May 8, 2020
Dear Rocky Point Parents/Guardians of Grade 6-12 Students:
We hope you are all doing well and staying healthy under the circumstances.
On April 6, 2020, the New York State Education Department canceled the June 2020 administration of the High School Regents Examination Program. In response, the District elected to cancel final exams for students in grades 6-12. Additionally, the District announced that final course grades would be calculated using the average of quarterly grades and eliminated the use of a final exam or Regents assessments as part of the final course grade.
Throughout this state of emergency resulting in school closures for the remainder of the school year, Rocky Point UFSD has worked to create an alternative distance education plan that ensures continuity of learning and ensures student grades are not negatively impacted by the current educational circumstances.
The District continues to encourage all students to engage in learning and submit assignments and assessments; however, we recognize the challenges families are facing at home. District administration has worked together to finalize a plan for fourth-quarter grades and final course grades that keeps our students’ best interests in mind.
Teachers will evaluate students based upon assignments and expectations during the fourth quarter.
Full Year Courses:
- If a student’s 4th quarter grade is higher than the average of the student’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarter grades, the student will receive that numerical grade for the 4th quarter.
- In this instance, the final course grade calculation will include the average of all four quarters.
- If a student’s 4th quarter grade is lower than the average of the student’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter grades, the student will receive the notation, “COVID” for the 4th quarter. This notation means the student did not receive a numerical 4th quarter grade that was higher than the average of the first three quarters.
- In this instance, the final course grade calculation will be calculated using the first three quarters of the school year.
Half Year Courses during Second Semester:
- If a student’s 4th quarter grade is higher than the student’s 3rd quarter grade, the student will receive that numerical grade for the 4th quarter.
- In this instance, the final course grade calculation will be the average of the 3rd and 4th quarter grades.
- If a student’s 4th quarter grade is lower than the student’s 3rd quarter grade, the student will receive the notation, “COVID” for the 4th quarter. This notation means the student did not receive a numerical 4th quarter grade that was higher than the 3rd quarter grade.
- In this instance, the final course grade calculation will be the student’s 3rd quarter grade.
During this unprecedented time, this District plan strives to ensure that students have the opportunity to improve their final course grade with their fourth-quarter performance. At the same time, this plan does not negatively impact a student’s final course grade if the performance is not better than the first three quarters of the school year.
Lastly, a reminder for students currently enrolled in a course of study culminating in a Regents Examination. You can only be exempt from the Regents examination if you have earned credit in such course of study by achieving a passing final course grade.
Please continue to have your child engage in distance learning assignments and assessments. It is important that students continue to build and practice the skills that will support their success throughout the remainder of their education.
We hope you and your families are staying safe and healthy during this time, and we thank you again for all you are doing as we work together to navigate this crisis.
Thank you and be well,
Melinda Brooks
Director of Humanities
Aaron Factor
Director of MST