Overview

Report Card Comments allow schools to provide meaningful, consistent, and professional feedback to students and parents. Rather than requiring teachers to write the same comments repeatedly, openSIS allows administrators to create a library of predefined comments that can be selected during grading periods.

These comments can address academic performance, behavior, participation, attendance, effort, citizenship, and other areas important to student development.

A well-maintained comment library improves communication while reducing the time teachers spend preparing report cards.

Before You Begin

Before creating comments, it is recommended that you first create Comment Categories.

Categories help organize comments and make them easier for teachers to locate during report card preparation.

Common categories include:

• Academic Performance
• Behavior
• Participation
• Attendance
• Effort
• Citizenship

Once categories have been created, you can begin adding comments.

Why Use Predefined Comments?

Predefined comments help schools:

• Maintain consistency across report cards.
• Save teacher time during grading periods.
• Ensure approved language is used.
• Improve parent communication.
• Provide professional and constructive feedback.
• Standardize reporting practices across departments.

How to Add a Report Card Comment

Step 1: Navigate to Report Card Comments

Go to:

Settings → Grades → Report Card Comments

The Report Card Comments page displays existing categories and comments.

Step 2: Select a Comment Category

Choose the category where the comment should be stored.

Examples:

• Academic Performance
• Participation
• Behavior
• Attendance
• Effort

Organizing comments correctly makes them easier for teachers to find later.

Step 3: Click Add

Select the Add button.

The comment creation form will open.

Step 4: Enter the Comment

In the comment field, enter the feedback statement you want teachers to use.

Example comments:

Academic Performance

• Demonstrates excellent understanding of course concepts.
• Consistently performs above grade-level expectations.
• Shows steady improvement throughout the marking period.

Behavior

• Demonstrates respect toward peers and staff.
• Maintains positive classroom behavior.
• Follows classroom expectations consistently.

Participation

• Actively contributes during classroom discussions.
• Participates enthusiastically in group activities.
• Demonstrates strong engagement during lessons.

Step 5: Save

Click Save.

The comment is added to the selected category and becomes available for teacher use during grading.

Writing Effective Report Card Comments

The best report card comments are:

Specific

Provide meaningful observations about student performance.

Example:

✅ Demonstrates strong problem-solving skills.

Instead of:

❌ Good student.

Constructive

Provide feedback that encourages growth.

Example:

✅ Continues to make progress in reading comprehension skills.

Instead of:

❌ Needs improvement.

Professional

Maintain a positive and respectful tone.

Example:

✅ Works well independently and contributes positively to classroom activities.

Easy to Understand

Comments should be written in language that parents and students can easily understand.

Examples of Useful Comment Libraries

Academic Performance

• Demonstrates mastery of grade-level standards.
• Consistently produces high-quality work.
• Shows strong critical thinking skills.

Effort

• Consistently puts forth excellent effort.
• Approaches assignments with enthusiasm.
• Demonstrates persistence when faced with challenges.

Attendance

• Maintains excellent attendance.
• Arrives prepared and ready to learn.
• Attendance supports academic success.

Citizenship

• Demonstrates leadership qualities.
• Shows respect for the school community.
• Serves as a positive role model for peers.

Best Practices

Keep Comments Reusable

Create comments that can apply to multiple students.

Use Positive Language

Even corrective feedback should be constructive and encouraging.

Avoid Duplicate Comments

Review existing comments before creating new ones.

Update Regularly

Review comments annually to ensure they remain relevant.

Organize by Category

A structured comment library improves teacher efficiency.

Common Questions

Can I create unlimited report card comments?

Schools can create as many comments as needed to support their grading process.

Can teachers use the same comment for multiple students?

Yes. Predefined comments are designed to be reused whenever appropriate.

Can comments be edited later?

Yes. Existing comments can be updated if changes are required.

Can comments be grouped into categories?

Yes. Categories help organize comments and improve usability.