The transition from one grade level to the next can be a challenge for some students. This is especially true for students entering an older grade level. Children entering third grade are required to think much more independently than they have in previous years. Their writing skills when answering questions for Science, Social Studies and Language Arts require more detail and fact memorization than in previous years. Children entering fourth, fifth, and sixth grade understand from previous experience what is expected concerning their writing skills, but they still need to be reminded to study at home before tests. Study guides for tests are sent home in your child's homework packet preferably two weeks before a test in Science or Social Studies. If you sit with your child and go over the study guide for just ten minutes consistently each night before the test, your child should succeed. Many parents ask, "How come this is not studied in class?" It is. It is also imperative to remember that your child's teacher is covering at least seven other subjects during the day. Additional study at home is required for third grade and up, even if your child's classroom is small, the same amount of time must be given to each subject matter. The teacher may have more time for one on one help during independent seat work time, but the hours devoted each day to each subject does not change because of small class size. Sometimes children may tell you, "We didn't go over this in class." In order to accommodate our working parents, the study guide is sent home far in advance. There may be certain parts of the study guide that have not been covered at the time it is sent home, but each part of the guide will be studied in class before the test. If you have a question, please ask your child's teacher. Allow the teacher to address your question or concern first, as he/she is directly involved. If the teacher is not available, please leave a note/number for him/her to contact you. Sending a child to private school does not guarantee perfect grades. It does guarantee that more is required of the child, the teachers and the parents as a team. Pinecrest School will do everything appropriate and possible to help the students and parents succeed. It does not eliminate the responsibility of parental supervision and guidance during homework time or special assignments. Some socially mature students can work on their homework or special assignments independently with little parental supervision, while other children may require guidance through out the entire time. Most children fall between the two extremes, but all parents need to check his/her child's work before it is passed in to the teacher. As a courtesy to our commuting parents, we offer a Homework Club Monday through Thursday after school for second grade and up. This is an opportunity for your child to sit with other children and study after school. There is a staff member supervising and assisting the students during this time, but he/she is not responsible for making sure the student's homework is completed. Homework completion is the student's responsibility. If a student behaves disruptively or does not use the time appropriately, he/she will be removed from homework time in order to allow the other students to study in peace. If you would like your child to participate in our scheduled homework time, please sign up in the front office with Miss Janet.