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Academics
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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