Aspen Creek Eighth Grade Team Policies for 2023/2024
Welcome to the eighth grade at Aspen Creek! We are excited that you are a part of this great team. As members of the Aspen Creek pK-8 community, we expect that 8th graders will be peacemakers and problem-solvers; demonstrate leadership, work hard at learning, and respect self, others, and the school environment. In order to ensure a successful year for everyone and to prepare students for high school, we have established some team-wide expectations that hold students to a high standard.
Attendance
Regular attendance is vitally important! Many activities are participatory in nature and are difficult or impossible to “make up” at home. We sincerely urge parents and students to make every effort to schedule appointments, vacations, social events, etc., during times that do not conflict with school attendance. If your family is aware of upcoming events that will take students out of school, please please make arrangements with the main office ahead of time. Students are expected to turn in work missed upon return to school. For unexpected absences, please use the teacher's daily slide to make up work that is missed. The Daily Slides are found on Schoology.
All students should have a school provided planner with them at all times during their academic classes. Students will be expected to record class activities and assignments in their planners for the entire year. When a planner is used consistently, it can help students stay organized, plan ahead, and keep track of progress. We urge parents to check students’ planners regularly, as they can also be an important communication tool between school and home.
Grades represent each student’s progress toward meeting district and state standards in each subject area. Grades will be calculated using a weighted scale as follows.
50% of the total in each class will be based on Summative Assessments. (i.e. end of unit tests checking for meeting the standards)
40% of the total in each class will be based on Formative Assessments. (i.e. periodic quizzes used to inform instruction)
10% of the total in each class will be based on Preparation and Practice. (i.e. turning work in on time, following directions, completion grades)
The team’s grading scale will be as follows:
90-100% = A (Advanced)
80-89% = B (Proficient)
70-79% = C (Partially proficient or basic)
60-69% = D (Unsatisfactory)
59% or below = F (Did not meet standards)
In addition, the following codes will be used in Infinite Campus for individual assignments:
X = Excused (not calculated in grade)
M = Assignment missing (can still be made up until the end of the unit, but counts as 0% until turned in)*
*Please note that students will earn reduced credit for late work.
N = Never turned in / no longer accepted for credit (counts as 0%)
U = Assignments attempted, but the score was below 50% (students should seek help and ask about re-doing the work for credit)
T = Turned in, but not yet graded
Blank = Assignment has not yet been graded or collected (Does NOT mean Missing) and are not counted against the student in the overall grade
When students are absent it is their responsibility to check the 8th grade website and/or Schoology to get make-up assignments. Long-term assignments are due on the assigned date regardless of absence.
In most cases, students may be able to redo assignments. This will be done at teacher discretion and may require prerequisite work.
The eighth grade team uses BVSD’s Infinite Campus (IC) “Parent/Student Portal” on-line system as a continuous means of communication regarding student grades and progress. Teachers will update this portal every week, and students and parents are encouraged to check grades weekly. Students will receive specific information and passwords for this system; if you have problems with the IC system please contact Tami Gorder, our registrar. Parents will also receive computer-generated notifications via email when students have missing work. Students who do not have access to a computer at home are welcome to print progress reports at school with teacher permission. Teachers may also be reached by phone or e-mail, and every effort will be made to respond in a timely manner. (See attached Methods of Communication).
Cell Phones, Earbuds, & Technology Agreement
In an effort to create the best possible learning environment, students will be asked not to have/use cell phones or wireless headphones on school premises. Cell phones need to be turned off and in their locker during the school day. If this policy is consistently broken, phones will be taken to the office. Cell phones are not required, therefore (if they choose to bring them to school), students are responsible for the safety of their phones. Students may use wired headphones with teacher permission or for class assignments.
“The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.”
Personal Responsibility
Students are expected to be on time to all classes with required materials. Students who arrive to class after the bell will be issued a 15 minute detention to be served during lunch as specified by the teachers. Other than water, no drinks will be allowed in class. Bringing a water bottle is strongly recommended. Please DO NOT bring take-out drinks to class (i.e. Starbucks).
Thank You!
Shawn Flynn, Kate Haug, Carolyn Felknor, Chris Hespe/Mark Haxton, Katie Dickinson,
Monica Tuz/Driss Collaso, Moriah Prescott