Academics
GRADING SYSTEM
While there are different report forms used for Preschool through grade eight, the grading procedure is very similar. The diocesan marking system has been assigned average numerical values. Letter grades with the following equivalents are used for grades 4-8.
A+ = 99%-100% A = 95%-98.9% A- = 93%-94.9%
B+ = 91%-92.9% B = 87%-90.9% B- = 85%-86.9%
C+ = 83%-84.9% C = 79%-82.9% C- = 77%-78.9%
D+ = 75%-76.9% D = 72%-74.9% D- = 70%-71.9%
F = 69.9% and below
REPORT CARDS are issued in three trimesters at approximately twelve-week intervals . Parents will access their child’s report card on the FACTS Family Portal.
Each report card tells the parent/guardian how his/her child is doing in comparison to what is expected of the child at his/her grade level. Parents should also note the effort grade, which indicates the child’s motivational level and can be the source of praise or constructive review. Based on this information, you can work more closely with the teacher to motivate your child.
HONOR ROLL PROGRAM
In a continuing quest for academic excellence and recognition of high achievement, St. Mary School maintains an Honor Roll Program for students in 5th 8th grades. Awards are announced every trimester and students will receive a certificate.
Subjects included in determining Honor Roll status are:
Religion, Reading, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Spelling.
Spanish, PE, Technology, and Music count as one combined grade.
Trimester
High Honor Roll - Students are earning a GPA of 3.51 and above.
Honor Roll - Students are earning a GPA from 3.00 – 3.5.
All Three Trimesters
High Honor Roll - Students earning a GPA of 3.51 and above average over all four quarters
Honor Roll - Students are earning a GPA from 3.00 – 3.5 average over all four quarters
The following may disqualify a student from an Honor Roll:
If a student needs improvement in any one of the following categories of the Personal and Social Growth section of the report card:
Respects Peers, Respects Authority, Respects Property
ASSESSMENTS
The Diocese of Rockford uses ARK testing in their deanery schools
ARK Academics assess your child's knowledge in Math and Reading
ARK Religion assess your child's knowledge of the Catholic Faith
HOMEWORK
Homework is given to reinforce the concepts and skills learned in school. It also helps develop good work habits and encourages independent study. The following schedule serves as a guideline for daily homework.
Grades K-2 = 10-20 minutes
Grades 3-5 = 30-50 minutes
Grades 6-8 = 60-80 minutes
Should parents notice extremes in homework, “too little or too much”, please contact the teacher. Homework is to be completed on time except for an extraordinary reason. Athletic Events and outside activities do not excuse students from homework.
During an illness, parents are encouraged to pick up homework. Students are responsible for knowing assignments and getting work in on time. Assignment notebooks are provided for students in grades 4th through 8th grades.
E-LEARNING DAYS
The safety of our families and staff is the primary factor, when making decisions about closing the school during inclement weather. We realize that many of our families and staff drive from a distance, which we take into account when the inclement weather can lead to poor driving conditions. We are required by state law and the Diocese of Rockford policy to have a set number of student attendance days. Days that the school is closed due to inclement weather must be made up at the end of the school year (five emergency days are built into our school calendar).
Beginning the 2019-20 school year, we are implementing “E-Learning Days.” Using these days during inclement weather rather than closing school for the day will allow students to continue learning without having to travel.
E-Learning Day Procedures
If inclement weather creates a need to close the school, families, and staff will be notified that an E-Learning Day will be implemented. This will be communicated via email through FACTS, posted on the St. Mary School website and the St. Mary School Friends and Family Facebook page.
Students are responsible for checking announcements and homework in FACTS or Google Classroom for each class by 9:00 a.m. and following the instructions left by the classroom teacher. This may include completing an assignment and submitting it online and/or having an assignment to complete that is due the next morning the school is open for student attendance.
Assignments will be grade-appropriate, and all resources will be provided in the teacher's instructions. A typical assignment will be one that a student will be able to complete using the resources provided.
If work is required to be submitted online, it is due no later than 4:00 pm on the same day. The submission of assignments serves as evidence of student attendance.
Teachers will provide designated “office hours”, so students will be able to obtain help, have questions answered, etc. during the E-Learning Day.
If circumstances occur which prevent the student from "logging in" on the announced E-Learning Day (i.e., power outage), a parent will need to contact the school, just as they would if the student were to be absent from school on a regular attendance day, and report the circumstances.
If the student does not take part in the E-Learning Day, the absence will be accumulated as normal, and all make-up work is expected to be completed as if the absence occurred on a day when school was in session.
