Release Of Reed School Report Cards Faces ‘Slight’ Delay

By Larissa Lytwyn

While two weeks have passed since the 2003-04 school year ended on June 23, some Reed Intermediate School parents were wondering why their children had still not received their final grades by July 6.

Principal Donna Denniston, assured parents, however, that the report cards had faced only a one-to-two day delay, not one or two weeks.

“Last year we sent the report cards about a week after school ended,” she said, explaining that teachers are evaluating students on projects and exams up to the last few days of the school year.

“The teachers then need a few days, of course, to grade and submit their report cards,” she said.

Reed Intermediate shares its printing software with Newtown Middle School. The delay was caused by a late shipment of ink toner, Ms Denniston said.

“The fifth grade report cards were mailed out July 6,” she said. “The sixth grade’s report cards will [have gone out] the morning of July 7.”

Some parents had expressed concern that the late report cards hindered prospective summer school plans.

In a recent newsletter to parents, Ms Denniston said she had indicated that teachers had sent letters to the parents of students they believed could benefit from summer school.

“These letters [to parents] were sent out in early May,” Ms Denniston said.

While Newtown Middle School summer school programs began June 28, kindergarten through seniors began July 6.

“For fifth and sixth graders, 19 students are enrolled in math, 17 in writing, and 11 in reading,” said Elissa Gellis, director of continuing education.

Classes are four weeks in length; the last day is July 30.

“There are no other sessions beyond July,” said Ms Gellis.

While vacations may delay some students from enrolling at the very beginning of their program, Ms Gellis maintained that families are “generally” informed in a timely manner if their child is recommended to attend summer school.

“Of course, there are always those ‘last-minute’ enrollees, for whatever reason,” she said.

After the recommendation is made, it is the family’s choice whether or not to proceed in enrolling their child.

“The cost of the programs are on a sliding scale,” said Ms Gellis.

The cost is determinate on such factors as the number of classes the child takes.