Course of Study

The curriculum at Miller Valley School has been determined by state law and District policy. Parents are welcome to examine the curriculum guides available in the office, or online at the District Curriculum Pages.

In addition to subjects taught by the regular classroom teacher, each class will also receive weekly instruction by specialists in Music, Art, Computers, and P.E.

Homework Policy

The Miller Valley School Homework Policy is aligned with the PUSD Homework Policy and Administrative Regulation IKB.

The Governing Board and the Miller Valley staff recognize that development of study skills and self- discipline are prerequisite to achievement commensurate with potential. Hence, homework is seen as an integral and indispensable element of a quality educational process.

Homework shall be assigned to each student on a routine and systematic basis consistent with the maturity, special needs, potential, and achievement level of the individual student.

The Governing Board and the Miller Valley staff recognize the value of homework when it is planned for such purpose as:
- Completing regular classroom assignments.
- Reinforcing the teaching of basic skills.
- Providing opportunity for individual academic extension.
- Making up work missed during absences from the classroom.
- Learning to work independently and develop self- discipline.
- Accepting responsibility for completing assignments.
- Developing better study skills and and/organizing student time.
- Encouraging, Enriching, and Enhancing learning experiences.

Most homework assignments should fall into one of the above categories.

• Homework assignments for primary grade shall be limited to activities which allow students to complete work not done during school time, such as reading, spelling, practicing spelling words, learning number facts, and skill activities. Enrichment activities also would be appropriate.
• Generally home assignments shall not exceed twenty – thirty (20-30) minutes in duration per grade level class.
• Exceptions to these guidelines are to be worked out with parents or guardians.
• Parents can help by providing a quiet, well lit, study area and by reinforcing a regular study time for your children.

Make Up Work

When students are absent from school they will be given a reasonable amount of time to make up the missed work. If your child is out only one day, make up work will be given the following day. Parents may call and request work for those students who will be missing more than one day. Parents may then pick up the work at the School Office between 3:00 and 4:00 PM. This gives the teacher time to get the assignments together.

Materials

The school district provides some necessary materials for students. From time to time, we may request that parents send supplies and/or incidental items to school.

Textbooks and Library Books Responsibility

Students are furnished textbooks at no rental or purchase charge. Library books are available for students to check out at no charge. Students are to use books in a responsible manner.

Books should be transported to and from school in a careful manner- (ex: a book bag/back pack). At home, students should be careful to place their books in a safe place–awayfrom chewing pets, scribbling toddlers, food and drink spills, etc. We suggest that your child not lend his/her books to friends, as your child is responsible for all books issued or checked out to him/her. Any books or property that are lost or damaged, parents must reimburse the school.

Student Progress

Report cards will be sent home with each child every nine weeks (quarterly) period.
Teachers may send home other progress reports if there are problems or if a student is doing exceptionally well.

Parent conferences are arranged with every parent once during the year (in the fall).

Parents may also request additional conferences any time you wish to discuss your
child’s progress. Please call the school to make an appointment with your child’s teacher.

Promotion

We expect each child to succeed and be promoted to the next grade at the end of the year.

When a child’s progress, attendance, or performance is deficient, the teacher may decide to retain him/her in the same grade. Many factors are used in this decision and parents will be consulted as soon as possible by the teacher when retention is a possibility.

Special Services

The school district provides an impressive range of services to meet special needs of our students. There are programs for students with physical handicaps, learning or emotional disabilities, reading and language arts problems, and for students with special talents or gifts.

Library

The Miller Valley library is a bright inviting environment. Classes have a regularly scheduled library period during which to learn library skills, check out books, and are encouraged to expand their understanding of the world through literature and other shared media. Accordingly, each student is responsible for all materials borrowed in their name, and an on-time return is expected.