FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE ACADEMIC SKILLS CLASSES?
Academic Skills (also known as Basic Skills Instruction-Math or Basic Skills Instruction-Language Arts or Reading Lab) is a small group instruction class offered during the school day. Students in seventh and eighth grade take it in place of a world language; the sixth grade students' schedules are determined by the classroom teachers and the academic skills teachers.

WHAT IS ACADEMIC SUPPORT?
This class is scheduled every other day for seventh and eighth graders. During this time, students can meet with teachers to get extra help, make up work, do research, or read their Accelerated Reader books. It alternates with the elective period (see Electives). There is an academic support period for sixth graders.

WHAT IS THE ACCELERATED MATH PROGRAM?
Accelerated math begins in 6th grade but students are evaluated annually and many move into it in 7th or 8th grade. Indicators (predictors of success) for the program include standardized test scores, student performance, and teacher observation.  Students need to receive a certain number of points on the rubric to be placed in the class.  The significant reason for a student  to be in the accelerated math program in middle school is to reach Calculus/Discrete Math/AP Statistics and Probability by his/her senior year.

Though this would seem advantageous to all students, it is very important that students successfully complete four years of math in high school.  "Successfully complete" means earning at least a B and handling the work without the need for a tutor to support the child.  Students who accelerate too early sometimes struggle in the upper levels of math.  They receive grades less than B, which greatly affects their GPA, and/or they want to drop the math course. Students who are not in accelerated math, complete the quad-district curriculum by the end of 8th grade. This prepares them for the high school math program. If a child does not take Algebra in 8th grade, there is the opportunity to "double up" in math in sophomore year when students take Geometry and Algebra II.  This is, very often, an excellent choice.  Students who take CP Algebra I in 9th grade can have four years of math that culminates with Honors Pre-Calculus or Discrete Math.  These students are all eligible for honors level math courses in sophomore year.

Please understand that the Accelerated Math class moves very quickly.  There will be little time for review and reteaching.  A child is expected to keep pace with the class without the assistance of a tutor.  Also, remember that this is a decision based on your child's ability, commitment and maturity at this point in time.  We have had many, many children who have not been in the accelerated track here who have been highly successful in high school and have been accepted into the college of their choice.  Students will be assigned to the class in September.  Please do not call before that time to inquire about your child's status.  Once the school year begins, the counselors {Brigette Uzar -Gr. 6 (A-J) & Gr. 8 and Margaret Donnelly -Gr. 6 (LK-Z) & Gr. 7} will be glad to review your child's rubric with you but in fairness to all students, the criteria is the deciding factor for a student's eligibility.

WHAT IS THE ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM?
The Accelerated Reader Program is one part reading part of the sixth, seventh and eighth grade language arts curriculum. Its purpose is to encourage independent reading. Students read books from the AR list (over 2000 titles of various interests, genres and reading levels) and take computer generated tests on them to earn points. The points are averaged into their language arts/English grade.

WHAT IS BRAIN BUSTERS?
The Brain Busters team, made up of academically talented seventh and eighth graders, vies with other schools in "trivia bowl"type meets. The culminating event is a county-wide competition in the spring.

WHAT ARE SCHOOL CONCERT EXPECTATIONS?
The music department holds several concerts during the school year (See website for dates). It is expected that children who are in the school band or chorus participate in the evening performances. The evening performances (including the school musical) are for the families of the participants. Students see the performance in school. Students and guests under 16 are ONLY allowed to attend the evening performance with their OWN parent.

WHAT ARE ELECTIVES?
Seventh and eighth graders take elective courses every other day. They may have up to four a year. They are required to take at least two academic electives (white electives) and the balance are nonacademic electives (red electives). The selections vary every year but will include band, chorus, newspaper, yearbook,  etc.. Students will choose their electives for the year in September. Students may be placed in an elective based on academic need.

HOW IS HONOR ROLL DETERMINED?
Honor roll is determined by the letter grades students earn in the 5 core subjects; language arts, math, science, social studies and world language. Letter grades are given a numerical value (i.e., A = 93, A- = 90, etc.) and the student data system calculates the average.

High Honors - 90.00 - 100.00
Honors - 80.00 - 89.99

A student may not receive a grade less than B- in any subject to qualify for honor roll status.

WHAT IS THE INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PROGRAM AND WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?
Cavallini has interscholastic teams in girls soccer, boys' soccer, girls' basketball, boys' basketball, wrestling, girls' volleyball, softball, baseball, and track. Students are selected for participation by the coaches. It is expected that students will attend daily practices and the games. In order to tryout for any Cavallini School team, the two forms identified below must be completed and on file. These forms are required by both school board policy and state law. Physical forms (available in the Student Services Office) must be submitted before practices begin. Contact Mr. Sheridan, athletic director or Ms. Hanna, the school nurse, if you have any questions. FORM #1: SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FORM TO BE COMPLETED BY A DOCTOR-This form must be on file, dated, and signed by a physician within 12 months of the start of tryouts for any sport. This form must state that the child has been given a physical examination by the doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant, and that no conditions, that might cause participation in a sport to be harmful were identified. This form may be mailed in any time. Students must submit a completed and signed PARENT PERMISSION FORM AND MEDICAL UPDATE in order to get a school physical. Form #2 PARENT PERMISSIONFORMAND MEDICAL UPDATE. THIS FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SPORT - The parent or guardian must sign and submit the permission slip to participate in each sport and make note of any physical problem that may have been experienced by the student between the physical exam and the first day of tryouts. If a student has had an injury requiring medical intervention since the last physical he/she needs a medical clearance to return to sports activities.
Beginning January 1, 2008, the PARENT PERMISSION FORM must be reviewed by the examining provider.

