Here are the latest updates from the Dubuque Community School District:

LEARNING AT ALL LEVELS CONTINUES
As you know, the district continues to provide learning opportunities for all students. These learning opportunities will continue through the remainder of the scheduled school year. While voluntary and not graded, we strongly encourage students to continue engaging in these opportunities as much as possible.

At the elementary school level, resource and handout packets, Seesaw learning activities and even classroom Zoom meetings are keeping students connected to learning.

At the middle school and high school levels, teacher-guided learning continues with students receiving lessons from teachers in many ways, including through Canvas, video lessons, and teachers and students connecting via Zoom.

We encourage our students to keep up the great work and stay connected to learning in whatever ways their individual circumstances allow.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADING
With the Governor’s announcement to close schools for the remainder of the school year, we have also been working to determine next steps with grading, particularly at the high school level.

Second semester grades for ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS were frozen as of Friday, March 13, before spring break. Students will have the following options regarding grades in these courses:

GRADING FOR SENIORS
Graduating seniors are an important consideration with grading and we remain committed to ensuring that all students on track to graduate will do so. Schools will be reaching out to students and families to discuss any barriers to graduation that may exist.

Seniors may choose to:

    • Keep the grade earned as of March 13
      • If this option is chosen, there is no action required by the student.
    • Work to improve the grade
      • To do this, students will work directly with the course instructor to turn in late work, resubmit work collected and graded prior to the closure, or retake exams.
      • Students with grades lower than they aspire to (for example, a student with a B wishing to improve to an A) may work to improve grades by re-submitting work completed prior to March 13.
      • Seniors will have until May 15 to improve grades.
      • Seniors with non-passing grades will have until May 15 to remediate to 60% or greater and receive a passing (D-) grade or higher.
    • Choose to take the class with a Credit/No Credit option
      • Students may request to change their class to a credit (C)/no credit (NC) option by May 15. Schools will be sending additional guidance on the process for selecting this option.
      • C/NC courses are not included in a student’s grade-point-average, but they will receive credit for the class if a grade of 60% or higher is earned.
      • IMPORTANT NOTE: Students planning to move on to post-secondary education should consult the institution they plan to attend to determine which grading option will be best for their individual circumstances. Students planning to play intercollegiate athletics may also wish to review guidance from the NCAA Clearninghouse or the NAIA Eligibility Center.

GRADING FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 9-11
Students in grades 9-11 may choose to:

    • Keep the grade earned as of March 13
      • If this option is chosen, there is no action required by the student.
    • Work to improve the grade
      • To do this, students will work directly with the course instructor to turn in late work, resubmit work collected and graded prior to the closure, or retake exams.
      • Students with grades lower than they aspire to (for example, a student with a B wishing to improve to an A) may work to improve grades by re-submitting work completed prior to March 13.
      • Students in grades 9-11 will have until June 1 to improve grades.
      • Students in grades 9-11 with non-passing grades will have until June 1 to remediate to 60% or greater and receive a passing (D-) grade or higher.
      • Incomplete (INC) marks may be given for students in grades 9-11, if warranted based on individual student circumstances. INC marks must be given by June 1, with further extensions given as warranted.
      • The incomplete option will allow students, including those with Individualized Education Programs, ELL services, or internet connectivity barriers, to work to improve that grade in the Fall 2020.
    • Choose to take the class with a Credit/No Credit option
      • Students may request to change their class to a credit (C)/no credit (NC) option by June 1. Schools will be sending additional guidance on the process for selecting this option.
      • C/NC courses are not included in a student’s grade-point-average, but they will receive credit for the class if a grade of 60% or higher is earned.
      • IMPORTANT NOTE: Students planning to move on to post-secondary education should consult the institution they plan to attend to determine which grading option will be best for their individual circumstances. Students planning to play intercollegiate athletics may also wish to review guidance from the NCAA Clearninghouse or the NAIA Eligibility Center.

WEEK 5 ELEMENTARY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES NOW POSTED
Week 5 of educational materials developed by the district’s Educational Support Team are now available on our EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES WEBPAGE. This week’s resources again include Suggested Learning Resources + Activities, a Social Emotional Learning Guide, and a variety of Student Handouts and Worksheets.

As a reminder, the district’s team has worked to be sure these resources meet the needs of learners across grade levels and of all abilities. Activities not marked with a specific grade level can be used by a wide range of students – look in the accommodations section of the resources for tips on making the learning accessible to your student!

If you are having difficulty with the resources or have questions about how to accommodate the activities for your child, please reach out to your child’s teacher(s) by email or Seesaw for assistance.

Printed copies of these packets will be available at meal delivery sites on Friday, April 24.