August 17, 2015 Dear OHVA Students and Families, Welcome to the
Transcription
August 17, 2015 Dear OHVA Students and Families, Welcome to the
1690 Woodlands Dr. Suite 200 Maumee, OH 43537 ohva.k12.com August 17, 2015 Dear OHVA Students and Families, Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! I am so excited that you chose to partner with OHVA this year to ensure the very best education for your child(ren). We have worked hard to develop an academic plan that will serve every student. Please feel free to reach out to your teachers, support staff or administration for clarification or needs. Every department has worked carefully using the data collected last year and the year before to help shape its academic plan for the coming year. Looking carefully at state standards, the curriculum and needs demonstrated in diagnostic and interim assessments, staff will provide supporting lessons at each grade level through ClassConnect. It is important that students participate in these lessons to support the learning going on at home. These lessons should be a support for students and a benefit to the family as well and will help students learn the expected skills throughout the year. While Study Island will continue to be used by Ohio Virtual Academy as an intervention and test prep tool, there will no longer be a grade tied to completing the lessons. However, we do encourage the use of Study Island as presented by the teachers to continue helping our students with needed vocabulary and practice with state standards and to help students prepare for the end of the year assessments. I am sure that you have already heard, but let me take a moment to reiterate the changes that we know are coming this year. The state has decided to forgo working with PARCC for the yearly state testing. American Institute of Research (AIR) will be creating the English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematic assessments to be administered in spring. AIR also created the science and social studies assessments that were given last year. The biggest change in the state testing, however, is the date range for the assessments to be proctored. Students will take the tests at the end of the year during a 30 day window. OGT and 3rd grade will also get a chance to take the assessments in fall as usual. This timing should help students complete the bulk of their academics and will allow the teachers to be supporting that learning through midApril before proctoring the assessments. The duration of the assessments are also shorter and will be more in the time range of the OAA/OGT. 1690 Woodlands Dr. Suite 200 Maumee, OH 43537 ohva.k12.com Finally, we are planning several opportunities for families to get together with staff and learn from each other. There will be Literacy Days, Math Mania Days, and Student Expo Days when students can demonstrate their work. We are excited to be able to have our amazing students demonstrate their talents and hope you will find these days beneficial. Again, we are excited by the upcoming year and the academic plans that have been developed. We know that working together we will be able to do what we all are working toward, creating the best learning environment possible for our students. Good luck and please feel free to reach out to administration should you need anything throughout the year. Our website has all the needed information should you need to contact us. http://ohva.k12.com Sincerely, Dr. Kristin Stewart, Senior Head of School Ohio Virtual Academy Parent Compact The purpose of this Parent Compact is to set expectations for Ohio Virtual Academy (OHVA) parents. Your child’s educational success, a primary goal of OHVA, can only be achieved if you understand your key role in following the curricular and attendance requirements below. I believe that my student has the ability to grow academically. My role, which is vital for my student’s academic achievement, is valued and respected among administrators and teachers at OHVA. I will abide by OHVA’s policies and procedures as outlined in the OHVA Parent Handbook. I will maintain continuous Internet service and make sure my student has daily access to participate in the school. I understand that the Ohio Virtual Academy program includes the K12 curriculum, Study Island, varied assessments, Class Connects, and other instructional tools, specific to my student’s academic requirements. I will actively supervise my student while participating in the OHVA academic program. Learning Coach guidance is essential for students in the K-8 program and also needed on a regular basis in high school. My student is enrolled in a public school and must meet the state attendance requirements. Students in grades 1 -12 require 920 hours, and kindergarten students require 460 hours per year. To reach my student’s academic goals, average