily homework and long term projects as determined by the Principal on a case-by-case basis.

Children on Vacation When School Is In Session, and

Children Absent Due to Family Emergencies/Celebrations

Advanced homework and school work will not be provided when families go on vacation when school is in session.
Advanced homework and school work will not be provided when children miss school due to family emergencies or celebrations.
Each child should have at least two homework buddies to call to receive the homework assignment.
Parents should not call the school to have teachers provide homework.