Spring Break Update

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Week 2 of World Cultures distant learning is in the books. This message is intended to not only keep you up to date on what we've done in class this week, but to inform you what's "on deck" for next week, as well as a clarification on the recent announcement from SJUSD regarding the Grading Policy for this Semester.

THIS WEEK: Monday, April 6th we reviewed Latin & South American maps & current events (just like last Monday). Wednesday, April 8th we started with an exercise regarding Internet Ethics and then kicked off a new assignment where they create a Timeline of historical events for Rwanda & South Africa using the Google Drawing application.  Today, Friday, April 10th was solely dedicated as “work time” allocated to finishing the Timeline assignment from Wednesday. For each class this week I had posted a recorded video of myself giving instruction to the kids. The videos are posted in Google Classroom with the intention of fully explaining all expectations for the work assigned.
NEXT WEEK (April 13th – 17th): Spring Break! Just when we started to get back into the groove of a school schedule we are off for a week. Hooray!

GRADING POLICY: As per direction from SJUSD the grade book has been permanently frozen from March 13th through June 5th. The grades that will appear on the students report cards and transcripts for this Semester will be “Credit” or “No-Credit”. Any student that is receiving a passing grade as of March 13th will receive a “Credit” on their report card. Any student not passing at the March 13th date will receive a “No Credit” on their report card. None of the work that myself (World Cultures), OR ANY OTHER TEACHER in any other class which assigns the students work during the Distant Learning shelter-in-place, will be able to be update that work in the grade book. However, if students have Zeroes in the grade book for assignments prior to March 13th, and are in danger of being near the “No Credit” threshold, then they DO have the opportunity to make-up that work now. Please email me if you have any questions.

Schools may be physically closed, and the grade book may be frozen, but classes are still in session and students are expected to engage in coursework to the best of their ability. Distance Learning means that students are communicating with their teachers, completing and submitting assignments and interacting with teachers to the extent possible. Students who have situations that impact their ability to participate should share that information with myself and their other teachers so that adjustments can be made to their instructional plan when possible. I am dedicated to providing your students with opportunities to continue to learn the curriculum remotely. Additionally, even with all of the “Credit/No-Credit” policy in place I personally am keeping track of each World Cultures student’s work offline and evaluating it so I can track who is doing the work, consistently, and effectively.  That way I can provide feedback and continue to enhance your academic growth. I hope that this new communication release of the Grading Policy does not dissuade your motivation nor ability to continue to work with me with our online distant learning classroom.  Knowing our group of 9th graders as they are I have full faith and expectation that you will continue to engage and excel.

Please email me or message me on Google Classroom if you ever need clarification with what we're doing or what's expected. Thank you for all of your support.

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti