Manheim Township School District

COURSE OF STUDY

STUDENT TEAMS:  STREAKS, CHARGERS, LIGHTNING, THUNDER, FIREBOLTS

Teams provide teachers with an opportunity to meet and work with the same students during the school day. Teachers provide valuable help during the year in a number of ways. They can help students to understand homework or special assignments, to learn rules and procedures, or to help solve certain problems that students encounter.

STUDENT SECTIONING 

Student placement into the various sections is done by the school counselor on the basis of prior performance. Within teams, heterogeneous grouping is commonly used for instructional purposes, with ability grouping in some reading and math classes. Teams are provided the opportunity to regroup students into new heterogeneous sections at the conclusion of each marking period.

SCHEDULES 

1. Teams comprising five teachers work with five teaching sections.

2. The basic teaching period is forty minutes.

3. The team has a teaching period for Social Studies, English, Science, and 2 Related Areas.

4. Three languages are offered in seventh and eighth grades: German, French, and Spanish. Selecting a world language is to be viewed as a two-year commitment to the subject.

5. Math and reading instruction will be delivered by the math and reading teachers at 2 designated periods each day.  A math lab and a reading lab is provided for students who need additional support in those areas.
   

6. Most students will have 2 Related Arts subjects each marking period.

REM

One period a day is devoted to Remediation, Enrichment, or Make-up activities. Musical groups also rehearse during this time.

PROMOTION/RETENTION

Successful academic achievement plays an important part in determining promotion. In borderline cases, the presence or absence of sufficient effort can be a determining factor.

Generally, failing 2 or more academic subjects results in retention. Summer school is available for students who wish to make-up failed classes and avoid retention.  There is a cost associated with each summer school class that is the parents responsibility.  A student can make up 2 classes during a summer school time period.  If a student fails 4 or more classes they will be retained.  

If there is doubt concerning the student's promotion, each of the student's teachers will make an independent recommendation, and the principal will make the final decision on the basis of all the recommendations. Emphasis will be placed on those subjects necessary for continued progress in the school system as a result of their sequential nature.

Students in danger of being retained are notified personally through the school counselors. Parents are notified in writing by the principal, and individual conferences may be held with the student, counselor, and principal.

PROGRESS REPORTS

At the mid-point of each marking period, students who are in danger of failing a class for the marking period will receive a progress report by mail. These progress reports will provide parents with current information regarding their child's status at school. Parents are encouraged to contact their child's teachers or counselor if there are concerns or questions about their child's grades.

Parents who wish more frequent grade reports may access the information through the Parent Portal.  Parents must sign up for the Parent Portal at the District Office and will be given a User Name and Password.  Parents may access grades through the portal at anytime during the school year.

HOMEWORK CONNECTION

Students and parents may view the Homework Connection by going to www.mtwp.net and clicking on the Homework Connection link on the left side of the page.  This is where teachers post their homework assignments for the week.

STUDENT MAKE-UP WORK & EXTRA HELP

Work missed by students due to short, legal absences should be made up upon return within the same number of days absent. Work missed during extended absences may be completed at the teacher's discretion. Students who are on vacation are expected to submit their work to their subject area teachers when they return. Students who miss school because they are truant will receive consequences that may preclude making up missed assignments for credit.

Students who need academic assistance are encouraged to meet with their teachers during R.E.M., before or after school, or other arranged times. REM is an ideal time for students to seek extra help from their teachers, and should be utilized as such whenever the need arises.