Updated RCMS Grading During School Closure

The week of April 20, 2020

Dear RCMS parents, guardians and students RE: GRADING GUIDELINES:

I hope this letter finds everyone well. As you may have heard, Governor Sisolak closed all schools for the remainder of the 19-20 school year. However, the “learning from a distance” will continue the same as it has the last 4 weeks!  We continue to have good success and communication overall. However, we still need to improve in areas to ensure academic learning is occurring. It is very important that students are completing work in every class weekly and having two-way communication, student-to-teacher communication.

The ultimate goal during this time is skill development in ALL academic areas. Work has been provided from every subject or class via the internet, Google Classroom, or via packets for those who don’t have internet, offline activities were sent by mail. For those that are offline, a teacher calls weekly to check in directly with the student and talk academically about the progress. Any work that is done at home, needs to be saved in case it is asked for. Online students turn in work directly to the teachers.

We are reaching out to you to inform you of our district’s plan for the 2nd semester grades for the 2019/20 school year. Our intent with this communication is to dispel the many rumors concerning second semester grading and to outline a path forward for the remainder of the school year for our students. The following guidance for RCMS students is founded on the recent guidelines put forth from the Nevada Department of Education and NCSD:

  • All students will start with their Quarter 3 (Q3) grade as their final Semester 2 grade for each class and will have the opportunity to improve their semester grade by one letter grade (10%) if they demonstrate progress on work assigned by the teachers and/or communicate with the teachers about that work AND meet the attendance requirements (at least one contact every week with a teacher from the school). ONLINE ACCESS- demonstrate progress weekly on assignments for ALL classes and continue to communicate academically with a teacher. OFFLINE- demonstrate progress weekly on assignments for ALL classes (keep a folder that is ready to turn in if requested) and the student MUST directly communicate academically with a teacher. Please ask specific teachers if you need to know percent earned. 

  • If the student does what is expected WEEKLY, in each subject, then by the end of the quarter/school year, the earned percentage will be added onto the student’s 3rd quarter final grade in each subject. Example: Bob has a 72% in Math on his 3rd quarter report card. Bob does ALL that is expected of him (completing assignments and talking with a teacher) each week, thus 10% will be added to his final 3rd quarter grade, 72% - C, to an 82% -B. If Bob does not complete what is required weekly, then he will NOT EARN the full 10% increase. Another example: if Bob has an A-92% in Science and does what is required, the grade will move up to a 100%-A. 

  • Any hardship a student may be facing during this crisis should be communicated to the counseling center. Call 775-727-5546: Mrs. Hodge, ext. 2120, Ms. Winters-ext. 2126, Ms. Lewis (Social worker)- ext. 2121.

This is a great opportunity for ALL students to raise ALL of their grades, in ALL of their classes one whole letter grade if they have a B, C, D, or F. It comes down to effort, communication, and dedication, all with your support. Please work with your child to ensure he or she is working hard to earn the extra 10%. This begins the week of April 20, 2020, so RCMS Shark Nation, let’s do it!  Everyone, please stay safe and we miss you!      

Mr. Tim Wombaker,  RCMS Principal