Grading Terms & Dates
Quarter 1 Progress Reports: September 29
Quarter 1 Ends: November 3rd
Quarter 2 Progress Reports: December 10
Quarter 2 Ends: January 23
Quarter 3 Progress Reports: February 27
Quarter 3 Ends: April 2
Quarter 4 Progress Reports: May 12
Quarter 4 Ends: June 17
Grading
Report cards are issued four times per year and progress reports will be distributed halfway through each marking term. Marks will close prior to issuance of report cards as determined by the teacher. Progress reports are available via PowerSchool and report cards will be sent home in hard copy form. Various forms of school correspondence with parents and students will be utilized in the attempt to communicate individual academic progress in addition to the progress reporting.
Grading Scale:
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D 60-69
F <60
I Incomplete
Honor Roll
All students are eligible to earn honor roll distinctions. There are two categories:
High Honors: student who earns grades of 90% or higher in all subjects for that term.
Honors: student who earns 80% or higher in all subjects for that term.
Homework
Homework is intended to support the development of skills and learning activities that take place in the classroom. It is important that the teacher, student, and parent work together to make learning a priority, inside and outside of the classroom. Homework can be expected to take upwards to 90 minutes to complete as needed and it is important for students to plan out longer term projects to balance their daily workload.
Student Responsibilities
Review and understand the purpose, requirements, and criteria for evaluation of the assignment.
Ask for further explanation if original directions for homework are not completely understood.
Understand the time frame for assignments and plan accordingly.
When absent, make up work right away.
When no other assignments are given, review, preview or improve assignments.
Put in full effort.
Maintain a system for recording and remembering.
Parent/Guardian Support
Arrange a quiet, suitable place for their child to work.
Support and encourage their child to complete homework assignments.
Understand the value of various types of homework, since the value differs under different circumstances.
Contact the teacher in the event of questions or concerns.
Have your child read 20-30 minutes every day.
Classroom Questions/ Concerns
If there is a question about a student’s classes or work in school, please contact the classroom teacher directly to address the concern. If you feel additional support or attention is needed, please contact the school counselor and then school administration if needed. This flow of communication is important to ensure accuracy of information and concern.
Parent Conferences
Parent/guardian conferences are held on November 20 and on March 11. For parents’/guardians’ convenience, conferences are scheduled so that afternoon and evening times are available. Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss their children’s progress on a regular basis. At any time throughout the year, parents/guardians may schedule time for conferences with teachers, the school counselor, or administration by contacting the school office. Teachers have limited time during the school day to meet with parents so please begin the process with email communication.
Extra Help
A student may seek extra help from his/her teachers as needed. Time may be arranged with the teacher before or after school or at a time convenient during the day. Teachers may request that a student meet during lunch or after school if it is apparent that the student is having greater difficulty.
After School Support: Teachers may choose to be available to work with students after school hours. They will share their availability in advance with parents and students.
Promotion/ Retention
Philosophy: It is the philosophy of the Board of Education that all students are placed in instructional programs in which they can achieve academically, as well as emotionally, socially, and physically. Students are assigned to grades for organizational and record keeping purposes. Grade placement is not, however, the only basis for organizing classes. Instructional groups in reading, math and other subjects may be developed in order to provide instruction at the level at which students, given positive motivation and appropriate instruction, will progress satisfactorily through their middle school programs. Students will normally progress annually from grade to grade or level to level. Exceptions may be made when, in the judgment of the certified staff, such exceptions are in the best educational interest of the student involved. Exceptions will be made only after prior notification and explanation to each student’s parent or guardian, but the final decision will rest with school administration.
Guidelines
If any of the following conditions exist, a student will be considered at risk for retention:
Academic Progress: If a student has failed two or more of the following academic courses for the school year, Language Arts, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies.
Attendance: If a student has not attended school on a regular basis and has a record of excessive absences. Generally, more than 20 absences in a year will be considered excessive.
Student Preparedness: If a student exhibits a lack of emotional or behavioral maturity in which retention would be beneficial for the child.
Procedures: The classroom teachers and counselors shall closely examine all available data and develop an accelerated program or teaching strategy to meet the needs of any student who is at risk. Communication of concerns will be shared with parents and a prescribed schedule to review grades and learning proficiency will be followed per Board Policy 5123 and Regulation 5123.
Considerations: The following factors will be considered in determining promotion or retention: age; academic ability and achievement; work and study habits; physical development; social maturity; emotional maturity; attendance record; behavior; placement of siblings.
Participation in Commencement Ceremonies: It is our school’s goal that all students be allowed to participate in the end of the year ceremonies for the completion of grade eight. However, a student may be excluded from participation if he/she has not completed all necessary coursework required for graduation. In cases where students can complete an alternative plan during the summer months, consideration will be given to allow participation in commencement. In other cases, such as disregard for school property, school rules, or other behavior, which shall be deemed inappropriate, a student may be barred from participation. The decision regarding participation will be made by the administration and social privileges can be revoked when determined appropriate.
Student Records
If you are planning on moving out of the Town of Ledyard, you should notify the school office before you move so that the necessary papers may be completed. Cumulative health records will be forwarded to the district to which a student is transferring as quickly as possible. Educational records will be forwarded on request to a school in which a student intends to enroll. Educational records may be sent with or without written consent on behalf of transferring students in order to ensure compliance with the Buckley Amendment. In such cases, parents/guardians would be notified and will receive a copy upon request.
The following individuals are permitted access to records without consent: administrators and other professional staff members, board of education members, and persons with whom the school board has contracted to perform certain tasks (i.e. attorneys, auditors, consultants).
Athletic Eligibility
Participation Guidelines
Student athletes may be expected to track their daily class participation and engagement by using the Student Athlete Participation form. If a student shows lack of participation and engagement then temporary ineligibility may be possible.
Student athletes must be in attendance for a minimum of one-half day (3 hours) to participate in games/practices.
Student athletes with 2 or more D grades or any F grades on their most recent report card or progress report (in any class) will be ineligible to play until the next marking period with improvement in grades. (see grade reporting dates for reference)
Fall Sports: Quarter One Progress Report
Winter Sports: Quarter One Report Card & Quarter 2 Progress Report
Spring Sports: Quarter 3 Report Card and Quarter 4 Progress Report
If a student athlete serves detention on the day of an activity, practice, or game; he/she may not participate until the detention is completed. Two detentions or one suspension may result in one week off the team and the athlete cannot attend practice.
If a team does not abide by the school behavioral expectations, the team may forfeit scheduled games.
If a student athlete is having behavioral difficulty, the coach, teacher(s), and administration will determine the student’s participation status on an individual basis.
Student spectators may stay after school to watch games only if accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Report Cards & Progress Reports
Report cards are issued four times per year. Marks will close prior to issuance of report cards as determined by the teacher. Various forms of school correspondence with parents and students will be utilized in the attempt to communicate individual academic progress in addition to the progress reporting.
Progress reports noted four times per year, halfway through each marking term. This serves as a checkpoint at a moment in time for your child's progress in each class.
This information is shared with you via PowerSchool.