Elementary School
Promotion and Retention of Students
Student retention or promotion will be discussed on an individual basis at Instructional Support Team (IST). A decision to retain shall be arrived at by consensus from a case conference approach involving the Instructional Support Team including, teacher, building principal, school psychologist, as well as a parent/guardian. Factors to be considered include all assessment data on a student’s response to recommended interventions, teacher observation data; attendance, social, emotional and physical development; family conference; and, for identified students, recommendations by the Committee on Special Education (CSE). If retention is recommended by school personnel and a parent refuses retention, parents must meet with principal to discuss concerns prior to promotion.
Grading Systems
Primary grades such as kindergarten and first grades utilize a skill and effort key specific to grade level to determine performance level. Upper level grades 2-6 use a numerical/letter system to determine performance level. The grading system is used to indicate achievement and development in each class or subject area in which a student is enrolled. Letter grades or percentage are also used in special area classes such as physical education, art, technology, library, and music. Grading will be based upon students’ ability to demonstrate learning via assessments and other means.
High Honor Roll/Honor Roll
Students in grades 4-6 are eligible to earn a place on the High Honor Roll/Honor Roll list based upon grades received during the quarter. The High Honor award will be given to students with an average of 89.5 or above. The Honor award will be awarded to students with an average between 84.5 and 89.4. An assembly to recognize these students will be given quarterly.
Wolf Awards
The Wolf Award is for students who display the traits of outstanding civility, citizenship, and character in the school, which supports the efforts of the Dignity for All Students Act. This is an award generally given once a month for students in grades PreK-6 based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Effort: Works hard, puts forth effort, and completes assigned work on time
- Dependability: Has acceptable attendance to school and arrival times to class
- Respectfulness: consistently treats others with kindness, tolerance, and compassion and demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity in the relations of people
- Helpfulness: Consistently helps staff, classmates, as well as volunteers
- Responsibility, Honesty, and Accountability: Accepts responsibility by telling the truth about self or others’ behaviors and does not make excuses for those behaviors
- Self-control: No discipline issues, such as no conduct referrals in the past 3 months for inappropriate behaviors and no disruptive behaviors (excessive talking in class, harassing-type or teasing behaviors, manipulating others, spreading rumors, making rude or inappropriate comments about others, passive-aggressively bothering others, etc)
Junior-Senior High School
Grading System
Grades 7-12 uses a numerical system to determine performance level. The grading system is used to indicate achievement and development in each class or subject area in which a student is enrolled. Quarter grades should reflect student’s ability to perform on NYS Regents exams or final exams if no Regents exam is available. No grades over 100 will be accepted.
Classroom teachers will evaluate students and assign grades according to the established system. All students are expected to complete the assigned class work and homework as directed. Students are also expected to participate meaningfully in class discussions and activities in order to receive course credit.
Grading will not be used for disciplinary purposes, i.e., giving lower grades for bad behavior, unless the student’s misconduct is directly related to his or her academic performance (plagiarism, for example).
Promotion and Retention of Students
At the middle school level, students who pass all subjects will be promoted. Students who do not make satisfactory progress in one or more core subjects — English language arts, mathematics, social studies and science — shall have their cases considered on an individual basis and may be retained.
Determinations on retention are made after consultation with the teacher, building principal, and guidance counselor. Factors to be considered include teacher recommendation; classroom achievement and attitude; standardized test scores; social, emotional and physical development; family conference; and, for identified students, recommendations by the committee on special education (CSE).
At the high school level, promotion from one grade to the next shall be contingent upon passing all required subjects and the correct accumulation of graduation credits at each grade. Students, and parents, are encouraged to meet with the guidance counselor to discuss the appropriate credits needed for each grade level. Students need 5 credit to become 10th graders, 10 credits to become 11th graders and 15 credits to become 12th graders.
Honor Roll/High Honor Roll
Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to earn a place on the High Honor Roll and the Honor Roll based upon grades received during the quarter. The High Honor Roll award will be given to students with an average of 90 or better. The Honor Roll award will be given to students with an average between 85 and 89.
Graduation Requirements
Diplomas will be granted on the successful completion of the requirements of the Board of Regents, the Commissioner of Education, and the OESJ Central School Board of Education. Students are encouraged to meet with the guidance counselor to discuss the graduation requirements as well as their current standing on an annual basis.
Wolf Awards
The Wolf Award is for students who display the traits of outstanding civility, citizenship, and character in the school, which supports the efforts of the Dignity for All Students Act. This is an award generally given once a month for students in grades 7-12 based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Effort: Works hard, puts forth effort, and completes assigned work on time
- Dependability: Has acceptable attendance to school and arrival times to class
- Respectfulness: consistently treats others with kindness, tolerance, and compassion and demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity in the relations of people
- Helpfulness: Consistently helps staff, classmates, as well as volunteers
- Responsibility, Honesty, and Accountability: Accepts responsibility by telling the truth about self or others’ behaviors and does not make excuses for those behaviors
- Self-control: No discipline issues, such as no conduct referrals in the past 3 months for inappropriate behaviors and no disruptive behaviors (excessive talking in class, harassing-type or teasing behaviors, manipulating others, spreading rumors, making rude or inappropriate comments about others, passive-aggressively bothering others, etc)