| 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.
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