Fairfield Elementary Magnet School

Fairfield Elementary
Magnet School

Shreveport, LA

Academics
First of School Curriculum Meetings At the first of school, each teacher has a very important and informative curriculum meeting. It is very important that at least one parent/guardian attend this informational meeting. Schedules, course requirements, and other pertinent information are discussed at this time. This is also a time for you to ask any specific question you have regarding scheduling, homework, etc.	Parent-Teacher Conferences Fairfield Magnet encourages parent-teacher conferences. We want parents to be informed on all phases of our school program. Teachers will always be available to talk with parents when prior arrangements have been made. Please call the school office to make an appointment that is convenient to both teacher and parent. It is impossible for a teacher to have a conference with a parent on a drop-in basis. We also discourage drop-in visits as they are often disruptive to the classroom schedule. Parents are also urged to advise teachers of matters which might affect a child’s performance, e.g., the birth of a sibling, illness, divorce or death in the family.		Progress Reports Samples of student’s work will be sent home for parent’s signature. These reports will be sent home at least every two weeks. Some teachers may send home papers more frequently. These papers are to be signed and returned to the teachers. By the 5th week of each nine-week grading period, parents and students will be notified in writing of grade averages below the grade of C. Fairfield Magnet Grading Scale A………………100-93 B………………..92-85 C………………..84-74 D………………..73-66 F…………………65-0
Homework Policy Homework is a way of improving study habits and reinforcing skills. The amount and type or homework is planned according to the student’s grade level. Please check with your child’s teacher for individual homework policies. Our homework goals and/or objectives include the following: 1. To train pupils in good work habits. 2. To enrich and extend school experiences. 3. To afford opportunities for increasing self-direction. 4. To help children budget time and stimulate effort. 5. To bring pupils into contact with out-of-school learning resources. 6. To practice skills learned in class. Parents are urged to arrange a quiet, comfortable place, with ample space and sufficient light for the child’s work. Approximate Homework Time Schedule: Grades 1 and 2…………………45 minutes Grades 3, 4, and 5……………...60 minutes All students work at different rates, and some children will take longer to complete the required work. If homework exceeds the times listed above on a consistent basis, please contact your child’s teacher. For any homework policy to be effective, the parents must cooperate with the teacher in seeing that the work is completed and returned to the teacher. Homework should be the child’s responsibility and not the parents; however, the parents may point out principles involved, help give instructions, make needed suggestions, and check to see if homework is complete.
French Students most readily acquire a second language during their early school years. Students at Fairfield are taught French as an enrichment. This language is presented with a conversational approach in an enjoyable manner. The goal is to develop an ability to speak and understand the French language.	Music All students at Fairfield Magnet have music instruction twice weekly. This Orff-certified instructor provides music education with emphasis in voice, instrumentation, and movement. Upper grade students may participate in the Strings Orchestra Program. Students must provide their own instruments. The receive instruction weekly.		Art All students receive art instruction twice a week. This instruction includes art history and appreciation, as well as development of specific art techniques. Students in 4th and 5th grades may participate in Art Club. This provides specified training to a group of interested students 1 hour per week.
Physical Education All students attend physical education twice weekly taught by a certified physical education teacher. The physical education program emphasizes aerobics, sports, games, and gymnastics. The Fairfield Running Club is available to older students.		Gateway Referral for Gateway testing is based on the recommendation of the School Building Level Committee. Parents and teachers can request screening of a student for Gateway. Scores from the ITBS are used to determine eligibility as determined by the State Department of Education. Screening of aptitude, as well as reading and math achievement, is done by the counselor if scores are not available from standardized tests. High percentile scores in these three areas are necessary for a complete evaluation by CPSB Special Education.
Attendance Caddo Parish School Board has a well-defined policy on absences- excused, unexcused, and tardies. When a child returns to school following an absence, a note should be sent to the teacher stating the reason for the absence. A physician’s statement must be sent if a child is under the care of a doctor. If a student has been ill but has no doctor’s excuse, a parental note will allow make-up work, but will not excuse the absence. All excuses should be submitted no less than five days after the absence. A student in elementary school must attend a minimum of 160 days per year in order to receive credit for the school year. Those who have more than 20 unexcused absences will be retained in the same grade. Students at Fairfield have the additional requirement of having 90% or better attendance. Children with excessive tardies or absences will be reported to the attendance supervisor for Caddo Parish Schools. Students may not check out early on a regular basis to go to lessons. We cannot arrange check out times so parents can get to work by 3:00 or 3:15. This puts the child at a real disadvantage in our program. The Louisiana State Department of Education states students may be excused from school for these reasons only: 1. Illness of self with a doctor’s excuse. 2. Death in family. 3. Established religious holidays 4. School business (Ex. Science Fair).
Academic Probation/ Dismissal Fairfield is a magnet school with an established criteria for admittance. These are standards each child must meet to attend our school. We try our best to ensure that each child is successful and meets these standards. Occasionally a child has difficulty with behavior or academic progress and it becomes necessary to not only provide assistance but to ensure that these students and their parents are aware of the seriousness of the situation. The following guidelines will be in effect for this school year. We feel it is important that all parents are notified in writing of the school’s expectations. 1. The first D or F on the report in conduct, reading, or math will result in the student being placed on academic/behavioral probation. Parents will be notified in writing. 2. Two or more D’s or F’s on the report card in any subjects during one nine week reporting will result in the student’s being placed on academic/behavioral probation. 3. Scoring below the 50%ile on the ITBS or scoring below basic on the LEAP for the 21st Century is a factor considered for dismissal. 4. If after being placed on academic/behavioral probation, a student continues to experience difficulties (that are backed up by report card grades), the student will be dismissed at the end of the school year. A second D/F in conduct, reading, or math will result in dismissal from school. Academic/behavioral probation means that parents are notified that the student is having difficulty and that academics/behavior will be monitored for the remainder of the year. If improvement is not made, the student is dismissed from Fairfield.
Make-Up Work When a student has an excused absence, he/she should ask teachers for detailed assignments covering the work missed immediately upon his/her return to school. A child missing one or two days will be allowed to complete missed assignments upon return to school. A phone call to the office will not be necessary for the short duration, and assignments will not be available until the child returns. In cases of two or more days’ length, a parent may request assignments through the office between 8:30-12:00, and they must be picked up after 2:30 p.m.