Academics

Homework
Students will receive homework during the week. It may be unfinished work or an extension of classroom studies. Parents should not need to instruct a child, but be ready to assist when needed. The pupil should be able to understand and complete an assignment in a short time. Drill type activities will be constructed to enable quick completion, while major projects will require more time. All assignments are made for practice, extension, or review. If a child is having difficulty with assignments or spending long periods of time on them, please contact the teacher to discuss the situation.

Progress Reports/Report Cards
Grades reflecting a student’s progress are distributed through report cards every 9 weeks. These grades are a reflection of a child’s mastery of essential elements in the various subjects and are intended to be a gauge of the progress a child is making based on classroom expectations as well as the capabilities of the child.

Progress notices are provided to all students in the middle of the nine-week grading period. It is hoped that this progress report will provide the incentive for a student to improve in any problem areas before the official grades are placed on the report card.

Parents and students can check grades online using Focus. Parents and Students must have an account to access Focus.

Parent Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences happen in October. Additional conferences may be arranged by contacting your student’s teacher. Teachers will make every attempt to work with parents’ schedules. 

Tutoring
In accordance with state law and RISD policies, free tutorial services will be provided for students who are having difficulties. A need for tutoring will be discussed by phone or letter. Before tutoring begins, it will be necessary to sign a Parent Approval Form and arrange for transportation home. More info to come on tutoring for this school year.

Duck Tales Newsletter
Weekly school newsletter from the Principal will be emailed out through Smore, typically Friday evenings. Each grade level will also send a weekly email to parents with grade specific news/academic focuses for the upcoming week (typically Fridays). All parents please check your email regularly.