April 1, 2020
Dear Laveen Parents:
We know you are concerned about the impact school closures will have on your child’s
grades and placement for next school year. Yesterday, the Arizona State Board of
Education (SBE) met and approved measures related to these topics. In addition to giving
high schools flexibility in awarding credit for classes and graduation diplomas, the SBE
also formally requested a waiver from the U. S. Department of Education to cancel
statewide student achievement testing this year for all schools. Information about
student grades, report cards, and promotion are summarized below.
Student Grades
Currently, Laveen teachers are providing feedback to students on completed online work
assignments and projects. This feedback includes grades shared through Google
Classroom. Starting April 6, teachers will formalize this process by also recording some
student grades in the gradebook. Some assignments will continue to be graded for
participation, but others will be entered for an academic grade. Teachers will be entering
at least one academic grade for each content area, each week.
The purpose of recording these grades is to standardize the records, provide teachers
with a common format, and provide students and parents with feedback. Parents can
access these grades through ParentVUE. Please ask your child’s teacher for an activation
key if you are not able to access ParentVUE.
Report Card
While we expect our students to participate in these remote learning activities to the
greatest extent they reasonably can, students will not be penalized if they are unable to
fully participate or are limited by the online format. We will not be posting an academic
grade for the 4th Quarter on the report card. The final grades for the year will be
calculated based on the first three quarters of the school year. However, a student’s
online participation and work during Quarter 4 may be used to improve the overall grade.
We encourage parents to talk with your child’s teacher about any additional learning
opportunities students may engage in to help boost their final grade. Report cards will be
mailed out by May 21, 2020
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Eighth Grade Promotion
Although we will not be able to host any promotion ceremonies, our eighth grade
students will receive a promotion certificate with their final report card in the mail.
Additionally, in conversations with Phoenix Union High School District, it is their intention
to accept all eighth grade promotions into high school for next year. While we expect the
same with all high schools in Arizona, eighth graders attending a high school outside of
Phoenix Union, should inquire with that district or high school for information related to
their plan.
I believe the State Board of Education’s approach reasonably addresses these concerns
as it does not penalize students for the statewide school closures and provides our schools
with the flexibility they need to do what is best for students. We greatly appreciate your
support of our schools and your willingness to partner with us as we work through
unprecedented challenges to provide students with continued learning opportunities.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Johnson
Superintendent