Academic Information
Textbooks and Curriculum
The
staff at the Penn Kidder Campus is dedicated to working with students
to ensure academic success. We are constantly working to keep our
curriculum current with today’s offerings and to meet state standards.
We utilize the following textbooks and curriculums:
- *D’ Nealian Handwriting- Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley
- *Reading, Language Arts, Process Writing, Spelling-
- Scott Foresman- Reading Streets
- *Mathematics- Scott Foresman- Addison Wesley
- *Science- Scott Foresman
- *Social Studies- Varies by grade level.
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Progress Reports
Progress reports are sent home at the midpoint of each
marking period. Parents are requested to sign the report and return it
to school within three days.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued to students every nine weeks.
There are four grading periods each year. Attendance is also conveyed
on the report card. Report envelopes must be signed by the
parent/guardian and returned to the child’s homeroom teacher within
three days.
Grading System
A= 93-100
B=85-92
C=75-84
D=70-74
F=0-69
The following letter system is used for minor subjects, student behavior, and study habit characteristics:
G= Good/Exceeds the requirements
S= Satisfactory/Meets the grade level requirements
N= Needs Improvement
U= Unsatisfactory/ Below grade level requirements
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Honor Roll Requirements (Gr. 1- 6)
Principal's List
All
A's in major subjects and no N's or UNS's in minor subject areas,
homework, conduct, effort. A 4 in Process Writing is required.
Honor Roll
All
A's and B's in major subjects and no N's or UNS's in minor subject
areas, homework, conduct, effort. A 3 or above in Process Writing is
required.
Honor Roll Requirements (Gr. 7 - 8)
PRINCIPAL’S LIST
A 93 or better in all five major subjects and no grade lower than an 85 in any other subject.
HONOR ROLL
A 93 or better in two major subjects and no grade lower than an 85 in any other subject.
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Credit Scale (Grades 7 and 8)
- Reading (1 credit)
- Language Arts (1 credit)
- Math (1 credit)
- Science (1 credit)
- Social Studies (1 credit)
- Computer Science (.5 credit)
- Health (.3 credit)
- Physical Education (.2 credit)
- Art (.25 credit)
- Music (.25 credit)
- Technology Education (.25 credit)
- Family & Consumer Science (.25 credit)
Total: 7 credits
*indicates a major subject
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Homework Guidelines
Homework
is an extension of skills taught in class and is assigned to maintain
mastery of those skills. Most assigned homework is designed to be a
daily review of classroom work and can be completed with little
assistance. Repetition is essential for young children to gain skill
mastery. In the upper grades, teachers often require special projects
or research and both students and parents are made aware of any extended
timelines.
Homework
may include completion of classwork, practice to maintain mastery,
special projects, or research. Each child should read for at least 15
minutes daily using materials other than school assignments. Homework
times will vary according to grade level and ability of each child. In
general, homework should not exceed 45-minutes/one hour. When this
occurs, consult the teacher for assistance.
Homework
should be monitored by parents, corrected by parents, but NOT DONE by
parents. A regular time and place should be designated for homework
time.
The following applies to all students in our school with regard to homework;
- Homework includes written and studied lessons.
- A notebook for copying assignments is required.
- Parents should sign the homework assignment book.
- Homework is due the next day unless otherwise specified.
- Students are expected to do their best and write neatly.
In
the event of extended absence, parents requesting homework should call
the office before 10:00 am. Homework assignments will be sent to the
office for pickup at 2:30 pm. Under no circumstances should parents go
to the classroom to request homework. Classroom teachers, as part of
their individual policies, have guidelines regarding makeup work and
tests. These guidelines are shared with parents at our annual “Meet the
Teacher Night”.
Repeated
failure to complete the required homework assignments may result in
detention after the third missed assignment. Following the third
detention for missed assignments, a parent/teacher conference is
required to determine the nature of the problem.
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Promotion & Retention
Promotion Requirements: Grades K-6
Open
communication is expected between teachers and parents when students
show signs of failing. If a parent desires, a conference can be held
with the teacher, counselor, principal, or IST Team.
Students
who fail a major subject at the end of the school year must attend
summer school or receive instruction of 30 hours in that subject area by
a certified teacher in order to be promoted to the next grade. At the
end of that time, the student will be required to pass a test that is
prepared by the school district.
- Students who fail a major subject for the second year in a row will be retained.
- Students who fail two major subjects will be retained.
- A failure in reading at the primary level (Grades K-3) is cause for retention.
- In the case of failure, coupled with excessive absence (30 days and beyond), retention will be considered.
Major subjects for grades K-3 include:
- Reading
- Process Writing (grades 2 and 3)
- English
- Math
Major subjects for grades 4-6 include:
- Reading
- Process Writing
- English
- Math
- Social Studies
- Science
Promotion Requirements: Grades 7-8
1.
In order for a student to be promoted, the student must earn a minimum
of SIX (6) credits and must achieve passing grades in Language Arts,
Reading and Math.
2.
If a student DOES NOT achieve a passing grade in Language Arts, Reading
or Math, the student will be required to receive remedial instruction
in a district (or district approved) summer program in order to be
promoted.
3.
If a student does not earn a minimum of SIX (6) credits, credit may be
earned in a program of remediation (summer school, tutoring) approved by
the principal. Only two (2) courses may be remediated.
4. Students with Individual Education Plans will be evaluated on an individual basis by MDE team.
5.
Students who enroll in the district during the school year will be
evaluated based on the grades earned in both the previous school and in
this district.
NOTE: All tuition/fees/costs/ for summer school programs will be the responsibility of the student/parent/guardian.
If a student SUCCESSFULLY completes the required summer school program(s), he/she will be promoted.
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Process Writing & Composition
Process
writing is a language arts area subject not to be confused with
handwriting. Process writing is the ability to express ideas in
sentence/paragraph form. A great deal of classroom time is spent on
this subject area in order to have students reach the level of
proficiency required by the State of Pennsylvania.
Clear,
concise writing with ability to sequence and utilize grammar, usage,
and mechanics appropriately is essential in order to pass this subject
area.
Grading
of Process Writing is according to a descriptive rubric of how well the
student utilizes the techniques and skills. The numerical scoring is
1-4, with 4 being the highest. A numerical marking of 1 or 2 signifies a
failure in this subject. Writing is treated as a major subject area and
graded at all levels.
4 Advanced
Sharp,
distinct focus; expressive; writer’s voice is apparent in tone. The
writing contains few, if any, errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Writing exceeds grade level expectations. Required for Principal’s List
or Honor Roll.
3 Proficient
Clear
focus, content is organized in a logical way with details that clarify
ideas. There is appropriate variety in sentence structure and word
choice. Writing contains few errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.
Writing meets grade level expectations. Minimum grade required for
Honor Roll.
2 Basic
Focuses
on purpose and contains some details. Content and ideas are organized,
but not fluent. Mistakes in grammar, usage, and mechanics do not
detract form meaning. Writing is near grade level expectations.
1 Below Basic
Sample
contains some awareness of purpose and audience. Some detail included;
mistakes in grammar, usage and mechanic detract form clarity and
meaning. Writing does not meet grade level expectations and is a
failure.
0 Unscoreable
The
sample is blank, unreadable, and/or incomplete. Student refused to
participate is the assessment. Writing does not meet grade level
expectations and is a failure.