Parents to learn about SMS curriculum

Parents of students at Sisters Middle School (SMS)will find out what their children are expected to learn and how they will be graded this year at a special "curriculum night" on Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m.

"We're moving towards a standards-based grading system," SMS Principal Mark Stewart explained. That means "extracting behavior out of the student's grade and really trying to show what they know and what they can do."

Through the online "School Loop," parents will be able to see progress reports that show how their students rate against state standards as well as a separate assessment of "work habits."

There will still be a single grade on the final report card.

Stewart said the school wanted to provide a dual grade, but doing so would complicate reporting to the Oregon Department of Education.

"We need to figure out that piece of it going forward," he said.

On curriculum night teachers will provide information on using School Loop, homework expectations, and resources available to students.

"They're going to go through how we're grading; how parents can check School Loop and understand School Loop," Stewart said. "This is a real opportunity to get together with their teachers and talk about what they're going to be learning."