Grade 8-Mrs. McGrath

Attention Students and Parents:

An email was sent out on Sunday, August 22nd containing information for the TACHS exam.  Although I sent the email it was delivered through the TADS site.  If you did not receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder.  

Additional information will be given once school begins.  

The NYC Public and Specialized High Schools have not released specific dates for the 2021-2022 admissions process. The SHSAT exam is scheduled for late January.  As soon as I receive additional information I will notify the students and parents.

All homework will be posted through Google Classroom. Assessment dates will also be posted to Google Classroom.

All information pertaining to Catholic high schools, NYC public high schools, and NYC specialized high schools can be found in Google Classroom. Information regarding the TACHS Exam can also be found on my Google Classroom.

Assessment Policy

Math:
Tests are given at the end of every major concept.  The frequency of tests will depend on the complexity of the topic. Two major tests will be given each quarter in each subject.
Review sheets/practice will always be assigned and reviewed prior to a math test.

Quizzes will be given frequently, approximately every two to three weeks. Review sessions will take place in class.

English Language Arts:
Tests and writing assignments will be given approximately every three to four weeks. Rubrics will be issued for all writing assignments.  Tests will cover concepts from the textbook as well as from novels read in class.

Quizzes will be given approximately every two weeks. Quizzes may cover material grammar, punctuation, spelling, or information based on class novels.

Journal assignments will be given daily and counted towards the overall ELA grade.

Religion, Science and Social Studies:
Chapter tests will be given approximately every two to three weeks depending on the length and difficulty of the chapter concepts. Study hints will be given the day before the assessment. These hints WILL NOT be posted online once school returns to five day in-person classes. Any student who is absent must ask a classmate for these hints.

Quizzes will be given based on vocabulary and/or chapter sections. No study hints will be given for quizzes.

Projects may be given. Rubrics will be handed out in advance.  
 


Points will be deducted on all tests/quizzes/graded homework assignments for incomplete headings. Missing or incomplete names up to -10 points, Missing date -3 points, Missing class -2 points. Students will be expected to include their number on all submitted documents as part of their heading. Numbers will be issued once all students have been registered and inputted into the class. No exceptions!
 
 
As per the student handbook, the breakdown for grading is as follows:

Summative assessments 45%

Quizzes 25%

Classwork/Participation 20%

Homework 10%


Homework Policy
Written homework is given nightly except on Fridays. Students are given time to copy homework each day. Homework assignments are also posted online for the week.  The homework assignments written on the classroom board are the most accurate.
 
Homework will be reviewed daily. Missing homework will be notated by the teacher. Three missing homework assignments in one month (per subject) will result in detention/lunch detention.
 
Lateness Policy
Ten (10) points will be deducted from a graded assignment for each day of lateness.  After the third day of lateness, the student will receive a grade of 0.  

Students who are absent will not be penalized.  However, once the assignments have been given upon the student's return, failure to hand them in will result in point deductions.


POINTS MAY ALSO BE DEDUCTED WHEN A STUDENT FAILS TO WRITE THEIR NAME ON GRADED ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENTS. STUDENTS MUST WRITE IN SCRIPT (when not using an online platform).


Discipline Policy
The students are expected to follow class and school rules at all times.  Failure to do so will result in a STRIKE. Three strikes will result in afterschool detention or an equivalent amount of lunch detention. A disciplinary referral will be issued when a student has received their sixth strike. Detention will be served as well. The strike board will reset at the beginning of each month. Any student who repeatedly breaks the same rule will receive a disciplinary referral or detention without the issuance of a strike.

Demerits are not issued in this grade level. Disciplinary referrals will be issued for any infraction stated in the planner.  
 
 
Please email me at mcgrath@stlucys.org with any questions or concerns.