Parent Conference
ESPANOL
Soy mas que feliz hablar de estrategias de ayudar a su nino a pasar su clase de arte digital. Mi periodo de conferencia es 1 de nuestra BELL SCHEDULE. Si usted desea hablar conmigo:
1. Citese telefoneando a nuestra escuela en (323) 370-1230. La oficina me dejara saber que usted llamo.
2. Devolvere su llamada telefonica y le dejare saber que dia es el mejor para tener una cita.
3. Haga seguro la oficina tiene su numero de telefono de contacto corriente.
ENGLISH
I am more than happy to discuss strategies to help your child pass his or her digital arts class. My conference period is 1 . Please review our school's BELL SCHEDULE to determine an appropriate time and date. If you wish to speak with me:
1. Make an appointment by phoning our school at (323) 370-1232. The office will let me know that you called.
2. I will return your phone call and let you know which day is best to meet with you.
3. Make certain the office has your current contact phone number.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Please read the Parent / Student Handbook
Soy mas que feliz hablar de estrategias de ayudar a su nino a pasar su clase de arte digital. Mi periodo de conferencia es 1 de nuestra BELL SCHEDULE. Si usted desea hablar conmigo:
1. Citese telefoneando a nuestra escuela en (323) 370-1230. La oficina me dejara saber que usted llamo.
2. Devolvere su llamada telefonica y le dejare saber que dia es el mejor para tener una cita.
3. Haga seguro la oficina tiene su numero de telefono de contacto corriente.
ENGLISH
I am more than happy to discuss strategies to help your child pass his or her digital arts class. My conference period is 1 . Please review our school's BELL SCHEDULE to determine an appropriate time and date. If you wish to speak with me:
1. Make an appointment by phoning our school at (323) 370-1232. The office will let me know that you called.
2. I will return your phone call and let you know which day is best to meet with you.
3. Make certain the office has your current contact phone number.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Please read the Parent / Student Handbook
Want To See Your Child's Progress?
LAUSD has created a method for parent's to check their child's progress from their own computer. Given that the information is confidential you will need to create a unique email account and input your child's information within the LAUSD website. Download and follow the step-by-step procedures (link on the right) to get you started!
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Also, feel free to call and make an appointment to see the school's main office. The school can print a copy of your child's report card!
Frequently Asked Questions
Hello Parents! Do you have a question for me? Find the answers to most questions!
Does my child NEED supplies for this class? |
YES. Your child will need an 8-gigabyte USB flash drive in order to save his/her class assignments. I HIGHLY recommend NOT getting tiny "cute" flash drives that are easy to lose or leave behind. Instead, have your child get a flash drive that is large, easy-to-spot, and "obnoxious" (something another student would not be inclined to steal).
Most students/parents think they need to have a computer (with Photoshop installed) at home. You do NOT! All work must be created in-class to verify student's knowledge of the subject-matter. I do encourage students to practice topics learned in class, but I never accept assigned work done at home. IMPORTANT If your child does ANY combination of the following: - does little-to-no work in class - is absent/tardy a LOT (definition: more than 3 days as defined by the Parent Handbook) - talks during most of the reporting period - prevents others from learning by causing loud disruptions - is on his/her electronic device most of the time - is concerned with personal grooming most of the time - sleeps during most of the period - BUT, turns in ALL assignments on the due date The highest possible grade your child MAY earn is a C High school is about demonstrating content knowledge in class and making positive contributions to the class environment. Also, If a student completes the class assignment at home there is no actual proof that said student did his/her own work. |
How exactly do you grade?
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You can download my explanation sheet above. I'm very strict when it comes to my grading, especially for the progress reports. The progress report grade is a grade based on effort, work habits, and class participation during EACH reporting period. Since I do NOT assign homework all of these are observed by me in the classroom. Final grades are determined through the quality of a project that tests a students' cumulative knowledge.
