Black Knights –
CHS is coming to the end of the 1st quarter this Monday, October 12th. From October 12th through October 23rd, the student and parent portals will be closed. The portal closure allows teachers time to finalize all grades submitted to date, which may frequently change the Year 1 grade until finalized.
While we understand that not being able to see real-time, up-to-date Year 1 grades creates challenges for students and parents, you will still be able to see submitted assignments and individual assignment grades. Only the overall calculated grade will be inaccessible during this window. Students can either calculate their grades manually or check in directly with their teachers for assistance.
As the quarter ends, I want to emphasize the critical impact of attendance on student grades and learning outcomes. The data above highlights overall pass rates based on attendance, live as of Friday, October 9th. The data shows that missing more than 4 periods of a class causes a student's average to drop from a passing C to a failing F. This data is based on per-class attendance and Year 1 (Y1) grades. Lastly, while this trend is consistent across grade levels, departments, and ethnicities, the impact of absences is most acute for the following CHS student groups: Black students, Hispanic students, and male students.
What can we do?
Lean into our values: Show Up and Ask for Help.
First and foremost, we all need to show up and be here. The difference between passing and failing a class can be just one absence. If students are here, we can help.
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Communication: If a student has a D or an F in a course, it is my expectation that teachers communicate with families to collaborate on support strategies. It is also my expectation that teachers meet directly with students to discuss their grades, learning experiences, and individualized plans for improvement.
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Outreach: If a student is not showing up, CHS teachers, counselors, administrators, and school social workers will reach out to families to build personalized plans to help them re-engage. Families should also contact teachers and counselors if they need help supporting their student's attendance.
Our bell schedule this year provides dedicated time for students to receive targeted support during block classes or WIN time. In many instances, low grades are simply the result of a Zero/No Evidence in the gradebook. Students can immediately improve their grades by attempting and submitting missing work.
No student should fail—not one course. CHS has both the belief and the resources to help every student succeed. Let's make sure we show up for one another and exemplify the standards of Black Knight Nation.
Dr. Malone
