ABOUT EDBOX, GRADES & MY CLASSES

Some of you have e-mailed me in the past few months with your EdBox questions.  Since I don't have time to teach you how to use EdBox, to prepare solid lessons for your children and to grade their papers/ quizzes'/ tests in a timely manner, I'm asking you to read this link:  IT Resources for Parents/ Students .   Reading the information at this link should provide you with a great deal of help if you are experiencing difficulties understanding all that you see in EdBox. Concentrate especially on the Parent/ Student Reference Guide and the Frequently Asked Questions.  I am not trying to put families off with this blog, but I ask you to remember that I teach science to 160 students each day, in six 45 minute class periods.   If you need more orientation to the EdBox tool, you can do it yourself by reading the information at these links or, you can attend a training provided by the IT Department.  Exploring the website may provide you with information about any trainings that are available. 
Mr. Bacon has suggested that I forward these links to parents, as first quarter there were about 25 or so e-mails re grades, and responding to all of them gobbled up a lot of planning and grading time.  Many of those e-mails had answers found in the link I've provided you.  I appreciate your understanding.  I do work fairly steadily at my job of teaching your children life science, and would like to continue to put my emphasis on planning and grading, along with the other requirements that the District sets forth for my position.  I, too, have children, and I understand that our kids' academic progress is important to us all.  - Carol Pinegar
ALSO:
Here are some answers from IT's frequently asked questions link and other information found on the IT website:

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs), INFORMATION ABOUT ENTERING GRADES, & GRADING SYMBOLS USED BY MS. PINEGAR
What if I have a question about the grades I see in the EdBox Viewer?
The EdBox Viewer is not meant to replace communication among parents, teachers, and students. If you have a question about the grades and assignments, please discuss first with your child. Encourage your child to speak with the teacher themselves for grade resolution. If questions remain, please contact the teacher.

When can I expect grades to be posted?
Grades will be visible in the EdBox Viewer upon the teacher entering grades into the Gradebook. Please allow teachers turnaround time to enter grades. Keep in mind that additional time should be provided in the case of research papers and other special projects, which may take longer for teachers to grade.
As you look at the list of assignments in the Parent Viewer:
OVERDUE ASSIGNMENTS are assignments for which scores have not yet been entered by the teacher. These assignments may be pending grading, haven’t been entered into the system yet, or were not submitted to the teacher. 
ASSIGNMENTS IN THE MIDDLE are those due today.
ASSIGNMENTS IN THE LAST SECTION are due on future dates.

 Please note: It is at the teachers’ discretion as to when and how s/he enters assignment information. 
Some teachers may choose to communicate upcoming assignments by entering the
assignment description and due date into the gradebook before the assignment is
due. Others may only enter the assignment information after the assignment has
been graded when they are ready to enter the scores. Teachers may also use a com-
bination of these two approaches, depending on the content area and teachers’ pref-
erence.
Missing assignments may be calculated by teachers in a variety of ways. Please check with your child or the teacher for the policy specific to each class.
What do X and Z represent?
Two codes may be used in place of a letter grade: X and Z.
An “X” indicates that the student has been excused from the assignment. The “X” calculates just like a blank grade; it does not count towards the student’s grade in any way.
A “Z” indicates that the assignment is missing. The “Z” calculates in the same way as a zero (0).
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST - WHAT DO EX, PR, DV, and DN MEAN, ANYWAY?  Please go to this link for information:
4 pt. proficiency-based rubric

Wed. & Thur., Feb. 29 & Mar.1, end of HIV/ AIDS unit

Wed., Feb. 29 (leapin’ lizards!), we discussed the reason for leap year and students worked in teams to write good quiz questions for tomorrow’s HIV/ AIDS quiz.  They had a word bank for HIV/ AIDS to use as answers. Those whose questions are chosen will receive extra credit.

Thurs., March 1, students took the quiz for the HIV/ AIDS unit.  All answers came from the word bank.