Academic Information
Binder Reminder: This is a spiral notebook issued to students for a $7 fee at the beginning of school. This notebook is very helpful, as it includes items such as daily schedules, yearly calendar, student expectations, and a school map. Teachers use this notebook to help students work on organizational skills. If lost, a replacement Binder Reminder may be purchased in the office for $10.
Homework: Homework is an integral part of middle school and an extension of the school learning experience. To assist students in learning time management skills, teachers encourage students to record their homework assignments daily for all classes in their Binder Reminder. Students will also be working on study skills as part of the middle school curriculum. Parents and students should expect the amount of homework to increase as students move from sixth to eighth grade.
Report Cards: Student grades are issued four times a year, a copy of which will be mailed approximately two weeks following the end of each quarter. All semester grades will be recorded on the permanent grade record.
Conferences: Sixth Grade conferences are held in the fall and will be discussed at Back to School Night. Individual parent-teacher conferences may be arranged as the need arises. Parents should contact the grade level counselor to request a conference.
Mid-Quarter Reports: Progress reports may be sent home with students to keep parents informed of student work. Teachers may communicate problems with warning notices (a warning notice will be sent for any student receiving a “D” or “F” grade).
Questions: If you have concerns regarding classroom related issues, please contact your student’s teacher or grade level counselor.
“F” Grades: Students who receive a semester grade of “F” in English, Social Studies, Math, P.E., or Science may be required to attend summer school. A warning notice will be sent prior to any student receiving a grade of “F.”
Incompletes: Students receiving an “I” grade (incomplete) at the end of the first semester must have the completed work turned in by the end of the third week of February. After this time period, if the grade has not been changed, the “I” becomes an “F.” An incomplete may not be given at the end of the school year in June or at the first or third quarter.
8th Grade Retention: State guidelines regarding 8th grade student retention will be implemented by PAUSD following Board of Education action. Additional information regarding the regulations may be obtained from the Associate Superintendent of Educational Services, 25 Churchill Avenue, Palo Alto, phone (650-329-3709).
Standardized Testing: Students will be tested at various times during the school year. Contact your student’s teacher or grade level counselor if you have any questions regarding these tests. For additional information about the Academic Performance Index from the California Department of Education, visit www.cde.ca.gov/psaa/api.
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Palo Alto Unified School District
Webmaster | updated 11/09