Spring 2020 Parent/Student Update

Fair Grove High School
Grade and Event Information Update

Dear Parent and Guardian,

With the unsettling news that school is officially closed for the remainder of the year we find ourselves having to make some difficult decisions. We are absolutely heartbroken that we cannot return to school. There is no manual on how to proceed from here. Our admin team has been deliberating for what seems like weeks now on how to best proceed if we found ourselves in this delicate situation.

The biggest issue at hand is how we handle grades and credits with the shortened semester. I am going to try to walk through this very important component with you as well as giving you a quick update on a few other items.

We continue to say thank you for all that you are doing to help us through these unprecedented days.

2nd Semester Grades

This, without a doubt, has been the most difficult part of the school closure process in addition to losing the daily interaction with our students. We have worked diligently to find a system that encourages students to continue completing activities being sent home but one that also assures for student equity, as not all things are equal from home to home.

Under guidance from DESE, the reoccurring theme is that we simply cannot record grades on items that are going home now in the absence of a classroom teacher. With that in mind, we have to do the very best with the circumstances that we are given. Our biggest fear is that students head off to summer vacation 5 weeks early. That is why we are asking for your help in encouraging your child to continue completing work currently being sent home now. We understand that we have a significant task ahead of us in catching students up when we return. These items that we are sending home now well hopefully bridge that gap when we return next year. Academic services will continue through May 22nd

Please be aware of these important pieces of our grading policy for 2nd semester:

Item 1: A students semester grade will be the grade they earned 3rd quarter. This means they will earn a credit for that class.

Item 2: If a student failed a 3rd quarter class, the teacher of that class will reach out directly to your child to formulate a plan to resubmit work from last quarter to ENSURE that they pass and earn the credit.

Item 3: Students who would like to improve upon their 3rd quarter grade may raise their semester score by a minimum of 10%. Some teacher will allow more. This will be at teacher discretion and it may be a combination of resubmitting work from last semester or accepting materials that are coming home now as bonus points. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher if they would like to raise their grade.

Item 4: Students who obtained an A last quarter are in the best position of everyone. We encourage you to continue your strong pursuit of academic greatness as you stay the course by working through the materials being sent out fourth quarter.

Prom, Awards Night and Graduation

These are three very important events that are woven into the fabric of the Spring semester. Our typical format for these events are prom on Saturday, awards night on Wednesday and graduation on Friday.

We are currently looking at a series of dates in June in which we will host all three of these events in the same week. Once we have confirmed those dates we will make those known to the public.

In the act of remaining flexible we need to prepare for hosting prom at Fair Grove High School. While this is not a venue of choice, we need to understand that we may be limited in what we can find last minute and a host willing to work with our flexible dates. In these times we believe the event itself is far more important than the location. Our main goal is finding a way for students to experience this event.

Locker Cleanup

We understand that there are several items in lockers at the school. We are still in a holding pattern as far as allowing people into the building. We will have an organized locker pick up day sometime in May. Until then, if there is something of importance that you are needing from the school you can come through the packet pick up line on Tuesday nights from 6-7 and we will run inside to get those items for you.

Food Distribution

The Fair Grove School District remains committed to proving food assistance during these difficult times. We will continue to offer our food distribution. You are reminded to contact Lisa Bernet in central office if you would like to be added to the list each week. Please be aware this is a weekly sign up.

2020-2021 Student Scheduling

Mrs. Peck is currently working on virtual scheduling with students. This process will begin in the coming days as soon as a few technology hurdles are cleared.

Senior Information

If you have not emailed your senior or baby picture to Mrs. Overstreet for the graduation slideshow, please do so as soon as possible. If you are having trouble getting a digital copy, please contact her to setup an alternative method.

Email: overstreetca@fgsmail.org

Final Thoughts

Please reach out to us if there is anything we can answer or help with. If you are still in need of a hard copy of the materials going out online please let us know. If your child is receiving a packet and needs to return items to a teacher due to trying to improve their grade they can return those materials on Tuesday night in the packet/food distribution line or by arranging for the bus to pick those items up.

Please take care!