NCVA Beacon Herald
October 2018
Our Mission
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
When someone says “October,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Many of you will say a change in seasons, colors of the leaves, or even the State Fair. All are great answers, but here is a little historical nugget – on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida. While it consists of several theme parks, the Magic Kingdom is, by far, the most visited of them – more than 20 million people annually. If you look at global attendance for all the Disney parks, they average 150 million visitors each year.
Those figures are impressive, but Walt Disney was not always successful. He was fired as a journalist because he lacked creativity. He founded his own movie studio to try and launch Mickey Mouse, but that company went bankrupt. Despite his struggles, he never gave up and continued working hard. It was those efforts that, ultimately, led to his success. We have finished our first month of school and many months are ahead. Keep working hard. Never give up. You, along with your teachers, can create amazing memories and see tremendous success.
I will leave you with a few of my favorite Disney quotes:
- The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
- All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them
~Dr. Medley
Important Dates
- 10/5: LC Social Hour (LC Account)
- 10/8: HOLIDAY/ No School
- 10/9: REGULAR School Day (Teacher Work Day CANCELLED)
- 10/12: HS Adventure Day (See E-mail)
- 10/22-10/23: HS ACT Testing (More information to come via e-mail)
- 10/24: Wear Orange for PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center
- 10/24-10/25: Teacher Training (No live CCs)
- 10/24: NCVA Book Drive with Barnes and Noble (See Attached)
- 10/26: K-5 Adventure Day (See E-mail)
UPDATE Your Contact Information
Please ensure your phone number and e-mail are up to date in the OLS under your LC Account.
- Change of Address: Proof of Residence (utility bill, lease, home owner's statement) is required to update your physical address. Please e-mail the information to the Registrar at ccameron@ncvacademy.org.
K12 Customer Support 1-866-512-2273
K12 Customer Support Videos
https://www.help.k12.com/s/topic/0TO0B000000I2moWAC/technical-support-videos#?tabset-26361=2
- Audio Set-Up: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-to-Setup-a-Headset-Microphone-and-Configure-Audio-for-Class-Connect
New to NCVA?
- READ the Strong Start Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/ae15n
- REQUIRED New Student Orientations (Will appear on Student OLS Schedule)
*Parents & Students attend*
Mondays and Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
* Only 1 is required per grade band (ES,MS, and/or HS)
For example, a family with 3rd and 5th graders only attend 1 ES session. Whereas a family with a 7th and 10th grader would attend both MS and HS sessions.
- Complete Online Learning/Welcome to Online Learning Course
- Complete a Connection Call with your student(s) Homeroom Teacher(s)
- Log-in to Student and Learning Coach Accounts daily
We are here to support you! Thank you for choosing NCVA.
K12 is working diligently to eliminate and replace content that was built on Flash, as web browsers are ceasing support of it. However, you may still encounter some Flash content.
For the best user experience, we recommend accessing your online classes using the Mozilla Firefox browser. To download the most recent version of Firefox, please visit: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ .
If you are using a Chromebook or need to access your online classes using Chrome, we recommend not updating to the newest release (Chrome 69), which forces users to re-enable Flash every time they restart their browser. Please refer tohttp://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Enabling-Flash-in-Chrome-69 on help.k12.com for a step-by-step guide to enabling Flash in Chrome 69.
Hurricane Relief Fund
The K12 Southern Region Team is looking for your support in helping raise funds for our school family at the North Carolina Virtual Academy.
Many staff members and families have been affected in some way or another by Hurricane Florence . While the hurricane has passed, clean- up efforts, rebuilding and replacement of essential resources are needed.
We will be collecting donations for a limited time to support families to purchase essential items (Non- perishable food, personal care products, cleaning supplies, paper products, baby and infant supplies first-aid items, pet food/pet supplies, etc.) to deliver these items to our staff and families in North Carolina.
Every donation is sincerely appreciated in this time of need! Donations may be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/NorthCarolinaVirtualAcademyHurricaneFlorenceRelief
Thank You,
K12 Southern Region Team
Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. K12 is looking for student experiences to spotlight. Did your student choose NCVA because of bullying? Are they open to sharing their story and how the move to virtual schooling has impacted them?
Please contact Ms. Kelly Shanahan at kshanahan@ncvacademy.org to participate.
Let’s work together to show the difference NCVA is making in our students’ lives!
K12 Cares: Bullying Prevention
~Ways to participate~
- 10/24 Wear ORANGE for PACER's National Unity Day
- MAKE a sign in support of Bullying Prevention.
