YUHSD adjusting 2019-2020 grading scale and hosting virtual graduation
COVID-19 has brought on unprecedented changes to academia.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Midway through the second semester of the 2019-2020 school year, Arizona schools statewide closed down due to COVID-19; forcing teachers and students to adapt to distance learning.
YUHSD's director of communications, Eric Patten, said, “Owning the situation and helping students make the best of it, that trickles down to our students wanting to be successful and wanting to learn.”
Grading has been adjusted to accommodate this unusual school year.
Final letter grades will largely reflect assignments and grades up until March 13.
Patten said, “Whatever those grades were, you can’t be worse than that.”
Under a new statewide concept, "Better, not worse", the work that students are completing via online learning can only improve their grades.
“We’re looking at an incomplete for students rather than an F just because of the circumstances. Looking at each case by case to see how that happened. [Whether] they had internet access or if there were mitigating circumstances at home.”
Parents can view their students’ current grades on their school’s Canvas website.
As for graduation, YUHSD seniors will be honored in a virtual ceremony.
Patten says this virtual graduation event in no way replaces the special commencement but replicates elements of the event as much as possible.
“There will be speeches from four students, presentations by the board, the superintendent, and there will be individual slides honoring every single graduate with a picture and their name. We’ll have music accompanying it,” Patten said.
Each high school will have its own virtual graduation event from May 18-22.
May 18th - Vista HS, 5 pm
May 18th- Gila Ridge HS, 7 pm
May 19th- San Luis HS, 7 pm
May 20th- Cibola HS, 7 pm
May 21st- KOFA HS, 7 pm
May 22nd- Yuma HS, 7 pm
Patten said, “People will be able to comment and celebrate their students as their name comes up. There will be a person reading the names just like there would be at graduation.”
Graduations will premiere on the YUHSD Facebook, website, and youtube.
