Adria R. Walker and Shawn Dowd
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | USA TODAY NETWORK
Rihanna Sepulveda wakes before her four siblings, sometimes as early as 7 a.m. The seventh- grader at Rochester’s Franklin Middle School is “shining bright,” her mother says, ready to face the day.
Today, though, Rihanna is in tears.
“I know my grades aren’t right,” she cries. “They gave me an F!”
Her mother, Zumarie, is shocked. They know Rihanna has completed the work. She tries to calm her daughter, asking her to check all the posted assignments and reach out to the teacher.
“I’ll send her an email and I’ll find out what that grade is reflecting,” Zumarie tells her, “so don’t get upset.”