Pupil/Student Development is divided into three main parts
One aim at LZDS is for students to be able to take responsibility for their own behavior and development. From Grade 1 to Grade 10, students are increasingly given more autonomy and responsibility. They hold positions of leadership within their own classes and within their grade level. Homeroom teachers work with students to create a class and school culture that ensures that the Eight Virtues + One of The ISF Academy become part of their daily lives.
Annually, the school conducts election for Student-Pupil Government Organization and Leadership Trainings. The aim of these activities is to train them to become good citizens and effective leaders in our country.
REACH – i.e. Responsible, Engaged, Active, Creative, and Humanitarian — strives to bring together students, teachers and the community to undertake activities that encourage a lifelong love of learning. REACH is an umbrella term for our after school activity programs in creative, academic, sporting and service opportunities.
Another dimension of student development is “learning by doing”, known as ‘experiential learning’ at the Lord of Zion Divine School. Experiential learning activities provide opportunities to acquire and develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge that cannot be achieved in a classroom setting and as such form an essential part of a balanced and comprehensive curriculum. Experiential learning opportunities and events that focus on leadership, teamwork and character building are organized for students on a regular basis by the Experiential Learning Department. These include outdoor adventure outings, curriculum-related field trips and overnight camps.
Scaffolding is support given to students to help bridge the gap between what they know and can do and what they need to accomplish in order to succeed or be further challenged at particular learning tasks. The need for bridging is not limited to any one subject or language. Teachers may be asked to be scaffolding teachers in colleagues’ classes or have scaffolding teachers in their own classes. It is extra support for students and can be a “pull in” or “push out” program.
It is understood that differentiated instruction is the responsibility of the classroom teacher, but students will also receive support and challenge through small group instruction, additional support classes, and challenge classes.
Scaffolding is very different from having teaching assistants who help with classroom management and organization; it involves teacher collaboration in planning developmentally appropriate activities and identifying student needs. A scaffolding teacher is a qualified teacher who either already knows the students or the subject curriculum or both.
The Lord of Zion Divine School offers free Extension Program or Summer Class for the alumni. For those who are not studying in this school, they are required to go to the office and register the pupil/student. There are corresponding amount to be paid in the registrar. The school offers remedial class and advanced class. For incoming Grade 1, they are required to undergo Reading Classes in English and Filipino. For Grade 2 and Grade 3 pupils have poor performance in reading, they are required to undergo Remedial Reading Class in Filipino and English. Advanced classes in English (Speech) and Mathematics is also offered to intermediate class.
The school allows the teachers to engage tutorials. Teachers are available to provide short-term assistance outside of class time. Parents must contact or approach the teacher whom to be the tutor of his or her child. Make sure that the teacher is not the pupil’s adviser or subject teacher.
In addition to the curricular program, students have the opportunity to participate in many extra/co-curricular activities in arts, sports, academics and clubs. Extra-curricular activities are an integral part of one’s scholastic life and are used as a means of developing wholesome attitudes, good human relationships, knowledge, and skills.
The Lord of Zion Divine School encourages students to be a part of the many and varied extra-curricular opportunities that are provided for them. This opportunity is extended to all students providing they meet the requirements as outlined in this policy.
To provide activities that teach the values of the Lord of Zion Divine School as defined by the Ten Virtues;
To provide opportunities that develop pride, interest, and appreciation for the Lord of Zion Divine School;
To provide opportunities for students to develop physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially outside of the general curriculum;
To teach self-discipline and good sportsmanship through competitive and cooperative activities; and
To teach healthy habits
All students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled activities. The teacher will take attendance for each student at the beginning of each class and the student attendance records will be kept by the Lord of Zion Divine School. The teacher must be notified by the student or his/her parents before the student takes an absence, or the absence will be unexcused. The same procedure for unexcused absences during regular classes will be followed with the addition of the following:
| No. of unexcused absence | Consequence |
|---|---|
| First unexcused absence | warning by the teacher |
| Second unexcused absence | an excuse slip written by a parent |
| Third unexcused absence | suspension from the extra-curricular activity |
The student is expected to be in school for the entire school day on the day of a special event scheduled for after school hours. Students are expected to attend school the entire day following a special event.
Any student who does not attend the entire school day of a special event shall not be allowed to participate in the event, unless there are unusual circumstances.
