Students

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We support students’ academic and personal well-being. Through a variety of academic programs and supports, extra-curricular activities and community involvement, we are committed to our students’ positive experience in school.

Academic support

Report cards and assessment of student progress

Parents/guardians and students will be issued one Progress Report and two Provincial Report Cards per school year.  A guide to the Provincial Report Card will be sent home with the Provincial Report Card.

Elementary Schools Report Schedule

  • Week of November 13th - Progress Report sent home
  • November 14thevening and 15th day - Parent Teacher Interviews
  • Week of February 3rd - Term 1 Report sent home
  • Week of June 22nd - Term 2 Report sent home

Early in each school year, parents are invited to the school for a “Meet The Teacher” night.  A brief overview of the program for the year will be presented by the teachers.  An interview may be arranged for another date during this evening.  This is a very important meeting so please plan to attend.  The staff at Harmony Heights P.S. encourages communication between home and school.  If you wish to arrange an interview with your child’s teacher, please phone the school secretary at 905-433-8933 for an appointment.

Homework

Homework is an important and relevant learning activity that is related to the school program, and takes place, in a variety of settings, in the home or in the community.  When students complete homework, they acquire new knowledge and consolidate and reinforce learning, in practical and meaningful ways.  Homework is a planned and purposeful part of the total program and is linked to the Ontario Curriculum learning expectations, learning skills, and the Ministry of Education reporting guidelines.  The Durham District School Board believes that homework supports the student’s achievement of provincial expectations in all subjects.

Suggested homework guidelines

Grade

Most Evenings

JK – SK

Up to 10 minutes

Grade 1 – Grade 3

Up to 20 minutes

Grade 4 – Grade 6

Up to 40 minutes

Grade 7 – Grade 8

Up to 60 minutes

Student expectations to support learning

 Expectations for Students
It is the belief of educators that daily work will develop the personal skills for academic success.

 

Students may be required to:

  • Practice a skill following teaching and learning in the classroom
  • Study during off-school hours
  • Review for a test
  • Complete assignments and homework at home

Students are reminded that upon return from an absence, they must:

  • Consult with the classroom teacher about missed assignments and complete all missed assignments
 Parental Support

The active involvement of parents in their child’s education has significant positive impact on school success.

 

In support parents are asked to:

  • Check with their child each day to determine homework needing completion
  • Provide a time and place to complete homework

 

When problems occur, teachers will:

  • Discuss the situation with the student
  • Notify the parent(s)
  • Consult with and seek the assistance of support staff

Types of homework

 Completion

Reason

  • To keep up-to-date with classroom work
  • Completing classroom assignments, including reading responses, notes, exercises, pieces of writing, reading selections

Examples

  • Completing classroom assignments, including reading responses, notes, exercises, pieces of writing, reading selections
 Preparation

Reason

  • To prepare for the next day’s class work or coming lessons
  • Collecting information, reading background materials, or studying for quizzes, tests and exams
  • Using student agendas to establish regular study and review time

Examples

  • Collecting information, reading background materials, or studying for quizzes, tests and exams
  • Using student agendas to establish regular study and review time
 Practice and Application

Reason

  • To develop, review and reinforce specific skills
  • To transfer skills or concepts into new situations
  • Completing extra questions in a textbook if an assessment item demonstrates that the student has not mastered a skill
  • Writing a letter after being taught the components of a letter
  • Reviewing and drilling of number operations and troublesome spelling words, where necessary
  • Being read to, reading aloud and independent reading

Examples

  • Completing extra questions in a textbook if an assessment item demonstrates that the student has not mastered a skill
  • Writing a letter after being taught the components of a letter
  • Reviewing and drilling of number operations and troublesome spelling words, where necessary
  • Being read to, reading aloud and independent reading
 Extension or Creative

Reason

  • To enrich classroom experiences and deepen student understanding
  • To provide opportunities for problem solving and critical thinking
  • To integrate skills
  • Identifying local plant and animal life in one’s environment
  • Working on projects, research and independent study
  • Creating designs, stories, drama
  • Creating a novel solution to a problem

Examples

  • Identifying local plant and animal life in one’s environment
  • Working on projects, research and independent study
  • Creating designs, stories, drama
  • Creating a novel solution to a problem