The homework program will serve as an impor­tant link between home and school, keeping parents/guardians informed by reinforc­ing and extending school learning, experiences, and interests.   Homework is also a way to help your child to develop work and study habits that will assist him/her throughout the years spent in school. Home­work should encourage family involve­ment as well.

The daily amount of time for homework will vary depend­ing upon the maturity, abilities, and indi­vidu­al needs of students as well as the re­quire­ments of the course/subject. Amounts may vary from student to student and class to class.

Kindergarten through 3rd grades may have approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour per night, 4th and 5th grades may have approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours per night, and 6th through 8th grades may have approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours per night of homework. Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday nights.

Purposes for homework are to:

• Complete class-work which if not completed at school.
• Reinforce school learning by encourag­ing stu­dents to assume the respon­sibili­ty for the neces­sary and appropriate practice for mastery and application of basic skills and con­cepts.
• Provide students with opportunities to re­search, to investigate, to study, and to work indepen­dent­ly, utilizing home and communi­ty resourc­es.
• Provide opportunity for students to express themselves and receive recogni­tion through various independent activi­ties (i.e., science experiments, reading for plea­sure, and special inter­est projects).
• The parent/guardian is encouraged to accept respon­sibility for their child's success by provid­ing a suitable time and quiet place for home study, as well as encouraging the child to com­plete assign­ments.

Parents can help their child develop some routines that will be of assistance in successfully completing homework assignments. The following suggestions are offered for this purpose.

• Be aware of your child’s homework every day.
• Be interested and ask him/her to share and explain the homework to you.
• Remember that homework is the child’s work – not the parents.
• Set a regular homework time each day.
• Provide a quiet place to work and study.

Student Binder

Each student in grades 6th through 8th is required to have a binder with the following items:

• Dividers to separate subject areas.
• Pens and pencils ready for use.
• Highlighter
• A zip lock bag for pens and pencils.
• An adequate supply of binder paper.
• A student assignment booklet that can be purchased at any school supply store.

In addition, students may be asked to have specialized materials for specific classes.

Student Assignment Booklet

Each student in grades 6th through 8th is required to have an assignment booklet that can be purchased from any school supply store.

Student’s Responsibilities:

• Write down assignments for each class.
• Make sure all assignment are completed and turned in on time.
• Parent’s Responsibilities:
• Check your child’s assignment book daily and make sure assignments are completed and turned in on time.
•  If there are any concerns about your child’s progress in a class, contact the teacher by writing your concern in the assignment book or calling the school.

Teacher’s Responsibilities:

• Clearly state and write assignments so students can write them down correctly.
• Make periodic checks to make certain that he assignment book is being used correctly.
• Respond to parents written concerns in the assignment book.

Make up Work

Requesting make up work is the student’s responsibility. As a general rule students will be given the opportunity to make up work missed because of an excused absence to receive full or partial credit.

Failure to do homework

Since homework is an extension of the regular classroom learning process, its completion in a consistent, diligent, and timely manner is important. Failure to complete homework consistently will have an adverse effect on the student’s academic achievement and grades. Students refusing to complete homework may be assigned to the After School Homework Club and to a Homework Academy during Bulldog Day.   In addition, students who have been assigned to three or more Bulldog Day Homework Academies will be ineligible to attend the end of the year reward trip.