Friends School of Baltimore's Student News * Founded 1938

The Quaker Quill

Friends School of Baltimore's Student News * Founded 1938

The Quaker Quill

Friends School of Baltimore's Student News * Founded 1938

The Quaker Quill

Friends juniors prepare for the 2023 Homecoming dance.
'Back to the Future' at Friends School [Brief]
Homecoming 2023 threw students from the '80s to the future, as DJ Ok got everyone on their feet, and even faculty busted a move.
Fans line up for snowballs from a Kona Ice truck during a break in the rain on Scarlet and Grey day.
Scarlet & Grey Day Hits the Quarter Century Mark [Brief]
On a recent rainy Saturday, Park and Friends School sports teams faced off in a series of contests, cheered on by hundreds of soggy fans.
On the final day of Spirit Week, seniors dressed in Friends School colors - scarlet and grey - for the annual Pep Rally.
A Silly, Spirited Week [Brief]
Leading up to Rivalry Day, students dressed up to show their school spirit - and sense of humor.
A senior accesses the Common App landing page for the University of Delaware. As college deadlines approach, the class of 24 is sleepy and stresses.
Seniors Feel College Pressure as Early Deadlines Approach [Brief]
The mood in senior hall is tense, as sleep-starved teens scramble to finish their essays - along with a heavy load of mid-semester schoolwork.
The Morgan State University Marching Band processes down the Friends School driveway, lined with cheering crowds of students, from preschoolers to 12th graders.
In a Year of Tragedy, Morgan Band Concert a Particular Gift [Brief]
Friends students expressed gratitude for the marching band's energetic performance - especially so soon after a shooting on the Morgan State University campus injured five students.
In Orioles fan and 12th grade dean Josh Carlins office, Friends memorabilia and a recent Baltimore Sun front page celebrating the teams winning season have pride of place.
Fans Dress for MLB Success on Friends' 'Orange Thursday' [Brief]
Led this season by an exciting core of young, up-and-coming stars, the Orioles have won back the hearts of many Friends School fans.
Award-winning novelist Jenny Offill visits the 10th grade English class of Rob Traviesso - her own former student.
Upper School Author Visit Brings Reunion [Brief]
Novelist Jenny Offill spent a day on campus meeting with students at the invitation of her own former student - English teacher Rob Travieso.
Senior Maeve Reichert, head of the literary magazine Mock Turtle, talks to potential 9th grade recruits during the 2023 clubs fair.
Highlights From Upper School Clubs Fair [Brief]
Dozens of clubs showed their stuff and courted new members at the high-energy, candy-fueled gathering on the quad.
Seniors line up in the heat to have their final yearbook photos taken.
Seniors Say (Melted) Cheese? [Brief]
This year's senior yearbook portraits fell during a record heat wave.
Lunch & M? Try Lunch & Melting [Brief]
Lunch & M? Try Lunch & Melting [Brief]
Heat broke records this month at Friends School of Baltimore.

It’s Time for Live Grades [Opinion]

A visible grade in front of us makes us want to act.
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Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Open your online Assignment Center, click “progress,” and enter what would be the live grades section. Instead of percentages, you see little black lines next to each class. Black lines are not what I, or you, should want to see. These black lines add mystery to a subject that does not need it: our grades 

In this culture, we treat grades as indicators of our intelligence. They determine where we get into college, the classes we participate in, and our overall GPA. Considering the importance grades have, it seems only fair that we should have complete and transparent access to them. Whether these numbers truly define our intelligence or not, they are serious determiners in our lives.

“The perfect example is that one low grade you got in history,” my mom, Kris Rifkin, says with a smirk. “The Friends School system had no idea how upset that would make you and us. We would have done something a lot sooner, had we realized that was your grade.”

Although we can joke about it now, we remember all too well the stress I went through to bring up this grade as I approached the end of the semester. Echoing arguments the school has heard from many parents, my mom says she is somewhat perturbed to be paying $30,000 a year for her kid to attend Friends School without the option of seeing these grades. 

This is not a new problem for my family, either. My sister Tyler Rifkin, class of ’19, dealt with it too.

“I remember struggling with not knowing what my grades were at the time, or especially entering the quarter,” she says. “I remember struggling for sure.”

I almost get deja vu as she references how she struggled in school. Her grades were a mystery until she received that dreaded report card.

This dread does not need to be there. Students at nearby schools, where they also use an electronic Blackbaud interface, are able to see their grades, because their schools have made the decision to make them visible.

“I can see my grades whenever,” exclaims Roland Park Country School senior Caroline Rice. A puzzled look comes across her face when she hears that there is no way I can not see mine. So simple, yet impactful. Her normal is something I strive for.

And it’s not just my family. When I asked the kids in my Journalism class if they felt they would perform better if they could see their grades on Assignment Center, all but one claimed they would. My peers largely agree that live grades are something that  should change – not just for our peace of mind, but as a possible wake-up call.

“I do remember in my Spanish II class, my teacher had it set up in a way with Google Classroom that we did have a period of time where grades were available,” says senior Leo Scharff. “There was a specific moment where I did not submit a homework assignment and my grade dropped significantly. That alone was motivation to go speak to my teacher a ton.”

The majority of the student body seems to agree:  a visible grade in front of us makes us want to act. The mystery does nothing. 

All my life I have worked so hard to see that red ink A adorning the top of my tests, quizzes, and essays. We students work ourselves tirelessly for these numbers. It would be ideal to assume that the learning is what matters and not the grades. Sadly, where we are in the education system I know for a fact whoever is reading my college application will go straight to my grades. 

I am a senior and will be leaving the Friends School soon, but that does not mean this discussion will end. For the welfare of the student body it is critical that we can see our grades on the Assignment Center. I call on the Administration to make this change, that will save so many kids hours of pain and worrying over grades.     

 

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About the Contributor
Graham Rifkin, Contributor
Graham, class of ‘22, spends his time participating in Model UN, UNICEF and more. If you cannot find him in Senior Hall, he is somewhere around campus talking and laughing with friends, hoping to convert these memorable moments into his writing.
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