Assignment Policy

Dear Parents,

I believe assignments are important because they are a valuable aid in helping students make the most of their experiences in school.  I give homework because it reinforces what has been learned in class, prepares students for upcoming lessons, teaches responsibility and independence, and helps pupils develop positive study habits.

I give assignments every day; however, many students use their activity time to complete their work during the school day.  Assignments taken home should require no more than one hour to complete each night, not including time spent studying for tests and working on long-range projects.  Spelling tests will be given each Friday or the last day of the week.  Students will usually be given one week’s notice to study for all tests.  There will be monthly book reports due from September through May.  I will also assign other long-range projects, e.g. a family tree, an environmental project, and a combination written and oral report on one of the states.

If a student chooses not to do an assignment, I will ask that parents begin checking and signing completed homework each night.  If the student still chooses not to complete homework, he or she will choose to lose certain privileges.  If a pupil chooses to make up incomplete assignments, the homework will be accepted, but the work will receive a grade reduction.  If work is not completed on time, he or she will be assigned detention during activity period.

If there is a legitimate reason why a pupil is unable to finish an assignment, the parent must send a note to me on the day the work is due stating the reason it was not completed.  The note must be signed and dated by the parent.

I feel that parents are the key to making homework a positive experience for their children.  Therefore, I ask that parents make assignments a top priority by providing necessary homework supplies and a quiet environment in which to study.  I recommend that parents set aside a specific time each day for homework to be completed.  Parents should provide praise and support for all homework efforts, but should not allow children to avoid assignments.

Parents should help with homework only after their child has tried his or her best to do the work independently.  Under no circumstances should parents do assignments for their children.

I will be sending home worksheets to help pupils learn how to develop good homework habits.  I will also include Parent Tip Sheets that specify how parents can help in the homework process.  Please review the worksheets and tip sheets together.  Thank you for your time.

Yours for a great school year,

Robert Ferguson, Ed.D.

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Copyright © 2002 by Robert Ferguson. All rights reserved.
Revised: January 16, 2002 .