South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Lindbergh grades change due to COVID-19

Students+walk+to+class+during+the+passing+period+at+Lindbergh+High+School+Thursday%2C+Dec.+13%2C+2018.+
Photo by Erin Achenbach
Students walk to class during the passing period at Lindbergh High School Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.

In a year that Lindbergh Schools calls “unlike any other we have experienced,” the district’s grading of students will also be unlike any other year.

Middle school and Lindbergh High School students can improve their grade with their coursework during this time of virtual learning, but any work they do will not negatively impact their grades. It’s called “hold-harmless grading,” and many school districts nationwide are taking that approach this year.

Lindbergh’s elementary principals collaborated to tell parents that the children were more important than the grades they receive. Students in elementary school will not receive traditional grades for the fourth quarter, but instruction will still be provided virtually and teachers will give students feedback on the essential skills for their grade level, including reading, writing and math. At the end, teachers will share a narrative summarizing student growth over the course of the school year.

Our most important focus right now is our students’ health and wellbeing. Today’s children will remember this time for the rest of their lives. They will tell their grandchildren about this event. What do we want them to remember? First and foremost, we encourage all of our families to cherish your time at home together. Enjoy the little experiences that you normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to do, like riding bikes, listening to music together or playing a board game,” Sappington Elementary Principal Ta’Keshia Parker said in a an email to parents. “Yes, virtual learning will continue, but in doing so, there is an increased expectation for flexibility in this new and unfamiliar environment. It is important for students to stay focused on learning, and our Lindbergh teachers will provide activities that engage students, so they can be prepared to transition back to school next fall. In addition, maintaining routines that work for your family, including regular bedtimes, a time of day to do school work, and breaks from technology when possible, will support student social and emotional health. We are realistic that families are facing unique challenges during this time, and we are here to support you.”

For Lindbergh High School, some students can make up or improve on work from the third quarter, while others can focus on trying to improve their grades with their fourth-quarter assignments. Some students could choose not to perform any assignments at all and that would not negatively affect their grade.

Our school is here to support you and our teachers are working hard to find the right balance between sustained learning and reducing the stress of this difficult situation,” Principal Eric Cochran said in a message to students.

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