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Inklings News

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Inklings News

Parents received an email on Apr. 5 regarding the new grading system occurring in the fourth quarter, in which students will decide how they want their grades to be reported.

Pass-fail system decreases motivation, detracts from learning efforts

Anastasia Thumser '22, Web Opinions Editor April 20, 2020

March 11 was a routine day for Staples students: classes changed at the ring of the bell, teachers assigned work, messages were received about “Seussical,” sports practices and concerts, the song of...

Parents received an email on Apr. 5 regarding the new grading system occurring in the fourth quarter, in which students will decide how they want their grades to be reported.

Pass-fail system decreases motivation, detracts from learning efforts

Anastasia Thumser '22, Web Opinions Editor April 20, 2020

March 11 was a routine day for Staples students: classes changed at the ring of the bell, teachers assigned work, messages were received about “Seussical,” sports practices and concerts, the song of...

The Westport Board of Education has changed fourth quarter grading to an optional pass-fail standard for Staples in an effort to decrease stress amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board of Education implements optional pass-fail grading 

Remy Teltser ’21, Web Features Editor April 6, 2020

Staples High School students will have the option to report their fourth-quarter grades using a pass-fail system or with a standard letter grade due to the new distance learning system.  Grades from quarter...

Since PowerSchool was added to the Westport Public School district in 2017, both students and parents have had unlimited access to grades. The constant ability to check the app causes unnecessary stress to students.

Unlimited PowerSchool access toxic to Staples

Remy Teltser ’21, Web Features Editor November 11, 2019

Hardly seven seconds after receiving an “it’s posted” text message, PowerSchool is loading its web page onto my phone browser. As the all too familiar gray dial spins around, I am internally freaking...

Students are constantly checking their grades on PowerSchool.

Teachers grading tactics can have a negative impact on students’ grades

Betti Kobak '22, Managing Editor October 14, 2019

Grades are undoubtedly something that occupies every student's mind at Staples High School. Being able to perform highly in every class, whether it is an AP, honors or A class can be difficult, regardless...

Data overload hurts students’ brains

Data overload hurts students’ brains

Sam Zuckerman '21, Staff Writer October 22, 2018

PowerSchool is the open grading system we use at Staples, and it forms the cornerstone of the Staples community. But do we know what it is like from a teacher’s perspective? Former Staples English teacher...

Staples community reacts to grading changes

Staples community reacts to grading changes

June 12, 2018

By Jack Dennison '21

Test correction policies promote learning

Test correction policies promote learning

October 28, 2017

By Lauren Wasserman '19 “Test corrections will be offered this year.” This is a policy that every student hopes to hear on the first day of school. Test correction policies give students the opportunity...

PowerSchool accessible today

PowerSchool accessible today

September 15, 2017

By: Dana Perelberg '20 According to a Westport Education Association [WEA] email sent Sept. 13, PowerSchool should be up and running Friday afternoon, potentially ending a two week stretch where students...

Principal D’Amico began his tenure at Staples on July 1

Teachers asked to stop giving extra credit

Shane Rabacs, Staff Writer October 2, 2016

Shane Rabacs '19, Staff Writer In August, Principal James D’Amico, who was voted as principal in March of this year by the Westport School Board, asked teachers at Staples High School to consider...

An Opportunity For Second Chances

An Opportunity For Second Chances

Victoria Lubin, Staff Writer October 15, 2015

When you live in a town like Westport, people are always obsessing over their grades. The idea that the GPA scale and its fluctuating digits can make or break one’s college career and set-up for life...

Control the Controllable

Control the Controllable

Grant Sirlin, Staff Writer May 5, 2015

Serious injuries can be demoralizing. In just an instant, the flow of life can come to a halt and the near future can quickly become out of reach. Even though you were just battling for a rebound in the...

Resistance to the SATs is growing but is it justified?

In defense of the SAT

Zach McCarthy, Web News March 31, 2015

I took the SAT last weekend and it was fun! No, just kidding. It was actually a gruelling experience where my only guide was the disinterested Fairfield-Ludlowe proctor scanning the room for cheaters...

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