Dear Grade 6 Families,

Quarter 4 is well underway. Compelled by the current public health crisis, classes are in their 8th week of remote learning via Zoom / Google Meet. At present, we are awaiting news of a possible campus reopening for Grade 6. We will continue to do our best to respond promptly and demonstrate agility and adaptability to yet another new and different learning transition should Grade 6 be permitted back on campus.

Grading Philosophy

The nature of online learning is different from learning that takes place in person. While we iterated conscientiously to transition to quality teaching and learning online, it can be more challenging to assess students in this environment. In addition to curriculum, our Grade 6 teachers were concerned with student wellbeing and learning how to be engaged online. We know that possible complications connected to their experience - unreliable internet connection, sharing laptops with siblings, parent work schedules, family matters, different time zones, etc., can get in the way of student learning online. In addition, Grade 6 students adjusted to new teachers during the remote learning environment.

Understanding that the student experience may be differently impacted during these many transitions, we have decided to use an alternative approach to reporting grades in Grade 6.

Reporting Grades

In place of reporting grades on a 100-point scale (1-100%), Quarter 4 grades this year will be reported as “PASS” for all students participating in online learning. Thus, the report card will show the cumulative grade earned at the end of Quarter 3 and a “PASS” for Quarter 4. This change signals that the last quarter was outside our usual practices and focuses on children and learning during this unusual school period. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers at any time for discussion or feedback about progress or other matters. 

Thank you for your continued collaboration.

Warm Regards,

Ms. Kathryn Mills
Pinewood Principal