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Dear Parents, 

This year, students will be receiving an average grade out of 100 on their report cards. Grades will be  weighted by category. Each class has its own unique demands, and therefore the weight distribution for  

each class will not be the same. Please refer to you’re a teacher’s syllabus that was given out the first week of school or  contact your child’s subject area teacher. This is an example of  how categories may be weighted in a class.  

At the end of the semester, your child will receive a grade on a scale from 0 to 100. With category  weighting, this means those 100 points come from different categories. In the example, 35 points come  from tests/projects, 25 points come from quizzes, 25 points come from classwork, and 15 points come  from homework, for a total of 100 points. Your child will receive a certain percentage in each category,  which will determine how many points they get in each category.  

Not every teacher gives quizzes or tests out of 100. If students are given grades that are not out of 100,  this means their grade for that category will be calculated using a system called total points. Instead of  averaging by adding and dividing by the number of questions of a test, their grade is calculated by taking  the total number of points the student earned and dividing by the total number of points possible. To  alleviate the confusion teachers will put the total points (if other than 100) in the title of the assignment.  

By not grading every assignment out of 100, your child’s grade often ends up being higher than if all  grades were assessed with a max score of 100.  

Example: 

Tests: In this example, tests are graded as percentages out of 100. The test average is found the  standard way: 92 + 98 = 190. 190 ÷ 2 = 95%. The student’s test average is 95%, so they receive 95% of  the possible test points. Since tests are worth 35 points on the overall grade, we take 95% of 35, which is  33 points.  

Quizzes: We take the total amount the student earned, 7 + 14 + 11 + 14 = 46, and divide by the total  points possible, 8 + 18 + 11 + 15 = 52. 46 ÷ 52 is 88%. This means the child’s quiz average is 88%. 88% of  25 points is 22 points.  

Classwork: We take the total amount the student earned, 5 + 10 + 5 + 15 = 35, and divide by the total  points possible, 5 + 10 + 5 + 15 = 35. 35 ÷ 35 is 100%. This means the child’s classwork average is 100%.  100% of 25 points is 25 points.

Homework: In this example, the homework grade is also a percentage. Each student starts with a grade  of 100, and they lose 5 points for each homework missed. Their homework average is 90%, so the  student earned 90% of 15 points, which is 14 points. 

To find the students final grade, we add all the points they earned in each category: 33 + 22 + 25 + 23 =  94. So the student’s final grade will be a 94.  

** It is important to note that the computer does this for us. 

FAQ 

What is the purpose of using total points system? Why aren’t all the grades out of 100?  Using a total points system has several advantages. One being that teachers can make different  assignments have different value on a student’s grade. If each assignment is graded out of 100, every  assignment is worth the same, regardless of difficulty. In the total points system, an assignment where  students have to write a short response may be worth 5 points while a longer essay might be worth 25  points. Because an essay is longer and more detailed than a short response, it is worth more points and  therefore has more of an effect on the student’s grade.  

My student received a 11/13 on a quiz. What is their percentage? 

If you want to calculate their percentage, you divide 11 by 13 and multiply by 100: 11 ÷ 13 x 100 = 85%.  An 85% seems rather low, considering the student lost only 2 points on the quiz. That’s why 85% isn’t a  completely accurate representation of the student’s grade. When we calculate using the total points  system would reflect a grade higher than 85%.  

Again, several teachers will make assignments out of 100%. Some teachers are using the point system to  calculate your child’s average and final grade. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you do not  completely understand your child’s average on PowerSchool. Communication with your child’s teacher  is paramount to your child’s education. Our teachers understand that the changeover to averages on  the report cards can be confusing and are willing to answer any of your questions.  

Fondly,  

Mrs. Pellerito Mrs. Darmanin  

Principal Assistant Principal


AS SENT HOME BACK IN SEPTEMBER MY SYLLABUS SHOWS MY WEIGHTS AS FOLLOWS: TESTS 40%, PROJECTS 30%, QUIZZES 10%, CLASS PARTICIPATION 10% and HOMEWORK 10%. Mr Reina







1"We are aware of Flynn O’Hara’s inability to fulfill uniform orders at this time.
Please note: For Kindergarten – Grade 5, we are transitioning from the “green”
pants to “khaki”. If you have already purchased and received the “green” pants,
your child may wear them until they outgrow them. Going forward the only pants
available will be “khaki”.
We are also transitioning from the “white” polo shirt to “green”. Again, if you
have already purchased and received the “green” polo, your child may wear it until they outgrow it. Going forward, the only polo available will be “green”.
If you are waiting for the girls’ cardigan/vest, your middle school daughter may wear a plain navy blue cardigan. If your daughter is in grades K-5 they may wear any plain hunter green cardigan until the school sweaters come in.

Just a reminder, no shorts should be worn after the change to the winter uniform. This includes dress down days. Thank you for your cooperation."


EXTRA HELP IS OFFERED TUESDAY THRU FRIDAY AS NEEDED> STUDENTS SHOULD COME TO ME THE DAY BEFORE HELP IS TO BE OFFERED>

PHYSICS;

As we are getting closer to graduation, my eighth graders are still hard at work in science. Having completeted their STEM bridge projects, they are now studying curriculum on electricity and electrical circuits. When we return from Easter break, the classes will be reviewing for their NYS Science Exam which will allow the high schools to see the knowledge and skills needed as they begin their high school journey.

LIFE SCIENCE      GRADE 7
      Our life science classes this year will be fascinating and challenging, as we move through a curriculum that deals with the biotic and abiotic facors that interact to make our world the unique place that it is. Be ready to work hard, ask lots of questions and at times, have to think outside the box.   Mr Reina

     Our focus at the present time is on the history of heredity and genetics, This leads into the study of punnett squares and pedigrees which show how genes affect offspring and how certain traits are passed from generation to generation in a familly. After break, we will begin the study of DNA. Difficult , but fascinating topics.


EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE       GRADE 6
 

      At the present time, my sixth grade classes are focusing on the study of weather and climate. This includes all the factors and variables that affect each, and the causes of severe weather anamolies around the world. The classes are fascinated with these topics and thoroughly enjoy the videos used to supplement the information.