Grizzly Gazette
Riverglen Parent Newsletter- Second Quarter 2017
Note from the Principal*
Wow! The school year is flying by and this is the first day of second quarter. It is an honor and privilege to educate your child(ren). Thank you for sharing them with us everyday.
We look forward to seeing you at Parent Teacher Conferences Nov. 1 & 2 from 4:00-7:00 PM each evening. As we head into conferences the the focus of this month's newsletter is to revisit some previously shared information and provide some resources regarding our Boise School District Grading Policy and Best Practices. We are just completing our first quarter following the new policy and implementation of best practices and have learned a tremendous amount about our students' learning and how we can utilize grades to most accurately report students' level of proficiency. We hope this information is helpful and encourage you to reach out to your child's teacher or administration with any questions you may have about the policy or best practices.
“We want to make sure that what we report is the most accurate information of your child’s level of proficiency. We want to make sure that the practices we utilize are supportive of the development and maintenance of your child’s confidence in their ability to eventually be successful.” Tom Schimmer 2013
Key points of Boise Schools’ Grading Policy & Best Practices
- The district has created Sound Grading Practices -- we do not have full standards-based grading. Sound Grading Practices include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Ensuring that students’ grades accurately reflect student achievement.
- When recording grades, separating student behaviors from achievement (holding students accountable for both -- giving students full credit, but re-defining accountability).
- Being purposeful on how teachers assess student progress and recording that progress accurately (validity & reliability).
- Repurposing homework
- The district requires Equal Increment Grading Scales (if using a 100 pt. scale--lowest score is a 50%). Policy allows for 4pt and 5 pt grading scales.
- Accept late work
- Reassess tests and assignments
Reminder of BSD Infinite Campus Grading Scale Options
In addition to the new Traditional Percentage Point Scale from 50% - 100%, we also allowed teachers a choice between the 4 pt and 5 pt scale that are listed below.
* If you are a RJH and Capital parent this will look like something you saw from Capital. Sandy Winters, Principal at Capital, shared what she had drafted for her parents with me, and gave me permission to use it for my RJH families.
Upcoming Dates at Riverglen
Below are a few of the important dates coming up that all families should be aware of are:
November 1st and 2nd- Riverglen Parent/Teacher Conferences 4-7 PM
November 3rd- NO SCHOOL
November 20th-24th - Thanksgiving Break- NO SCHOOL
A Reminder from the Attendance Office
To Excuse Absences and Late Arrivals
To excuse absences and tardies, please call our 24-hour attendance line at 854-5910 within 2 days of the absence or tardy, or provide an excuse via a signed note submitted to the office. Students will be marked truant if not excused within 48 hours of the absence.
Permits To Leave
Parents, if you must pick up your child during the school day, please allow at least one hour prior notice to our office before picking up your child. Students must have a Permit To Leave when leaving school grounds during the day. You may call the office directly at 854-5910 or your child may submit a note to the office when they arrive at school in the morning. The note must be signed by a parent requesting their dismissal time.
BOISE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
During its regular monthly Board meeting held on Monday, October 9, 2017, Trustees of the Boise School District voted 7 - 0 to approve the 2018 - 19 school year calendar following an extensive public feedback process.
The approved calendar preserves a later August school start date while still ending the first semester prior to the Winter Holiday Break.
"We feel that this calendar meets the educational needs of our students and supports our many programs that have made our district a school district of excellence," said Board President Nancy Gregory. "We are grateful to the parents, patrons, staff and students who actively engaged in the nearly six-month long conversation regarding the school calendar through face-to-face focus groups, online surveys and direct communication with District representatives."
Highlights of the Board-approved 2018-19 School Year Calendar include:
- August 20th: First Day of School - Early Release K-12
- October 19th: End of First Quarter - Elementary K-6 No School
- November 19th - 23rd: Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No School K-12
- December 21st: End of First Semester - Early Release K-6
- December 24th - January 4th: Winter Holiday Break - No School K-12
- March 15th: End of Third Quarter - Early Release K-6
- March 18th - 22nd: Spring Break - No School K-12
- May 24th: Last Day of School - Early Release K-12
DON'T FORGET OUR WEBSITE!
Riverglen Contact information
Bill McKitrick- Asst. Principal
Laurel Dunstan- Registrar
Maureen Tyczka- Attendance and Front Office
Nancy Elliott- Counseling Secretary
Michele Conant- Counselor A-K
Julie Lileks- Counselor L-Z
Robin Williams- School Resource Officer (BPD)
Email: deborah.watts@boiseschools.org
Website: https://riverglen.boiseschools.org/
Location: 6801 North Gary Lane, Boise, ID, United States
Phone: (208)854-5910