By: Marissa Yelenik
Co-News Editor
School cancellations due to the spread of Coronavirus, and Howard County’s shift to online schooling have heavily affected many school plans including the last day of school, everyday learning, and the grading system itself. As the end of the school year approaches, more and more questions have been answered, allowing students to prepare themselves as best they can.
On May 27, Maryland’s Board of Education approved Howard County’s request for a waiver of five school days. This will make the last day of school for the 2019-2020 school year June 23. The last three days of school, which will take place on June 19, 22, and 23, will be half days. Adjusted online schedules will be sent out to students for these dates. Despite any changes in this school year, there have not yet been any adaptations in dates for the 2020-2021 school year, making the first day of school August 25.
The last day students will receive assigned work from their teachers will be the week of June 8, and as usual these assignments will be due that Friday at 10am. The remaining school days will focus on student well-being and assisting anyone who may need additional resources.
Howard County’s choice to change the 4th quarter grading system to pass/incomplete, along with getting rid of finals, has left many students questioning how their final grades for the school year will be calculated. As usual, it will be done using quality points, the system where each grade is given a number, and then if a certain amount of points is reached, the student will receive an A, B, C, D, or E. For each quarter, an A is equal to eight points, a B is equal to six points, a C is equal to four points, a D is equal to two points and an E receives no points. For midterms, each of these are divided by two. Once the points are added up for each quarter, divide that number by nine and compare it to the following chart.
3.44 – 4.00 = A
2.44 – 3.43 = B
1.44 – 2.43 = C
.44 – 1.43 = D
Below .44 = E
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