* Due to coaching responsibilities, advance notice to attend tutoring is highly recommended to ensure Powell is in her classroom and not with Athletics. Lunch tutoring is always available.
Grading and Classwork Policy
Make-Up Work: Students will be allowed the number of days they were absent plus one to complete make-up work. Any assignment not made up within the allotted time will be considered missing. Missing assignments are temporarily calculated as a zero until the student has shown progress on the objective being assigned. Students are responsible for making arrangements for all make-up work when they return to school.
Missing Assignments: Our grade book will show if an assignment is missing with an "msg" code. This code will put a value of a 0 for the assignment until it is turned in and graded. As soon as the assignment is turned in, the appropriate percentage correct will be entered. Students may not opt out of learning, therefore if a student does not come in to complete an assignment on their own, parent contact will be made.
Homework: Homework and classwork are essential tools in assessing student progress toward mastery of essential concepts. Timeliness in returning homework is a critical part of student learning, and even though homework is the student’s responsibility, we encourage parents to ensure that it is completed and turned in on time.
Grading: Minor assessments are 40% of the grade, while major assessments are worth 60% of the grade as per district policy.
HAC is our on-line grading program and is the best way of knowing how your child is progressing academically in class. You can locate this on the Denton website under “Parents” and “Home Access Center.” Use your information that was given for registration. The students can also login using their student login information and can show you their progress at any time. We encourage students to look at their grades online at least once a week and discuss any concerns with their teacher if they feel something is not accurate.
1. Students receiving a 90 or higher have demonstrated adequate mastery and will not have the opportunity to reassess.
2. Students scoring below a 90 may reassess, for a possible final score of 90.
3. In order to reassess, middle school students must have completed all homework, classwork, labs, etc. as assigned by the teacher prior to the administration of the first reassessment opportunity.
4. The student then engages in additional learning opportunities/assignments as determined by the teacher.
5. The student must reassess within 4 days of the student receiving the original grade.
6. With extended assignments such as essays and projects where students are given feedback during the process there may be no opportunity for reassessment.
Minors: Reassessments for minors are at the discretion of the teacher. Typically, a minor will be tested on a major assessment at a later date. This grade will replace the minor grade if it is higher since the student has shown new learning of the material.
Team Expectations: Crownover Middle School adheres to a simple management system called CHAMPS. Students are instructed in the appropriate behaviors for common areas as well as classrooms through this program in order to maintain a safe and civil school. Students are made aware of appropriate voice levels, the attention signal, how to get help, and how to participate appropriately. Students who do not exhibit appropriate behaviors will be assigned a “Cowboy Consequence”.
Daily Procedures: Each day students should come into their team hallway and be seated while waiting for school to begin. This is an excellent time to seek tutoring if extra help is needed.
Students are expected to bring their chromebook, agenda, paper, pencil/pen, and a library book to all core classes as well as other items specified by the teacher. Upon entering class, students should complete the posted warm-up activity. Students are not allowed to leave without proper dismissal by the teacher.
TARDIES: Students are expected to be prepared and in class on time. Tardies will be entered in the official attendance record.
IDs and LANYARDS: Students are expected to wear their school ID on a maroon Crownover lanyard around their neck at all times.
DRESS CODE: All students must follow the dress code policy outlined in the Student Code of Conduct Handbook issued by DISD. You can find a quick link to it on the “Parent Information” link on the RCMS site. Dress code information is also listed in the student’s agenda.
CELL PHONES and SMART WATCHES Cell phones must remain off and in the backpack at all times while on campus. Unauthorized use of cell phones can result in confiscation of the phone and a $15 fee, per board policy. When the phone is turned into the office the following actions will be taken:
First offense- warning from office
Second offense- student may pick up with $15
Third offense-parent must pick up phone with $15
Fourth offense-parent must pick up phone with $15 and meet with an administrator
Fifth offense-parent must pick up phone with $15, meet with an administrator, and other student discipline will be assigned
How can you help at home?
Good Habits - multiple classes can feel overwhelming to organize but little things can help a lot to alleviate anxiety. Help your student establish a routine so they get into the habit of:
putting their backpack and ID in the same place each night
Plugging their chromebook each night so it is fully charged the next day.
Making sure their chromebook charger is in their backpack each day
Tutoring – Encourage students to come in for tutoring if they are struggling or if they have been absent.
Discussion –Each subject is always focusing on new learning. We ask that you engage your student in discussion over what new learning is happening in the classroom. Keeping up the discussion helps their learning increase. Students should be using agendas to write down what was done in class and what was for homework. You should find upcoming assessments here as well.
Studying – While your student may not have a lot of homework coming home other than math, they should always be studying. Each teacher should have some sort of weekly minor assessment. Have students look over notes/practice/journal/homework nightly for a refresher, and they will be ready for the next practice or minor assessment.
Web Pages – Going to teacher web pages can provide you with a list of information. Each of us has our TEKS on our web pages. This is what your student is expected to learn. As the year progresses you will see the TEKS linked to our assignments.
Encouragement – One skill that students need to acquire is to be able to advocate for themselves appropriately. Students finding their responsibility in coming to tutoring, noticing when they are struggling, and taking accountability in their grades is essential to the process. Please encourage your student to take ownership in their grades and work.
Communication – Teachers are always willing to speak to you about your student’s progress in the classroom. Email is usually best as the day can get caught up in class and meetings. We do ask that you give us at least 24 hours to respond to all emails and phone messages. However, open communication with your student is always helpful as well, since they may have information about reassessment, assignments, and projects. We know questions will still arise after speaking with your student, but it is helpful for us to know where the miscommunication happened with the student.
We feel these policies will help promote student responsibility and organization. It also helps ensure that students’ grades reflect their ability rather than their failure to complete work.
Thank you for your support,
6-1 teachers