Graduation and Promotion Requirements

One of the goals of the School Reform Commission is for students to achieve at the Proficient level or beyond in reading, mathematics and science. In order to assist students with this increased expectation, this policy provides for increased and systematic classroom supports, via the Comprehensive Student Assistance Process (CSAP). Failure to provide these supports jeopardizes the successful implementation of the Promotion and Graduation Policy.
 

Home and School Connection

Our school has an active Home and School partnership.  It is designed to provide:

• the parents with information regarding the educational programs at our school and the workings of the School District.
• meetings which also provide the administration with the opportunity to obtain parental input and guidance on issues affecting the students and Webster School.

Please contact the main office for additional information regarding membership and the meeting schedule. 

Permission Forms

• Student Media Permission Form - This form should be filled out by the Parent or Legal Guardian of a student prior to using a student’s picture, voice, video and/or full name on the School District or an individual school’s website.
  
• Individual Media Permission Form - This form should be filled out by any adult individual prior to using an individual’s picture, voice and/or video on the School District or an individual school’s website.
• EH-80 Parental Permission Form (English) - This is the English version of the form that should be filled out by the Parent or Legal Guardian of a student authorizing the student to participate in a school trip.
  
• EH-81 Parental Permission Form (Spanish) - This is the Spanish version of the form that should be filled out by the Parent or Legal Guardian of a student authorizing the student to participate in a school trip.

Extracurricular Activities

We have many interesting activities for all of our students.

They include... 

• Art
• Gym
• Library
• Power Hour
• Science Fair
• Safety Patrol
• Track and Field
• Techno Tekkie Time 

 

Parent Resources

Pennsylvania Training & Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN)

PaTTAN is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education working in partnership with families and local education agencies to support programs and services to improve student learning and achievement.  This is a very comprehensive site that should be a 'must-see' for every parent. 

 

School District of Philadelphia and Parents

Parents link for information and activities connected with our own school district. 

 

Important Contact Numbers                        

• Parent Help Line (215) 400-4000
• Bully Hotline (215) 400 SAFE(7233)
• Citizen Crime Commission Tipline: Toll free (877) 345-TIPS(8477)
• Join the Home and School Council (215) 400-8123
• Right to Education Task Force (215) 400-5151

What is CSAP?

The Comprehensive Student Assistance Process, or “See-Sap”
(CSAP) as it is commonly called, is designed to identify and address
problems students may have that impede learning.  
 
At the Tier I level of the CSAP process, solutions are designed by
teachers and others -- including parents -- for small groups of
students who are experiencing similar difficulties. At the Tier II level,
focus is on individual students.  A team works to develop a plan
individually tailored to help the student in whatever area is identified. 
The team may include teachers, counselor, nurse, parents and/or
others who could provide helpful information, resources and supports.
Tier III is the process of considering and recommending alternative
educational settings for a student.  This occurs when interventions
and strategies at levels I and II have not been effective. 
 
The CSAP process is a critical professional tool for making sure that
barriers to learning are removed for all students. It is important that you be involved in CSAP meetings. As with other school records, information on CSAP forms and the content of discussions at CSAP team meetings are confidential.
 
More information about CSAP and SAP (the Student Assistance
Process) which deals with problems of substance and alcohol abuse
and mental illness) may be found on the District website.

Assessments

PSSA
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is a
standards based, criterion-referenced, assessment used to measure a student’s attainment of the academic standards while also determining the degree to which school programs enable students to attain proficiency of the standards.  Students in grades 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11 are assessed in reading, math, and writing.  Results are reported as Advanced, Proficient, Basic, or Below Basic levels of performance.
 
TerraNova
The TerraNova is a standardized assessment used to measure
students’ knowledge of basic skills in reading, language arts and math in grades 1 and 2. 
 
DRA
The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a tool that
assesses and documents primary students’ development as readers over time using authentic text.  It determines independent and highest instructional reading levels three times per year for students in grades kindergarten through three.
 
DIBELS
The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)
measures phonological awareness, alphabetic principles, and fluency with connected text.  It is administered three times a year to students in grades kindergarten through three.
 
GATES / WRAP 
The Gates and WRAP monitor reading levels for students in grades four through eight.  It is administered three times per year.
 
BENCHMARK TESTING
The District implements a benchmark testing program to monitor students’ mastery of the Core Curriculum.  Benchmark tests.  These are currently administered five times per year in reading, math, and science to students in grades 3, 4, and 5.

 
ACCESS  
The English Language Proficiency Assessment is administered to English Language Learner (ELL) students in grades K-12 to determine progress towards English language acquisition. 
 
PUPIL PROGRESS REPORTS
Report cards are issued three times per year at Webster.  Parents are invited to participate in conferences with teachers to discuss report card results.  Student teachers should participate in these conferences.
 
 

5th Grade Demerit System

Every school year is important for all Webster students, but more so for our 5th graders.  The end of the year activities for our 5th graders include a trip, a school dance, and closing exercises.  In order to participate in these activities, academic and behavior standards must be met.  This code has been developed to ensure that our students are safe in our school and that they can earn the privilege to attend the end of year activities.

Academically, all students are expected to achieve.  They must study, complete homework assignments and projects, pass all subjects and meet promotion criteria in order to participate in 5th grade activities.

The Behavior Standard has been developed to ensure that our students are safe in our school and that our students are learning in a non-threatening environment.  It is a voluntary choice on the part of the student to act appropriately or inappropriately in school.  No one “makes” a student act a certain way.  Students need to understand that they are responsible for their actions.  No one has the right to threaten, place his or her hands on, or disrespect another student or teacher.  Students must make the right choices regarding their behaviors, and understand that there are consequences for wrong choices.

When students fail to comply with the rules, demerits may be issued.  For every two (2) uniform infractions a demerit will be issued.  The classroom teacher, specialist teachers, grade group leader, school based teacher leaders, or an administrator can issue demerits.  The number of demerits will depend on the severity of the act in question.  Demerits can also be issued for failure to complete assignments.  EACH TIME A STUDENT IS SUSPENDED (IN OR OUT OF SCHOOL) THEY WILL RECEIVE 4 DEMERITS.  

The following privileges will be lost when a student has accumulated demerits:
•    Class trips can be lost with any number of demerits
•    10 demerits = loss of the 5th grade school dance
•    15 demerits = loss of the 5th grade trip
•    20 demerits = loss of closing exercise privilege (promotion ceremony)

A warning letter will be sent home advising you that your child is in danger of losing one or more of these privileges.

•    Consequences are NON-NEGOTIABLE.
•    NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for any child.

Children will have the opportunity to have demerits taken away for positive and appropriate behavior during prep classes.  The prep teacher will let the classroom teacher know if a child has exhibited the appropriate behavior to erase a demerit.

Do you see snow?

Snow Hotline: 215-400-INFO (4636)

This hotline will provide regular updates on the status of school and office closures, and is a very efficient way, in partnership with the District's Web site, to check the status of closures. The Snow Hotline can be reached at 215-400-INFO (4636).

Administrative Office / School Closure:

In the event that schools are closed on a school day due to inclement weather, a decision will be made in each instance as to whether administrative offices, including Regional Offices, will be open or closed. Unless it is announced that administrative offices are closed assume they will be open. KYW Radio (1060 AM) will be used to announce school closings. Employees who work in Administrative Offices, including Regional Offices, should contact 215-400-INFO or visit the District’s web site (www.phila.k12.pa.us)