Academic Information

Textbooks and Curriculum

The staff at the L. B. Morris School is dedicated to working with students to ensure academic success.  We are constantly working to keep our curriculum current with today’s offerings and to meet state standards.  We utilize the following textbooks and curriculums:
 

  • Reading, Language Arts, Process Writing, Spelling (Grades K-3):  Journeys by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

  • Reading (Grades 4-8): Short story and novel based units

  • Language Arts (Grades 4-8):  Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop & Sadlier Grammar

  • Mathematics (Grades K-5):  Envisions Math

  • Mathematics (Grades 6-8):  Big Ideas Math

Powerschool Parent & Student Portal
The school encourages parents/guardians and students to monitor their student's grades, assignments, and attendance via the PowerSchool Parent & Student Portal. This will provide real-time up-to-date information on your child's grades, assignments, and attendance.

Progress Reports
Progress reports are sent home electronically at the midpoint of each marking period.  Parents are requested to confirm receipt with their teacher.
 
Report Cards
Report cards are issued to students every nine weeks.  There are four grading periods each year.  Attendance is also conveyed on the report card.  Report cards are sent home electronically and can be emailed home upon request.
 
Grading System
  A= 93-100
  B=85-92
  C=75-84
  D=70-74
  F=0-69
 
The following letter system is used for minor subjects, student behavior, and study habit characteristics:
   
  D= Distinguished/Exceeds the requirements
  S= Satisfactory/Meets the grade level requirements
  N= Needs Improvement
  U= Unsatisfactory/ Below grade level requirements

Grading Policies

Honor Roll Requirements (Gr. 3-8)

Principal's List

A GPA Weighted Average greater than or equal to 93; At least 3 grades greater or equal to 93; No grade lower than 85

Honor Roll

A GPA Weighted Average greater than or equal to 85; No Grade lower than 85All A's in major subjects and no N's or UNS's in minor subject areas, homework, conduct, effort.  A 4 in Process Writing is required.

Credit Scale (Grades 7 and 8)

  • Reading (1 credit)

  • Language Arts (1 credit)

  • Math (1 credit)

  • Science (1 credit)

  • Social Studies (1 credit)

  • Computer Science (.5 credit)

  • Health (.3 credit)

  • Physical Education (.2 credit)

  • Art (.25 credit)

  • Music (.25 credit)

  • Technology Education (.25 credit)

  • Family & Consumer Science (.25 credit)

Total: 7 credits

Promotion & Retention
 
Promotion Requirements: Grades K-6

Open communication is expected between teachers and parents when students show signs of failing.  If a parent desires, a conference can be held with the teacher, counselor, principal, or IST Team.
 
Students who fail a major subject at the end of the school year must attend summer school or receive instruction of 30 hours in that subject area by a certified teacher in order to be promoted to the next grade.  At the end of that time, the student will be required to pass a test that is prepared by the school district.
 

  • Students who fail a major subject for the second year in a row will be retained.

  • Students who fail two major subjects will be retained.

  • A failure in reading at the primary level (Grades K-3) is cause for retention.

  • In the case of failure, coupled with excessive absence (30 days and beyond), retention will be considered.

 
Major subjects for grades K-3 include:

  • Reading

  • Process Writing (grades 2 and 3)

  • English

  • Math

 
Major subjects for grades 4-6 include:

  • Reading                                       

  • Process Writing                           

  • English

  • Math

  • Social Studies

  • Science

Promotion Requirements: Grades 7-8

  • In order for a student to be promoted, the student must earn a minimum of SIX (6) credits and must achieve passing grades in Language Arts, Reading and Math.

  • If a student DOES NOT achieve a passing grade in Language Arts, Reading or Math, the student will be required to receive remedial instruction in a district (or district approved) summer program in order to be promoted.

  • If a student does not earn a minimum of SIX (6) credits, credit may be earned in a program of remediation (summer school, tutoring) approved by the principal. Only two (2) courses may be remediated.

  • Students with Individual Education Plans will be evaluated on an individual basis by MDE team.

  • Students who enroll in the district during the school year will be evaluated based on the grades earned in both the previous school and in this district.

  • All tuition/fees/costs/ for summer school programs will be the responsibility of the student/parent/guardian.

  • If a student successfully completes the required summer school program(s), he/she will be promoted.

Homework Guidelines
 
Homework is an extension of skills taught in class and is assigned to maintain mastery of those skills.  Most assigned homework is designed to be a daily review of classroom work and can be completed with little assistance.  Repetition is essential for young children to gain skill mastery.  In the upper grades, teachers often require special projects or research and both students and parents are made aware of any extended timelines.
 
Homework may include completion of classwork, practice to maintain mastery, special projects, or research.  Each child should read for at least 15 minutes daily using materials other than school assignments.  Homework times will vary according to grade level and ability of each child.  In general, homework should not exceed 45-minutes/one hour.  When this occurs, consult the teacher for assistance.
 
Homework should be monitored by parents, corrected by parents, but NOT DONE by parents.  A regular time and place should be designated for homework time.
 
The following applies to all students in our school with regard to homework;
 

  • Homework includes written and studied lessons.

  • A notebook for copying assignments is required.

  • Parents should sign the homework assignment book.

  • Homework is due the next day unless otherwise specified.

  • Students are expected to do their best and write neatly.

In the event of extended absence, parents requesting homework should call the office before 10:00AM.  Homework assignments will be sent to the office for pickup at 2:30PM.  Under no circumstances should parents go to the classroom to request homework.  Classroom teachers, as part of their individual policies, have guidelines regarding makeup work and tests.  These guidelines are shared with parents at our annual “Meet the Teacher Night”.
 
Repeated failure to complete the required homework assignments may result in detention after the third missed assignment.  Following the third detention for missed assignments, a parent/teacher conference is required to determine the nature of the problem.

Process Writing & Composition
 
Process writing is a language arts area subject not to be confused with handwriting.  Process writing is the ability to express ideas in sentence/paragraph form.  A great deal of classroom time is spent on this subject area in order to have students reach the level of proficiency required by the State of Pennsylvania.
 
Clear, concise writing with ability to sequence and utilize grammar, usage, and mechanics appropriately is essential in order to pass this subject area.
 
Writing prompts are graded out of a points/percentage and incorporated in the ELA grade. Grades K-3 focus on sentence structure and paragraph writing, while Grades 4-8 focus on Text Dependent Analysis writing.