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Contact Information: smcneely@dcsdk12.org
Email is the best way to reach me, you make reach me by phone but please text me at this number. My plan hours are 3rd (9:16 - 10:05 am) and 7th (1:56 - 2:45 pm): Please allow me 24-48 hours to respond.
Class Supplies include: Pocket Folder with or without tabs;
1 subject spiral notebook;
Posted Note Tabs (to help find specific notes for organization);
Electronic Device - compatable with Google Classroom;
Pencils/ Pens
I'm absolutely thrilled to embark on my fourth year at Sierra Middle School! I genuinely look forward to partnering with students and parents to make this an incredibly exciting and impactful school year. With 35 dynamic years in education across various arenas, my true passion lies in teaching, fostering learning, and wholeheartedly supporting others. My journey has led me to earn four degrees in education and teach in several different states, but my heart truly belongs here in Colorado. I feel incredibly blessed to be part of this community and approach this school year with immense enthusiasm and high expectations for what we'll achieve together!
Understanding Your Student's Science Grade: Standard-Based Grading
Dear Parents,
I'm writing to explain our grading system for my 7th-grade science, designed to truly reflect your child's learning and mastery - A more detailed version is linked here and above "Standard-Based Grading"
20% of their final grade will come from "Work Habits." This includes participation, behavior, and completion of specific assignments like projects, activities, and labs. Your student will receive at least one Work Habit grade each week.
The remaining 80% of their grade will focus on their mastery of specific content standards and objectives for each quarter. This is about demonstrating what they've learned, it's not about averaging scores. Your student will have opportunities to make up or redo any assignment in this category to show their understanding. These assignments become artifacts of their mastery, highlighting their progress.
Here's a detailed breakdown of how your student can achieve specific grades based on their mastery:
To obtain a "4" (Means Exceeded): Your student must earn a minimum score of "3" on every activity and assignment given during that quarter. Absolutely no scores lower than a "3" are acceptable. Absolutely no scores of “2’s”, “1’s”, “0’s” are allowed.
To obtain a "3" (Means Mastery): Your student can have no more than one assignment or activity with a score of a "2." If they score a "2" on two or more assignments, their final grade will be a "2." Absolutely no scores of a "1" and or “0” are allowed.
To obtain a "2" (Means Approaching): Your student can have a score of "1" on no more than two assignments, and those two assignments must be from different learning objectives. If you get a "1" on two assignments from the same learning objective, your grade will drop to a D (1).
To obtain a “1” (Means Developing): Your student earned a 1 for a score due to three or more assignments with a score of a “1” or there is one “M” to represent a lack of evidence.
It's crucial to understand how “zeros” are factored in. A zero on an assignment signifies that the work was not completed or was turned in incomplete. Unlike a traditional grading system where a zero simply drags down an average, in our standards-based system, a zero automatically translates to a "1" for that specific standard. This means that even if your child has demonstrated strong understanding (scoring "3s" or "4s") on other learning objectives, a zero indicates a complete lack of evidence for that particular standard. Therefore, I strongly encourage all students to complete and submit every assignment.
Our goal is to challenge students to reach their highest potential, focusing on deep learning and the acquisition of essential skills. If you have any questions about this grading system, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Thank You
Dr. McNeely, 7th Grade Science
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