Academic and Behavior Policies
Promotion to the next grade level
Students are promoted to the next grade level if they pass all subjects by earning a 60% “D” or higher in each subject area and demonstrate adequate academic progress.
Progress reports are mailed home every six weeks. Report cards are mailed home at the end of each semester.
Retention at current grade level
Students will be retained if:
• A failing grade is earned in any core subject (math, language arts, social studies, science) on the second semester report card and is not made up over summer school
• They are performing significantly below grade level as determined by assessments during the spring semester
• They have 30 days or more of absences on their record for the school year (students with independent study contracts and long-term medical issues will be handled on an individual basis)
A Supportive Learning Plan and Student Success Team Plan must be in place before the decision to retain a student is made. The decision to promote/retain students shall be determined by the Student Success Team (SST) within the last six weeks of instruction. The principal/superintendent will hear appeals and have the final decision to promote or retain.
Students with up to two failing subject grades on the second semester report card will have the opportunity to make-up the failed classes in summer school. Students with three or more failing subject grades will not be allowed to attend summer school and will automatically be retained.
The decision to retain a student with an IEP must be made at an IEP meeting that is held during spring semester. Students with an IEP who are failing a core class are required to have an IEP meeting.
Fifth Grade Promotion Reminders
The fifth grade promotion ceremony is a celebration and recognition of students who have worked hard to accomplish their academic and citizenship goals in order to show readiness for middle school. In order to participate, all criteria below must be met by the promotion ceremony date.
1. Grades - Students must earn passing grades in all core classes. Students who must take summer school courses to be promoted are not eligible to participate in the ceremony. Students who have an I.E.P. must meet or surpass their goals in order to participate.
2. Behavior - Students must receive a grade of satisfactory (S or higher) in the FALCON Way (citizenship) in all classes.
3. No suspensions during the school year – A letter of appeal may be written, signed by a parent, and submitted to the elementary school administration at least five days prior to the promotion ceremony.
4. Attendance - Students may not have more than 30 absences (including suspensions) for the entire school year. Independent study contracts or long-term health issues are exceptions that will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
5. Exhibition – Students must earn a passing grade on their portfolio exhibition.
6. Community Service – Students must earn six hours of community service: two hours at school, two at home, and two in the community.
Fifth Grade Promotion Attire Guidelines
Tops:
Tops must be school appropriate (no logos with drug or weapon references, or explicit words or imagery). Tee shirts and midriffs may not be worn.
Girls: Blouses or nice, semi-professional or professional tops are allowed. Tank tops are not allowed (If a tank top is worn, a sweater or jacket must be worn over it at all times). No halters or see through/transparent clothing may be worn.
Boys: a collared shirt must be worn. A polo shirt or buttoned-down shirt will meet this requirement.
Bottoms:
Jeans (including jean shorts and pants) or pants with rips or tears in them may not be worn.
Girls: Skirts, dresses, or slacks may be worn. Skirts and dresses must reach to or below the knee.
Boys: Slacks may be worn.
Shoes:
Shoes must be close-toed. House slippers or sandals may not be worn.
Students always have the option of wearing The O’Farrell Elementary School uniform for the promotion ceremony. Students wearing attire that is deemed unfit by school administration, or that does not follow these guidelines will be required to change into a school uniform or other appropriate clothing or otherwise will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
