HOMEWORK
Bellingham School District believes that homework is an integral part of the student learning process. Homework
provides opportunity for school learning to extend to the homework, allowing parents to be aware of and involved
with their student's learning. Homework provides both immediate and long-term academic effects. Students who successfully
complete homework have improved achievement and greater responsibility and ownership for learning. Homework also
provides non-academic effects by helping students develop time management and organization skills and positive
work habits.
Homework needs to meet at least one of four purposes: practice/review, preparation, extension, making connections.
Teachers need to be aware of the type(s) of work they are assigning and ensure that the students are academically
prepared and have the resources to complete such homework. Teachers need to monitor the completion rate of students
and contact students and parents when there are problems. Homework is not intended to punish students and should
not be assigned or graded in such a manner.
Teachers are expected to adhere to the following time ranges for specific grade levels, per night average.
Kindergarten Occasional
1st-2nd 15 minutes (M-Th)
3rd-5th 30-60 minutes (M-Th)
6th-8th 30-90 minutes (M-Th)
9th-12th 60-120 minutes (M-Th)
Students are expected to practice their math facts (grades 2-5) and read for pleasure on a daily basis (K-12).
Additional homework may be assigned based on the guidelines above.
INSURANCE
The Bellingham School District offers student accident insurance through Ace American Insurance Company. Application
envelopes with instructions for completion were sent home in the opening packet.
The Bellingham School District does not serve as an insurance agent. We only act as a messenger between you and
the insurance company.
INTERNET/E-MAIL
All students, grades 3-5 have the opportunity for independent Internet and e-mail access with parental permission.
The Bellingham School District has a strict policy regarding Internet use that must be followed.
LIBRARY
Silver Beach has an excellent library, which is used by all the children. The library is open every day from 8:45a.m.
until 3:30p.m. Books can be checked out for one week at a time and renewed twice. The due date is normally on the
day your child has library class. Each child may check out two books.
Dar New, our librarian, meets with each class on a weekly basis for stories, book talks, and instruction in library
and study skills.
Silver Beach parents and friends assist in the library by supervising informal student activities, carding and
shelving books, and reading to the children. If you would like to help, please contact Dar New.
We also have a collection of books for parents, which we are pleased to lend out.
Parent Handbook--Homework to Library