Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News
Week of April 25, 2022
A Note from the Dean's Desk
Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!
As I write this it feels like Spring has finally arrived and hopefully it is here to stay! I also hope you and your family had a restful Spring Break and that your first week back last week was a smooth one!
Please be sure to read closely below about how you can help us prepare to celebrate and honor our staff for Staff Appreciation Week which is next week from May 2-May 6. We want to make sure each and every staff feels appreciated and we'd love your help to do that!
MAP testing also starts this week, so thank you in advance for ensuring your child has a quiet environment free of distractions while testing. Additionally, please review these important tips and reminders to ensure your child's success with virtual learning every day!
- Encourage your child to use headphones to minimize distractions in the environment.
- Ask family members in the household to leave the TV and music off in the rooms where your child attends class.
- Encourage your child to eat meals before school, during the wellness break, and after school. This will help reduce the chance of spills and food-related accidents near the chrome book and will ensure your child's focus is on learning during instruction time.
- Be sure the adult in the household monitors your child frequently throughout the day to ensure they are not visiting other websites and games during instruction.
Thank you for your assistance in ensuring your child has the best possible learning environment at home!
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement on this amazing voyage! Let's make it great week of learning and a great week on purpose!
Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz
Dean
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 25- May 27: MAP Testing (Virtual)
- April 27: Administrative Professionals Day
- April 28: Take Your Child to Work Day
- April 28: MVAPTC Special Education Parent Meeting about Transition Services
- May 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 5: MVAPTC Meeting about Summer Reading with MC Public Library Guest Speaker
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK BEGINS MAY 2
May 2 to May 6 is Staff Appreciation Week! Both the MVA Administration and the MVAPTC are hard at work to plan out the week!
We will have a Spirit Week and multiple ways for students and families to show their appreciation. A message will go out later this week with more details!
You can also help the MVAPTC show appreciation to the MVA staff during Staff Appreciation Week by contributing gift cards or other small gifts to give out to staff. Please use the following sign up genius link to pledge a donation and for mail/drop off and email information. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EA9A82FA0FBC16-mvastaff
Thank you for supporting our incredible staff!
Send a Gratitude Garden to a Staff Member
MAP Testing
Summer School for Virtual Academy Students
This summer, the Montgomery Virtual Academy will offer a virtual summer program for students who are enrolled in the Virtual Academy only. The summer program will provide the opportunity for students to engage in academic and specials courses, and social-emotional learning. The curriculum and program is designed to support students who need additional or repeated instruction in the major work of the previous grade level and/or are currently below grade level in reading and/or math, with an emphasis on foundational skills. This year, MCPS is prioritizing students who would benefit from additional or repeated instruction in the major work of the grade level just completed.
Our program will run from July 6 - July 29, 2022 in the morning for four hours daily.
Some families may have been invited to attend in-person summer school, which is an option still available to students enrolled in the Montgomery Virtual Academy. To maximize resources and available staffing, students with the greatest need may be prioritized first for programs at their local schools.
We will be reaching out to students we believe would benefit from attending our summer program this year. In the meantime, families who are interested in virtual summer school for their child are invited to complete this interest form. Please note that completion of this form does not guarantee enrollment in the summer program. Families will be contacted by May 27, 2022 to confirm their child’s enrollment.
Elementary Virtual Academy Summer School Interest Form - Summer 2022
https://forms.gle/VgyDTqGYyDRtKbtVA
Please also note that the online registration for summer school in ParentVUE does not apply to the Montgomery Virtual Academy virtual school summer program. Please use the Google form above and not ParentVUE to express interest in our program.
Current Grade 5 students will participate in the Middle School summer school program which will be communicated separately.
Questions? Please contact Mrs. Kim Haden, Coordinator, at kimberly_d_haden@mcpsmd.org
MVA Technology Survey
There is also an opportunity to indicate interest in a focus group conversation.
Thank you for taking the time to complete this helpful survey!
