Reporting to Parents

Rationale

The home-school partnership is an essential component of school life. The aim of reporting is to keep parents well informed of their child’s progress and achievements. We believe that a well-informed and interested parent is a great asset to the child’s learning and overall well-being.

Characteristics of Reporting

Written reports will generally comprise of three main parts: 

• Firstly, areas where the student is making good progress against the learning goals of the course and our learning dispositions will be recognized.

• Secondly, areas needing development may be addressed.

• Thirdly, some suggestions will be given on how the student can improve as a learner and how the school can support that.

Online Grade Book

Through the Parent Portal to PowerGrade on JISNet, parents will be able to see their child’s grades throughout the semester.

Progress Reports

Teachers may write a progress report, at their discretion, at any time when warranted. Teachers may also use the progress report as a means of positive reinforcement for marked progress upward. Reports may be either posted online (via Grade Book) or emailed directly to parents, following discussion with the student. 

Mid-Semester Reports 

In October, prior to mid-semester break, mid-semester comments will be written and posted in the online grade book for all students experiencing academic difficulty, and all students new to JIS.

In March/April mid semester comments will be posted in the grade book for all Grade 12 students, those taking AP courses, and any student experiencing academic difficulty.

Semester Reports 

These reports are provided twice yearly to all High School students at the conclusion of each semester. Apart from a narrative comment (see characteristics of reporting above), which is framed using the language of our Learning Dispositions, they will include separate letter grades for each Learning Goal. These vary from course to course (examples of Learning Goals are: Knowledge, Understanding, Skills etc). High School reports will also have a grade in progress  if it is single academic “Final Grade” that will be used to calculate grade-point average at the end of the course and will appear on transcripts.

Learning Goals

The Learning Goals Grades represent the academic achievement of the student: View this document for our grade descriptors 

Supported Learning and Advisory (SLA) and the Learning Dispositions

In the narrative section of the report for the “SLA” students will write a self-reflection based on the learning dispositions. Further guidelines are here. This self-reflection is then placed into the student's reports by the SLA teacher, following one on one discussion with the student (a “dispositions interview” aimed at producing a mutually agreed comment). Teachers will often refer to the dispositions in class through feedback, student reflections and class use of language.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

These conferences are scheduled to provide additional feedback for parents concerning their son or daughter’s progress. Samples of work may be shared, and any problems addressed. They occur twice yearly. Attendance is open to all parents and students. Online signups open in advance of the conferences (see the Parent Weekly Bulletin for details). All conferences are to be pre-scheduled and are generally conducted in the teacher’s classroom.

The first of the scheduled conference days falls in October. Students are encouraged to accompany parents as it is their learning that is being discussed. The second conference occurs in February/March. The High School offers a central refreshment area during these conferences, and “Student Ambassador Club” members serve as parent guides.

High School Back to School Night

This event normally occurs within the first few weeks of the school’s academic year. Its intent is to provide an overview of curriculum and course syllabi, assessment procedures and specific classroom expectations. Parents visit the High School during late afternoon and they follow a shortened version of their child’s schedule through to the evening.