Withdrawal

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Rebecca emailed Mrs. Deering with concern about her announcing Ryder’s shortfalls in class

We requested a parent-teacher conference with Mrs. Deering with the intent to discuss Ryder’s Dual Credit History (HIS205) performance. In the return email, Rebecca asked why four administrators were added to the invite by Mrs. Deering.

Mr. Madison responds to Rebecca with, “In making sure that we are providing Ryder with the best experience in this Dual Credit class, Ms. Deering wanted to be sure that whatever we need to do for your son falls within the requirements that CCU has for things like the midterms.”

Rebecca responds with original questions and with the possibility of dropping course if Ryder is going to score a 50.

Mrs. Deering offers to do a virtual meeting on 21 Oct.

Mr. Madison requested a meeting at 7:30 or 8:00 before the parent-teacher conferences but provided no purpose for the meeting.

Rebecca returns meeting time options for Mrs. Deering virtual parent-teacher meeting. Mrs. Deering confirms “after 4:00 pm.”

Rebecca confirms we can meet with Mr. Madison at 8:30 “if you feel there is something that we need to cover that won’t be covered in the parent teachers conferences.”

Saw C (73) on Ryder’s midterm and learned a rubric was provided after the midterm was turned in. Ryder rewrote the essay using the main points Mrs. Deering provided on 12 Oct. She provided no feedback on the essay when returning the grade.

Ryder asked Mrs. Deering in class to schedule feedback for the midterm essay he received a 73 on. According to Ryder’s version of events, Mrs. Deering was dismissive and told Ryder she was teaching. She then answered questions for two students immediately after she dismissed Ryder’s request.

Mr. Madison responds in email, “The main intent of this meeting is for us to get together before the scheduled meetings with those teachers to address any outlying issues or common themes that you and Mr. Kerr are seeing so that I can help address them. Additionally, Mr. Pinkston wanted to join us to say hello and follow up on our last meeting together.”

Rebecca has a phone conversation with Mr. Madison. Rebecca sends a follow up email that outlines all the questions we had about the DC History class/feedback.

Rebecca notices an Auto Pay Cancellation Notice on the school account and asked Ryan to look into it.

Ryder emails Mrs. Deering, “I was wondering if we could set up a time to meet and talk about my Midterm essay or get some written feedback from you on my essay.”

Ryan stops by the school to speak with Mr. Madison about Mrs. Deering dismissing Ryder when he asked to get some feedback in class.

Mr. Madison pulled Ryder aside from 3rd period study hall to have him talk to Mrs. Deering again about any questions or concerns regarding midterm feedback.

Mrs. Deering responds to Ryder’s email, “I am more than happy to provide feedback on your essay at our meeting on Friday afternoon.”

Rebecca emails Mr. Madison, “…I got a copy of the course syllabus (hard copy since a digital version is not posted on Google Classroom). I was looking for what they call Learning Outcomes. CCU includes those A-F on the syllabus. Also I noticed that the midterm was worth 150 points when scored on Parent Portal but on the syllabus it shows 5 tests worth 100pts each. There is no mention of a 150pt midterm. Is the CCU syllabus fluid? The syllabus also says tests are a combination of matching, multiple choice and short answer. However, a project can replace a test. So was the midterm a project? The syllabus brought of several other questions as well but probably best to address those in the meeting Friday.”

Ryder emails Mrs. Deering saying he didn’t think 30 mins was enough time for feedback and discussing the other issues/topics. Ryder asked if Thursday or Monday before school or after lunch will work for feedback.

Mrs. Deering responds, “Absolutely! Monday, October 24, after school or during lunch works great.”

Mr. Madison responds with some answers to the list of concerns mentioned in previous emails and phone calls. He also provides a follow up on Ryan’s conversation with him that morning.

In the meeting where the administration was going to “address any outlying issues or common themes that you and Mr. Kerr are seeing so that I can help address them,” Mr. Pinkston, Mr. Madison and Mr. Bentley notify Rebecca and Ryan their boys are being involuntarily withdrawn.  Rebecca pleaded to let them attend until the end of the semester. They eventually considered an appeal and told us they’d let us know no later than Sunday. Mr. Pinkston told us not to hold on to an inkling of hope.

Denial of Appeal received. The Mr. Madison informed us this would be a phone conversation between Mr. Pinkston and Mr. Madison.