The Quill 5-14-21
Creating Opportunities Together
A Thought or Two From Mr. Nieslanik
Incomplete Make-Ups
Feedback on No Grade (N) and Incomplete (I) Marks
As a district, we’ve learned much over the past year. We also have been reminded of our commitment to standards-based learning and equity. In November, we suspended the use of the Failing (F) mark and instead gave Incomplete (I) and/or No Grade (N) marks. The use of the (I) and (N) marks offer a much better job of accurately communicating the evidence of a student’s demonstrated knowledge of the course standards. Neither the (I) or the (N) mark award credit, but their use reinforced the message that we have not yet seen enough evidence to award credit and “we will continue to work with you.”
We are collecting feedback from you about your desire to continue to use the Incomplete (I) and No Grade (N) marks instead of the Failing (F) mark for the foreseeable future. Students will still receive (A-D) marks thus moving away from the (F) mark will not negatively impact post-secondary opportunities.
Rationale for moving away from the Failing (F) mark:
- We believe that letter grades should accurately communicate the evidence of a student's proficiency on the content.
- The use of a Failing (F) mark is tied to a student’s behavior. We have behavior learning targets which communicate student behavior.
- The use of the Incomplete (I) and No Grade (N) marks is more equitable.
- The use of the Incomplete (I) and No Grade (N) marks is not credit-bearing.
- More students will graduate and be able to pursue post-secondary opportunities.
Impacts of (F) mark:
An (F) mark equates to the minimum GPA value of zero which lowers a student’s GPA and may present a barrier to their ability to pursue future education. Many higher education and career opportunities are contingent upon students meeting minimum GPA requirements. The average GPA of students entering Oregon State University and University of Oregon is just above a 3.5. While Portland Community College doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement, if a student is seeking financial aid to pursue higher education, a low GPA could make the student ineligible for financial aid. Oregon Promise, a state grant which provides tuition assistance for Oregon students, requires that students have a 2.5 or better GPA. For any (F) mark transcripted, it would require a minimum of one (A) and one (B) to boost the GPA to a 2.5.
What are your thoughts? Please complete this survey by May 21. The survey is anonymous; no emails will be collected.
Summer CREDit
Summer CREDit (formally known as Summer School) is being designed around our student’s need to reconnect to each other, our building, and our community. Our aim and intention are to recapture the hearts and minds of our most disconnected students by creating meaningful summer learning experiences that are engaging and thoughtful, and designed specifically to attract and inspire our most vulnerable and underserved student groups. We will create this program with our students’ emotional, social, and academic needs at the center of our design.
Summer CREDit runs
Session 1: June 28 - July 8 (no school on July 5)
Break: July 12 - July 16
Session 2: July 19 - July 29
Monday - Thursday, 8am-12pm
If you would like for your child to sign up for Summer CREDit, please complete this form.
Important Senior News and Dates
5/19: Senior Class Meeting: 11:00-1:00
- Information below.
6/3 or 6/4: Senior Check-Out: 2:30-5:30 both days.
- Students will check out of the library, bookkeeper's office, ensure transcripts are finalized, complete the senior survey, and pick up graduation tickets. This is mandatory to graduate from SRHS.
6/5: Senior Prom: 7:30-10:00pm
- Free of charge, at SRHS for SRHS seniors and SRHS student dates only. We are waiting on numbers and expectations for gatherings from OHA before we finalize the plans...more to come!
6/8: Senior Awards Celebration: 5:30-8:00pm
- At SRHS, location to be defined by the weather. Details to be defined and shared as we get closer to the event.
6/9: Senior End-of-year Celebration:
- 11:00-12:00: Senior Lunch provided by PTO
- 12:00-1:30: Graduation Rehearsal
- 1:30: Annual Last Day Paper Toss!
6/10: Seniors' Last Day
- To turn in all outstanding and missing work.
6/13: Graduation:
- 4 Tickets per family with specific information about seating and social distancing guidelines given to students at Senior Check-Out.
- BSD is allowing students who have earned 23 or more credits to walk at the Graduation Ceremony this year, with a plan in place to complete the missing credits by the end of August.
- 9:30am: Students report to the Main Gym
- 10:00am--Gates open to Skyhawk Stadium
- 11:00am-Graduation Ceremony, Livestreamed
- 1:00pm-Drive-Thru Diploma Pick-Up for those who chose to attend the Graduation Ceremony via Livestream.
Senior Class Meeting and Yard Sign Pick-Up
Celebrating Seniors
Seniors, post a picture and share a bit about you before you head on to greater feats. You can access information on Instagram at Skyhawkseniors2021.
We also need your photos to put into the Senior Video. You can submit up to five photos to Southridgesenior2021@gmail.com.
Graduation: June 13, 11 a.m.
We are looking forward to celebrating the class of 2021 on Sunday, June 13 at 11 a.m. at Southridge High School Football Stadium.
- Each graduate can bring up to 4 guests. If the guests live in the same household, we please ask that they sit together as a "pod" to maximize the space.
- Guests are asked to bring their own blankets or chairs to sit. They must wear masks and maintain a 6 ft social distance from each other.
- Southridge will not have a waitlist; if your family needs more than 4 tickets, we ask that you coordinate with another family who can share their tickets.
- If your child and family do not attend graduation, you can pick up your child's diploma via drive-through on Sunday, June 13 between 1 - 2 p.m.
Planning for the 2021-22 School Year
COVID -19 Vaccinations
In partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, Southridge still has a few slots available for students 15 and older to access free COVID-19 vaccinations at the Oregon Convention Center. If you are interested, please complete this interest form as soon as possible. We have been allocated 100 appointments. If an appointment is available, you will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours.
The Pfizer vaccine is the only one that is currently approved for people under the age of 18, so that is the vaccine that will be administered to those signing up through schools. Pfizer's vaccine is a two-shot series with doses given approximately three weeks apart. Southridge vaccination appointments are May 19 and June 9 at 9:00am. Bus transportation will be provided if needed. Busses will leave SRHS at 8:15.
If you have any questions, please contact our main office at 503-356-2890. Stay healthy, Hawks!
Our Students Rock
Important Dates
Wed 5/26 Summer Festival
Mon 5/31 Memorial Day-No School
Wed 6/2 Instructional Day
Sat 6/5 Senior Prom, 7:30-10:00 pm
Tue 6/8 Senior Award Night, 6pm
Wed 6/9 Senior End-of-Year Celebrations
- 9:00-10:00 am: Senior Breakfast
- 10:00-11:30am: Graduation Practice
- 11:30am: Paper Toss
Sun 6/13 Graduation, 11:00 am