Everything You Always Wanted to Know About PAR
What does PAR mean?
How does the PAR program work?
What is Sand Trap?
What is the academic purpose of Sand Trap?
Will parents/guardians be notified if Sand Trap is assigned?
How students who live on a bus route get home after Sand Trap?
What is the Wedge card?
How can a Wedge card be used?
What if a student loses the assignment calendar?
What if a student arrives after first hour has begun?
What if an assignment calendar is missing a stamp?
What if a student with an after-school activity is assigned to Sand Trap?
What if a student does not bring PE clothes for dressing out?
What if a student's homework is not complete or is of poor quality?
What if a student has an appointment after school but has been assigned to Sand Trap?
What if a student "skips out" on Sand Trap without the parent rescheduling?
What if a student is disruptive in Sand Trap or comes unprepared?
What if an agenda page has been torn out, folded, marked or drawn on, highlighted or altered in any way?
What if a student is not able to attend Sand Trap after school on a regular basis?
What does PAR mean?
Poston Academic Readiness
How does the PAR program work?
The program encourages academic readiness by requiring that each student arrive to class on time with completed homework and needed materials. An assignment calendar book will be provided to each student. On a daily basis, each teacher will stamp the student's assignment calendar "yes" if the three requirements above have been met. If not, the teacher will T (tardy), M (materials), or P (previous- for previous infraction) and assign the student to Sand Trap for that day.
What is Sand Trap?
It is an after school study hall from 3:35 to 4:15 p.m.
What is the academic purpose of Sand Trap?
Sand Trap provide a quiet, study hall environment in which to study or complete homework. teachers are provided in each study hall to assist students with homework questions, as needed. If the student does not have homework, he/she needs to bring a book to read.
Will parents/guardians be notified if Sand Trap is assigned?
Yes, a telephone will be provided to students for this purpose. It is the student's responsibility to contact parents if he/she has been assigned to Sand Trap.
How can students who live on a bus route get home after Sand Trap?
A 4:15 activity bus will be available for students to take home. That day's assignment calendar (with Sand Trap stamped) will serve as the bus pass.
What is the Wedge card?
At the beginning of the assignment calendar, each student is provided a page of "wedge cards" (free stamps). These cards are activated monthly by the homeroom teacher's stamp. Each card can be used to excuse one T, M, or H stamp.
How can a Wedge card be used?
If the student intends to use a Wedge card, the student must inform the teacher before the calendar is stamped for that class period. If it has been altered or marked in any way, the wedge card will be invalid.
IMPORTANT!
Tardy = a student being late to his/her seat or assigned area when the tardy bell has finished ringing.
Materials = generally includes the assignment calendar, a pen or pencil, textbooks, paper, reading book, P.E. clothes and/or other materials a explained by the teacher.
Homework = an honest attempt to complete the assignment as given.
What if ...
A student loses the assignment calendar?
Lost assignment calendars are considered "not having materials" (M). A student receiving an M stamp will attend Sand Trap that day and will be issued a temporary assignment calendar for a week. The student will be required to purchase a new assignment calendar within five (5) school days. (The first assignment calendar book will be provided. Replacement books will be sold for a nominal fee in the Bookstore.)
A student arrives after first hour has begun?
The attendance secretary will stamp your assignment calendar for the hours missed. It is the student's responsibility to have the calendar stamped.
An assignment calendar is missing a stamp?
It is the student's responsibility to make sure his/her assignment calendar has been stmaped correctly before the end of each period. A student will be assigned to Sand Trap at the end of the day if any stamps are missing.
A student with an after-school activity is assigned to Sand Trap?
Because academics take precedence over extracurricular activities, the student will attend Sand Trap until 4:15 p.m. After being released from Sand Trap, the student may then report to the sponsor/coach.
A student does not bring PE clothes for dressing out?
The student will receive an M stamp for that period.
A student's homework is not complete or is of poor quality?
Generally speaking, the student will receive an H stamp for that class. In an effort to do their personal best, students should attempt to answer every question or problem on the assignment. If the assignment is not understood, the student should contact the teacher before class begins.
A student has an appointment after school but has been assigned to Sand Trap?
When the student calls home to notify his/her parent of the Sand Trap obligation, the parent needs to ask to speak to the teacher. If the teacher is not available, contact the PAR secretary to reschedule the study hall assignment. Our PAR secretary can be reached at 472-2132.
A student "skips out" on Sand Trap without the parent rescheduling?
An attempt will be made to contact the student's parent that afternoon by the Sand Trap teacher. Students who "skip out" on Sand Trap will be assigned ALC or other consequences.
A student is disruptive in Sand Trap or comes unprepared?
Depending upon the circumstances, the student may or may not be allowed to complete his/her Sand Trap obligation that day. Furhter consequences may be assigned.
An agenda page has been torn out, folded, marked or drawn on, highlighted or altered in any way?
In order for a teacher to effectively read and stamp large numbers of agendas each day, all pages must be absolutely free of any extraneous marking. If an agenda page has been torn out, folded, marked or drawn on, highlighted or altered, a student will receive an M stamp for that day.
A student is not able to attend after-school Sand Trap on a regular basis?
A morning Sand Trap from 8:00 to 8:40 a.m. is available to students with after-school conflicts. The parent simply needs to call the PAR secretary at 472-2132 to inquire about placement on the morning list. We also understand that some parents may prefer to provide PAR consequences and reward the student's successes in the home. Those parents are asked to pick up the Parent Monitoring Agreement from the Poston front office after the first week of school.
