Hello 9th Grade Families!  

As the ninth grade team leader, I am certainly aware of the struggle of online schooling!  We miss chatting with our students in the hallways and watching them at their sports events.  However, we have to play the hand we're given, and we're trying our best to form connections and cultivate welcoming "classrooms."  To that end, here are a few tips:

1. Turn your Canvas notifications on!  (Click on your Account icon in Canvas and click Notifications.) Canvas emails and announcements are the easiest way for teachers to communicate with you, and they're the easiest way for you to keep tabs on what's happening in classes.  There have been improvements made to the Canvas app, and many parents find the app very user-friendly.  You can even log in to the student account to see exactly what your student sees!  Fun!
2. While there are no synchronous classes on Wednesday, that does not mean it is a day off.  Students should be working on Wednesdays in order to get their assignments completed.  There is also a long break daily between 2nd and 3rd period for work completion (including a 30-minute lunch break!).
3. The end of the first marking period is November 6, and that means it's halfway through the semester, and in most cases, the course.  Please speak with your student about grades.  If the grades are not where you'd like them to be, feel free to reach out to me, your student's teacher, or your student's counselor so we can create a plan for your student to meet success in the latter half of the semester.  

Thanks for your continued support, 

Marcy Burkom, 9th Grade Team Leader

 marcy_burkom@hcpss.org