Homework Guidelines

TIME GUIDELINES FOR KINDERGARTEN
It is generally believed that out of school tasks given to kindergarten students do not fall into the same category of homework, as for grades 1 - 5. Out of school work given to kindergarten students is really intended to be an opportunity for the children and family members to work together to review and enhance the experiences from school.
All out of school activities will be given in kindergarten for up to 60 minutes per week.
Kindergarten teachers are encouraged to develop the activities according to the following parameters:
• give written activities on Monday to be completed by Friday (these should amount to only 15 – 20 minutes/week)
• create activities such as: bring in an item from home or draw or cut out a picture for letter of the week
• encourage parents or other family members to read to children every day
• offer suggestions that provide practical applications at home for the skills learned in school (ex: set out 5 plates for dinner to practice the number 5, find names of objects that start with the letter of the week, etc.)
• encourage parents to review daily and weekly work with children to reinforce new skills at home

TIME GUIDELINES FOR GRADES 1 - 5
It is generally agreed that elementary school children need to participate in a variety of activities, in addition to scholastic ones, in order to develop the total child. To this end, the following guidelines are recommended with respect to the maximum amount of time students should be spending doing homework. They are presented as ranges for each grade level on a daily and weekly basis.

Grade 1: 15 - 30 minutes daily. . . . . .1 - 2 hours weekly
Grade 2: 15 - 30 minutes daily. . . . . . 1 - 2 hours weekly
Grade 3: 20 - 40 minutes daily . . . . . . .1 1/3 - 2 2/3 hours weekly
Grade 4: 45 - 60 minutes daily. . . . . .3 - 4 hours weekly
Grade 5: 45 - 70 minutes daily. . . . . .3 - 4 2/3 hours weekly

Daily homework assignments will generally be given Monday through Thursday. Homework will not routinely be assigned on weekends. Occasionally, weekend and vacation assignments may be necessary for continuity of learning. Students are encouraged to use weekends and vacations for long-term assignments and daily reading.
These guidelines are developed based upon the average student at each grade level. Individual abilities, study skills and time management practices will determine the length of time a student will actually spend on any given task. Time to complete extra credit activities is not included in these time guidelines.

IF PARENTS FIND THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE CONSISTENTLY SPENDING MORE TIME ON HOMEWORK THAN THE RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES, THEY ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT THE TEACHERS TO DISCUSS THE CONCERN.

COMMUNICATION

For students to be able to achieve the intended goals of homework assignments, communication between students, parents and teachers is essential. The following procedures are suggested:
• At the beginning of the school year the District Elementary Homework Guidelines will be distributed to all parents. Parents and teachers will be asked to review the guidelines and expectations with students. Each school has an Open House in September that provides an additional opportunity for presentation, review and clarification of the Homework Guidelines between teachers and parents.
• At the beginning of the school year, individual teachers will inform parents in writing of all homework expectations and procedures at the grade level and in their classrooms.
• Parents are urged to contact their child’s teacher when there are concerns about homework.
• Teachers are encouraged to use the fall conferences to solicit input from the parents/guardians of all students concerning the amount of time being spent on homework and any problems being encountered on a regular basis.
• In grades in which they are used, student assignment notebooks are useful tools for parents and teachers to communicate in writing as needed. Parent signatures on homework, tests or other student work may be required to facilitate communication between home and school. Parent cooperation is necessary with this requirement.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Student success with homework depends upon the cooperative efforts of students, parents/guardians, teachers and administrators.

Student Responsibilities
• Use the assignment notebook to keep a record of all assignments, tests, and other responsibilities. Collect the necessary materials (books, worksheets, etc.) needed to complete the assignments.
• Ask questions and seek help from teachers if confused about the assignment or any part of the work.
• Be responsible for completing and returning all assignments on time to the teacher. This includes making up homework when absent. Follow all expected standards of quality concerning heading, neatness, content and directions.
• Budget time wisely and share time plans with parents/guardians, especially on long-range assignments.
• Study in a quiet place with few interruptions and distractions that limit focus.

Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
• Assist children in setting up a regularly scheduled homework time at a reasonable hour each day. See that he/she meets that daily commitment. Allow sufficient time for homework even though children may also be involved in family and community activities (sports, scouts, dance, arts, etc.)
• Check the assignment notebook daily and encourage completion of all homework. Please remember that the homework is the child’s responsibility. Parents should not do the work for the children but should encourage accountability and monitor student efforts to show support. This applies to daily and long-range assignments and projects.
• Encourage children to have an organized approach to homework by providing all needed materials.
• If a problem arises over homework time, difficulty or completion due to extenuating circumstances, contact the child’s teacher.

