Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What do I bring to class?
- What is the rotation schedule?
- When do progress reports come out?
- What's the reward field trip?
- What's the homework store?
- What about hall passes?
- Can my student get extra credit?
- How do I contact Mr. Echols?
- How do I get a new agenda mate?
- What is Directed Studies?
- What is Advisory?
- Do I have to use a locker?
- What is the school dress code?
- What are the school starting and ending times?
- What sports does CCA offer?
- What happens if I don't have my homework?
What do I bring to class?
Students should bring their notebook, paper, a pencil or pen, the textbook
or novel we are using, and a book to read when they come to class each day.
What is the rotation schedule?
Every three weeks students rotate to a slightly different schedule. Your
student received a schedule in print that includes all of their rotations.
Seven of your classes stay the same: Reading, Language Arts, Reading, Math,
Science, Social Studies and your two arts classes. Your two arts classes will ALWAYS be the fourth
block (or period) of the day. Math, Reading, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies rotate to
different blocks. The other classes that fill in during different rotations are Computer Technology,
Library, and P.E. Students rotate to a new schedule every three weeks. If this sounds confusing, don't
worry! We will give you a schedule that explains it all very carefully!
When do progress reports come out?
Computer printouts of student grades come out every three weeks, except at
the end of the nine weeks, when the report card comes out. These printouts
are tools to help you know your student's status.
What's the reward field trip?
Each nine weeks, we take a reward trip as an incentive for students to achieve. The first nine weeks
reward trip (which usually happens in October) requires that students have no Ds or Fs on their
report cards AND no more than 1 discipline referral. The second nine weeks reward trip (which
usually happens in January) requires no Ds or Fs AND no discipline referrals. The third nine weeks
reward trip requires no Ds or Fs on the report card, no discipline referrals, AND no more than three
phone calls home for forgotten homework.
What's the homework store?
When students bring a homework assignment, they receive a punch on their
homework dollar. Twelve punches fill up a dollar. Occasionally, the homework
store "opens" and students may purchase items with their homework dollars.
Some items in the store are only one homework dollar; others range up to as
much as ten homework dollars.
What about hall passes?
Students should use the class change time to go to their lockers and use the
restroom. If they have a need, they may use a hall pass during class, but
they are only allotted 5 hall passes during each nine weeks.
Can my student get extra credit?
No extra credit is given until all regular assignments are completed and
turned in.
How do I contact Mr. Echols?
Several ways: e-mail me at school (echols_john@hcde.org); call and leave a
message for me (209-5929); click on the icon on the homepage of this web
site!
How do I get a new agenda mate?
Your student needs to keep up with their agenda mate and use it daily! If
they lose their agenda mate, they can purchase a new one (while supplies
last) in the main office.
What is Directed Studies?
Directed Studies is an inschool tutoring program. There are three types of Directed Studies (often
called D.S.) Type 1 is for students who need EXTRA HELP, particularly in Math or Reading. Type 2 is
for students who want EXTRA TIME to work on homework during school Type 3 is for students who
want EXTRA ACTIVITIES and is an enrichment program that includes Model United Nations or
Destination Imagination or other similar activities. For middle school students, Directed Students
happens on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday right after lunch. Students who need extra help in
Math or Reading (based on pre-test scores or other test data) are placed in a DS. Students may be
invited to be part of the enrichment DS. Other students have the opportunity to complete their
homework during DS in a study hall setting.
What is Advisory?
Advisory is like a cross between homeroom and a slumber party. The homeroom half takes care of
announcements and school business. The slumber party half gives students an opportunity to ask
deep questions and have deep conversations (like you do in the middle of the night at a slumber
party). Advisory normally meets every Monday (for middle school students right after lunch) and
occasionally on Friday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00. The first two weeks of school, Advisory meets
every day. Each student is assigned an Advisor based on grade level.
Do I have to use a locker?
Yes. You will need a place to keep your books and materials and coat and lunch and PE clothes
because you can't carry your backpack to class. It is very important that you use the school lock that
you are given on the school locker that you are assigned. If you have a problem, check with one of
your teachers.
What is the school dress code?
For a full description of the dress code, students can check the agenda mate. Basically, we tell
students we don't want to see anything that starts with the letter B: no Boxers, no Bellies, no Breasts,
no Bottoms, no Bra straps. If we can see one of those things, we will send you to the office for you to
call home home and get appropriate clothes.
What are the school starting and ending times?
School starts at 9:00 and ends at 4:00. It's important for students to be picked up by 4:30 at the latest.
Some students are left at school until later in the evening.
What sports does CCA offer?
As of right now, CCA does not offer any inter-school sports.
What happens if I don't have my homework?
If a student does not bring their homework to class, several consequences are enforced. They will
not get a punch on their homework dollar. They will also go to the office and call home. This
immediate feedback to parents lets them know if students are doing homework. When students call
home, they make arrangements to stay either that afternoon or the next afternoon to make up the
homework. This made up homework receives a grade of 80%. If the assignment is not made up, the
student receives a 0.
