COMMUNICATIONS

Click on the book to return to
Parent Information

Table of Contents:

Conferences

Reporting to Parents

Communication With Parents Who Maintain Two Households

Grading Scale

Interim Report Periods and Report Cards

Student Promotion Policies

Homework

Homework Assignment Requests

Telephone Use

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on November 3, 2009 , and February 1, 2010.  Conference hours will be from 12 noon to 7:00 pm. If you need to have conferences at other times, please feel free to contact your child's teacher to schedule a conference.

Report cards will be sent home four times a year except for kindergarten. Kindergarten students receive a fall review at the end of six weeks and a report card at the end of each semester. Students in Kindergarten, Grade 1, and first semester of Grade 2 are evaluated using a checklist on their report cards. Parents will receive an interim report each nine weeks if your child is not working up to expectations. 

Upon request, Burlington will make available to a non-custodial parent any information requested unless otherwise instructed by the court. 

A - 94-100

B - 87-93

C - 78-86

D - 70-77

F - 0-69

A. The schools of Roanoke County shall develop such programs as best meet the needs of all students and which can be efficiently administered by the staff of the respective schools in compliance with the provision established by the State Board of Education in Standards for Accrediting Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia.

B. Promotion or retention of a student is of necessity based upon state and local requirements.

1. Elementary Schools

The decision of promotion or retention should be based on what is best for the individual student. The relationship of ability, effort, and achievement should be considered along with chronological age, previous retentions, and other pertinent information. When retention is being considered, a committee comprising the grade level teacher(s), school counselor, and principal is required to meet before a decision of retention can be made official.

Promotion/Retention

Individual student promotion shall be based upon satisfactory performance as follows:

a. First-Fifth Grades - must pass at least two (2) of the following: mathematics, social studies, science, and language arts. A student may be retained if the final grade of "F" is received in language arts or mathematics. A pupil may be retained if he/she consistently works below grade level in language arts, mathematics, social studies, or science.

Homework may be assigned at the discretion of the teachers and shall be in accordance with the needs of the class.

In general, homework shall be assigned in such a manner that it:

1. Takes into consideration the availability of the student's time, ability, and access to resources.

2. Is a follow-up to skills or concepts previously introduced.

3. Fosters students personal responsibility and when appropriate promotes research efforts by the individual student.

4. Will contribute to the ongoing work of any specific class in which the work is required or assigned.

5. Shall not be used for disciplinary purposes.

6. Makes information and purposes of homework assignment clear and specific so that the pupil can complete the assignment.

7. Shall not be assigned during holiday breaks.

8. Shall be evaluated in some manner by the teacher within a reasonable length of time in order to emphasize the importance of doing the assignment and to recognize the students’ efforts.

9. Homework is an extension of class work. If student is using class time wisely, the following should be an approximate amount of time spent on homework:
        K-2 approximately 15-30 minutes
        3-5 approximately 60 minutes
Contact student's teacher if child is spending more than the suggested time on homework.

10. All students may have homework each weeknight.

11. Homework is usually not given on weekends. Exception: Ongoing projects.

12. Homework folder (K-5) and assignment sheets (Grades 2-5) should be checked nightly. The school will provide the first homework folder an assignment pad.

13. Homework is important and is expected to be completed on time. A possible consequence will be given. **Will be explained by the classroom teacher on Back-To-School night.

14. Call by 8:30 a.m. or send note by a peer or sibling when student is ill to request homework assignments. Parent/guardian can pick up requested homework after school or have homework sent by a classmate or sibling.

Telephone Use

 It is difficult at times for us to call pupils and teachers to the telephone. Messages, however, will be delivered to them by the school office. You are encouraged to call your child's teacher before or after school.