School Update and Grading Policy

Greetings Parents and Riverview Gardens Employees,

 

I am writing to apprise you of updates regarding the school closure.  The school closure has been extended through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Thus, this correspondence provides you with guidance regarding grading procedures for the remainder of the closure. As we reflect on this unique circumstance, please understand that our families may be facing and experiencing hardships in their lives. Therefore, please continue to ensure that our scholars are engaged in positive learning experiences.  Also, please ensure that you are reaching out to support our families daily.


As we continue to support learning experiences for our scholars while they are at home, teachers should review all online assignments posted on the district’s website and provide creative ways to support learning at home. In addition, teaching staff should provide feedback to scholars regarding their work via email, phone, or a virtual learning resource to support scholars’ progress on the priority standards.


Due to this unusual circumstance, it has also become necessary to adjust grading expectations for the 2019-2020 school year. Please review guidance regarding expectations for grading and learning.

 

Sincerely,

Dr. Scott Spurgeon,

Superintendent

 

Dr. Stacey Nichols,

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction


Elementary and Middle Schools, Grades PreK-8:

  • Teachers will continue to provide learning opportunities for scholars via use of the online resources posted on the district’s website. Teachers will review lessons for April and May 2020 and provide feedback regarding assignments to families via email, phone, or virtual online resource through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.


  • Teachers are expected to support scholars’ learning experiences while they are learning from home. Students will be encouraged to complete all assignments and to reflect their learning experiences. 


  • Scholars are encouraged to contact teachers for feedback regarding their assignments and/or activities. In addition, teachers should contact scholars to provide support to families regarding assignments.  Please be advised that there may be delays in responses given the current circumstances.  We highly encourage students and parents to email and/or call teachers if support is needed. Also, school counselors, social workers, and other support staff should make themselves available to assist students and families as needed.


  • Grades will be reported using the 3rd quarter grade that was assigned on the last report card. However, scholars may improve their grade by completing the teacher provided online assignments and/or activities and meeting the minimum requirement for the assignment as set by the teacher.  If a student was passing all subjects at the end of the third grading period in March, then the scholar’s grades cannot decrease.


  • There will be NO state MAP testing this year.  


  • Students and parents should connect with their teacher and/or building principal should they have any questions or concerns. This is a challenging time for our families. Therefore, we must continue to support families and each other as we experience this difficult time. 


  • Teachers and district staff will continue to communicate with families during the regular work hours and document their interaction via the SISK system.


High School, Grades, 9-12:

  • High school teachers continue to provide learning for their students using approved virtual learning resources, email, phone, or other approved communications.  Students who are enrolled in virtual learning courses including Edgenuity and/or Launch will continue as before.  
  • Teachers will continue to provide feedback on student work. Daily communication to families should be documented via the SISK system.
  • Students in high school will receive a grade on their report cards.  Students’ grades will not decrease from the end of the third quarter in March.  Students can improve their grades based on the feedback and/or work submitted to their teacher that meets the minimum requirements set by the teacher.
  • Students and parents should connect with their teacher and/or building principal should they have any questions or concerns. This is a challenging time for our families. Therefore, we must continue to support families and each other as we experience this difficult time.