Solve for P

Today we got Madison's report card, and the only letter she got for each class was a "P."  So she didn't get all A's.  She got all P's.  I'm not entirely sure why she put so much effort into class, given that anyone who gets anything above a 70 automatically gets a "P."  Therefore, you could be someone like  ... well, me.  I was a big fan of "just getting by" early on in school, and would have been delighted at this system.  All those smarty pants students studying late and working hard on their projects, and they even turned them in on time.  Me?  I could be a little late, and put minimal effort into the end result, and just get by.  Go ahead - give me a 71 on my final project.  Give me a 70 on my final test.  As long as I get that 70, then I'll get the same exact grade as that kid who actually put all this effort into their work.  It was odd:  they wouldn't even calculate on the website or the report card what her numerical grade was.  Here's a screen capture of the webpage showing the numerical average of her summative grades in math, as well as the average for her formative grades as well. 

I have to do some calculations to get her final numerical average, so if her grade is a P, then we have to solve for P.  This is the entire semester grade, which is the combination of grades from quarter three and quarter four.

     P = (94.28 x .8 ) + (94.5 X .2)
     P = (75.42) + (18.9)
     P = 94.32 (94)

There, I solved it.  Her final grade is a 94.32 in math - at least for quarter four.  I might be working on the other classes too.  I'll pop those grades in at the bottom of this blog entry as I figure them out.

It goes without saying that we're VERY proud of Madison for her grades this year.  She worked so hard, as she always does, studying and putting a lot of effort into each class.  She was fantastic, and today's report card verified that - sort of.  I mean, as much as a "P" can verify anything.  That's why I'm typing this out on this page, so she can see that her grade point average is much more than a P.  She did extremely well this year in seventh grade!

Today Daddy was finishing up with the writing for Summer Xtreme's skits.  We'll rehearse them tomorrow with most of the cast - they came out pretty well.  I got a few jokes from some of the television programs we've been watching for "research."  Tonight we even watched "Rocketman," which is one of the greatest cinematic masterpieces of our time.  People don't realize this yet, because for the most part, people who don't like "Rocketman" are uncultured Philistines.  And no, I'm not talking about the "Rocketman" that is about Elton John.  No, this is the 1997 classic cinema landmark film about a hero named Fred Randall who goes to Mars.  I'm not even going out on a limb here when I say this is the greatest movie ever made about a person going to Mars.

Okay, seriously, I do love this movie.  I can't defend it or explain it.  So just bear with me.  I was still laughing at this movie tonight, and I was glad to see Madison and Mommy were also.  It's just one of those movies I like coming back to from time to time, and this time we'll say it's for "research!"

In regards to the script, one of our props is a computer screen that is used by a girl who is somewhat like Elle Woods or Sharpay Evans.  She's got a monitor that is completely covered with bling, and so it was Madison and Mommy's job to decorate this old television monitor with jewels and ribbons and bows.  The television was from our guest room - it died a few months ago.  But it did not die in vein, as by the day's end, it was completely beautified, and it will look great during our skit.  Great job Madison and Mommy!

As mentioned earlier, Daddy was finishing the third skit for church.  But he also was at church today too.

Here's a shot taken of our meeting today at the church, a staff meeting.  We were discussing a few things, such as our upcoming thoughts on reopening the church, and what work will be like next week.  The plan is to come back to the office next week, officially, although many of us have been in and out to do these various online services.

Really, the greatest thing of all was the corporate worship.  There was a sense that we were all back in church together, doing church together.  It was a smaller gathering, but at the same time, it was like things were back again as normal.  This is what we've been watching on television, and they've been preaching to and playing for an empty house.  But today, the staff were in the seats - and in the near future, Madison and Mommy may be in the seats as the staff may be allowed to bring in family to teh sanctuary.  That would be nice.

Today's word had to do with the church being asleep, and how that's not a good thing for the long term.  It's time to wake up.  It was good to be back, and see the staff all together again.  We sat talking for quite some time after our service, so nice to see each other in person again.

Tonight we talked with the grandparents for quite some time, and it was good to see Ba-Ba doing better.  He's had a difficult week, and is in the midst of quite a battle.  Yesterday was a transfusion, and the side effects were minimal compared to that other drug he took to increase his blood count.  Mommy didn't do well with that drug either, and I don't think anyone does.  Worse still is the news that the drug - despite the bad side effects- didn't actually help him enough either.  Hence the transfusion.  Hopefully things will progress in a more positive direction at this point.  We're praying.

We're going to bed tonight, but there are riots all over the country again, even some in Atlanta.  Rioters are looting and destroying, and here we go again.  Not much to be said here that hasn't been said before:  there has been a terrible injustice, and in fact two terrible injustices over the past few months.  Actually, the word "terrible" doesn't cover the murders that took place.  In both instances, the culprits have been charged and will face justice, so "injustice" might not cover it for them.  They'll face punishment.  But they represent something, a racism that we find it hard to believe still exists.  It'd be nice to move on and have everyone get along, but I don't think that will happen with this generation.  The best we can do is do our best to continue to love everyone, and raise Madison to know better.

----

Science:

     P = (94.2 x .8 ) + (98.12 X .2)
     P = (75.36) + (19.62)
     P = 94.98 (95)

Social Studies:

     P = (97.83 x .8 ) + (100 X .2)
     P = (78.26) + (20)
     P = 98.26 (98)

Language Arts:

     P = (95.66 x .8 ) + (95.54 X .2)
     P = (76.528) + (19.108)
     P = 95.636 (96)

PE:

     P = (100)

Media Arts (Photography):

     P = 117.39 (117)

This last grade is pretty humorous.  We think the teacher knew that the end result would be a "P," rather than any numerical grade showing up in Madison's record.  And while that's true, it's still funny to see her have a 117 average in any class at all.  The reason for the high grade is that two of her summative grade projects were given pretty outstanding scores:  a 200!  She got a 200 on two summative projects, and of course that lifted the grade quite a bit!

ANYWAY, so here's what her report card is.  Instead of getting all "P"s, this is how well Madison did:

Science                 95        A
Social Studies      98        A
Language Arts    96        A
Math                    94        A
PE                      100        A
Photography     117        A