Though we continue to receive guidance from both the Federal and State Education Departments, grading practices remain in the hands of local school districts.  As an administrative team, we have met to discuss this issue.  At this time it is critical that we are sensitive to ensuring that all students receive the best education possible under the current conditions. To that end, we have created a modified grading policy that addresses our assessment of students at the elementary level and our grading of students at the secondary level.  This modification to grading strives to ensure equity for students to the greatest extent possible during these unprecedented times.  

  • Teachers will continue to provide instruction in multiple formats.
  • Instruction will continue to focus on only those skills deemed essential for the following year’s learning.  
  • Teachers will assess learning by allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of the content in various ways. 
  • When working with students with disabilities and students with 504 plans, all academic considerations should be made in conjunction with the co-teacher, consultant teacher, and/or case manager.
  • There will be no final exams or summative assessments for any courses at the end of this year.

 

Berlin Elementary School

  • Teachers will assess students in each content area and assign an overall rating of 1-4.  
  • Teachers will write a narrative that speaks to the students’ progress as it relates to the standards taught to best inform the teacher for the following year.  Student level of participation during remote learning will also be documented.  
  • The building principal will provide a template to teachers for this report.   

 

Berlin Middle School

  • 4th Quarter will be weighted less in the calculation of a student’s final average making it worth 16% and the Quarters 1, 2, and 3 approximately 28%.
  • 4th Quarter will be Pass/Fail, with a Fail as 55 and a Pass as 100.
  • Teachers will prepare a narrative indicating which standards were covered and which standards need to be addressed in the following year.  
  • All 10 week and single semester courses will continue, as originally scheduled.  This being said, we understand that communicating with families and students will provide challenges.  We ask that you work through your team leaders to communicate with the building principal and pertinent district administrators to assist with finding solutions for students who may be disengaged or failing.

 

Berlin High School (& Middle School classes that count for High School credit)

  • 4th Quarter will be weighted less in the calculation of a student’s final average making it worth 16% and the Quarters 1, 2, and 3 will be 28%.
  • Lowest grade for 4th Quarter will be a 55.   
  • College and AP Courses will follow the guidance put out by the cooperating educational institution or agency; i.e. HVCC, College Boards, etc. 
  • All course failures will be reviewed by administration. 
  • All single semester courses will continue as originally scheduled.  This being said, we understand that communicating with families and students will provide challenges.  We ask that you work through your team leaders to communicate with the building principal and pertinent district administrators to assist with finding solutions for students who may be disengaged or failing.

 

Parents & Students:

Again, we, the Berlin Administrative Team, would like to thank you for the support you are providing to your learners, or the grit and perseverance you as students have shown throughout this unprecedented time.  We wish for you to understand that despite not being in the school buildings, you are still in school.  This third trimester, or fourth quarter will count towards your academic progress.  You must remain attentive to the direction of your teachers, remain communicative with your building principals, and remain diligent in your duty to learn.  This pandemic will not last forever, and when we finally arrive at the end of this period in history, you will need to be able to prove you have what it takes to move on to the next level, whether it be the next grade level, or a college or career experience.  We are Mountaineers, and we have already proven to ourselves that we can rise to the challenges that life provides- you must be prepared to prove that to the rest of the world, as well.  Success in these times will ensure success in the future!

A new web filter has been added to all district technology (Chromebooks) called GoGuardian.  This filter tracks all searches made on these devices and provides reports for any inappropriate searches.  Essentially, it functions in the same manner as the network filters in the school would.  Reports are generated and any inappropriate logs are recorded.  It will also prohibit the use of some third party platforms, such as YouTube or Netflix.   Teachers have been provided with instructions related to SafeTube, which will allow them to safely incorporate authorized YouTube content into their lessons.  We needed to do this to remain compliant with Education CyberSecurity Law 2D, and to ensure your children’s safety.

 

Some Updates and Reminders:

  • Teachers should be reaching out to each of their students weekly.  If these students are attending your online learning sessions, then that is fantastic.  If the students are not able to attend these, then you should be following up with another form of outreach.
  • Parents should be trying to keep schedules to ensure their children have the best opportunities for learning that they can
  • Students should be considering each day as a school day, and as an opportunity to learn.  Education is the key to your future!
  • Third Quarter reports cards will be sent home to MS/HS students, however these grades can also be viewed on SchoolTool.  As a reminder, work prior to school closure made up 80% of a student’s course grade.  Review work completed after the closure made up 20% and was graded on a Pass/Fail basis.  This may result in some differences in what is reflected in Schoology versus Schooltool.  Grades recorded in Schooltool are the official course grades.  Please reach out to your student’s teachers with individual questions.  

 

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