Teacher Responsibilities
• Be sure all assignments are created with a clear purpose and students are able to do them independently. (Example: give reasonable numbers of computation problems in math to avoid excessive practice.)
• Coordinate assignments and tests with other teachers to avoid student overload.
q Inform parents/guardians in writing regarding teacher expectations and student responsibilities at the beginning of the school year. Copies will be kept on file in the school office.
• Modify assignments to meet student needs, as necessary.
• Prepare students to do the assignments (explain tasks and directions, teach study skills, etc.)
• Given meaningful homework and provide students with prompt feedback on their assignments.
• Take into account participation in school-wide events, religious holidays, etc. in giving assignments.
• Inform parents/guardians of long-term assignments and expected timelines for completion.
• Teach and encourage students to use an assignment notebook and check it regularly to insure effective use of this tool.
• If a problem arises over homework quality or completion, contact parents/guardians.
• Set up a system for addressing late or incomplete assignments and communicate it clearly in written form to students and parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year.
• The practice of keeping a child in from recess on a repetitive basis should be discouraged. If homework problems are chronic other possible solutions should be sought.

Administrator Responsibilities
• To assist in the dissemination and implementation of the Elementary Homework Guidelines to all teachers, parents/guardians and students.
• To help to explain, clarify and interpret all parts of the guidelines and to assist in the mediation of disputes regarding homework practices.q To consistently monitor the implementation of the Elementary Homework Guidelines to insure full compliance by all teachers.

GRADING OF ASSIGNMENTS
In the primary grades (K – 2) daily assignments are not formally graded and reflected in report card grades. Concerns will be reflected under the Work and Study Habits sections on the report cards.
In the intermediate grades (3 – 5) daily and long-range assignments will be graded at the discretion of the teacher. Students will be informed when assignments are to be graded and factored into their report card grades for content areas. Teachers will inform students and parents of their systems for grading homework and penalties for late or missing homework assignments and projects.

REQUESTING ASSIGNMENTS WHEN STUDENTS ARE ABSENT
Students are occasionally absent from school due to personal illness, medical appointments, family emergencies, a death in the family, religious observance, etc. When an absence occurs the parents/guardians are asked to please notify the school office between 8:00 and 8:30 AM. If the parent/guardian believes the child is capable of doing work during the absence, the assignments must be requested by 9:00 AM. Parents/guardians are asked to indicate if the work is to be sent home with another child (suggest name) or picked up in the office at dismissal time. Teachers will do their best to compile all assignments before the end of the school day.
The Scotia-Glenville Central School District discourages the practice of families taking children out of school for an extended time period for the purpose of vacations or recreational trips. Since homework is both an extension and a reinforcement of class work, it is not as effective when done as an isolated exercise. Teachers also find it difficult to accurately project exactly what will be taught during a child’s extended absence. It is difficult to predict how concepts will be grasped and content understood by the group in advance of the actual lessons. As a result, formal homework assignments will not be prepared in advance for extended absences. General suggestions for reinforcing reading, math, spelling and writing skills may be made in lieu of specific homework tasks. The specific assignments will be gathered during the period of absence and provided to the child upon his/her return to school. The child will be given a reasonable period of time to complete the assignments.

HOMEWORK RESOURCES
At times students may require additional support to be able to successfully complete homework assignments and long-term projects or to study for tests. At the elementary level there are several resources to help students and families. Please contact your individual elementary school for more information on any of the following:
1. Homework Club – These after school services are open to students in grades 3 – 5 approximately 2 days each week. Participation is on a voluntary basis and students may be selected based upon teacher and or parent/guardian suggestion contingent upon available space in the program and numbers of sufficient homework sponsors. The homework clubs meet for approximately an hour and are supervised by teachers or other qualified staff members. Late bus transportation is provided. Some schools may also offer before school homework help. Consult the teacher or the school office for specific information on this student service.
2. Alternative Education Support Services - These services are open to students in grades K – 5 and are provided at various times during the school day. Because there are many reasons that students have trouble with homework there are many alternative services offered to help them to be more successful. These services include individual or small group support in areas such as (but not limited to):
• time management skills
• study skills
• test preparation
• organizational skills
• specific content and/or skills support
• social skills
• extra homework help on daily or long-term assignments (research materials, etc.)
A number of staff members help to provide these support services. Examples of these providers include:
• teachers (classroom, remedial, special education, enrichment)
• teaching assistants and teacher aides
• librarians
• social workers
Students are recommended for participation in these services by teachers and/or parents/guardians. Groups meet during the school day during lunch, recess and other non-academic times. Consult the teacher or school office for specific information on these student services.
3. Tutoring – Tutoring can be arranged through the school office, especially in cases of extended
absences. The high school guidance office is also a resource for securing high school students who are able to tutor elementary students.
4. Internet Homework Hotlines - There are a number of Homework Hotlines on the Internet that may be of benefit to students with occasional questions or problems regarding homework. Parents may wish to explore some of these options with their children. No specific Internet Resources or Hotlines are endorsed by the district. If students have on-going problems understanding homework assignments, parents are strongly urged to contact the teacher.

