Dear Parents,
The grades you see on report cards do not measure any person's worth. I am not Mary Poppins -- not "practically perfect in every way." I have been a failed student in my own life, have two children of my own (which is a guarantee of failure along the journey). So it is with humility that I evaluate your child. Grades sometimes reflect a talent in a particular area, and they certainly assess diligence and discipline, the effort of doing the homework (which prepares us for class activities and discussions). They also reward the practice of submitting things in a timely manner. These are the skills of "doing school." And those "school skills" are transferrable ones. The ability to work independently (at home, i.e., homework) and meet deadlines (turn stuff in) are really great skills to develop. And skills can be practiced and honed, but they don't necessarily come as pre-loaded software in all children. The grades that come home on a report card can't possibly account for all the things that make us great people: things like our integrity, our perseverance, our earnestness and sincerity, our kindness toward others, or our abilities on piano or with hockey sticks. Grades are meant to indicate a level of mastery of a subject, as well as evaluate persistence and practice. Some individuals's talents lie in other areas which are not academic. I can only evaluate your student as a member of the English classroom, so it's only a small slice of a large whole. Sincerely, Kat Flinner |
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