One of the values of extra-curricular activities is to teach responsibility, and this should apply to the care of the equipment, as well as school property. Each student is expected to take proper care of all equipment being used. Any equipment issued must be returned by the student at the close of the session or be paid for by the student. The student will be held responsible for all damaged equipment in accordance with regular school policy.
The instructor fills out a Student Evaluation Form for each student, giving each student a commitment to learning mark.
All injuries will be addressed immediately in line with the Lord of Zion Divine School procedures.
The parent is responsible for informing the teacher of all relevant medical information prior to participation in the activity. If in doubt of the nature of the activity, please consult the teacher.
The parent should be aware of the hazardous nature of some physical activities.
Activities that fall outside of the normal range of classroom or school activities must be communicated to the parent beforehand in detailed and informed, specific consent must be given by the parent before the activity can proceed.
Students participating in extra-curricular activities are expected to demonstrate responsible behavior within the Lord of Zion Divine School and the community at all times. Negative or inappropriate behavior by students participating in extra-curricular activities during the school year, during out-of-school periods and during non-school hours can affect other students’ perceptions of the extra-curricular activity as well as the public’s perception of the ethical standards established by the Lord of Zion Divine School for all students.
Consequently, students shall adhere to the Lord of Zion Divine School Honor Code and shall be subject to disciplinary actions in the activity up to and including dismissal from participation in the extra-curricular activity for negative or inappropriate behavior at any time during a calendar year. Inappropriate behavior may also result in suspension or expulsion from school in accordance with school discipline policy.
The following behavior is strictly prohibited within the school campus of the Lord of Zion Divine School:
The purpose of homework is to build independence in learning, enhance understanding of curriculum content already studied, develop mastery of skills, and help students make the most of their school experience. Homework strengthens academic skills, reinforces concepts students learn in class, helps students learn responsibility and develop good study habits, and helps parents stay aware of their child’s school work. Homework and practice are related as students apply new learning.
Homework should be purposeful, meaningful and relevant to the curriculum. Types of homework include:
Teachers will assign homework based on the maturity and ability level of the students in a given class. While individual assignments vary, parents may use this schedule as a guide to monitor student time devoted to homework.
| Level | Time Duration |
|---|---|
| GRADE 1 | Approximately 60 minutes every school night |
| GRADE 2 | Approximately 60 minutes every school night |
| GRADE 3 | Approximately 80 minutes every school night |
| GRADE 4 | Approximately 80 minutes every school night |
| GRADE 5 | Approximately 90 minutes every school night |
| GRADE 6 | Approximately 100 minutes daily |
| GRADE 7 | Approximately 100 minutes daily |
| GRADE 8 | Approximately two and a half hours daily |
| GRADE 9 | Approximately two and a half hours daily, including non-contact time during the school day |
| GRADE 10 | Approximately two and a half hours daily, including non-contact time during the school day |
| GRADE 11 | Approximately three hours daily, including non-contact time during the school day |
| GRADE 12 | Approximately three hours daily, including non-contact time during the school day |
Some children may take more time to finish their homework. If a student consistently takes a lot more time than expected to finish his/her work, parents should bring this to the teacher’s attention. Students who have completed the assigned homework but would like to spend more time on learning are encouraged to read and write according to their interests.
Reading is an integral part of students’ language development; the times indicated above are not inclusive of 15-20 minutes of home reading in either language. Students should also be encouraged to read on the weekends and holidays.
There are occasions when students with special education needs may benefit from tasks different from the homework set for other students in the class. Teachers may assign advanced homework assignments to certain students, as an opportunity for enrichment.
Students’ Responsibilities:
Parents’ Responsibilities:
Homework is one of many factors in the school life of a student. The school also recognizes that students learn in many different ways and through many different activities, some of which are unconnected to formal schoolwork and homework. The Lord of Zion Divine School is seeking to help students find balance between time spent on homework and having time for other pursuits.
Homework expectations include the following:
The school puts a high premium on the enormous role of family as an institution which helps the school in molding the children to become productive and reliable citizens in the future. Hence, quality time for family should be provided to every student. Weekends are suitable and timely opportunities for any affairs that promote harmonious relationships among family members. With regards to this matter, teachers of the Lord of Zion Divine School adhere to the policy of not giving assignments or home works during Fridays.
Elementary students write a number of journals throughout the year. A journal is used for communication with language teachers. We respect every child’s right to privacy. Therefore, the language teacher will not share individual students’ journals with the class.
General Journal Writing Practices and Expectations
Primary Level (Elementary School)
