Issue link: https://publications.tfs.ca/i/1030232
24 Parents' Handbook 2019 – 2020 In Grades 1 and 2, a homework sheet is given to students on a weekly basis. The main focus for the first two grades is reading for practice and pleasure, spelling, and practice in math skills. From Grades 3 to 7, students are assigned homework on a daily or in-advance basis. Grade 3 to 7 students are required to write down their assignments in their agendas. Homework will also be posted on the class website. In both cases, parents should check off the homework when completed. Older students are frequently assigned homework several days in advance, so that students can plan according to their co-curricular and out-of-school activities. Since work habits, abilities and concentration vary greatly from child to child, it is impossible to determine the time required for a given assignment. There is an evaluation calendar for tests on the Senior School branch site. Each subject teacher maintains a Google Classroom. Parents can receive weekly notifications of missed assignments and upcoming deadlines. Even though they should be able to complete most tasks on their own, students may occasionally require assistance. Parents can offer guidance such as reviewing and organizing assignments and providing time and a place to work. If your child is experiencing difficulty with completing assigned homework on a regular basis, please inform their teacher. Learning strategies for homework can be suggested as needed. NOTE: Each student is responsible for their homework. If students miss class for sports or other school-related co-curricular activities or because of illness, the onus is on the student to be aware of the homework and/or tests given during their absence. If a student is ill for more than three days, parents may request that teachers provide the student with the work that they missed. If your child is absent and you wish to pick up homework, phone your child's Branch Office. At the Senior School, any prolonged absence needs to be communicated with the Vice-Principal. They will coordinate homework and missed assignments with your child's guidance counsellor. ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION Grade 6 and 7 students are evaluated based on a variety of assessment tasks which may include projects, presentations and tests. All assessment tasks are evaluated using MYP criteria. Students in Levels I-IV write formal examinations in June. Students in Level V write practice or "mock" IB exams starting at the end of February, and the International Baccalaureate external examinations in May. Please do not schedule holidays and appointments during these exam periods. To respect the integrity of tests or exams, parents are required to provide a medical note if a child misses a summative assignment, test or exam. REPORT CARDS In order to assess our students' progress and level of achievement, we take into account daily assignments, research projects, study skills, behaviour and test results. With this information, teachers identify the most consistent levels of achievement and look to recent results in order to evaluate the student's current level of achievement. JARDIN D'ÉVEIL TO GRADE 5 Parents of children from Jardin d'éveil through Grade 5 will receive detailed report cards at the end of December and the end of June. Parent-teacher interviews are held for all students in October/November and February. Student-led conferences and three-way conferences for Jardin and PK through Grade 5 are held in April or May. Report cards address a child's attitude, study habits, effort and progress as well as marks. In addition to these formal reports, teachers will contact parents whenever