MIDDLE SCHOOL HOMEWORK PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES
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PURPOSE OF HOMEWORK
Homework is designed to be a meaningful experience that prepares students for lessons, practices and reinforces concepts taught in class, and prepares students for real world activities.

IMPORTANT MIDDLE SCHOOL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

MAIN OFFICE: 382-1263
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT: 382-1275

RESPONSIBILITIES

Teacher Responsibilities
Teachers will:
• Coordinate assignments to eliminate too many assignments at a time.
• Set up weekly assignment and assessment calendars to facilitate coordination.
Copies will be given to the Guidance Department.
• Assign appropriate time for each assignment depending on its complexity
and length while considering the availability to all students of special resources
needed (i.e. computers).
• Schedule long term assignments given by the team throughout the school year to
eliminate overburdening student schedules. Each long term assignment will be
given in writing with intermediate due dates to train the student in long term
planning. (Teachers not on a team will list long term assignments on a calendar in
the library media center to coordinate information among the entire faculty.)
• List assignments in the classroom in a standard location and give them orally for
students to put in their assignment notebook giving an approximate time needed
for completion.
• Provide time for homework help ( before or after school, in study time or during activity/team periods).
• Provide assignments for students who are absent from class.
• Provide timely feedback for assignments.
• Distribute a written homework guideline to every student at the beginning of each
course.

Student Responsibilities
Students will:
• List all assignments in their school-designed assignment notebook.
• Do all assignments on time to the best of their ability.
o Maintain the assignment notebook as directed to maximize its effectiveness in assisting with homework completion and student organization.
• Organize papers in the assignment notebook on a regular basis.
• Examine daily schedules with parental help and set aside time to do homework.
• Seek help when needed by making arrangements to work with teachers.
• Ask teachers for assignments missed when absent from class.
Students have 2 days to make up work for each day absent.
• Adhere to the rules against plagiarism as stated in the Junior High School Code
Of Conduct.

Parent Responsibilities
Parents will:
• Work with their students to examine family schedules to allow time for homework.
• Provide an appropriate homework setting that motivates students to complete all
assignments.
• Monitor the students assignment notebook and look at the completed assignments.
• Contact the teacher directly or encourage the student to seek help when students show that they are having difficulty with their assignments or when extenuating
circumstances prevent a student from completing assignments. The Guidance
Department may also be contacted.
• Contact the Guidance Department, if needed, for resources to help their child with
homework.
• Contact the Guidance Department for a list of assignments if a student is absent for more than a day.

Administrator Responsibilities
Administrators will:
• Assist teachers, students and parents in following the Junior High School Homework
Practices.
• Review and monitor all teachers’ homework guidelines and make appropriate
recommendations to teachers.
• Make school-designed assignment notebooks available for purchase at the start
of each school year.
• Ensure that copies of all individual teacher’s homework guidelines are on file
in either the guidance department or the main office.

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES
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IMPORTANT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
HOMEWORK HOTLINE: 386-4235
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT: 382-1251

HOMEWORK STATEMENT
The High School teaching administration and staff considers the practice of homework as one of the vital means by which students can better learn the required material in each curriculum area. The prime responsibility of homework belongs to the students themselves. The teachers, parents, and administrators also play an integral role in a successful homework experience. The need for active communication is essential throughout the homework process.