A student's overall contribution (positive or negative) to the class will also affect their final grade. The following is my grading scale: ** The following list illustrates common progress and final report card codes that typically relate to your child's grade. The codes listed below are not hard-fast rules but should give you a glimpse into my class expectations. For example, if attendance or tardies are an issue I will also note those. I encourage you to look at the differences. (LAUSD'S GRADING POLICY CAN BE FOUND BY SCROLLING DOWN)
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My child brought home a
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ALL students who earn an "In danger of failing" comment on their Progress Report become part of my "At-Risk" list. Typically, they are my C and F students.
Students who demonstrate C-level work are "borderline" students. Their grades can either go UP or DOWN. On Progress Reports I classify these students as: Pass with an "In danger of failing". These students get extra daily attention from me. I closely monitor their daily work habits and class progress. These students also receive a special note after the 15-Week Progress Report. |
When are grades submitted?
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All of your child's classwork must be turned in the Friday before grades are submitted. Look at the following calendar for those dates: CALENDAR
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Why are you so strict with your grading policy?
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My grading policy may appear harsh but I do so for a few of reasons:
1) Everything your child does in my class is important to me. Everything. I never assign classwork I won't give credit for. Everything s/he does in my class builds to a greater goal in the form of a class project (and final grade). If I won't give credit for it I don't assign it. 2) I want your child to do everything assigned in class. When I used to assign "percentage points" to assignments I discovered students will choose to not do some work simply because it's not worth it. For example: Participation = 10% Final Exam = 90% In the example above, a student can choose to "not participate" and still get an "A" or 90% in class. This is not acceptable. For this reason, I make a project worth just as much as the smallest assignment because everything your child does in my class is important. 3) Consider the progress report grade a WARNING. According to district standards, a child can not "Fail" an entire class (final grade) unless a parent has been notified in advance that s/he is in danger of failing. For this reason, I note an "Endanger of Failing" anytime a student earns a C and/or lower on the progress reports. Almost all of your child's grade in my class is based on his or her work habits. Poor work habits in class usually result in poor academic performance and thus poor grades. This has been true in all 13+ years of my teaching experience. Many high school students I receive are conditioned to "get by" on grades based upon various subjective excuses (I didn't have time. It was too hard. etc). Most of these excuses were learned in elementary school and middle school. This does not help prepare them for the real world (in my opinion). I give class assignments and no homework. Every student present in class has the opportunity to "pass" my class if they are on-task during the entire 54-minute block and not robbing other students of my time with their poor behavior. Those who choose to socialize in class, forget their flash drives, groom themselves, sell and/or eat food, come to class late (or not at all), or distract themselves with their electronic devices take time away from their own education. I leave very detailed commentary on your child's progress reports and report cards. Please read those comments carefully. I may grade tough but the results I yield are high achieving. |
The report card never came home. How can I check my child's progress?
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In all honesty, if your child believes that s/he has done poorly many times progress reports find their way into a trash can. I would highly advise that you contact the school (phone number above) and plan a quick visit to get a print-out of your child's grades. Many of your child's teachers are also more than willing to share strategies that will help your child! You can contact me directly by clicking HERE.
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What are your rules about electronic devices?
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I would prefer that your child not bring his/her cell phone to class, but this is a near impossible task given the quantity of students (and adults) who now use cell phones. Electronic device usage is a big problem in this school. Texting, gaming, and watching film clips are NOT allowed in my classroom for obvious reasons. I do allow students to listen to music only when they are independently working in class. I do not allow charging of electronic devices in class. I call this my "No Wall Leeching Policy". If I find "wall leeches" I collect the device cables and return them to students at the end of the day. If your child habitually has issues doing work in class AND his/her electronic device/power cord is confiscated I will only return it to an adult during a brief conference.
To speak frankly, I see many (too many) students who are academically performing poor BUT are rewarded with fancy and expensive cell phones and other electronic devices. Many students (and adults) say the phones are "in case of an emergency". Let me tell you this is hardly the case. Students will text each other from different classes (during class time) to organize ditch sessions to meet up with their friends or boy/girlfriends. I ask that you please monitor their minutes AND observe WHEN they are using their phones. You may be surprised! |
Why is my child having a hard time in high school? S/he passed middle school easily.
