Instructional Policies
Curriculum
Teachers are responsible for knowing the Common Core Essential Standards and the Durham Public Schools (DPS) curriculum/directives in their content areas. This information is found in the curriculum guides and other materials published by DPI and DPS. As teachers plan for the year in their PLTs, the curriculum guides and maps should be used to pace instruction so that the necessary skills and content for the subject area are taught. Each teacher should provide students with a comprehensive syllabus at the beginning of each course. A sample syllabus is provided for you.
Teachers are responsible for knowing the Common Core Essential Standards and the Durham Public Schools (DPS) curriculum/directives in their content areas. This information is found in the curriculum guides and other materials published by DPI and DPS. As teachers plan for the year in their PLTs, the curriculum guides and maps should be used to pace instruction so that the necessary skills and content for the subject area are taught. Each teacher should provide students with a comprehensive syllabus at the beginning of each course. A sample syllabus is provided for you.
Boards
Your board provides necessary information for students and visitors, so they should be updated daily with the following:
Your board provides necessary information for students and visitors, so they should be updated daily with the following:
- Essential Question
- Learning Target
- Agenda
- Homework
Classroom Environment
The ability of the teacher to shape the physical and social environment of the classroom to enhance learning is an important aspect of teaching. Brain research conducted by Van Pragg, Kemermann, & Gage provide a foundation for consideration of classroom environments and how they might affect, for better or worse, the learning and achievement of students. In short, your classroom environment does contribute to student learning.
Tips:
The ability of the teacher to shape the physical and social environment of the classroom to enhance learning is an important aspect of teaching. Brain research conducted by Van Pragg, Kemermann, & Gage provide a foundation for consideration of classroom environments and how they might affect, for better or worse, the learning and achievement of students. In short, your classroom environment does contribute to student learning.
Tips:
- Switch up the physical environment of the classroom
- Make your classroom environment welcoming and relevant
- Unconditional positive regard
- Relaxed alertness-aware of safety and security, but not overwrought with stress and anxiety
- Post student work on the walls
Grading and Evaluation
Grades
Teachers will maintain grades for students in PowerTeacher Gradebook. Grades for students will be clearly labeled as to what was graded (i.e., homework, unit test, project, quarter grade, final grade). Students and parents need to know how grades are determined in each class. Please share your system with them on your syllabus. Grades must be updated in Power Schools on the 1st and 15th of every month. Content areas are encouraged to have the same or similar weighted percentages for assignments, projects, and assessments. Student behavior should not affect student grades.
Report cards will be issued to students at the end of each nine-week period using the following grading scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
Students are to receive no lower than a fifty for the first and third quarter.
Midterms and Final Exams
Teachers have the option to give a midterm exam. The DPS Board of Education requires that a cumulative final exam be given each semester in grades 9- 12. North Carolina State Final Exams act as a final exam for core courses. Teacher-made exams should be created for elective courses. A copy of teacher-made final exams must be submitted to the appropriate department administrator. All Final Exams are equal to 20% of the students’ final grade.
Course Credit
In grades 6-12, percentage grades will be used on report cards, cumulative folders and transcripts. Students earn one (1) unit of credit toward graduation for each course. Credit for a course will be earned if the student has an average of 60 or above for the course.
Calculating Averages
Quarter 1= 40%
Quarter 2= 40%
Exam= 20%
58-59 Failures
In the event that a student earns a 58 or 59 final average, you have an option to do one of the following:
Progress Reports
Interim Reports must be issued to all students at the midpoint of each quarter and report cards at the end of each quarter.
More frequent progress reports are encouraged.
*Coming Soon
Grades
Teachers will maintain grades for students in PowerTeacher Gradebook. Grades for students will be clearly labeled as to what was graded (i.e., homework, unit test, project, quarter grade, final grade). Students and parents need to know how grades are determined in each class. Please share your system with them on your syllabus. Grades must be updated in Power Schools on the 1st and 15th of every month. Content areas are encouraged to have the same or similar weighted percentages for assignments, projects, and assessments. Student behavior should not affect student grades.
