Q: How can I monitor grades in your class?

A: All grades are posted in the Aeries Parent Portal. I recommend that you AND your child sit down together regularly to monitor and discuss options for achieving optimum success. I turn around assignments and grades as fast as possible. For longer essays, I appreciate your patience.

Q: Why is my child getting a bad grade?

A: Usually, a low cumulative grade is due to missing assignments. Please check Aeries (see link above) for missing assignments, and have your son/daughter submit their missing work. Late work is worth a maximum of a 2. Extra copies of all assignments are available in the yellow folder, in the back of the classroom.

Q: What can be done to improve a cumulative or summative grade?

A: 1st- Make sure that there is no missing work noted in Aeries. If there is missing work, please turn it in as soon as possible (see question below on "late work"). 2nd- Revise and resubmit any summative assessment. Remember the top score for a resubmission is a 3.

Q: What is your policy on late work?

A: Students may turn in late work, up until the unit summative assessment date. Late work is only 1/2 credit, and has the maximum score of a 2. Late work is updated in the gradebook at my connivence. Please be patient.

Q: What happens if work is "lost" or cannot be found?

A: Students can pick up extra copies of all assignments, from the yellow folder in the back of the room. Once work is completed, students can turn in late work into the blue folder, at the back of the classroom. (See "late work" FAQ above, for further questions)

Q: My child didn't do well on a test, quiz and/or project? Can they redo it?

A: Students may retake and resubmit summative (final) tests and papers, in order to demonstrate a greater mastery of concepts taught. The highest score a student can receive for a resubmission is a 3.

Q: My child says there's no homework. Is this true?"

A: No. It is an expectation that all VIDA students spend 30 minutes a night reading. If this is not assigned, students are expected to read something of their choosing. All additional homework is posted in Google Classroom.

Q: What should my child do if he or she is absent?

A: Students can pick up copies of any handouts and missed assignments, from the yellow folder, in the back of the classroom. Some activities can be completed on their own, while others are teacher-led. Students will need to make an appointment to see me to make up teacher-led activities. All assignments are also posted in Google Classroom.

Q: What is the google classroom code for my student's class?

A: GOOGLE CLASSROOM CODES:

PERIOD 2- 5m0wmx8

PERIOD 7- avcta99

PERIOD 8- so0kw2a

Q: How do we get onto No Red Ink for my student's class? https://www.noredink.com

A: Students must sign in with their gmail account and use the following classroom code to enroll:

PERIOD 2- purple beef 94

PERIOD 7- fixed clock 10

PERIOD 8- willing board 5

Q: How do I schedule a meeting with you to discuss my child's progress?

A: I prefer to start conversations through email, since many questions can be cleared up through email, and I teach an after-school class. If we need to meet face-to-face, it is important for students to be a part of the conversation, when discussing their progress. I will meet with parents only if (1) it is after the first quarter (since there are not enough grades to have an authentic picture of a students' progress), (2) the student is present, and (3) the student's grade is below a 2.4 (This is for students receiving a 'C' and lower. The VIDA grading philosophy states, "Students who earn B’s are mastering concepts, skills, processes, and/or standards on a regular basis." See VIDA Grading Philosophy http://vida.vistausd.org/grades).

If there are topics that are best discussed without the student's presence, please let me know.