Putnam County High School
Office (815) 882-2800 Fax (815) 339-2628
402 East Silverspoon Ave. Granville, Ill. 61326
Putnam County High School
Dear Parent/Guardian of PCHS Student: This semester is the first in several years in which all students will take final exams for all courses at PCHS. As a result, we wanted to notify all parents/guardians about procedures regarding exams and calculations of final grades. Please note the following: Schedule 1st Semester: Day 1 1st hour 8:00-9:00 2nd hour 9:03-10:03 3rd hour 10:06-11:06 4th hour 11:09-12:09
1st Semester: Day 2 5th/6th hour 8:00-9:00 7th hour 9:03-10:03 8th hour 10:06-11:06 th 9 hour 11:09-12:09
Dismissal Students will be allowed to leave for the day at the 12:09 PM bell; however, buses will not run until the regular 2:00 PM dismissal time. Those students who choose to stay at the school at the conclusion of the last final exam of the day should remain in the supervised areas of the Commons or auditorium. Lunch will also be available on both days for the daily lunch price. Exemptions The Putnam County High School Student Handbook stipulates that the only exemption for a final exam is as follows: Seniors with at least a “C-” in a course during second semester will be exempt from second semester final exams. Those not earning at least a “C-” will be provided with final exams prior to graduation. As a result, no student will be exempt from a final exam this semester. Student Attendance During Final Exams All students are expected to be in attendance during final exams. Students not present for a final exam will be provided with a score of 0% for the assessment, which will account for 20% of the student’s overall final grade. Final Exam Grading The final exam accounts for 20% of the final course grade with each quarter accounting for 40% of the grade. Final grades are calculated by the percentage earned within each component. See below for an example grading scenario:
Unit Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Final Exam
Earned Grade 88% 75% 80%
Percent of Final Grade 40% 40% 20% FINAL GRADE
Calculation 35.2% 30% 16% 81.2% B-
Final Exam Formats Teachers have worked over the past semester to redevelop and renew how students’ learning will be assessed on these final exams. While some exams may remain the typical pencil-paper format, many others will be presentations, projects, papers, or other application activities that span several weeks in addition to the allocated exam period. The intent of this assessment style is to provide students an opportunity to authentically apply and demonstrate their learning of knowledge and skills from the past semester. Also, we truly believe this change in assessment principles will provide more accurate insight into your student’s learning. Study Hall Procedures Students must report to their study hall room (i.e., Media Center or teacher’s classroom) during their regularly assigned study hall period. During this period, students are expected to use the time for studying or other academic purposes. Attendance will be taken during this time. ACC Students Students enrolled in ACC courses must be present for their study hall period and other courses. They do not have to be present during their usual ACC periods. Teacher Aides Students serving as aides at PCPS must go to the Primary School during their scheduled period. For example, a student who usually goes to the Primary during 2nd hour will go there on Wednesday from 9:03 AM to 10:03 AM. ____________________________________________________________________________________ As a final note, thank you for all of your support with your student during this final exam time and for all of the support throughout the previous semester. We ask that you continue to encourage your student to actively engage in their courses and complete all necessary learning opportunities. Common expectations from the home to the school will create a stronger system of support for all students. If you have any questions about final exams or any other events at the end of the semester, please call the high school office at (815)882-2800 ext. 4. Thanks kindly,
Mr. Clayton J. Theisinger Principal
402 East Silverspoon Ave. Granville, Ill. 61326
Putnam County High School
Dear Parent/Guardian of PCHS Student: This semester is the first in several years in which all students will take final exams for all courses at PCHS. As a result, we wanted to notify all parents/guardians about procedures regarding exams and calculations of final grades. Please note the following: Schedule 1st Semester: Day 1 1st hour 8:00-9:00 2nd hour 9:03-10:03 3rd hour 10:06-11:06 4th hour 11:09-12:09
1st Semester: Day 2 5th/6th hour 8:00-9:00 7th hour 9:03-10:03 8th hour 10:06-11:06 th 9 hour 11:09-12:09
Dismissal Students will be allowed to leave for the day at the 12:09 PM bell; however, buses will not run until the regular 2:00 PM dismissal time. Those students who choose to stay at the school at the conclusion of the last final exam of the day should remain in the supervised areas of the Commons or auditorium. Lunch will also be available on both days for the daily lunch price. Exemptions The Putnam County High School Student Handbook stipulates that the only exemption for a final exam is as follows: Seniors with at least a “C-” in a course during second semester will be exempt from second semester final exams. Those not earning at least a “C-” will be provided with final exams prior to graduation. As a result, no student will be exempt from a final exam this semester. Student Attendance During Final Exams All students are expected to be in attendance during final exams. Students not present for a final exam will be provided with a score of 0% for the assessment, which will account for 20% of the student’s overall final grade. Final Exam Grading The final exam accounts for 20% of the final course grade with each quarter accounting for 40% of the grade. Final grades are calculated by the percentage earned within each component. See below for an example grading scenario:
Unit Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Final Exam
Earned Grade 88% 75% 80%
Percent of Final Grade 40% 40% 20% FINAL GRADE
Calculation 35.2% 30% 16% 81.2% B-
Final Exam Formats Teachers have worked over the past semester to redevelop and renew how students’ learning will be assessed on these final exams. While some exams may remain the typical pencil-paper format, many others will be presentations, projects, papers, or other application activities that span several weeks in addition to the allocated exam period. The intent of this assessment style is to provide students an opportunity to authentically apply and demonstrate their learning of knowledge and skills from the past semester. Also, we truly believe this change in assessment principles will provide more accurate insight into your student’s learning. Study Hall Procedures Students must report to their study hall room (i.e., Media Center or teacher’s classroom) during their regularly assigned study hall period. During this period, students are expected to use the time for studying or other academic purposes. Attendance will be taken during this time. ACC Students Students enrolled in ACC courses must be present for their study hall period and other courses. They do not have to be present during their usual ACC periods. Teacher Aides Students serving as aides at PCPS must go to the Primary School during their scheduled period. For example, a student who usually goes to the Primary during 2nd hour will go there on Wednesday from 9:03 AM to 10:03 AM. ____________________________________________________________________________________ As a final note, thank you for all of your support with your student during this final exam time and for all of the support throughout the previous semester. We ask that you continue to encourage your student to actively engage in their courses and complete all necessary learning opportunities. Common expectations from the home to the school will create a stronger system of support for all students. If you have any questions about final exams or any other events at the end of the semester, please call the high school office at (815)882-2800 ext. 4. Thanks kindly,
Mr. Clayton J. Theisinger Principal
