INFORMATION SESSIONNovember 17th 2014

Topics to be presented

1. Sycamore

2. Assessment, Grading and Report cards

3. Promotion rules

4. Timetable

1. Sycamore School Management Software

Sycamore is a school management and student information software system, providing information on a number of item.

Management Information Systems only work when all stakeholders actively participate.

Stakeholders are: The Company Sycamore Board and Management Sycamore Application Manager Teachers and Supporting Staff Students Parents

Gradual implementation

Teachers try-out (Sep. 2014) Introduction to Parents/Students (Oct. 2014-

Parent Academy) Input of grades by teachers and attendance

by Administration (Sep-Oct. 2014) From now on:

Teachers put in grades, attendance, test dates, homework, discipline records.

Homeroom teachers review completeness on a weekly basis.

Mrs. Shigemoto is the Sycamore Application Adminstrator.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

CBA-SYCAMORE IS STILL IN A TEST PHASE

NO RIGHTS CAN BE DERIVED FROM SYCAMORE RELATED TO HOMEWORK, DISCPLINE RECORDS AND TEST DATE INFORMATION

THE CLASSBOOK IS STILL THE CORE MEDIUM FOR COMMUNICATION OF THESE ITEMS

What is expected from Parents

Ensure that each parent has an email address for Sycamore.

Check if information of parent/child is correct

Check Sycamore on a regular basis. If you do have problems with logging in or do not have access to computer/internet, ask your child’s homeroom teacher for a print-out.

Inform your child’s homeroom teacher if you have certain concerns.

Classbook related to Sycamore

Students are responsible for make up tests and checking on missed work after absence.

All information with regards to homework assignments and assessments/tests are always in the classbook. Don’t rely on Sycamore only (as yet).

After absenteeism, students/parents either: Check the classbook Ask a peer student to give updates

2. Grading and Report cards

Grading Policy:

Grades are on a scale between 10-100. A passing grade is 60 or higher. At least 3 test grades and others per term (e.g. 3

quizes can count as one test). The average (dependent on the weight factor) of all

assessments is the term grade. The average of the 3 terms (plus exam week F3) is the

final grade that counts for promotion. Tests have to be communicated to students one week

in advance. Teachers discuss the test results with the students.

Report Cards:

At the end of each term a report card is given

The report card grades will be discussed by staff and later shared with parents/students during a report card session.

The report card gives grades for all subjects, both the Academic and Art subjects.

The format of CBA’s report card will become as follows:

Promotion: At the end of the school year all teachers

will discuss the final results of the students.

A decision will be made on promotion, taking all factors into account.

The document promotion policy is the point of departure for promotion.

3. Promotional Policy

General Requirements:

A student can only be promoted if he/she has attended school at least 80% of full school days

The average of all grades must be 60 or higher

A student cannot repeat the same year twice.

Students who are not promoted to the next grade after repeating a year, will be referred to another institution/level for secondary education.

Promotional Policy - 2

Forms 1 and 2:

Final Grade for each subject is based on the average of the three terms

Final Exam is included in Term 3 Grade

{Term 1 Grade + Term 2 Grade + Term 3 Grade} / 3 = Final Subject Grade

Has an Overall Average of 60, and Has no more than 3 failing final grades in Academic

Subjects, and Has no more than 2 failing final grades in Performance

Arts/non-academic Subjects (this includes life skills) Has no more than a total of 4 failing subjects

Promotional Policy - 3

Form 3:

Final Grade for each subject is based on the average of the three terms and the Final Exam (in Sycamore exam is called Term 4)

{Term 1 Grade + Term 2 Grade + Term 3 Grade + Final Exam} / 4 = Final Subject Grade

Final Exam is a Separate Grade from the 3 Term Grades and is formulated as Term 4.

Has an Overall Average of 60, and

Has no more than 3 failing final grades in Academic Subjects Has no more than 1 failing final grade in Performance Arts Subjects Has no more than a total of 4 failing grades Has no more than 2 failing grades for academic subjects to be taken

up as examination subjects

Promotional Policy - 4

Promotional Policy - 5

A student who does not meet these requirements, will be discussed during the reportcard meeting to be conducted by Management and staff. After hearing the advice of Inspection a decision is made by the reportcard meeting.

Parents can appeal the decision of the reportcard meeting by the board.

4. Timetable

As of Monday, Nov. 24th a new timetable will go into effect.

Copies of timetable will be handed out to students and staff on Friday, Nov. 22nd.

A number of changes are being made:

New Time Schedule

Reasons:• Concern of students: too many and too long breaks • Too much pressure on Staff with regards to supervision• Create extra time for additional Art subjects and meetings

Some Changes

New subjects: Drama/Theatre Arts and Vocals (DAL/JAM)

French will start in Forms 1 and 2 (KER)

IT Classes for Forms 1 and 2 by other teacher (KIN)

THANK YOU!

Questions?