MVA Enrollment for the 2022-2023 School Year- ACTION REQUESTED
Students who are currently enrolled in the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) and wish to continue in the MVA in the 2022-2023 school year are not required to re-apply. However, we are asking for current families to please complete the form linked below for each child. In the form, please indicate whether you wish your child to remain in the MVA for the 2022-2023 school year OR plan to have them return to their home school. Families who have already completed the form do not need to re-submit it.
Montgomery Virtual Academy 2022-2023 Enrollment Commitment
https://forms.gle/P1TvdtdzLXDuxafq8
Questions regarding continuation of enrollment may be sent to MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
VIRTUAL ACADEMY ACCEPTING NEW APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
The following message was posted on the MVA Website on February 2, 2022. Please feel free to share and pass it along!
The Montgomery Virtual Academy, a full-time virtual learning program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Students interested in the program are required to apply for admission and must be approved to participate. (Students currently enrolled in the Virtual Academy do not need to reapply). Applications will be considered on a rolling admissions basis. Application reviews will begin March 1 for initial enrollment and staffing purposes.
The Virtual Academy serves students in a comprehensive, full-time online instructional program. The program will continue to expand its infrastructure and services, innovative instructional approaches and flexible options to access coursework, particularly for high school students.
Admission considerations include:
- For elementary school students: Primarily for students with extenuating circumstances related to health or other reasons that can be mitigated through a virtual learning program.
- For middle and high school students: For students to gain access to innovative courses, flexible scheduling and specialty courses that may not be available in all schools, and for students with extenuating circumstances, including health and other reasons, that can be mitigated through a virtual program.
Applications can be submitted through ParentVUE beginning Feb. 2.
For families needing assistance submitting an application, please call 240-740-6060 or email MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org.
For more information, visit these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or the Montgomery Virtual Academy website.
Note for Rising Kindergarteners
Students who will be kindergartners in the 2022–2023 school year must register at their home school prior to applying to the Virtual Academy. To receive a student ID number, contact your local neighborhood elementary school to schedule an appointment. Application reviews for kindergarten students will begin May 1.
MCPS RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL ACADEMY FAMILIES
MEALS
Families can now pre-order meals using the same link each week. (Please see below.) The link will open on Mondays and will close temporarily over the weekend so that the data can be accessed by our Food Services partners. Please note the form is not managed or maintained by the Virtual Academy.
These kits will provide 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 7 Suppers and 7 Snacks. These kits will be distributed every Friday from 11:00am - 1:00pm at most locations (see the form for details).
The kits need to be reserved by Friday 12:00 p.m. one week in advance to ensure availability.
Confirmation of order will be sent via email.
Questions regarding meal kits can be sent to the meals drop box:
DFNSMealKitOrders@mcpsmd.orgWe are so grateful to our partners in Food Services!
Technology Support for Virtual Academy Families
If you are having technology issues, please submit an e-ticket by emailing your question or issue to communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org or submit a ticket via the Community Tech Support portal This account is monitored daily and you will receive email notifications throughout the process.
For helpful support guides and screencasts in English and Spanish, please visit https://montgomery.service-now.com/csm. A support guide for the Community Tech Support portal is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cczbhEXF7x3TBquSMQGUGsxIcqsm_BtG2KBBi_bA0_0/edit
COUNSELING CORNER
Student Service Learning (SSL) Information for Grade 5 Families
Attention Grade 5 Parents and Guardians
We are sharing important information about Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Student Service Learning (SSL) Program.
Student Service Learning (SSL) is a state high school graduation requirement for all students to complete during middle school and high school. Students learn from volunteering and providing meaningful service to the community. Service-learning promotes civic knowledge, civic engagement, academic success, and character and social development in students.
MCPS students must complete 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. Students may begin earning SSL hours the summer after completing grade 5. Students continue to earn SSL hours throughout middle school and high school.
This presentation will cover the definition of Student Service Learning (SSL), the State of Maryland and MCPS requirements for SSL, how students can earn SSL hours, and an overview of the components of the MCPS SSL program.
https://bit.ly/5thGradeSSLOverview2020
This slideshow will also be shared directly with students on their classroom dashboards to view along with parents & guardians.