attendance may range from 3 hours (kindergarten) to 8 hours (5th grade through high school). I am responsible to accurately record attendance and progress daily in my student’s Online School. Insufficient hours recorded in the system over time is a truancy issue and could result in my student‘s removal from OHVA. My student will participate in all required state achievement and diagnostic testing. It is my responsibility to provide transportation to and from the test site(s). Testing dates are determined by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). I will actively engage with OHVA staff by participating in conferences, reading K-Mail on adaily basis, submitting portfolio samples, and attending face-to-face (F2F) activities throughout the year, including state testing. If I have designated another person to act as Learning Coach for my student, I will conference jointly with the Learning Coach and OHVA teacher(s). I will work with and treat staff members professionally, understanding that staff must follow set schedules and policies. Failure to follow the school’s program requirements may result in my student’s removal from the Ohio Virtual Academy. Fast Facts School Connections & Support Parent Connections & Support OHVA office and staff: 1-877-648-2512 Use 0 for operator, extension for teachers/staff. ohva.k12.com/parents School Website: http://ohva.k12.com/ Contact: http://ohva.k12.com/contact-us OHVA Closed/Private* Regional Facebook Groups *For enrolled OHVA families only Regional/local connection and mentoring support OHVA NE Parents OHVA NW Parents OHVA C Parents OHVA SW Parents OHVA SE Parents OHVA SC Parents Get Started: Strong Start! How-to videos and steps to get started http://ohva.k12start.com/ Check “for parents” for the K12 Parent Network Tech Support/Customer Care: 1-866-K12-CARE (For login, computer/tech, and materials issues) K12 Self-help and search: help.k12.com Many, many support topics! K12 Website: www.k12.com Parent Helpline 1-877-648-2512, HELP (4357) OHVA Parent Handbook: Available at http://ohva.k12start.com/ Activities & Events OHVA Online Event Calendar (F2F/Online*) www.localendar.com/public/ohva *Online parent sessions posted, too. Watch for these featured school activities: Back to School Picnics – September Literacy Day - November Spelling Bees (K-8) – December School Choice/Winter Fun – January Student Showcase Exhibits - Spring Year-End Celebrations – May/June Teacher Outings – All months Directions for How to Record F2F: Every Sunday on the Event Calendar Family Engagement Coordinator: Susie Ebie, [email protected] Ext. 2009 OHVA Public Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/Ohio.Virtual.Academy Parent-Hosted Activities Calendar Co-ops, Monthly Bowling & Friendships www.localendar.com/public/ohvaparents Parent Advisory Council Contact the PAC for mentoring support. [email protected] OHVA Boosters Join with other volunteer parents who are supporting the school and your child. To join Boosters: www.tinyurl.com/BoosterSignUp School Contact: Susie Ebie, [email protected] OHVA eQUIP Parent Learning Sessions: http://ohva.k12.com/equip Ohio Virtual Academy’s Spirit Shop Looking for OHVA spirit items? Share your school pride and support your school! ~Incentives and gift items for students and parents~ We’ve got what you need! www.cafepress.com/ohva For additional options for school items, visit K12’s Online Store: http://gear.k12.com. OHVA items make great holiday and birthday gifts! 2015–2016 Academic Calendar August 17, 2015 First Day of School January 11, 2016 Start of 2nd Semester August 17 – October 31, 2015 KRA – Kindergarten Readiness Assessment January 18, 2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day * September 7, 2015 Labor Day * February 15, 2016 Presidents' Day * August 24 - September 30, 2015 Online Diagnostic Assessment AIMSweb (Grade K- 2) March 14 – 23, 2016 Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) Grades 11–12 October 2015 Fall Diagnostic Testing, grades 1–3 March 28 – April 1, 2016 Spring Break State Testing** October 26 – November 8, 2015 Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) Grades 11–12 November 24–27, 2015 Thanksgiving Break* December 18, 2015 End of 1st Semester December 21, 2015–January 1, 2016 Winter Break January 4, 2016 Classes resume for K-8 High School Support Week May 27, 2016 Last Day of School Last Day to Log Student Attendance May 28, 2016 High School Graduation Eighth Grade Recognition May 30, 2016 Memorial Day * June 13 – 17, 2016 Summer Administration of Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) Grades 11-12 * Holiday — OHVA Office Closed ** Due to recent legislation, the state of Ohio has not announced the spring testing window. These specific dates will be provided to our OHVA families as soon as they are determined by the Ohio Department of Education.