7th Grade Policies
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Absences | Discipline | Dress Code | Homework | Participation | Positive Reinforcement | School Work | Tests & Notetaking

topAbsences: Please keep doctor and dentist appointments during the school day to a limit.  It is very hard for students to catch up when they have missed a large amount of information.  They are responsible on their own time to retrieve any information they missed.  Homework will not be given ahead of time for planned vacations, and will not be sent home when a child is home sick.  All work must be made up upon the child’s return.  This is in compliance with school policy on the handbook.  Please do not call the school to arrange for homework to be picked up.  If you know of an upcoming absence, please send in a note ahead of time, and upon your child’s return.

topDiscipline: Fairness and cooperation is the key in the discipline of your children.  What goes for one child will apply to all of them.  First warning is simply that; a warning.  Should I need to speak with them further, their discipline will be kept track of and they will be sent home with an infraction slip, which will need to be signed and returned.  Infraction slips are given for not following classroom rules or not having materials ready for class.  Should any further problems exist, I will contact the parents and notify them of the situation.

The Infraction slips will be sent home in addition to the school-wide program of Student Referrals (pink slips). If a student receives three pink slips for tardiness, behavior, dress code violations or missing homework, he/ she will have detention. Nine pink slips, given for any reason, will result in a suspension.

Good Shepherd participates in a program called CHARACTER COUNTS. It involves developing character under the umbrella of faith and love by becoming trustworthy, respectful, responsible, fair, caring and becoming good citizens. These are the six pillars of character. You will hear about CHARACTER COUNTS throughout the school year. By the time students reach seventh grade, they have a good idea of what is expected of them in the classroom. During the first days of school, we will discuss classroom rules applied to three categories of behavior, and we will talk about how these tie in with the six pillars. The categories are:

BE POLITE
BE PREPARED
BE PROMPT

Please discuss these categories with your child. All seventh graders will contribute to writing our own set of classroom rules, using these categories as a guide. All other rules and codes of behavior are found in the Parent-Student Handbook.

topDress Code: Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for school. There are very clear guidelines in the Student Handbook that outline what is, and what is not, acceptable. Please check the handbook if you have questions regarding the dress code. After three separate uniform infractions, a Student Referral will be sent home for parent signature.

topHomework: By now, each student has received a planner for homework assignments. Daily assignments are written on the board and, in most cases, the students will begin them in class. These assignments reinforce concepts learned in class. Assignments and materials are due on the date assigned. Students will not receive credit for late assignments unless they have an excused absence due to illness. All assigned work is to be turned in, regardless of missed days, unless we have had a conference to discuss a particular situation.  Students must be aware of their missing assignments, and it is solely their responsibility to keep track of them.  A notice will be sent home at the time that their assignment has not been turned in.  This notice will need to be signed and returned with the completed assignment.  Missing/incomplete homework assignments do affect your child’s grade.  Notes from parents for incomplete homework will be accepted only in the case of a family emergency or illness. Homework will not be excused for late night activities, family outings or sports practices.

topParticipation: This is an important part of learning and plays a large part in students’ grades.  Students may not use the restroom during the class following the start of school, recess and lunch.  They cannot actively participate during class, and obtain the maximum amount of information being taught, if they are not in the classroom

topPositive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is an important part of the Seventh Grade and, depending on the activity or the behavior, appropriate recognition is given.

topSchool Work : Your child is ultimately responsible for all work, homework and projects.

topTests & Notetaking: We will be focusing on constructive note-taking habits throughout the curriculum this year. Students may be asked to come up with their own questions as part of certain tests.

NOTE: All completed tests require a parent’s signature, and are due at school the day after they are handed out to the students for review.