Summer Practice Packet

As families prepare for summer, it is important for children to schedule time for academic activities. Research is clear; students can experience “summer loss” that can be equivalent to three months of learning if they do not maintain and practice academic skills.

The Lower School faculty have prepared a Summer Practice Packet to ensure that your child’s literacy and mathematics skills remain strong over the summer. The purpose of the Webb Lower School Summer Practice Packet is to encourage students to become lifelong learners and mathematicians and to provide them with engaging ways to practice their reading and math skills.

Elementary school children should read, or be read to, as often as possible. We expect all elementary students to participate in summer reading activities by reading books and listening to stories aloud. Students are required to keep track of the books they have read using the summer reading log (included in the summer practice packet). Your child should record every book read during the summer; even books that aren’t on the summer reading list.

Along with summer reading, a Lower School student (rising Junior Spartan through rising fifth grade) is required to complete the Summer Practice Packet. The packet is divided into two additional sections:

Required: All activities within this section are required to be completed, and

Bonus: Activities within this section provide additional practice and enrichment of skills for the upcoming grade level; they are optional and at the discretion of the student and parent.

Each child is issued one copy of the Summer Practice Packet. For current students, the packets are sent home the last week of school before summer break. New students should expect to receive their packets by mail during the same time.

The packet should be kept in a safe place; a replacement copy is $25. Each child should be able to complete the required portion independently, while the bonus section may require more assistance from a parent. Parents should support their child by asking him or her to share the work with them periodically and by providing any guidance relating to quality of work within the Summer Practice Packet. This packet must be returned to the upcoming grade teacher on the first day of school.

All necessary school and classroom supplies will be provided for all Lower School students in grades Pre-K through fifth. All students should bring the following personal items daily:

• Reusable water bottle (must fit in students' cubbies)

• Small backpack (no wheels)

* Both items should be clearly labeled with the student’s name.

Students are placed in classrooms with teachers at each grade level by the school. The student placement process is careful and thorough with considerable input from the previous year’s teachers, the school counselor, and the Head of the Lower School. The school takes the position that all faculty are equally qualified to implement the grade-level curriculum; that grade-level teachers share materials and ideas freely and work cooperatively to produce grade-level curriculum; and the previous years’ instructors, counselor, and administration are the most qualified and knowledgeable professionals regarding individual students and the dynamics of the children in the classroom, and should play the lead role in the placement process. Class lists are available, posted and emailed one week prior to the start of school.

If classes are to be canceled due to snow, ice, or any extreme weather issue, you will receive a text and phone message at the contact numbers you have listed on your school profile. Please review your school profile to confirm that you have listed the appropriate phone numbers. Notice of school closure will also be posted on the school website's homepage and with local television stations.

If there is a late start, rather than a cancellation of classes, the same communication procedures will be activated. It is important to note that on late-start mornings, buildings will not be opened and accessible to students until one hour before the announced late start of the school day.

Safety will always be our top priority. Please use your discretion in making decisions about the safety of your children when traveling to school on those days when school is in session.

If the entire student body has an early dismissal due to inclement weather or an unforeseen occurrence such as power or water loss, etc., Webb will dismiss as follows:

• Upper School Students 30 minutes before Lower and Middle School students

• Lower and Middle School Students * (students will dismiss at the same time) 30 minutes after Upper School students

EXAMPLE:

All-School Early Dismissal – 3:00 p.m.

• Upper School students dismiss at 2:30 p.m.

• Lower and Middle School students dismiss at 3:00 p.m.

* If the Lower or Middle School student has a sibling in the Upper School, he/she will be dismissed 30 minutes early to ride with their Upper School sibling or parent.