Academic Information

Parent/Teacher Communication

Parent/Teacher communication is vital to the success of our students.  Parents are encouraged to contact teachers when they have questions or concerns.  This communication may occur by Talking Points, emails, phone calls and teacher/team conferences.  Conferences are scheduled by contacting your child’s teacher.  Our school website includes email addresses for all staff members. Parents may also monitor their child’s grades using PowerSchools online system provided through WCPSS.  Parents who have questions or concerns regarding the program are asked to call or come to our guidance office.  Parents may also utilize the one program, PowerSchool, to keep up with multiple students in WCPSS, not just FVMS.  

Grade Promotion

In order for students to advance to the next grade level, they are required to pass language arts and math, social studies or science, and one-half of their remaining subjects (healthful living and elective) for the year.  Students who do not meet the above criteria are considered for retention on an individual basis by a committee with the principal having the final decision.  Grades are based on classwork, homework, participation, note taking, projects and tests.  Yearly grades are an average of each quarter grade.  Our school year is divided into four grading periods (quarters).  Progress reports are provided twice each quarter.   In addition to grades, students need to meet state expectations on standardized tests in reading, math and science.  Academic contracts may be used with students in an effort to improve academic success.

We use the following grading scale:

A-90-100                               Excellent

B-80-89                                 Good

C-70-79                                 Satisfactory

D-60-69                                 Minimal

F-59 and below                       Unsatisfactory

Textbooks and School Materials

The school may issue textbooks and other school-issued materials.  If lost, students will be charged the replacement cost if a textbook and/or school-issued materials.  Students may also be charged fines at the end of the year for any damage that is not considered normal for a school year’s use of the book and/or school-issued materials.  Alternative sources, such as handouts or websites, may take the place of textbooks.

Computer Use

The school offers Internet access for student use.  Each student will automatically be given access to the Internet unless the parent or guardian completes the Parental Request to Deny Access form.  Individual users of the Internet are expected to abide by the generally accepted network rules of etiquette.  Please review the Board Policy in the WCPSS Student/Parent Handbook for more information and/or details.  Students who fail to comply with this policy may lose computer and Internet privileges. BYOD or Bring Your Own Device may be utilized for instructional purposes only.  Teachers will review expectations, but it is clear that students should not be accessing information that is considered inappropriate.  This includes personal use and social media; even if a student is utilizing his/her device, inappropriate material and comments (such as those made on social media) can and will be considered a disruption to the learning environment and incur consequences ranging from a device being taken for parent pick-up to suspension – and when applicable, involve law enforcement.  Please speak with your child about safe and appropriate use of devices.