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Dear Parents:
This week, Progress Reports were sent home from MVMS. I just want to reiterate what the school
says about Progress Reports, and emphasize the point that there is still time for students to improve:
Progress Reports are a warning; they are NOT grades; they are NOT on the permanent record. They
are an informational tool to help you help your children get back on track (assuming, of course, that
they are "off" it!). We do hear, at times, the question, "Why wasn't I informed earlier?" That's what the
Progress Report is: to be "informed earlier" in the trimester so there is time to improve if need be. As
most teachers in the middle school have over 100 students, we don't send out notices before Progress
Reports.
In my class, too, there really should be little surprise from any student as to their grade at this time: for
the most part, if your child says they are surprised by their Progress Report grade, they really are not being
honest with you or themselves. As the major portion of the grade so far was their Notebook Grade, I
would begin any questioning by looking at the notebook. Look at the errors that were made; the points
taken off. Look for patterns of errors. Have a discussion with your child about why they did not do what
was asked of them (is it an understanding issue; a completion issue; a diligence issue?).
I think, if you begin with a conversation with your child, and then, perhaps, have them meet with me if
you think it necessary, we can try to put them "back on track." I think, at this time, without talking with
your child first, a meeting with me would be fruitless.
I handed out this week in class charts where the students can keep track of their own grades (it really is
just a matter of simple math!): ask to see those.
Again, there is still time to right any wrongs, improve any work, and understand any concepts. But the
student should take the initiative in trying to improve. If we do it for them, they will never learn how to
help themselves (with our help, of course!).
Lastly, don't worry too much!
Lance
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