Report cards will be issued to students at the end of each nine-week period using the following grading scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
Students are to receive no lower than a fifty for the first and third quarter.
Midterms and Final Exams
Teachers have the option to give a midterm exam. The DPS Board of Education requires that a cumulative final exam be given each semester in grades 9- 12. North Carolina State Final Exams act as a final exam for core courses. Teacher-made exams should be created for elective courses. A copy of teacher-made final exams must be submitted to the appropriate department administrator. All Final Exams are equal to 20% of the students’ final grade.
Course Credit
In grades 6-12, percentage grades will be used on report cards, cumulative folders and transcripts. Students earn one (1) unit of credit toward graduation for each course. Credit for a course will be earned if the student has an average of 60 or above for the course.
Calculating Averages
Quarter 1= 40%
Quarter 2= 40%
Exam= 20%
58-59 Failures
In the event that a student earns a 58 or 59 final average, you have an option to do one of the following:
- Award the student the additional points to equal a 60%.
- Complete the the linked form, and submit it to the counselor.
Progress Reports
Interim Reports must be issued to all students at the midpoint of each quarter and report cards at the end of each quarter.
More frequent progress reports are encouraged.
*Coming Soon
Staff Development Procedures
North Carolina teaching licenses are valid for a period of five years effective from the date of issuance and must be renewed within that period. DPS’ office of Human Resources submits renewal information to the NC DPI for its employees at the appropriate time at the end of the five-year cycle.
To renew a license, 10 license renewal credits must be earned. One credit is earned for each full year of teaching. Credit is given for workshops approved by the office of Professional Growth and Development or NC DPI. Classes from institutes of higher education can also earn credit. One-quarter hour is equal to one credit. One semester hour is equal to 1.5 credits.
Staff development activities are defined as those designed to acquire or enhance skills and competencies that will enable the employees to perform their job more effectively.
All employees are responsible for maintaining accurate records of their participation in training activities.
The principal must approve all staff development expenditures.
Requests for payment of registration fees must be accompanied by workshop announcements, receipts, or invoices that indicate the amount (form BD-02). Advance registration requests should be submitted in writing at least a month prior to the registration deadline. Please see Denise Hamlett for required forms.
North Carolina teaching licenses are valid for a period of five years effective from the date of issuance and must be renewed within that period. DPS’ office of Human Resources submits renewal information to the NC DPI for its employees at the appropriate time at the end of the five-year cycle.
To renew a license, 10 license renewal credits must be earned. One credit is earned for each full year of teaching. Credit is given for workshops approved by the office of Professional Growth and Development or NC DPI. Classes from institutes of higher education can also earn credit. One-quarter hour is equal to one credit. One semester hour is equal to 1.5 credits.
Staff development activities are defined as those designed to acquire or enhance skills and competencies that will enable the employees to perform their job more effectively.
All employees are responsible for maintaining accurate records of their participation in training activities.
The principal must approve all staff development expenditures.
Requests for payment of registration fees must be accompanied by workshop announcements, receipts, or invoices that indicate the amount (form BD-02). Advance registration requests should be submitted in writing at least a month prior to the registration deadline. Please see Denise Hamlett for required forms.
Classroom Locations
Please be sure to inform the office staff if you are not teaching class in your room and the location where you will be teaching. In addition, leave a note with your location and clearly post it on your classroom door.
Please be sure to inform the office staff if you are not teaching class in your room and the location where you will be teaching. In addition, leave a note with your location and clearly post it on your classroom door.
Student Withdrawals
Students who plan to withdraw should be referred to the Ms. Bardonille or Ms. Kiem for the appropriate forms and procedures. Teachers should NEVER encourage students to drop out of school. Teachers will receive a notification of withdrawal for students withdrawing from Riverside HS. All fines and books should be returned to the appropriate teacher.
Students who plan to withdraw should be referred to the Ms. Bardonille or Ms. Kiem for the appropriate forms and procedures. Teachers should NEVER encourage students to drop out of school. Teachers will receive a notification of withdrawal for students withdrawing from Riverside HS. All fines and books should be returned to the appropriate teacher.