VI. Communications
Table of Contents
VIII. Financial Information
Pine Hill, like other Waldorf elementary schools, does not follow a grading system in evaluating student progress. In the middle school (grades 6-8), however, grades are sometimes given on individual tests, projects or main lesson books.
In general, all students are encouraged to make their best effort in school and are expected to complete the work that is assigned to them each year. Graduation from Pine Hill depends on this last criterion being met.
Student reports include:
In grades 1-5, the teachers' report is meant for parents only. A separate personal letter from the class teacher is included for the child to hear or read. In grades 6-8, the whole report is meant to be shared with the child.
As of the 1996-97 school year, teachers will write reports at mid-year and in June. In grades 7 and 8, they write short reports in the spring as well.
Conferences are held once a year and more often as needed. Beginning in 1996, they will be held in the fall, instead of the winter, so parents can hear earlier about their children's work and progress.
During the conference, the teacher will discuss with you:
For your part, you should share a picture of your child at home and raise any questions or concerns about life at school, homework, teachers, the curriculum, etc. that you may have.
Pine Hill strives to promote a safe environment and atmosphere conducive to learning based on mutual respect and a common effort of teachers and students to support the school's rules. The rules are:
The school requests that students dress neatly in clothes appropriate for the weather. Shorts are permitted during the warm days of September, May and June. Warm coats, hats, gloves and boots should be worn in winter, and rain gear on rainy days, for all students are expected to go outside for recesses.
Students should not wear:
In the seventh and eighth grades, a modest amount of make-up, hair coloring and multiple ear piercings are allowed as long as the student's parents are in accord with them.
Students are expected to dress up for assemblies, festivals and other public gatherings. Students performing in the chorus and orchestra are required to wear black pants/skirts and white shirts/blouses.
When infractions of school rules occur, an effort will be made to give students logical consequences. Such measures are meant to raise the child's awareness, to help him/her reflect on his/her deed and the effect it has had, and to make amends for it in constructive ways.
In the upper grades, detentions may be given if work is incomplete or if a child has broken a rule the consequence for which would best be served after school.
A student may be placed on probation if s/he has demonstrated a consistently poor effort (academic probation) or unacceptable behavior. The probation is meant to bring about a measurable and lasting change.
The student's parents will be advised verbally and in writing about
Records will be kept in the student's file in the office.
Failure to satisfy the terms of the probation may result in expulsion from the school.
A student may be suspended from school as a result of a serious infraction of school rules, for example, skipping a class, damaging property, or using tobacco, alcohol or drugs. An in-house suspension may be given, isolating the student from his/her class. The suspension serves as a warning that if matters do not improve, expulsion may follow. Before readmission to school, a meeting of the teacher, student and parents will occur. A record of the suspension and the student's intentions upon returning will be put in writing and be kept in the student's file in the office.
Expelling a student is a very serious matter. It requires a careful discussion with the student's parents and the agreement of the College of Teachers who will thoroughly review the matter before reaching a decision.
The school endeavors to make the building and the playgrounds a safe place for children to work, learn and play. There are boundary lines on the playground indicating off-limit areas. Two teachers are on duty on the upper playing field and two on the lower field during recesses. Children playing in the woods along the Pine Hill Path must be within view of a supervising teacher. First and second graders must have their class teachers or assistant teachers with them during recesses.
The school reserves the right to remove any individuals from the premises who appear to be a threat to the physical or psychological safety of our students and to determine when and whether they can return to school.
The school does not support TV viewing for children in kindergarten and the grades. Research has shown that watching TV and videos shortens the child's attention span and saps his powers of imagination. TV violence, sex and cynical language affect the child's own behavior. There is strong evidence for the negative effects of rays from the cathode tube on brain development. For these reasons, we believe that children should be protected from watching TV.
If you choose to allow TV viewing at home, your child may well exhibit speech and behavior at school which teachers will have to censure.
Pine Hill does not support computer education for the elementary school child and discourages their use at home before the age of about 12.
Calculators are likewise discouraged unless specifically advised by teachers.
In grades 7 and 8, both calculators and computers begin to enter the preparatory work for high school in a limited way, such as in developing word processing and research skills or in limited activities with math. We realize that we deviate from mainstream views on this topic.
VI. Communications
Table of Contents
VIII. Financial Information