Grading update

Hello ladies and gentlemen

I just wanted to touch base about grading policy in this weird and difficult time.  I have spent dozens of hours in meetings, reading emails, attending virtual webinars, and making phone calls simply to be prepared to conduct class this week.  The grade book IS frozen. I repeat, the grade book within Infinite Campus is frozen and will not be updated with any of the work that I have assigned after March 13th. At least not now. 

Remember, things are constantly changing. In the coming days/weeks that policy could change too. I'm not sure how that will shake out. And now that school campuses are closed for the rest of the year the Distant Learning structure will be in place until June 6th. That does not mean that school is canceled. Nor does it mean I'm not evaluating the level or caliber of work you are turning in. I am giving you "Learning Opportunities" on the days that we would normally have a scheduled class.

When I collect those "Learning Opportunities" I will assess how well you have executed that "opportunity". Most everything that we will be doing will be "CREDIT/NO-CREDIT". I am keeping track, offline, with regards to who is doing what/How frequently you are communicating/How timely you are with your responses/Are you simply copying and pasting information or putting in a decent effort/etc... Now is not the time to Check Out of school. I am still waiting for more specific guidance regarding grading.  Since we are closed, there will need to be some form of assessment to finalize your grades for the semester.  Remember that the school year is NOT over, you will still received a transcript record for this semester, therefore the work you are doing matters.  We just do not yet know how it will matter. I will update you all as soon as I know more regarding how grades will be handled for the rest of the semester.

Remember learning is not a passive activity. You must determine what you can get out of it for yourself! Take the pieces that all Teachers give you and apply it to your interests and needs. Look for ways to find your passion to drive your goals.

We are all LIVING THROUGH HISTORY right now. Future generation history books will talk about the nationwide quarantine and the Coronavirus the same way that they did the Spanish Flu of 1918. Let us all work together during these uncertain times in order to grow both as a student and as a person. I'll leave you with this. There was a lyric in a Rush song once that said, "If you choose not to decide, you have still made a choice." Which choice will you make?

Please email me or message me if you have any questions or require any further clarification. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti