Parent Handbook

Grades, Homework, and Dress Code Topics

· Grading · Deportment · Homework · Unprepared Slips · Dress Code · Free Dress Days · Books and Student Supplies

Grading
Report cards are issued six times during the school year. Letter grades are assigned in all grades from first through the eighth. Students who have been prepared every day in every subject receive special recognition on the Honor Roll at the end of each term. A = 90-100 Excellent B = 80-89 Above Average C = 70-79 Average D = 60-69 Barely Passing F = Below 60 Failing I = Incomplete
_ The final grades on the report card consist of the culmination of the student's work through the year and any final examinations that are given at the end of the year.
_ Report cards are issued to parents on the Wednesday following the end of the term. The cards are sent home in sealed envelopes. Students should not open them at school. The report card is meant to be private communications between teachers and the individual student and his/her parents.

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Deporment
_ Deportment: E = Excellent S = Satisfactory N = Needs Improvement
_ The majority of students will receive an "S". A student enrolled at Brookfield should receive an "S" mark for deportment if the student has a generally cheerful, cooperative attitude and if he/she has been following school rules and making an effort to do his best every day. This is the grade that the majority of students should expect.
_ A student with superior behavior and attitude, one who inspires others with his outstanding effort and behavior, one who is considerate of his classmates and respectful to his teachers at all times, could earn an "E" for excellence. An "E" is for exceptional behavior.
_ A student who is less than satisfactory in any way should receive an "N" to indicate improvement is needed in order to qualify for the standard grade of "S". When an "N" appears on the report card, both the student and his or her parents should be concerned enough to learn why the "N" was given and what the student must do in order to qualify for the Brookfield standard goal of "S".

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Homework
The amount of homework shall be in direct relationship to the maturational and achievement levels of students in each grade. The purpose of homework is to extend and reinforce what has been learned in class, to develop proficiency with skills, study habits, and a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. The amount of homework varies depending upon how much the student is able to complete in class and/or the teacher's ability to estimate what is reasonable and productive. It is understood when a parent enrolls a child that s/he expects to cooperate fully with the study program. Students will usually have some homework Monday through Thursday. Please be advised that your child may spend more than one hour daily completing schoolwork, as time at home may be spent doing assigned homework and completing unfinished classroom assignments.
Students in seventh, eighth, and upon occasion sixth grade are given work on the weekends.

Approximate amount of time per night for homework:

Pre-1 and First: About 20 minutes.
Second and Third: 30 - 45 minutes.
Fourth and Fifth: 30 - 60 minutes.
Sixth: Usually 60 - 90 minutes. Occasionally a little more.
Seventh and Eighth: At least one hour. Occasionally two.

Whenever a student has worked for the time designated, but still has not completed his work, parents should communicate through a brief note the next day telling the teacher the work could not be done in the allotted time. However, this should never be used as a crutch when a student comes to school frequently unprepared. The teacher may elect not to give an Unprepared Slip if the student can demonstrate that an honest and best effort has been made. All students are expected to do 15-20 minutes pleasure reading each night and practice math flash cards 10-15 minutes.

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Unprepared Slips
_ The purpose of Unprepared Slips is to serve as a message to parents to let them know if the student is not developing good habits. After students write a brief explanation on each unprepared slip, the homeroom teacher files the slips until they are sent home in report cards each term. Unprepareds may provide explanations for certain grades on one's report card.
_ If a student has no unprepared slips during each six-week term, s/he is recognized on the Honor Roll for daily prep for that term.
_ If a students forgets to take home books or other materials, s/he will be given an unprepared for that assignment.
_ If a parent is able to catch a teacher working late who might have a key to the student's classroom and can let the parent or child obtain the forgotten materials, an unprepared will be issued. Parents do not help a child to set scholastic goals if the parent returns to school for forgotten materials.
_ We appreciate parents cooperating with the study program at school and we ask that special considerations not be requested.

