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Communication in the Middle SchoolDetailed progress reports in narrative form are prepared and mailed home twice a year at the conclusion of each semester for students in grades five through eight. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students also receive interim progress reports at the midpoint of each semester. Beginning in sixth grade the final semester reports will also include a letter grade representing the cumulative performance and effort in the class on a continuum. The grades range from excellent to unsatisfactory on a 5-step scale. If a student experiences difficulty in school, the administration and faculty of the Middle School work with the student and his or her parents to develop appropriate plans for academic and emotional support. (See "Guidance and Counseling" section.) Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades take a series of three twelve-week courses called "rotation." Since the Middle School is on a semester system, final progress reports are mailed home two times a year. Therefore, you will receive your child's first rotation progress report at the conclusion of the first semester and you will receive your child's second and third rotation progress report at the conclusion of the second semester. The interim reports are a way for parents to know if their children are on track at the mid-point in the semester. It is not a time for formal grading, but rather an alert system for parents to know if their child's effort and achievement are appropriate. Grades are given at the end of each semester. Interim reports focus on a student's level of achievement and his/her level of effort. In addition to the narrative comment, a student's progress is gauged as "satisfactory or better"/"low satisfactory"/"unsatisfactory." The information is intended to convey that your child's progress is fine or that a problem needs to be addressed before the semester ends. Our rotation classes (art, drama, computers, home economics, and photography) meet for one quarter and then end. Since students take three quarter long courses and there are two interim reports - interim reports for rotation classes are not given. 5th grade students do not receive interim reports. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students whose progress reports include the grade of "excellent" in four or more of their subjects will receive a letter of commendation from the principal acknowledging their academic success. At least three of the "excellent" grades must come from the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, foreign language, and/or humanities. The letter will be placed in the student's permanent file as a part of their academic record. Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students whose progress reports indicate unsatisfactory performance in two or more courses, or low satisfactory in three or more courses, will be placed on academic probation. (It should be noted that the Humanities course in grades six through eight is weighted as two courses for the purposes of academic probation). Academic probation is a warning that is intended to alert a student that a change in effort and/or performance is necessary. The Laboratory Schools is a community where each member must be able to learn in an environment that is safe, honest, and respectful. Students whose conduct violates the Laboratory Schools' Standards of Behavior are subject to being placed on behavioral probation. The parents of a student placed on probation will receive a letter from the principal indicating what steps should be taken to help the student improve. Students who remain on probation may be asked to meet with their counselor, seek tutoring or outside testing, enroll in a summer program, pass an academic assessment test, or in some cases withdraw from a particular class or the Laboratory Schools. Students who leave 8th grade on probation will be asked to meet with the high school principal and may not be recommended for entry into University High School. Conferences for fifth through seventh grades are held bi-annually, in October and April. Conferences for eighth grade are held in October and January. The January eighth grade conference includes the eighth grade student and focuses on high school and planning for ninth grade. Additional conferences for students of any grade may be requested by parents or may be initiated by the School. The Middle School daily bulletin contains announcements and updates for our students and faculty. The bulletin is prepared the afternoon prior to its publication and is read each morning in homerooms and advisories. Laboratory Schools community members may subscribe to the Middle School Bulletin via E-mail by sending an E-mail from the address you wish to have the bulletin sent to msdaily@vertex.ucls.uchicago.edu In the subject area please type the word "subscribe". The Middle Ground is the monthly newsletter containing information about the middle school program, the many activities of the Middle School Parents Council, and the community activities available to middle school students. The Middle Ground is mailed home the first of each month except in September and January. The Laboratory Schools Web Site The Laboratory Schools Web site is: http://www.ucls.uchicago.edu Held during the early weeks of the new school year, Middle School Open House is an opportunity for teachers to explain their expectations and procedures to parents. Parents follow their child's schedule, moving from classroom to classroom to hear brief presentations by the teachers. This is an evening designed to discuss the school program and not individual students. It is school policy to communicate openly with parents and guardians regarding the progress of their child. Parents and legal guardians may review the permanent records of their child or specify others who may accompany them in examining these records. To review a student's record, parents are to complete a request form, available in the middle school office, at least one business day prior to examining the records. Requests for Diagnostic Information When a therapist, doctor, or diagnostician does work with a student a request is often made to gather written information or rating scales from the child's teachers. It is the policy of the Middle School that all rating scales and written requests for information as part of an evaluation for learning issues be processed through our Learning Consultant. The Learning Consultant will distribute the material and then submit the completed documents directly to the requesting evaluator(s). | |
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