PURPOSE OF HOMEWORK
At the high school level, the purposes of homework include:
• Practice/Review – to reinforce and/or master basic skills already presented in class
• Preparation – to introduce material to be presented in future lessons
• Extension – to provide students with opportunities to transfer specific skills or concepts to new situations
• Application – to enable students to connect skills and concepts to new situations

TYPES OF HOMEWORK
Types of homework include, but are not limited to:
• Nightly assignments for practice or review of class work
• Review for tests or exams
• Research activities
• Reading and/or writing assignments
• Projects – individual and group activities

TIME GUIDELINES
• Students are expected to complete homework by the assigned due date.
• If a student is absent from school due to illness or another legal reason, the student is expected to complete the assignment according to teacher guidelines.
• Homework assigned over weekends or extended vacations should not represent more work than a non-weekend or vacation period.
• Assignments requiring computer time will be extended to a minimum of three days so that all students are able to access a computer.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
The responsibilities expected of the teacher, student, parent, and administrators are outlined below. Although this is a rather comprehensive list, it is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Teacher Responsibilities
At the High School level, the teacher has autonomy to assign homework to their students based on what they believe will best assist the students in their educational program. The wide range of courses offered, the various levels of courses, and the diversified curricula are the reasons for this autonomy.
There are, however, certain procedures that all teachers, regardless of curriculum area, are expected to adhere to concerning homework. These include the following items:
1 – Each teacher will distribute to every student a written homework guideline at the beginning of each course. This guideline is to be reviewed by the student and parent, signed and returned to the teacher. The teacher’s guideline includes, but is not limited to, the following information:
• A description of the various types of homework assignments a student might expect during the course.
• The teacher will give the date each assignment is due.
• The methods in which assignments will be given to the students.
• The average amount of time a student might need to complete the different types of assignments.
• The procedure for turning in assignments late, including any penalty.
• The grading weight and expected length of various written assignments.
• The expected format of the assignment, e.g., medium to use, material, bibliography required, research style, etc.
• A copy of this guideline will be kept in the main office.
2 – The homework guidelines will be shared with parents at Meet the Teachers night.
3 – Teachers are to turn in homework guidelines to their department supervisors at the beginning of each course for review and feedback.
4 – Long Range Assignments need to be communicated to faculty. The following procedures are established:
• A master board will be kept in a central location to highlight long-range assignments.
• Teachers will post due dates on the master board during the last week of the quarter, before the assignment is given. Assignments to be given at the start of the 1st quarter, or start of the year, need to be posted by the opening day.

Student Responsibilities
At the High School level, students are expected to understand the importance of homework, and are responsible to comply with each teacher’s guideline.
The student will –
• Read/review each teacher’s guideline on homework.
• Sign the homework guideline and return it to the teacher as instructed.
• Contact Homework Hotline as soon as an absence of two or more days is anticipated.
• Take responsibility for getting all assignments, whether they are in class or not.
• Make every effort to complete each homework assignment to the best of his/her ability.
• Seek help from the teacher if he/she does not understand an assignment or has difficulty completing homework.
• Stay after school upon request and/or when necessary to work on assignments with the teacher.
• Present a written explanation to the teacher when circumstances beyond his/her control prevent timely return of an assignment; this explanation will be signed by the parent/guardian.
• Complete assigned work. Homework is the responsibility of the student, not the parent, sibling, or other party. Homework is "practice" and the benefits of doing it well will be reaped at assessment times.
• Make up missed assignments as indicated on each teacher’s guideline.
• Record homework as it is assigned.
• Read and follow the policy against plagiarism as stated in the Code of Conduct.

Parent Responsibilities
Parents play a valuable role in the homework process. Their communication, guidance, and support of their son/daughter in the homework process are essential if the value of good homework practice is to be realized.
The parent should -
• Review with their son/daughter each teacher’s homework guideline at the beginning of each course, sign it, and have their son/daughter return it as requested.
• Encourage good homework practice. Assist them in organizing their commitments, and try to establish a definitive time and place to do homework.
• Assist with homework when necessary, not initially. Let the son/daughter know that assistance is available if requested, after they have attempted to do it on their own.
• Help provide a quiet area that would be conducive to doing homework assignments.
• Communicate to teachers when the parent feels the homework might be too difficult or too much or cannot be completed due to extenuating circumstances. Be willing to discuss this openly with the teacher and the son/daughter.
• Encourage the students to seek help, or contact the teacher directly when the student is having difficulty.

Administrative Responsibilities (Principal, Assistant, Supervisors)
For homework to be considered an important means to success in all curricula, administrators need to be involved in the process. They are the educational leaders. Their leadership, support, and encouragement will assist all parties in the pursuit of good homework practices.
The administrators will –
• Review and monitor all teachers’ homework guidelines, and make appropriate recommendations to teachers before the guidelines are communicated to the students.
• Place homework on the agenda at least once a year at their department meetings. This is for the purpose of exchanging ideas and giving each other feedback and information.
• Assist in the dissemination of the High School Homework Procedure and Practices.
• Review homework procedures and practices periodically at faculty and supervisor meetings.