Rosemount High School To Make Paper Versions of Report Cards Optional

It's a school tradition that is firmly engrained in the minds of Americans. Kids bringing home their report cards from school, getting them signed and having the discussion about grades and academic performance with their parents.

At least part of that tradition changes at Rosemount High School later this month, when the school moves from paper report cards to posting them online for parents to access.

Principal John Wollersheim said it's the latest change in how the school and its staff communicate with students and parents. "So much of our interaction is done through the School View system and it made sense to offer this service to our parents and staff," he said. "Continuing to send out paper report cards to parents just didn't make much financial sense."

On Thursday, March 31, the school will send home a note with students letting parents know the latest report card has been posted in SchoolView. There will also be a form for parents to complete if they want to receive a traditional paper copy.

Rosemount High School is one of about 400 schools across the state that use Technology Information Education Services' SchoolView system. It offers teachers the ability to post attendance records, test results, messages to parents and other private information. Parents can also pay for school lunches, check transportation information and view attendance records. Report cards will now be included as one of the modules in Rosemount's version of the system.

Cathy Peccarino has a stepdaughter attending Rosemount High, and she admitted she has mixed emotions about the change. "I'm comfortable using SchoolView and I agree it makes sense to get rid of the paper report cards," she said. "But it also makes me feel really old.  I remember bringing my report card home from grade school, wondering if I could figure out a way to forge my parent's signatures."

Wollersheim said he understands the emotions connected with paper report cards, but he also believes it's just a natural progression in how schools are using technology to make the educational process more efficient.

"It wasn't that long ago that we sent out huge packets of information to parents each August," said Wollersheim. "There was this large stack of registration forms and fact sheets for the coming school year. Now almost all of that takes place online and it not only saves us money, I believe it's easier for parents."