Welcome to 8^th Grade Civics!

Hello there! My name is Ms. Ruhlen and I am from Burke, Virginia. This is my first year teaching at Porter -- I taught 7^th grade history last year in Richmond!
I am always available to answer any questions, comments, or concerns you have at ruhlenac@pwcs.edu. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Hello Parents of Civics Students! 

Updates:

We completed our Unit 1 test today and I have finalized the grades for the test. ALL OF YOUR STUDENTS DID VERY WELL!! I AM A VERY PROUD TEACHER!

You will see the test as six separate percentage grades on ParentVue. This is because the school operates through a "standards-based" grading system. All of this just means that I tested your students on six different VA SOL "standards" (subjects) in our curriculum and have averaged their separate results out of 100. So if you see a 60% or a 83%, don't fret!! That only means that they did not do well on that specific standard, but all did VERY well on the overall test. You can see that reflected in their course grades. 

If you are unhappy with your student's overall grade in the class, please DO NOT hesitate to email me at any time. I would love to work with you to see how we can best help your student succeed. I am offering test retakes on Monday during my office hours, but they understand that they MUST email me before Friday night and sign up for a time slot on Monday before I allow a retake -- they must also complete the study guide to show me that they are studying hard for a chance to retake. This is all to practice those accountability and self-reliability skills we've been learning about in Civics. ;-) 

The gradebook is COMPLETELY updated, so Marking Period 1 grades are semi-finalized. If your student is missing work, they have until October 30th to get the work in to me -- that is the last day of the marking period. I have warned them about this deadline and have given them time in class to catch up on work.

I have very much enjoyed having each one of your students in my class thus far and am excited for the rest of the school year. Stay healthy!

Zoom Links

Tue SEP 8th @ 9:30 am: 
Periods 1 & 3 Core Extension (7th Grade) with Ms. Ruhlen 

Zoom Link

OR:
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/93229472089?pwd=Q0xmUC9GSi81a29qM1NzSFZrT2hOQT09
 Meeting ID: 932 2947 2089

Wed SEP 9th @ 9:30 am: 
Periods 2,4, & 6 Civics and Economics with Ms. Ruhlen 

Zoom Link

OR:
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/96949475632?pwd=T05nazBOYUh3ZEsxdkVhQ2lGTjNtUT09
Meeting ID: 969 4947 5632

Accessing Canvas & Office365 

Video Walk-through's

Canvas Resources

 What is Canvas and Zoom?
Parent Canvas Orientation
Canvas Student Guide
Student Video Guides

Announcements

2020-2021 School Year

We know that there are a lot of questions about the upcoming school year and what it will look like. Please refer to the following county resources and check this page throughout the fall for updates concerning your child's education. We look forward to working with you in whatever capacity possible as we stay safe this school year.

Return to Learn Plan and FAQs

The main way that we will be communicating instruction will be through the use of Zoom and Canvas. Canvas is a Learning Management System that allows teachers to virtually deliver content to students. Please explore the resources above to help you better understand Canvas.

Preferred Student Name in Zoom & Canvas:

For security, all PWCS Zoom and Canvas student accounts are locked from allowing students to change their name. However, if a student has a preferred first name, parents/guardians can update it at any time to the “Preferred Name” in ParentVUE via either the app or web browser. Select the student, then “Student Info,” then “Edit Info,” the parent/guardian can then enter the preferred first name in this field, then press "save changes."

Contact Information

Email: 
RuhlenAC@pwcs.edu

Office Hours: 
Monday 2:30 pm - 3:45 pm 
Thursday 3:30 pm -4:15 pm

 Virtual Schedule 
(Social Studies held on EVEN days)