• Standards-Based Report Cards (SBRC) 

    Columbia Middle School introduced the new Standards-Based Grading (SBG) in the 2008-2009 school year. The goal of SBG is to help families and students better understand how students are progressing in their classes towards meeting the new California Common Core State Standards (CCCSS). If your child attended a Sunnyvale School District elementary school, you are familiar with this reporting system already. 

    The change to SBRC comes from our belief that our previous report card did not fully communicate how well your child is progressing towards becoming proficient or advanced towards the CCCSS. Although a letter grade (A-F reporting system) may tell you the overall success of your child, it does not give you a complete explanation as to what your student excelled at and which topics they need additional support in. 

    SBRC will benefit students, teachers, and parents. It will allow students to be more aware of what is expected of them. It will give teachers a better understanding of what each child should know and be able to do at each grade level. Finally, it will provide parents with detailed expectations in each subject area and how they can better support them. We believe SBG will provide your child with the knowledge and tools to be successful and to also reach his or her fullest potential. 

    Standards-Based Report Card 

    I = Incomplete 

    1 = Below 

    2 = Approaching 

    3 = Basic 

    4 = Proficient 

    / = Standard Not Assessed 

    Report Cards and Progress Reports 

    Report Cards: The school year at CMS is divided into 12-week trimesters. Report cards are issued at the end of each trimester and are mailed to parents directly approximately one week after the end of the trimester. 

    Progress Reports: To keep parents/guardians informed of a student's progress, progress reports are mailed home in the middle of each trimester, after 6-week intervals. Parents may request a progress report at any time for one or all classes from the teachers or through the grade level administrator. Students may also request a progress report at any time from their teachers. Appropriate time allowances must be kept in mind. It is very important that the school has your accurate address and phone number at all times. If you move during the school year, please inform the office of the student's new address. 

    Student Recognition 

    “Bulldog Pride” means creating a culture on campus that encourages and motivates students to do their best, both behaviorally and academically. Clearly defined expectations that are frequently reviewed and reinforced by staff, guide students to achieve academically, promote a safe and positive environment, and help increase an overall sense of pride in our school. Students who achieve academically, and who consistently model Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. may receive the awards listed below: 

    Bulldog P.R.I.D.E. Awards

    PRIDE Bucks – Students “caught” exemplifying P.R.I.D.E. inside or outside the classroom can be given Bulldog Bucks by any staff member. Bulldog Bucks may be redeemed at the Student Store by students for prizes such as school supplies, water bottles, front of the lunch line passes, and larger items such as soccer balls, depending on the number of Bulldog Bucks earned. 

    Bulldog of the Month - Teachers select one student per month who has made significant improvement in, or consistently demonstrates, P.R.I.D.E. These students are recognized during morning announcements and awarded Bulldog of the Month Certificates in a special meeting with the school principal or during a school assembly. 

    ACADEMIC AWARDS 

    Students are awarded in each of the following categories at the Trimester Awards Assembly:

    1. Outstanding Life Skills (completing assignments, respect and participation, model student
    2. Silver Award (Proficient (4s) in 4-5 courses) 
    3. Gold Award (Proficient (4s) in 6 or more classes) 

    8th Grade Promotion Ceremonies and Activities 

    Purpose 

    The promotion ceremony provides an opportunity to publicly recognize students for their efforts and achievements in middle school. Recognizing the achievement of students at the promotion ceremony can become a powerful tradition and motivator for students throughout their middle school years. Areas for recognition might include, but are not limited to: 

    1. Academic achievement (grades, honor roll, awards for contests, etc.) 

    2. Academic growth or improvement 

    3. Athletic achievement or growth 

    4. Community or school service 

    5. Outstanding citizenship or leadership 

    Non-Participation 

    The principal may deny a student the privilege of participating in the promotion ceremony and/or promotion-related activities for serious behavioral offenses. 

    Schools must disseminate guidelines for denying participation in the promotion ceremony and promotion-related activities in verbal and written materials to students and written materials to parents at least once in the fall and once in the spring.

    Guidelines for Non-Participation: Discretionary 

    Students may be denied participation in the ceremony if they have engaged in serious behavioral offenses that result in suspension.

    Offenses include, but are not limited to: 

    1. Causing serious injury to another person, except in self-defense 

    2. Possession of a knife, or other dangerous object of no reasonable use to the pupil 

    3. Unlawful possession of any controlled substance 

    4. Robbery or extortion 

    5. Assault or battery on any school employee 

    6. Violation of administrative behavior contract in which a provision denying ceremony participation was included

    The principal may take into consideration the seriousness of the offense, frequency of offenses, the time between offenses, the time since the offense took place, the improvement since the offense took place, and a review of the student’s behavioral record for middle school. 

    Certain offenses mandate that the principal deny a student the privilege of participating in the promotion ceremony and/or promotion-related activities. 

    Guidelines for Non-Participation: Mandatory 

     Expulsion: EC 48915(c) 

    1. Sale, possession, or furnishing a firearm 

    2. Brandishing a knife at another person 

    3. Selling a controlled substance 

    4. Sexual assault or sexual battery 

    5. Possession of an explosive 

    Promotion Party Information 

    The promotion party is sponsored, planned, and put on by the 8th grade parents. All eighth graders are eligible unless the student:

    • Has been denied participation in the Promotion Ceremony due to behavior issues 

    • Displayed poor behavior during the week of the party

    • Displayed poor behavior on the end-of-the-year field trip, or attended the field trip when ineligible (even with the consent of parents or guardians)