TENTATIVE ATHLETIC CALENDAR: SEASONS:
Girls Soccer (Coach Saxon), Boys Soccer (Coach Dates),Girls Basketball (Coach Fazio), Boys Basketball (Coach Dates), Wrestling (TBD), Volleyball (Coach Fazio), Baseball (Coach TBD), Softball (TBD), and Track (Coach Petrow)

It is the goal of the athletic director and the school administration to develop an intramural program in the near future.

WHAT ARE THE INTERVENTION & REFERRAL SERVICES/504 COMMITTEES?
The IR&S and 504 Committee are made up of several school professionals from various fields and are chaired by the school counselors. The purpose of these committees is to discuss and develop plans for students who may have different or additional needs than other students. Students are referred to this committee by faculty members, counselors, and/or parents.

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL MUSICAL AND WHAT ARE STUDENT EXPECTATIONS?
The school musical is an after school activity. Students in grades six through eight are encouraged to participate. Students chosen for the production are expected to attend all rehearsals. The evening performances are for families of the participants. Children under 16 will only be allowed to attend with their own parent.

WHAT ARE THE CAVALLINI SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS?
Cavallini has a school newspaper, The Cardinal, a creative writing magazine, Creations, and an eighth grade yearbook. All students are encouraged to submit their work for Creations and The Cardinal. The yearbook is created by the eighth grade staff which will be selected by the advisor in September.

WHAT IS THE STOCK MARKET GROUP?
Seventh and eighth graders buy and sell stocks in this statewide program, to see who can amass the largest net worth. There is a fall session and a spring session.

WHAT IS THE TARDINESS POLICY?

Students should be in homeroom and prepared for the day by 8:03 am.  If a student arrives late, he/she must sign in at the Student Services Office.  Lateness will be unexcused, unless accompanied by a note from a doctor's or dentist’s office.  Lateness to school is a serious concern.  It is detrimental to the child and disruptive to fellow students.  Therefore, the following consequences for chronic tardiness have been put into place:

1st tardy of the month -  a warning will be issued to the student.

2nd tardy of the month -  a lunch/recess detention.

3rd tardy of the month -  a 30 minute, after school detention.  A letter of notification* will be sent to the parent(s).

*After three letters of notification are sent (during the course of the same year), a conference with the parents, the student and the assistant principal will be scheduled.  

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR DRESS? (see Code of Conduct for complete details)
• All headgear and coats are to be stored in the student's locker or cubby during the school day.
• Bare midriffs or clothing that reveals under-garments are not be permitted.
• The 'fingertip rule' - skirts/shorts should be longer than one's fingertips when the arms are held straight down. The 'three finger rule' - straps should be wider than three fingers.
• Clothing or accessories that depict violence, profanity and are offensive, sexually explicit, suggestive or too revealing, advocate illegal or unhealthy behavior, distracting or cause a safety hazard are not permitted. Examples include: Halter tops, one shoulder shirts/blouses and/or see through clothing. Flip flops pose a safety hazard and are not appropriate for school.
• Hair curlers are inappropriate for school.

WHAT IS THE STUDENT CELL PHONE POLICY?

Though the school strongly discourages cell phones in school, we recognize that students who participate in extra-curricular activities may need to call home after the school offices are closed.  If a child needs to bring a cell phone for this reason, he/she must comply with the following guidelines:

*  Under no circumstances should cell phones be used to receive calls or messages during the day. Students should only use the office telephones if they need to call home. Parents should call the office if they have a message for their child. It will be delivered in a timely fashion.

*  Cell phones should not be worn on clothing.  Cell phones should be kept in a student's backpack or locker.

*  The school is not responsible if the phone is lost or stolen.

*  Cell phones should not be on during the school day while the offices are open. Our offices are typically open beyond 4 PM.  If a child uses the cell phone while the offices are open, it will be confiscated and must be picked up by a parent or guardian.

* Also, please note that electronics (iPods, Gameboys, etc.) are not permitted in school or on the bus (including at sporting events and field trips).

Besides the obvious reasons for not allowing cell phones in school (the disruption of classes, the distraction to students, the transfer of testing information, etc.), we learned from September 11th that the control of information to students from outside sources during the school day is imperative. Had the school not been able to control the flow of information that day, the panic that would have ensued would have been catastrophic.  In addition, many cell phones now have the capability of taking photos and recording video.  Since it is our pledge to make every effort to preserve the privacy of our students while on school premises (including hallways, locker rooms, and classrooms), we ask that you seriously consider your child’s need to bring a cell phone to school.

GMS/amp Other questions? Please email gsolomon@usrschoolsk8.com