Grades for the first tri

shutterbugC

shutterbugC

5-Year Member
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Apr 27, 2010
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Just got word that my DS got a solid B GPA for the first tri and that was with Calculus and Physics. I am so proud of him.
YOU ROCK!!!!!!!
 
Not sure if my DS is more excited about the silver star or the three long weekends he earned for his GPA, but I am so proud I could burst!:smile:
 
Proud Mama

Just found out my son got a gold star. He is excited about the 5 long weekends. I would be as excited as he is if we lived closer and could see
him.
 
Congratulations to all that received good news regarding 1st trimester grades !
Way to go :thumb:
Does anyone have any advice to those who got really bad news ? like 2 failed classes and recommended for separation ? has anyone been through that ?
Have heard that RADM Green is here to make changes and will not be as lenient as in prior years... never thought that a setback could sound so good
 
I assume the recommendation for separation was on the the grade sheet? Assuming things still work the same, that is automatically put there by the computer based on the two Fs in combination with a GPA that I'm sure is under 2.0 so don't panic ... yet.

I have seen people come back from two Fs if given the chance, but your mid has to have a real plan with real changes that he/she can document in a letter. How will he/she change their study habits, what tutors will he/she utilize, what extracurricular activities will he/she give up? The more specifics in a letter the better. Subjective statements about serving my country and working harder probably wont cut it.
 
I just gotta brag, our DS has earned his fourth gold star in a row. He works soooo hard! I can't express how proud of him we are!
 
For all of those who are discouraged seeing the posts about mids earning stars, I wanted to let you know that there are plenty of mids who never earn a star, but hang on, work hard and graduate to good jobs. Stars are a nice pat on the back. But every single KP mid who survives another tri deserves a pat on the back. DD just struggled through a rough tri and has never earned a star. She now heads out to sea for 8 months and comes back a 1/C. Where did the time go?!?! Didn't we just scramble to get paperwork in for the nomination? I'm sure the phone call immediately after recognition was just days ago.

Anyway, it's great to be able to brag and express pleasure at your mid's success. But I want all of the parents out there to know that they should be proud of their DD or DS every time they make it through another tri.

And don't forget the unofficial KP motto - D is done. :thumb:
 
kpcapecod said:
Congratulations to all that received good news regarding 1st trimester grades !
Way to go :thumb:
Does anyone have any advice to those who got really bad news ? like 2 failed classes and recommended for separation ? has anyone been through that ?
Have heard that RADM Green is here to make changes and will not be as lenient as in prior years... never thought that a setback could sound so good
Click to expand...

Did you get any suggestions. My student has the same problem. and it is a shock to us since they have been given so much leave. He's Very upset of course?
 
A 3.25 GPA is a Silver Star, I believe and a 3.5 is a Gold Star or the other way around. I do not care if my son did not get a star, I am just glad he got a solid B and didn't fail anything especially when he was failing Physics.
 
Until reading this thread I didn't know what a star meant either and my ds is class of 2013 lol. My son was able to make up 2 classes without a setback because his gpa was still above 2.0. That meant summer school but it wasn't so bad since summer school is pretty laid back. He just got back from first sea voyage and is doing really well so hang in their (for those who are discouraged and/or struggling), it can be done! Every individual case is different of course so I am only speaking from my mid's experience. He did work his hind end off having a heavy class load his 3 tri but got through it just fine. I'm very, very proud of my boy!:thumb:!!:shake:
 
1goodboy said:
Did you get any suggestions. My student has the same problem. and it is a shock to us since they have been given so much leave. He's Very upset of course?
Click to expand...

I would echo KPEngineer's suggestions for those who need to try address issues and are struggling.

I assume the recommendation for separation was on the the grade sheet? Assuming things still work the same, that is automatically put there by the computer based on the two Fs in combination with a GPA that I'm sure is under 2.0 so don't panic ... yet.

I have seen people come back from two Fs if given the chance, but your mid has to have a real plan with real changes that he/she can document in a letter. How will he/she change their study habits, what tutors will he/she utilize, what extracurricular activities will he/she give up? The more specifics in a letter the better. Subjective statements about serving my country and working harder probably wont cut it.
Click to expand...

Also as this thread seems to be covering diametrically opposed subjects - parents who want to "crow" about their DS/DD accomplishments and academic achievements vs. those who are looking for advice and counsel that they might be able to use in support of their DS/DD efforts to address current academic issues and challenges. Since this particular thread started with "crowing" I'd suggest a second thread be started relative to asking for and providing advice for those who are worried about the antithesis.

