Announcements

Only students enrolled in the 7th - 12th grades may be exempt. All students are required to take mid-term exams (1st semester exams) for those classes that meet for a full year. A student may be exempt from final exams according to the following:

● 1 Semester Course (½ units)

○ 90 average or higher with no more than 3 absences

○ 85 - 89 average with no more than 2 absences

● 2 Semester Course (1 unit)

○ 90 average or higher with no more than 6 absences

○ 85 - 89 average with no more than 4 absences

Any student who has been issued in-school suspension or out-of-school suspension cannot be exempt from any class. A student who has accumulated an excessive amount of unexcused tardies will have a fewer number of days they can miss toward exemption purposes. See the Tardiness section of the handbook for further details.

Number of Recorded Grades per 9 Weeks per Subject

Objective and fair evaluation of a student’s work and progress is critical in any educational endeavor. Reliability and validity are important criteria in determining a student’s grade. A sufficient number of evaluations, tests, quizzes, homework, assignments, daily grades, projects, etc. should be included in each 9 weeks average. The Board of Directors of SBA requires a teacher to have a minimum of 9 grades (homework, quizzes, tests, projects, daily work, etc.) to be given per 9-week period. Teachers may give more grades but no less and are required to give at least 4 tests per nine weeks. This is not optional.

Grading Scale

A 90 - 100

B 80 - 89

C 70 - 79

D 65 - 69

F 0 - 64

Rounding Grades

Nine weeks, semester, and yearly averages will only be rounded up to the next whole number if the average is 0.5 or higher. For example, an 89.5 will be rounded to a 90. An 89.4 will remain an 84.

Class Favorite pictures (K3-12) are scheduled for Wednesday, May 7 before Awards Day.

The year is almost at an end, and so much is still going on! Below, I've listed several dates and details that involve our seniors. If you have any questions, please reach out as soon as possible.

• 4/21 - Senior Accounts Due
• 4/29 - Cap & Gown Pictures / Casual Class Picture
  • Cap & Gown Pictures (Underneath Gown)
    • Boys - Khaki pants, white button-down shirt, tie, clean dress shoes/boots
    • Girls - White dress, nude/neutral shoes
  • Casual Class Picture
    • Black shirt, blue jeans
• 4/30 - WDAM Top of Class (Valedictorian & Salutatorian)
• 5/1 - Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Historian speeches are due.
• 5/5 - 5/6 - Senior Exams
• 5/5 - Athletic Banquet
• 5/6 - Senior Awards Night
  • 6:30 pm in the school gym
• 5/7 - Class Favorite Pictures
• 5/8 - Seniors' Last Walk Through the Hallway
  • 9:30 am (meet in the gym lobby at 9:15 am)
• 5/8 - Graduation Practice
  • Practice following the seniors' last walk
• 5/9 - Graduation
  • 6:30 pm on the football field (in the gym if it rains)

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and graduation will be on the football field as planned. Students are allowed to reserve seats AFTER graduation practice. The school does not police seating in the bleachers, but I am asking that everyone be considerate of others and only take up the space you need. Please leave the front row open for those who cannot maneuver the stairs. If you need to block off front row seating for a family member with mobility issues, that is fine. Just be mindful of how much space you are reserving.

Should graduation have to be moved into the gym, each student will be provided with 10 chairs on the floor for their family and guests. Students will be selected at random to draw for a row of seating. We've had to do this several times in the past, and it works.

If you've got any questions about upcoming events, please let us know ASAP. This is a great group of students, and they each have a bright future ahead!

Lydia Hatcher

Awards Day is now scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. Class Favorite Pictures will also be that day.

FACTS Users,

FACTS implemented Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) yesterday thus you will be prompted to set this up when making a payment of any sort very soon. I will provide a set up instructional video as well as frequently asked questions below. If you need assistance, I will be glad to help or you may call FACTS Support at 1-866-800-6593. Below is also a help video with instructions.

CLICK Link: please use this link
Password: MFAsetup

What is MFA?

MFA is a secured access method that requires users to support their credentials by supplying two or more pieces of evidence, or “factors,” to log into a system. One factor is something the user knows, such as a username and password. Other factors utilize something the user has in their possession, such as an authenticator app or secure code sent to a secondary email. Using multiple factors provides an additional layer of security to help prevent unauthorized access.

Why is FACTS requiring this change?

The security of your school and family data is at the forefront of each and every decision we make at FACTS. As more aspects of our lives become dependent upon our ability to access information through mobile and cloud-based services, it has become increasingly important to ensure the integrity of the users behind the devices attempting to access this information.In support of our commitment to providing the highest levels of security for our products, FACTS has made the decision to begin utilizing multi-factor authentication (MFA).

When will MFA be required?

Beginning November 13th, 2023, FACTS will roll out MFA for families that access the following FACTS products: FACTS Tuition Management. Beginning early 2024, MFA will be required for FACTS SIS. (Gradebook, Cafeteria Ordering ,Homework, etc.)

What if user does not have a mobile phone or devices to facilitate MFA. Are there other options to comply?

Users will have the option to use email verfication

What authenticator app should I use?

Apps can be downloaded on your phone and some can be downloaded via desktop. FACTS recommends using one of the following, but does not currently limit which option(s) you use.

• Google Authenticator
• Microsoft Authenticator
• Authy by Twillo

Please note that ACT super scores are NOT accepted.  Students may also begin to earn community service and/or volunteer hours beginning May 15th of their 8th grade year.  

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