Middle School Families,
Schedules and Instructors
I hope you and your family are well. Our staff is getting ready to welcome you and your students to distance learning and then (if you choose it) hybrid in person learning. Your student's instructors and classes will be available online by next Thursday, September 3rd. Pay special attention to the instructor for the Connections Class. Connections is similar to what I used to call homeroom or advisory.
Schoology
All families will receive a phone call from their Middle School Connections teacher sometime next week. The teacher will be calling to offer assistance and information about how distance learning will roll out. A few families have reached out to me with questions about which applications distance learning will use. In the Middle School, our main platform is Schoology. Our staff will be reaching out to help families get into or create Schoology accounts. You may feel overwhelmed with getting into Schoology, or other applications. Your student's Connections teacher will be your point person. They will help you get going.
IB MYP New Report Card
The Middle School will have a new report card format this year. The biggest note of change is that we will no longer be using letter grades. Students grades will be communicated by numbers and a rubric. As part of the International Baccalaureate program, we want to make sure our grades are communicating progress and areas of growth.
This change has been in the works for a long time. Teachers have been working for over a year on how to communicate grades on specific criteria. Right now there is nothing you need to do. I just wanted to give you a heads up. I am talking to my own children about setting goals for the year, and wanted to let you know that if you are doing the same, please don't use the language, "I want you to get at least all B's." Instead of letters, we will be using numbers 1-8. There will not be a system of pluses or minuses.
Our staff is getting ready to help you learn about the new report card format as well. Again, your student's Connection Teacher will be your point person on this new report card format as well as Schoology.
Sixth Grade Orientation
Our sixth graders who have chosen hybrid learning will be entering the building for their first week of hybrid learning one week earlier than all the other students in the Secondary Building. The first day for Hybrid Learning for 6th grade will be Sept. 21. The rest of the Middle School and High School will begin on Sept. 28.
We will also be working to do a 6th grade parent orientation. Connections teachers will reach out next week to let you know more about that. The parent orientation will be the week of September 8th.
The 6th grade Chromebooks arrived yesterday! Our technology department will let you know when you will be able to do the drive up/ pick up.
Signing Off
Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns. We will work together to make this school year a success. I am so very excited to meet your students, in person and online.
Sincerely,
Leah A. Bourg
