Academics

Weekly Learning Plans:

Every teacher will post a weekly learning plan to your child's Google classroom under the classwork tab. Each teacher makes a conscientious effort to be consistent. The learning plan covers, field trips, special events, and assignments for the coming week. Some teachers post it on Friday, and some on Monday. This will be conveyed at the Open House, and in the material sent home on the first day of school. As with graded papers, if your child does not voluntarily give you the learning plan, you must ask for it. Parents should make time to review the learning plan with their child. Parental consistency in this process helps to ensure positive communication between school and home.

Graded Papers:        

Every teacher sends home graded papers on a specific day of the week. The teacher communicates this day in an introductory letter and at Open House. The parents are responsible for asking the child for the papers if they are not given voluntarily. This folder is an excellent source of communication between teachers and parents for academic and behavior progress. The folder should be returned to the teacher on the next school day. Parents should make the time to review the papers with their children. 

Homework:

Homework is the extension of the lessons of the school day. We attempt to provide a positive, balanced approach to homework. Homework is to reinforce a skill that has been taught. It should be reasonable in length, checked for accuracy, and should not be graded as a test grade. Each teacher will review their homework policy in an introductory letter sent home on the first day of school and at Open House.

Section 504/School Assistance Team (SAT):

Students who struggle with learning, have physical/behavior problems, have been retained, have attendance problems, or have discrepancies between test scores and performance may be referred to the School Assistance Team (SAT). The team is composed of a guidance counselor, speech therapist, pupil appraisal representative, the classroom and special education teachers of the child under consideration, and the parent. Different strategies may be considered to help the student succeed at school. The student may be referred for 504 or special education evaluation if difficulties persist. Determination of eligibility under Section 504 for regular education placement and modifications (IAP) is made through the school's 504 Committee, following the regulations of Section 504. Eligibility for evaluation for Special Education placement is also made by the SAT Committee, based on state guidelines. Parents will be notified and invited to participate in this decision-making process. If you feel your child has a problem affecting their learning ability, please get in touch with your child's teacher for a conference. If you believe additional assistance is required to make your child successful, you may request an SAT meeting.

Inclusion:

Tchefuncte Middle School has an inclusive education program for the placement of special education students. Through this program, the regular education teacher provides services for the special education students in the traditional classroom with the support of the special education teacher and paraprofessionals. While the curriculum and instruction remain the same as in other classes, modifications are made to accommodate the needs of the special education students.

Library:

• Classes attend the library for 45 minutes once per week.
• In addition, we have adopted an open Library concept where students, with their teacher's permission, may visit the library during other class times.
• If a student has an overdue book, he/she may not check out additional books from the library until the book is returned.
• Payment for lost books shall be based on the current list price if the book is in print. If the book is out of print, an average current replacement cost for a comparable book, as suggested by the selection catalogs or recommendations by the American Library Association, will determine replacement costs. 
• The librarian will notify students' parents regarding overdue or lost books in writing. Written notifications will be given at least once each nine weeks before report cards are sent home.

Physical Education:

There is a dress code requirement for all PE classes. 

• Students should wear athletic shoes.
• Girls should wear shorts under their skirts or dresses. 
• Students wearing medical appliances such as casts, bandages for sprains, etc., must present a doctor's written permission slip before they will be allowed to participate in Physical Education activities. 
• If a student is restricted for any medical (Doctor's note) reason, they will be given an alternate assignment related to current lessons.