Academic Information
Report Cards: Report cards are issued on a quarterly basis. Please verify that you have received your child’s report card by signing the form for each quarter in this Binder Reminder.
Progress Reports: Any 6th-8th grade student receiving a “C-“ or below will be issued a Progress Report at the midpoint between each report card period. This report is intended to provide both parents and students with important information regarding their academic performance in particular subject areas. Please contact teachers directly with any questions regarding academic progress.
Grading Policy: The following grades are used at Hall Middle School:
- A Superior work 4 points
- B Very good work 3 points
- C Average work 2 points
- D Below average 1 point
- F Failing work 0 points
Homework Guidelines: Homework serves a variety of instructional purposes and facilitates student acquisition of skills, knowledge and habits. Homework is assigned to allow students to complete unfinished classwork, independently practice and improve skills, reinforce and extend class lessons, introduce new concepts, prepare for the next day, and apply skills and concepts to the real world. Homework supports the development of independence and self-reliance as students learn to improve lifelong study habits.
Frequency of Homework: For language arts, social studies, math, science and Spanish, homework is assigned daily. In addition, students are assigned a variety of projects that require work outside of the classroom. Homework is not assigned over the weekend.
Communicating Homework: Daily homework assignments are posted in each classroom every day. Students are expected to record their homework assignments in their Binder Reminder for each class each day. Many teachers also post the daily homework on a class website or on yourhomework.com. Each teacher has their own way of communicating homework assignments, and this is shared with students and parents at the beginning of the year.
Amount of Homework: There are many variables that impact the length of homework assignments. Some students may need more time to complete assignments and some may need less time. Additionally, some students may prefer or choose to spend more time on assignments. The following guidelines are given as approximations for the pattern of homework assignments, not absolute rules for assignments. As a general rule, homework should take students 10-30 minutes per subject per night. The guidelines for each grade level are as follows: 5th Grade: 60 minutes 6th Grade: 60-90 minutes (15-20 minutes for each of four subjects) 7th and 8th Grade: 60-120 minutes (15-30 minutes for each of four subjects plus 10 for Spanish) Times listed above are for actual study times. They do not include breaks, distractions (phone, email, instant messaging, etc.) or transitions. These times also do not include inappropriate “cramming” when a student has let several assignments build up and is attempting to complete them all at the last minute.
Trouble Shooting: If students find themselves consistently exceeding these time guidelines, it is important to first have a conversation with the classroom teacher in order to problem-solve together. The school counselor and administrative team are also available to support students and families who are experiences difficulty with homework at Hall.
Homework Suggestions: For many students, having a designated homework time after school can provide structure to the day. An ideal work environment is one that is free from distractions and within observation distance. Parents should not assume that if their child is in their room for an hour that they are actively working on homework for an hour. It is advisable for parents to check and review their child’s homework on a regular basis. Students can also take advantage of the school setting to work on homework. The library is open every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Lounge, an after-school study group, is run by Larkspur Park and Rec and is staffed by Hall teachers. Students can work in the Lounge as late as 6:00 pm ever day.
Student Recognition: In an effort to recognize positive student academic achievement and behavior, Hall Middle School sponsors several student recognition programs to acknowledge and reward model achievement and spirit, and to express our appreciation for the hard work and the care and concern shown to others. We recognize students by:
- Character Cards - Special cards are awarded to students by their teachers when they demonstrate any of “Six Pillars of Character” (see p. 7) These cards can then be used for a regularly scheduled special prize drawing.
- Student of the Month – Two students from each grade level are recognized by teachers each month for extraordinary effort or exceptional concern for others.
- Honor Roll/Principal’s List - Students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or greater qualify for the Honor Roll. Students who achieve a 4.0 GPA (all “A’s”) qualify for the Principal’s List. The PTA provides a special treat each quarter for Honor Roll and Principal’s List students.
- Community Service - Each year at Hall Middle School we have opportunities for students to participate in a variety of community service activities. Some of these take place on the Hall campus (Campus Improvement, the Chalk Festival, the Warm Clothing Drive, the Adopt-a-Family program), others are available through organizations and activities around the county or the ingenuity of individual students as they find ways to serve in the community. Participating in community service is not mandatory at Hall Middle School. However, 5th, 6th and 7th grade students who choose to perform eight hours of service during the year are eligible for membership on the Community Service Honor Roll. Eighth graders who perform twelve hours of service during the year will receive special recognition on their diplomas. All students who meet these requirements will be thanked for their efforts and receive a certificate at the end of the year assembly. In order to receive service credits, students need to turn in a completed and signed Community Service Hours Slip to the Hall office after each event.
- Awards Assemblies - In June, special awards assemblies are held to recognize student achievement in all of the program areas.
Graduation: In order to participate in graduation and all of the eighth grade activities, an 8th grader must successfully meet all academic and behavioral requirements:
Academic Requirements: In order to participate in the graduation activities of Hall Middle School, an 8th grader must successfully complete all of the following:
- Math projects
- ETF (Education Task Force) Literacy Portfolio
- Rube Goldberg Science Project
- Physical Education Sportfolio
- Earn a “C” or higher on the Constitution Test
- A student may not have more than one year-end grade of “F”
Behavioral Requirements: Behavioral detentions and/or any suspension in the spring semester affect eligibility for participation in graduation-related activities:
- 4 or more behavioral detentions: Loss of 8th grade field trip
- 5 or more behavioral detentions: Loss of graduation dance
- 6 or more behavioral detentions: Loss of graduation ceremony
- Any suspension in the spring semester will result in the loss of all graduation-related activities.
