Heads up...Wednesday, Sept. 14 is an early release day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inappropriate and weird anyway.

At some schools, this is to ensure that kids who have a tough time connecting with teachers hear something positive. If your child is an average to high achieving student, they don’t need this because they are already getting positive feedback.

The idea is not equality (treat everyone the same as if they don’t have different needs), but equity (making sure all students have their individual needs met). Equality would require not allowing students with dysgraphia to type unless everyone can type. Or not giving a student on crutches an elevator key since not all students can ride. I would love it if every teacher remembered to give positive feedback to all their students on a regular basis. However, some don’t hear a note of praise for 10 months. Don’t begrudge a child a postcard.

I have a 9th grader who always has straight A’s, scores in the 97-99th% on standardized tests, turns in all of her assignments, is well behaved, gets along well with others. I have been very surprised how little positive feedback she has gotten over the years. When I was in school, I would get progress reports with personalized comments from my teachers, and they’d write things like “Mary is an excellent student.” DD has gotten interim comments like “I have no concerns at this time.” She’s also had teachers who only issued interim reports if there was an issue, meaning she didn’t get one at all. I’m not saying dd needs a postcard, but good students are not receiving plenty of positive feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inappropriate and weird anyway.

At some schools, this is to ensure that kids who have a tough time connecting with teachers hear something positive. If your child is an average to high achieving student, they don’t need this because they are already getting positive feedback.

The idea is not equality (treat everyone the same as if they don’t have different needs), but equity (making sure all students have their individual needs met). Equality would require not allowing students with dysgraphia to type unless everyone can type. Or not giving a student on crutches an elevator key since not all students can ride. I would love it if every teacher remembered to give positive feedback to all their students on a regular basis. However, some don’t hear a note of praise for 10 months. Don’t begrudge a child a postcard.

But why can't they do that AT SCHOOL?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is part of what we're doing:
The expectation is that staff will utilize the time to connect with families and students.
1. Complete two-way communication—document in Synergy.
a. Reminder—If there is a zero in gradebooks, there must be documentation of two way communication.

2. Teacher Gradebooks are up-to-date with MCPS grading and reporting guidelines.
a. A minimum of one graded assignment per week in gradebooks
b. Cohorts have similar number of graded assignments in gradebooks. Those assignments are to be worth the same number of points, etc. That is one teacher is not to have an assignment worth 20 points, while another has it worth 50 points.

3. Complete positive postcards. There are positive postcards in the mailroom. Think of one or two (more if you like) amazing kids to recognize during the first few weeks of school. Write a positive postcard to that child. Include the student’s name and address on the front of the postcard. When complete, give the postcard to us to see that it is mailed home. Yes, mail! You have no idea how exciting it is for kids to get a note in the mail.

What a terrible idea. Teachers should treat all of their students equally. That seems totally inappropriate and weird anyway.

At some schools, this is to ensure that kids who have a tough time connecting with teachers hear something positive. If your child is an average to high achieving student, they don’t need this because they are already getting positive feedback.

The idea is not equality (treat everyone the same as if they don’t have different needs), but equity (making sure all students have their individual needs met). Equality would require not allowing students with dysgraphia to type unless everyone can type. Or not giving a student on crutches an elevator key since not all students can ride. I would love it if every teacher remembered to give positive feedback to all their students on a regular basis. However, some don’t hear a note of praise for 10 months. Don’t begrudge a child a postcard.

But why can't they do that AT SCHOOL?

Who says they don't?