Handbook - Parent/Student - Ss. Peter & Paul School

L. Project DiscoverThe Project Discover program offers assistance to students who may be experiencing academicdifficulty. The Project Discover staff works closely with classroom teachers to help students function to theirfull potential in the classroom.To qualify for service, the student must require additional support in order to achieve success in theclassroom. The need is determined by evaluating achievement test scores, report card grades, and teacherrecommendations. It is not unusual for children to receive some of this assistance at some point throughoutthe year, especially students in grades K-5. Parents will be contacted by either the homeroom teacher or ourStudent Services Coordinator, Mrs. Pat Guess, when a serious problem is uncovered.Should Mrs. Guess, the classroom teachers, or parents feel the Project Discover intervention is notallowing the child to make appropriate academic gains, it may be necessary to take the next step anddetermine whether the child’s progress is being impacted by a learning disability. This request can surfacefrom either school personnel or the child’s parents. However, Mrs. Guess is the only one authorized toinitiate and coordinate the necessary paperwork with D. 203 for any child whom either the teacher or parentfeels is being impacted by a learning disability or speech / language difficulties.* Testing of students suspected of a learning disability is administered by District 203 regardless if thefamily resides in District 204. District 203 is responsible for providing assistance and recommendationsfor our students regardless if the school family lives outside of District 203 boundaries. Parents in need ofspeech assistance are able to contract with Mrs. Heraty to have those services offered on site.M. Project ExploreProject Explore, in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, is a course of study with a heavy emphasison Science of intended for those students whose academic abilities and study habits are such that they areable to master their required core subjects, and still have the energy, time, and willingness to go beyond.This program is designed to further students in becoming individuals who are broad-minded, mentally agile,inquisitive, creative, analytical, and open to taking academic risks.The focus of activities, over the span of the Jr. High years, will be on development of academicindependence, creative talents, higher order thinking skills, problem solving techniques, advancedvocabulary, and oral presentation. These skills will be developed in ways that will have broad application tothe challenges to be faced by students expecting to excel in high school. Students in this program areevaluated annually. To remain eligible for the program, they must attend regularly, perform to their ability,and fit in socially with their Project Explore classmates.Eligibility for the Jr. High program is based on each child's cognitive abilities, tests, achievementscores, and teacher recommendation. Each spring, Mr. Duker will review standardized tests and studentannually to determine eligibility for this program. He uses a matrix that employs the results of the IowaBasic testing, academic performance during each quarter, and teacher input to determine if they are eligibleto participate the following September. Jr. High students take part in Project Explore prior to the beginningof the school day at 7:00 A.M. twice a week. This has proven to be a successful alternative to having thechildren being pulled out of class.An exploratory program of a similar nature is offered to all students in grades 3-5. It is designed toprovide opportunities for independent learning, self-initiated projects, experimentation, creativity, higher levelthinking skills and original work.To cover supplies and materials, an additional fee is assessed in the upper grades. For the 2012-2013 school year it will be $180.00.34