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Dress Code
Brookfield students are expected to respect the School's decision regarding acceptable clothing and accessories worn during school hours. Parents are asked to support the standards so that exceptions do not occur. Details of the school uniform are described in the catalogue provided by the school's uniform distributor, Sue Mills. Sue Mills catalogues are available in the School office. All classes conduct dress inspection each morning. Students who are not satisfactorily dressed are issued Dress Inspection Slips. Any repeated infraction of the dress code may result in a Discipline Slip. Dress Inspection Slips are sent home at report card time. In the classroom, only Brookfield sweatshirts, fleece jackets or red or navy sweaters from Sue Mills may be worn. Outer garments are placed on the coat hooks. All students are expected to have an ample supply of kleenex in their desk or backpack each day. Personal appearance: Students are not to write on their skin or display tattoos. Hair should be neatly styled, without decorative coloring, and devoid of decorative jewelry. Simple bows, ribbons, barrettes, and headbands are permitted. Shirts should be tucked in at all times. No perfume, cologne, or dyed hair. No makeup, fingernail polish (other than clear), or jewelry (except watches and stud earrings) should be worn. Boys may not wear earrings. Sweaters & Sweatshirts: Sweaters must be purchased through Sue Mills. Sweatshirts and fleece jackets with the Brookfield emblem are available through the Brookfield Parent's Association. No others may be worn in the classroom. Personal sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, coats, or other non-uniform clothes must be removed at the beginning of school. Please label your child's clothing. Turtlenecks: Solid red, white, or navy turtlenecks may be worn with the required shirts and blouses. Shirts: White long or short sleeve polo shirts (without logos) are permitted. Only 7th and 8th grade students have the option to wear white or red polo shirts. Pre-first through 5th grade girls wear the blouse they wear with slacks. Girls in 6th through 8th grades may wear the Sue Mills white oxford shirt (long or short sleeve), the middy blouse or polo shirt. Stockings and Socks: All socks must be visible. Girls wear solid (no patterns) red, white, or navy blue socks. They may also wear tights, long stockings, knee socks, or anklets. No leggings. Boys may wear white or navy blue socks to complement their pants or walking shorts. Shoes: Shoes must be suitable for running and play. Tennis or gym shoes are preferred. Extra long shoelaces are not permitted. Parents are asked to check the length of laces, and for safety reasons as well as appearance, not allow those that drag on the ground. Sandals, Birkenstocks, high heels, or any other open toed shoes may not be worn. Belts: Belts are required for any pants or shorts that have loops. They must be black, brown, or navy blue. Length of shorts, skirts and pants: The bottom length of skirts and shorts must come down at least even with the fingertips when arms are held at sides. Navy twill walking shorts are available at Sue Mills for both boys and girls. Pants must be a reasonable length so that students will not trip on them. Pants are to be clean and with NO holes. Only 7th and 8th grade students have the option to wear navy blue or khaki skirts, shorts or pants.

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Free Dress Days
Eighth grade students are given the privilege of free dress one-day each month. Prospective students and parents visit unexpectedly and regularly. How students choose to dress reflects both on themselves and the School. If a student arrives at school inappropriately dressed, he or she may be asked to return home to change. If a student has a dress inspection slip during the month s/he will not have the privilege to participate in free-dress day that month. With the privilege of being "out of uniform", students must still dress appropriately. Students are not allowed to call home if they forget that it is "free dress" day and must stay in proper uniform. Shorts must be hemmed and the bottom length at least even with the end of the fingers when arms are held at the side. The following are not permitted: shirts containing profanity, inappropriate words or pictures; tank tops with large armholes. Pants must fit at the waist and be worn at the waist. Belts should be worn. No sagging pants. No hats. Girls may not wear make-up or clothing that have spaghetti straps, midriff, or see through tops. Girls may not wear dangling earrings (stud earrings only) , a necklace, rings, or nail polish (clear polish only). Boys still may not wear earrings. All students earn a free-dress day by working to help needy families before the holidays in December. That free-dress day is especially free and crazy. Both students and teachers participate.

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Books and Student Supplies
Upper grade students buy most of their texts and all supplies. Lower grade students buy some texts and most supplies. Book bills are sent from the office in September. Please do not ask students to bring money for any other purpose without first clearing it with the Director. The school supplies paper and pencils for grades Pre-1 and First grade only, with the exception of some penmanship paper. Students in grades 4-8 should supply their own assignment books. The school provides assignment sheets for the younger students. Homeroom teachers must see that the students are using the assignment books or sheets daily. Students must cover and write their first and last name on all textbooks. This helps us return misplaced books to their proper owner and students learn to respect and protect the books they will pass on to fellow students next year.

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