River Valley Academy News
An RVA Family Update
January 29, 2021 Edition
Welcome back, students!!
Face to face learning returns February 1! It will be great to get back into a routine!
It will be important to remember to wash hands/sanitize regularly and keep those masks over nose and mouth.
We can't wait to see your faces on Monday morning, and welcome you all back to the building!
We will be welcoming you with a smile, albeit behind our masks!
Take care,
Jenny
Jobs for Michigan's Graduates comes to RVA!
Classes will meet right at RVA, starting Tuesday, February 2 and continuing to Spring Break, from 2-3 PM. FREE PIZZA will be provided on February 2!
In addition to the ability to learn these important life skills, students can earn up to $150 in stackable gift cards! They may even be eligible for up to $10,000 in grant funding to pursue post-secondary/training school expenses!!
Come find out how Project Northstar can help you transition from high school to college, trade school, or career!
Groups are coming!
Attendance and Tardy Protocol Update
As we continue to support student learning in this pandemic, to make sure we are all on the same page, let's review expectations. RPS believes In-person learning is the best way for students to learn and make progress toward graduation.
Here is what we are expecting:
Students are expected to attend school in person every day!
In person contact is important, not only for academic purposes, but for social and emotional reasons as well.
Many struggle with mental health issues, especially during this pandemic. Routine and social interactions can help us all stay strong!
Students will be marked absent if they are not present, even if they attend a Google Meet from home, unless they are excused by a parent or guardian.
Parents will have to call school to excuse their student from face to face learning for the day.
Students would then be expected to attend Google Meets from home.
Completing classes is all about time and effort!
Each class takes about 45-60 hours to complete
Students should spend a minimum of 5 hours a day on school work, when working remotely.
3. When remote learning, students are expected to attend the entire Google Meet class session, to be marked present.
Students must be on time.
Students must be engaged.
Students must reply to teachers when called upon.
Students must complete work in each class.
Thank you for your support and cooperation, which will help students reach the finish line of graduation!
PSAT
Due to the snow day on January 26, the PSAT was cancelled. Sophomores will take the PSAT in April, during MME testing week. Juniors with take the SAT at that time. To prepare for these tests, students should log in to Khan Academy and search SAT practice. There are numerous resources there, to help your student do their best on the SAT!
Winter NWEA MAP testing 2021
Look for a score update in early February, to see how your student is progressing. We look for growth on these tests, hoping to see skills improving!
Teacher Spotlight
Mike Westgate is in his second year of teaching at RVA. He has taught elementary, middle, and high school Physical Education, and high school Social Studies.
Mike earned his Bachelor's degree from GVSU and his Master's degree from Aquinas College. It was in college, exploring courses and coaching that he realized his passion was in working with students and athletes: teaching, learning, and working hard toward achieving goals.
Before this revelation, Mike worked as a lifeguard, for UPS, for Blockbuster Video, as a painter, and as a coach of water polo, swimming, and volleyball for many years.
When asked what advice he would give to a high school student considering career and post-secondary options, Mike said, "My path led me away from achieving my college degree after high school. I am so glad to have realized that I needed to finish that degree and then a world of opportunities opened up for me to work doing what I loved most and earning enough to support a family!"
Mike's three kids motivate him. "I work hard to grow and inspire them to be the best they can be." At RVA, Mike enjoys building relationships and interacting with students and staff. These are things Mike does well. His sense of humor and positive attitude inspire and motivate students.
Google Meet Reminders
Google Meet sessions are currently happening for our students working from home for medical reasons. Students are expected to participate in 5 Google Meets a day, and remain in attendance for the full class period. Attendance will be taken, and tardies recorded.
Google Meet nicknames will be the teacher's first name followed by the class hour. For example, if you have Heather for third hour, the code would be heather3.
If any packets or other school items are needed, these can be picked up at RVA. Please let the office know what you need.
Attendance (time and effort) counts!
Attendance will be taken in person and for students working from home for medical reasons, via Google Meet. Attendance rates should be above 90%. Schools are required to track attendance and report to the truancy office. Please check in with your student to make sure they attend over 90% of their scheduled classes! Education still needs to happen, and diplomas still have to be earned!
Students, please take advantage of the opportunity you have to complete courses that will help you graduate on time, or in the time frame you have planned, for those of you planning to graduate early. Your diploma is a product of time and effort! Make it happen!
How do I know how my student is doing from day to day?
Edgenuity courses offer parent updates. If you would like to be signed up to receive these, please complete this form. When the form has been processed, you will receive directions for signing up for the Parent Portal along with an access code. You will receive daily updates. If you want specific information on how your student is doing in Edgenuity, ask your student for their login information. If you log in as the student, you can see a more detailed report.
Good questions to ask your student include:
1. Are you attending all class sessions, whether school is in person or remote?
2. Are you completing at least one assignment in each class session?
3. About how far in each course are you?
4. What are you doing well?
5. What can you do better?
Parents and schools are partners in educating students!
KCTC Virtual Visits are up and running! There are 3 steps to get enrolled for next year!
If you are a junior or sophomore and you are interested in KCTC for next year, please let Jenny know, by signing up using the KCTC Individual Virtual Visit survey. Step 3: After your individual virtual visit, let Jenny know your interest in getting registered for KCTC next year!
Talk & Tour Career Series - Virtual! Kent ISD Career Readiness Team
Upcoming Dates:
Health Sciences: Mary Free Bed
Tuesday, February 16 - 3:30 - 4:30pm
Public Safety: Grand Rapids Police Department
Thursday, February 25 - 2030pm - 3:00pm
How are you doing? People care and want to help!
RVA has an amazing staff, social worker, and mental health liaison who can listen and connect you to resources!
Ele's Place is a community based organization with the mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Please find a very helpful guide for parents - how to support teens, as well as a handout titled, How to Help Yourself: For Teens below.
Area Resources
North Kent CONNECT: (adjusted hours due to COVID-19 precautions)
Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Calendar of Services
Mobile Food Pantries: https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/
Assistance with housing, food, utilities:
contact 211 by phone or text (800-877-1107), text your zip code to 898211
Youth in need of shelter: The Bridge 616-451-3001 or 877-275-7792
RVA/RPS Calendar Highlights
February 2: Counseling Group Opportunity Introductory Meeting
February 2: JMG (Jobs for Michigan's Grads) begins. 2-3 PM at RVA
February 5: Ground Hog Shadow Day
February 10: Count Day! Please make EVERY effort to attend class that day!
February 15 and 16: Winter Break for students
February 26: End of Trimester 2!!
Please reach out with any questions you have or if there is anything you need!
Email: jthompson@rockfordschools.org
Website: http://www.rockfordschools.org
Location: 350 North Main Street, Rockford, MI, USA
Phone: 616-863-6324
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivervalleyacademy
Twitter: @academy_river