ATTN: SWEETWATER UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

To Whom it May Concern,

    This petition is on behalf of rising seniors at Chula Vista High School. This is written with great concern. This year, we took several classes under the guidance of a teacher we do not want to disclose but will call “Teacher C” in this petition. Students in Teacher C’s class received unprofessional behavior and willful neglect on behalf of Teacher C. Prior to Distance Learning being implemented, we did not receive the attention nor support from our teacher and this issue was only exacerbated by Distance Learning with the quick change to a new instructor. Below, we outline the difficulties of Teacher C’s class and requests for administration.

Several students struggled with Teacher C’s methods and approaches to teaching. Additionally, he was inconsistent with checking for homework completion. For some, Teacher C’s lack of care and neglect created an environment of no accountability and no motivation to do the work. Instead, they chose to study on their own whenever he'd announce an upcoming test. This teach-to-test strategy is extremely unfountate and of extreme disservice to us. Furthermore, there are students who regularly did assignments but rarely received credit. We are students who are dedicated to our studies. After the constant reminders to Teacher C to grade homework or update grades, we were eventually told not to worry about the tests which translated to us as the submission of our work being enough. We have several testimonies from students who had him as a teacher. I was told by a past student that several students failed all his tests and never did work but passed the class with an A due to favoritism. Once we began Distance Learning with a new teacher, we began learning an entirely different subject and tasked with new work. After this shift, students who had a C in the class still ended with a C despite the completion of new work which the school district stated that any work turned in would only raise a student’s grade.

    Our main concern is the unfair, and punitive grading we received. The highest grade in our class period was a C. Regardless of Teacher C’s unprofessional behavior, we do not accept such punitory grading for young students enduring a global pandemic, especially at a high school which primarily serves low-income, first generation Black and Brown students. Several students have messaged me their experiences in Teacher C’s class; They explain and outline the neglect and frustrations and at this point we have collected several testimonies that need to be heard. We are asking for and deserve better direction. We are asking for one of two things:

A’s for ALL students. This global pandemic has affected everyone, and especially has impacted our community (low-income, first generations students who are working hard to apply to college this fall.
Implement a “Pass or No Pass” grading structure for Spring 2020 as to not have grading wrongly affect the GPA’s of rising seniors. 
We are requesting an answer by August 1st to allot time for discussion and make changes before the time comes to apply to college. Thank you for your time.

                        Best,

                        Rising Seniors

 

 

TEMPLATE FOR ALL SENIORS OR ANYONE WHO WAS IN THE CLASSES UNDER DIRECTION OF TEACHER C:

EMAIL TEMPLATE FOR FOR SENIORS TO EMAIL

To Whom it May Concern,

    I am a rising senior at Chula Vista High School. I am writing to you with great concern. This year, I took [INSERT CLASS NAME] under the guidance of [TEACHERS NAME]. My classmates and I received unprofessional behavior and willful neglect on behalf of [TEACHERS NAME]. Prior to Distance Learning being implemented, we did not receive the attention nor support from our teacher and this issue was only exacerbated by Distance Learning with the quick change to a new instructor. Below, I outline the difficulties of [TEACHERS NAME]‘s  class and requests on behalf of myself and many students. 

[Insert your own experience, observations and comments.]

Once we began Distance Learning with a new teacher, we began learning an entirely different subject and tasked with new work. After this shift, students who had a C in the class still ended with a C despite the completion of new work which the school district stated that any work turned in would only raise a student’s grade.

    Our main concern is the unfair, and punitive grading we received. The highest grade in our class period was a C. Regardless of [TEACHERS NAME]‘s unprofessional behavior, we do not accept such punitory grading for young students enduring a global pandemic, especially at a high school which primarily serves low-income, first generation Black and Brown students. We are asking for and deserve better direction. We are asking for one of two things:

A’s for ALL students. This global pandemic has affected everyone, and especially has impacted our community (low-income, first generations students who are working hard to apply to college this fall.
Implement a “Pass or No Pass” grading structure for Spring 2020 as to not have grading wrongly affect the GPA’s of rising seniors. 
We are requesting an answer by August 1st to allot time for discussion and make changes before the time comes to apply to college. Thank you for your time.

                        Best,

                        [NAME]

EMAILS TO SEND THIS TO: 

juan.neriajr@sweetwaterschools.org

Alicia.Pentz-Lopez@sweewaterschools.org

Ronne.Pietla@sweewaterschools.org

compliance@sweetwaterschools.org

vernon.moore@sweetwaterschools.org

  sonia.picos@sweetwaterschools.org

Dr. Moises Aguirre

Acting Superintendent

Moises.Aguirre@sweetwaterschools.org

Imelda Genovese

Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Email: Imelda.Genovese@sweetwaterschools.org