Grades and Grading: 

Grades are posted on my website Infinite Campus every 2-3 weeks.  You can view them by visiting the BVMS website at http://bvms.tvusd.k12.ca.us/, then clicking on “teachers,” then “Sanford”.   Grades are calculated by the percentage of points on assessments given in class.  

Teachers do not give grades to any student.  The student earns the grade by completing assessments in class and at home.  The easiest way to earn a good grade is by paying attention in class, putting names on papers, being an active member of the class, completing assigned work, turning it in on time, and being prepared for assessments and tests given.

If a student has a question about their grade, it is best if the student lets Mrs. Sanford know at the start of class and plans to meet with me during 7th period so the question or issue can be discussed privately.   Students in middle school who advocate for themselves and discuss questions or problems with the teacher are more likely to advocate for themselves as a learning experience for when they are adults.  

Students who cheat on an assignment, quizzes, or tests, either by copying answers or giving answers to other students will receive a zero on the assignment, quiz or test and referral and / or suspension from class.   

Language Arts

5% District Assessments (2 per Semester)

45% Tests / Essays / Projects

30% Quizzes / Drafts / Worksheets

20%  Practice / Accountability

Social Studies

50% Tests / Essays / Projects

30% Quizzes / Drafts / Worksheets

20%  Practice / Accountability

Percentages

100-90% An "A" indicates Exceptional work 

89-80%  A "B" indicates Above Average or Outstanding work

79-70%  A "C" indicates Average work

69-60%  A "D" indicates Below Average work

59% and below  An "F" indicates Failing work

Homework in Mrs. Sanford's Class is graded for one point each under Practice / Accountability. Each assignment is worth one point and is all complete or all not complete. When a student completes the work, the student earns one point for that assignment.  When the student does not complete the work, the student does not earn the point.  In the grade book, it will show as missing.  This point will not be earned back when the student completes the work.  However, once the student shows Mrs. Sanford the completed assignment, the work will change from missing to late.  In this way, Mrs. Sanford will be able to demonstrate for parents the exact percentage of homework completion their child is finishing and turning in on time to Mrs. Sanford. Only a small portion of homework will be counted towards a final grade with a score on the assignment. 

When is Student Work Due?
Student work is due at 8:00 AM the day after the assignment is assigned in most cases except for ongoing assignments.   Students who turn in assignments while they are supposed to be working in other classes are doing so without teacher permission and therefore taking advantage of another teacher’s class time when they should be paying attention in that class.  The time stamp on the assignment is the time the assignment was officially turned in within CANVAS.

CANVAS Submission
For an assignment to be considered “SUBMITTED” it must be turned in by 8:00 AM and visible to your teacher from CANVAS.  Many students believe that just because they can “see” the assignment their teacher can also see the assignment.  This is NOT the case.  If a student needs to update their work, they must submit “ANOTHER ATTEMPT” and “SUBMIT” the assignment again.  This is the ONLY way for an assignment to be visible with the changes the student has recently made. 

There is no way your teacher knows that you have completed an assignment late or after the due date. You MUST fill out a 7th period pass and meet with your teacher to update your grade.  Please fill out the ENTIRE PASS and give the ENTIRE PASS to your teacher in a class prior to 7th period so she is aware of your need to meet.  

Beginning of the year up to Parent Conferences in the FALL ONLY:
These assignments, if turned in late, will receive only partial credit (ie., -2 pts per day on 10 pt. assignment or earning the highest score of a B if tuned in one day late).  

Parent Conferences (FALL) to the End of the Year:
Student work will no longer earn partial credit for assignments.  

If your student is absent, s/he is required to check Mrs. Sanford's Planner / Agenda for the assignments to be completed.  Students must complete assignments within TWO DAYS (unless they are absent for an extended period due to illness) of the absence for the assignment to be graded for full credit.  After TWO DAYS the assignment will receive a ZERO if not completed and be marked as missing or late if completed following TWO DAYS after the student returns.

Assignments are 15-30 minutes of independent work daily.  Students need to review notes and complete independent practice to be prepared for any tests.  I suggest a “15/30 Model” for homework.  Fifteen (15) minutes of Social Studies and thirty (30) minutes of Language homework should be completed at home daily.   If your child works intently on the assignment for a 45 minute period of time, please sign the page at the last completed problem or answer or email me and I will accept it for full credit.  All homework assignments count towards the Work Habits grade on the report card with a 1 or 0 while only some will be counted towards a final grade with a score on the assignment.  If your student is absent, s/he will need to pick up the “Important Assignment” slip from the teacher and complete it by the date listed, usually Friday of the following week.   All students can check the homework daily by visiting my website listed above. 

Test Corrections: 

Beginning of the Year up to Parent Conferences (FALL)

1) Students performing below 70% may complete test / quiz corrections up to Parent Conferences in October for 1/2 point per correct answer.  

2) The student's grade on the test / quiz is below a C-.

3) Students must take the test / quiz home to show their parent / guardian and get a FULL SIGNATURE in ink from the parent / guardian on the test they plan to correct and return the test / quiz within a week after the test / quiz was taken

4) Forms turned in late or without a parent signature will receive no points earned.  

Parent Conferences to the End of the Year 

No test corrections will be allowed.

Intervention / Planner Grading:

Intervention or 7th Period is a class designed to help your students receive the help they may need prior to leaving school for the day.  In this way, students make arrangements to return to and meet with a teacher they may need additional help and ask questions they did not have time to ask during the class itself.

In addition to students having the ability to receive help, Intervention consists of students working on homework from all classes, but also weekly reading of a chapter book or novel at least once a week for the entire period.  Finally, students may be graded on filling out their planner or 7th Intervention Period Log and receiving a score each DAY AND WEEK for the planner and obtaining a PARENT SIGNATURE WEEKLY.