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In my professional experience teaching both elementary and high school, some students do get passed along simply because of their age. High school is a completely different experience. Your child must provide evidence that s/he knows their material in order to advance to the next level. This evidence comes in the form of completed projects and assignments. Your child will not pass the CAHSEE, for example, simply because s/he turned 18 years old. It doesn't work that way.
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How do you remind students when assignments are due?
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It makes me feel good whenever I have large passing rates among my students. To assist this I remind students of the following:
1) I verbally announce the due date. I always begin the period with a brief review of past assignments and due dates. This helps those students who retain information best by being spoken to repeatedly. 2) Front calendar. All of my students are aware of a dry-erase calendar I keep above my door. There I post the current date and important events of the month (including due dates). 3) Large dry-erase board. I manually print the due dates on the classroom board. CLICK HERE to see the evidence of this. 4) On-line calendar. Remember, you can find important class events by clicking HERE. |
How do you keep track of all student work habits?
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I normally take attendance mid-period to observe your child's work habits. I have special codes (for example, T3, WO, etc.) that I write along with your child's attendance. If you want to see these codes you can download my grade book explanation.
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How can my child earn an "A" in your class?
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I ONLY ASSIGN LETTER GRADES ON THE 10-WEEK and FINAL REPORT CARD. During the 5-Week and 15-Week progress reports of every semester I assign a Pass OR Fail grade.
Since both an "A" and "B" are above average grades, an "A" is given only those students who do "extra credit" or extra work beyond my regular assignments. They are also able to demonstrate their knowledge by creating unique digital art pieces that are aesthetically pleasing. A's signify mastery and exceptional work. More importantly (to me), an "A" student is a student who puts in a lot of effort. Quantity = Effort (to me) during the progress reporting periods. Quality always precedes much quantity. Extra work is highlighted in yellow within my grade book. If I see many highlights next to your child's name it's easy to see that your child is putting forth a great amount of effort. Quantity is Effort and will result in Quality. "B-level" assignments are also above average products. An "A-level" piece demonstrates evidence that the student "pushed the envelop" of creativity. A student who produces "A-level" work doesn't just "meet the basic criteria". S/he uses the allotted time in-class to "meet the basic criteria" AND experiments with other features to create a piece that will stand-out from the pack in an aesthetically pleasing manner. |
What if my child says s/he "tried their best"?
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Students and teachers tend to have different definitions of "I Tried My Best". The following is MY definition. Make certain that your child has the same definition so that we both "speak the same language".
1) Your child has attempted the assignment MORE THAN ONCE. Many times students (and adults) think they will complete a masterpiece on their first try. This is nearly impossible. Remember the old adages: "Repetition is the mother of skill". Words to live by. 2) Your child has communicated all of those attempts with me in class. Students can say they attempted their assignments "100 times" but if I never see it it's hard to prove. Again, high school is all about a student's evidence of work and effort. 3) Your child is not doing the assignment on the due date OR a day before. Students (with poor work habits) will normally waste their time in-class when the assignment is given and wait until the very last minute to complete it. The quality is almost always rushed and done poorly. A student who turns in rushed and poor assignments is NOT trying their best. **Students who do little to nothing during a reporting period but do submit their assignments on-time will NOT receive an A in my class. These students typically add to the noise level within my class and distract others. Please remember a portion of the student's grade is dependent upon their work habits, class participation, and how they contribute to the overall environment of the class. |
What if my child is absent?
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Your child can always find what was covered on this website. S/he can also download all of my notes and worksheets as needed. IF your child will be absent on the due date s/he has 5 options:
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Feel free to download the school's policy on attendance on the far left. When I see patterns of tardies and poor attendance I typically mark the following codes onto your child's report card.
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Is it true you will not print out extra handouts or assignments?
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This is partially true. If your child was present in class then s/he is responsible for acquiring that assignment. The assignments are ALWAYS placed near the door at the rear of the classroom. Every students knows where this is.
I will print out extra handouts IF:
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