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY PARENT TEACHER COUNCIL (MVAPTC) INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following MVA Parent Council Announcements are being shared as a public information courtesy.
Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council Updates
Help MVAPTC show our appreciation to the MVA staff during Staff Appreciation Week from Monday, May 2nd to Friday, May 6th. Please use the following Signup Genius link to keep track of donations and for mail/drop off and email information. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EA9A82FA0FBC16-mvastaff
The MVAPTC Special Education Parent Committee is holding the next parent information session on Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 PM. Simone Geness, Supervisor of Transition Services and Diane Flood, Middle School Transition Liaison will be sharing information on Transition Services for secondary aged students who receive Special Education services.
Zoom Link: Special Needs Committee Meeting
Time: Apr 28, 2022 06:30 PM
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89873596679?pwd=cjNSR3NKb2FPRWlLMkU2TExtaSt3UT09
Meeting ID: 898 7359 6679
Passcode: 231185
Upcoming Parent Teacher Council Meetings: Thursday, May 5th at 6:30 PM
Special Presentation by Erin Pike, Head of Children's Services at the Aspen Hill Library regarding their summer reading program and other resources.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/89298319733?pwd=U05LRGFXTjNJVDBYUU5UU2IzNHFHdz09
Meeting ID: 892 9831 9733
Passcode: 131200
Future meetings: 1st Thursday of the Month at 6:30 PM (June 2 - Board Member Elections)
If you are interested in running for a MVAPTC board member position on June 2nd, please contact Jessica at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com and she will put you in touch with the nominating committee.
MVAPTC Links:
Website: mvaptc.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=montgomery%20virtual%20academy%20parent%20teacher%20council
Facebook page for unofficial Parent Group called MCPS - Montgomery Virtual Academy Families and Staff (Montgomery County, MD): https://www.facebook.com/groups/530674078014807
MVAPTC Membership Signup (no dues this year): https://forms.gle/ATxuHnUWnvEqVD9Y8
Please contact Council President, Jessica at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com if you’d like to volunteer or have any questions, comments or suggestions. Thank you for your support!
MCPS INFORMATION FOR ALL FAMILIES
Kindergarten Registration
For the 2022-2023 school year, Kindergarten registration will be online through the ParentVUE portal starting March 28. Children age 5 by September 1 are eligible for enrollment. All children who will be 5 years old by September 1 of any given year must attend school in either a licensed private or public school Kindergarten that year.
Families who wish to enroll their incoming kindergarten student in the Montgomery Virtual Academy must first register with the home school.
For more details see:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/enroll/kindergarten.aspxPREKINDERGARTEN/HEAD START REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/earlychildhood/prek/
Please note that the Montgomery Virtual Academy does not have a pre-kindergarten or Head Start program.
Free, On-Demand Online/Virtual Tutoring Available for All Students, K-12
See the MCPS Website for more details:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/tutoring.aspx
Access Instructions for Students (Must be logged in with MCPS credentials)
1. Navigate your web browser to: https://clever.com/in/mcpsmd
2. Log in to the MCPS Clever Portal. If prompted, choose Log in with Google.
3. Select the Tutoring Partner app to access the program resources. (FEV Tutor or Tutor Me Education)
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Utility Assistance from Montgomery County Government:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/Program.aspx?id=SNHS/SNHSUtilityA-p746.html
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 5-11:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/children.html
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/
Food Giveaway Events this week:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get- help/food.html#events
Family And Friends Mental Health Support:
http://namimd.org/family__friend_support
Health Care for the Uninsured (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FoOQWe-GVr6ljzHjIxYRcl5VxtdBQCHN/view?usp=sharing
Health Care for the Uninsured (Spanish):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Pss-kVuL1IDh7cG1o47PrF0ZWImn1GY/view?
Montgomery County Public Library Programs:
https://mcpl.libnet.info/events?=undefined&r=thismonth&term=Virtual+Program
Find us at...
Email: Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/
Location: 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6060
Twitter: @MVA_DeanHeifetz