The answer to the question as to what Gold and Silver Stars mean:
Silver means the Midshipmen wearing it had a 3.25 or higher GPA the prior trimester and had no other academic deficiencies in any area.
Gold is 3.5 or higher GPA.

These honors are generally, IMO, something to be celebrated in a low key manner - which the system in place at USMMA does. As noted the awardees get some additional liberty time. Many midshipmen who of their classes particularly during third and second class years keep their academic GPA and class standing/rank relatively quiet for many, many reasons. One of which is their primary focus during those two years maintaining a solid times they are on campus and otherwise "flying below the radar" and getting back out to finish their sea years. I point this out because inly not in any way nearly as reactive or possibly defensive as some here relative to whether or not any child has earned or not earned a Gold or Silver Star these prior 14 academic weeks, since we are talking about young adults here, versus high school students/teenagers I do wonder the point of posting congratulatory and "I'm so proud" declarations in this basically anonymous forum and manner, but I guess to each her own.

Personally, I say, congratulations to all the members of the current regiment who made it through the first trimester, and safe voyages to all those now heading out to sea.
 
Right on, JDoggy!

jasperdog said:
Personally, I say, congratulations to all the members of the current regiment who made it through the first trimester, and safe voyages to all those now heading out to sea.
Click to expand...


Once again Jasperdog Johnson is right! (reference "Blazing Saddles") From my limited experience, all plebes run into a "tough" schedule or a difficult instructor sometime during their 4c year. It may be just around the bend! It may be 3rd tri. "Crowing" is bad karma. If failure does show up, it's easier to face the people you felt the need to inform of your plebes excellence during an early stage of the game. But hopefully all continues to go well for you. Congratulations and continued success to all who've made it through. To those who face tougher news, your kids are still excellent young men and women who will undoubtedly excel in their life, possibly in a different venue. They wouldn't have been accepted to KP if they weren't top notch individuals!
 
Silver Star and Striving For Gold

I spoke with my son and was relieved and proud to know that he got 3-A's and 3-B's, one of the A's being Calc and a B+ in Chemistry. I was glad he did so well and even happier that he was disappointed he missed a gold star by like 1 or 2 tenths of a point, he is determined to get that gold star. I asked him if he helps anyone with Calc or Physics and he said he does, he also said that there are always other members willing to help.
I hope any of the Plebes that are facing dismissal will get another chance to prove themselves, after all sometimes that is all anyone needs to send them on the route to success.
 
For those with C and D .......A Spot of Humor......

GREAT JOB YOU A and B'ers...........

And the rest of us REJOICE and do the Happy Dance with you..........

C -- Can't have me repeat

D -- DONE!

Have FAITH...........

F -- (which my DD had in Physics) This was her FIRST and ONLY F in her entire Academic career starting with Kindergarten. Rather tramatic!
Summer School here I come! Thank God I had a different teacher that could teach and I learn so much more than during TRI.:thumb:
 
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"These honors are generally, IMO, something to be celebrated in a low key manner . . . since we are talking about young adults here, versus high school students/teenagers I do wonder the point of posting congratulatory and "I'm so proud" declarations in this basically anonymous forum and manner, but I guess to each her own."

Given the feminine pronoun used here, I can only assume that this was directed (at least in part) to me.

I have to wonder why achieving excellent academic performance should be "downplayed" at any institution of higher learning. While it is certainly not the only goal of USMMA, or any other college, university or service academy, I think achieving such success is without controversy one of the major goals of such institutions, seeing as academic performance is the major method of determining whether students are learning that which is being taught. Otherwise, why bother with grades at all?

As parents expressing pride in their DS/DD's academic success, why should we feel constrained at expressing such, when if our DS/DD's success was in an athletic endeavor, no one would turn a hair at expressions of pride in their performance. Just what is more important, after all?

I truly feel empathy with parents whose DS/DDs are struggling. I can only imagine the anxiety and the difficulty of finding the best way to support them, not to mention trying to find a way to be of real, substantive help. I know that my DS spends a fair amount of time working with classmates who are having a difficult time of it.

But I don't think that because there are those who are struggling that we should feel that our DS/DDs success should be downplayed, as if their success is something to be embarrassed about. My DS already doesn't wear his gold star. The fact that he feels that he needs to hide that particular achievement at an "institution of higher learning" when any other achievement is not similarly discriminated against does make me wonder at the culture, fomented over so many years by students and alumni (such as some posters on this board) that academic achievement is not important.
 
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