Dear Middleburgh school community:
Thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do to support our teachers and staff during this extended school closure. You’ve been instrumental in the success of our partnership to ensure your children remain current in their academic studies Your understanding, patience and flexibility during these complicated times has been greatly appreciated and continues to motivate us every day.
Our dedicated faculty, staff and administration are here to support your child and family as best we can. Please reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, and the school administration with any questions or concerns. We are here to help. Our goal is the same: The academic success of your child. As a reminder, the way to reach us is through email. All of our email contact information is available through our website.
Additionally, our dedicated remote learning website, https://www.mcseducationonline.org/, is the single point of reference for all of your child’s classes. By selecting the “Grade Level Resource” tab, you will be able to select your child’s grade level and classes and see the assignments teachers have developed. In addition to assignments, teachers are offering online classes via Zoom video conferencing. More information and a daily schedule can be found on the “Online Learning” tab.
As we continue to move forward and provide the best educational experience during these extraordinary times, we need to also be cognizant of our records and maintain an accurate representation of the effort and completion of work prior to March 13. The decision for grading was not done in isolation. We reviewed the plans of other districts within our region, consulted with experts from BOCES and conducted vigorous debates with the administrative team and teachers.
As a result, I’m sharing some important changes and noteworthy items to be aware of:
Quarter 3:
- The third quarter will be closed as of March 13.
- Numerical grades will only be given for students in grades 9-12.
- Any grade below a 65 will be marked as an Incomplete (I).
- Pass (P) or Incomplete (I) will be given to students in grades 7 and 8.
- Students will have until April 29 to contact their teachers about outstanding work that was due prior to March 13.
- Third quarter grades will be posted on SchoolTool by May 6.
Quarter 4:
- Due to the unprecedented nature of the crisis, all grades from March 16 until we return to school will be given the descriptor of a “C” or “I”:
- “C” – Demonstrates Evidence of Learning
- “I” – Does NOT Demonstrate Evidence of Learning
- These descriptors will not have numerical bearing on a grade point average.
As teachers continue to provide educational opportunities, we are aware of several variables that can hinder a person’s access to materials and resources. Students should be in regular communication with their teachers and do their best to demonstrate their learning. This includes their daily Zoom classes and assignments. We will work with everyone’s specific situation to help modify or adjust the learning to meet challenges whenever they arise.
We want to stress that students should assume the seriousness and expectations of distance learning to be equal to what takes place in classrooms.
Once the closure is lifted, the entire staff will meet and review the total portfolio of work completed by each student on an individual basis. Teachers will then make recommendations for remediation, enrichment or advancement.
Our goal is to continue to ensure your child’s academic success as we all continue to navigate through these many challenges. Our teachers, administrators and staff are prepared to support your family in any possible way. If your child is experiencing difficulties with their mental or emotional health, please contact their counselors or administration so we can ensure support is provided.
We appreciate your continued patience as we await guidance and decisions from Gov. Cuomo and the State Education Department. They, too, are working hard to finalize decisions which are in the best interest of public health and student achievement. This will not be a perfect process and we are grateful for everyone’s understanding and flexibility. We will get through this together.
Thank you to our entire community for their support. All of us in the Middleburgh Central School District hope you all remain safe and healthy. If you have any questions, please contact: Matthew.Sloane@middleburghcsd.org.
Sincerely,
Brian Dunn
Superintendent
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