Upper School Information

Based on evidence-based research, the purpose of homework is: 

• To help students master a specific skill previously introduced 
• To reflect on what was learned in the classroom 
• To be used as a way for students to prepare for future classroom activities 
• To transfer knowledge and extend skills learned in one content or subject area to another situation 

Expectations for Assigning Homework 

Frequency: Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday to all NBFA’s students. Students are encouraged to participate in recreational reading, cultural and educational activities, family time, and explore new interests during breaks from school. Lesson plans should reflect daily/weekly homework assignments.  

Duration: Because research shows that excessive amounts of homework have diminishing returns, NBFA has developed the following guideline to determine the amount of time students spend completing homework. It is expected that this guidance will be used to inform all homework assignments.  

Time students spend completing homework 

New Beginnings Family Academy views retention as an effective strategy to help accelerate learning recovery when coupled with additional support (such as extended instructional time and targeted interventions). Retention affords students an extra opportunity to gain mastery of skills essential for future success.  

NBFA uses criteria to identify students who might benefit from an extra instructional year at his/her current grade level. NBFA provides home visits, parent conferences/meetings, etc. to mitigate truancy. Targeted evidence-based instruction, intervention, and differentiated assignments are given to students who demonstrate the need for additional instructional support to help them gain proficiency. The following criteria inform the decision making for retention:  

• Academic Achievement--Is the student... 

• Approaching grade level academic standards as measured by the universal screeners, standardized assessments, teacher observations, class assignments/projects, and progress monitoring data? 
• Demonstrating academic growth as measured by universal screeners and other assessments? 
  
  

• Social-emotional maturity commensurate with age/grade--Does the student... 

• Participate in group activities, displaying behavior appropriate for the age and grade 
• Complete work independently when given an appropriate task 

• Handle challenges and frustrations appropriately  
• Demonstrate age/grade appropriate eye-hand coordination and motor control. 

• Attendance--Is the student... 

• Regular in his/her school attendance? 
• Considered truant or at risk of being deemed truant? Truancy is the act of staying away from school without an excused reason. It is defined as a student who has 4 unexcused absences from school in one month or has 10 unexcused absences in one school year, according to the Connecticut State Department of Education. 
  
  

• Language Proficiency 

• If the student has taken the LAS Links, what is the student’s level overall, and in each modality (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)? 
• Did the student receive ESL/Bilingual services 
• Is the student demonstrating English language proficiency growth (what percent of the target was achieved on LAS Links)? 

Students who are not making adequate progress and may be considered for retention will be discussed at grade-level instructional/SRBI meetings. After a review of the retention criteria, if a student is being considered for retention, the teacher will informally share this recommendation with the parent(s)/guardian(s). The teacher will confer with the parent(s)/guardian(s), preferably at the January parent-teacher conference. If the conversation cannot occur during the conference, it should be done no later than the end of April.  

In May, the parents(s)/guardians(s) will be invited to attend a special conference with the social worker(s)/instructional team to discuss the school’s recommendations. Parent/guardian will review and be asked to sign the retention letter. At this meeting, administrators, the teacher, and the parent(s)/caregiver(s) will review the data around the criteria and discuss the student’s progress on end- of- year assessments and engage in a conversation to determine if retention is in the best interest of the student. If it is determined that retention is in the best interest of the student, the parent/guardian will receive written notification from the school’s leaders.  

Every student (K-6) has the right to ride to and from school without being disturbed by other students’ remarks or behavior.  Because of safety factors and concern for all students, rules have been set up for behavior on the bus: 

• Report to and stay in your assigned seat/zone 
• Remain seated during transit keeping head, arms and papers inside the bus 

• Keep aisles clear of books, bags, or feet  
• Refrain from eating or distributing of food or candies  
• Refrain from the throwing of objects  
• Talk softly to your immediate seatmates or seat neighbors 
• Display the school’s ERP values during transit—Empathy, Responsibility & Pride  
   
  Set your child up for success and assist administration by  discussing the importance of following the transportation rules and listening to the directives of supervising adult(s). 

IMPORTANT: Failure to follow transportation rules will result in a bus write up.  Students who receive 3 or more bus writeups will be removed from the bus for a period of time to be decided by NBFA.  Continued violation of school bus rules will result in additional loss of privileges throughout the school year. 

Required Medication Authorizations: 

 Any and all medications (whether prescribed or over the counter) that are meant to be given to a student during school hours MUST be authorized by a physician with signature AND stamp.  Authorization forms are available in the Health Office.  These forms must be turned in with said medication by an adult.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND/ACCEPT MEDICATION WITH or FROM A STUDENT.  These forms will expire at the end of every school year and medication MUST be picked up at that time as well.   

ACCIDENT PROCEDURES 
Any accident involving more than minor bruises or scrapes is recorded on an Accident Report Form and filed in the school office.  Minor interventions are documented by the nurse who will send a notice to guardians that first aid measures were carried out.  Major accidents that require specialized physician’s attention will be referred to the hospital.