- POST a picture on our NCVA Facebook Page of your student in action!
*TRACK your community service hours here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K12Cares *
K-5 Reading Featuring: Ms. Nadia Munisteri
Thursday, 10/11 (on your student's OLS plan)
K-2nd at 1:00 p.m.
3rd-5th at 1:30 p.m.
Her book is available on Amazon for those interested in adding this to your personal library!
NCVA Book Fair with Barnes & Noble
Wednesday, 10/24/18 at Barnes & Noble (Southpoint Location) in Durham, NC
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
More ways to participate NCVA Bookfair ID: 12425401
- Shop at ANY Barnes & Noble store nationwide.
- Shop ONLINE at http://bn.com/bookfairs from 10/24/18-10/29/18
~Provide the NCVA Bookfair ID or the Bookfair Voucher at check-out!~
A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit our school. Thank you for your support!
*NEW* NCVA Social Events Quarterly Calendars
Features include:
- Community Service Activities
- *Bonus* and Gradeband Adventure Day Activities
- Town Hall Topics
- LC Events
Check it out and print a copy. Hopefully, this additional tool will help our families with advance planning and e-mail reduction!
Elementary School Updates
Don't Forget to Check out the K-5 Website!
Big Universe
Website: https://www.biguniverse.com/signin
User Name: Student ID#
Password: ncva
Group Name: ncva
Is your child reading daily?
1. Helps in language development
2. Promotes brain development
3. Aids in understanding of a world outside of our own
4. Strengthens family relationships
5. Provides endless possibilities
K-5 Reminders...
2. Attend all Class Connect Sessions.
3. Complete your lessons in the OLS.
4. Check your overdue tab often.
5. Enter attendance DAILY!
Middle School Updates
Reminders
2. Follow your lesson plan and schedule (not necessarily lesson numbers).
- Follow the DUE dates on your Schedule and Class Plans.
3. Make sure you're completing assignments in Go Formative as well!
4. IMPORTANT: log into individual courses to do work - don't rely on clicking assignments on your schedule. This will allow you to read announcements that may apply to that day!
5. Remember that Class Connects are required! It's super important that you're on time and an active participant in any session that may be scheduled for you.
For all technical errors, please call k12 tech support at 866-512-2273
Symbaloo Links
- Bookmark the Middle School Symbaloo page for helpful links: https://www.symbaloo.com/shared/AAAABzTHnfoAA42AR5bOnw==
- Watch the Help Videos on the Symbaloo page!
Coffee with Mrs. V
Learning Coaches: Be on the lookout for a “Coffee with Mrs. V” invitation on your learning coach class connect schedule. This a special session held for the middle school learning coaches covering a variety of different topics and is hosted by our administrator Mrs. Villegas.
We'll bring the info, you bring the coffee!
Stride
Learn more about Stride here: https://start.k12.com/national.html?st=stride&product=public_schools_generic&leadsource=drtv
High School Updates
Reminders
Please remember that certain high school courses have EOC's (End of Course Tests) Thus, if your student has an EOC course and has a scheduling conflict they should attend the EOC course first and then watch the recording for the other course. Work still has to be completed in BOTH courses.
Just a reminder, if you have a scheduling conflict you need to let your teachers know if you have live CC sessions that overlap and an EOC course: (Math 1, Math 3, Eng 2 and Biology)
EOC courses have State Exams at the end of the semester that count for 20% of their grade!
Please remember if you are submitting an application to NHS it needs to be submitted by September 14.
Other Resources:
Help raise money for your school!
Watch the video to find out how.
We are excited to have you as part of NCVA's High School! Welcome Back!
Upcoming dates
ALL HS outing in October (October 12)
Department of Exceptional Children
Counselor's Corner
High School
CAW is Coming!
Attention Seniors! College Application Week will be held the week of October 15th-19th. This is a great time to complete your FAFSA and apply to college. Your counselors will be holding open session times throughout the week to help with any questions. Watch your email for more information soon!
Seniors, your counselors have emailed you regarding a time for your individual Senior Interview. If you have not signed up for a meeting time, please do so now.
Driver’s Education
NCVA students should register for a driver’s education class in their county of residence. Once they complete the class and driving portion, they should email Mrs. Beck to request a Driver’s Eligibility Certificate. Students must pass 2 of 3 classes each semester to qualify for a certificate.
*NEW* K-8 Counselor: Whitney Cress
Mrs. Whitney Cress has joined NCVA as the new Elementary and Middle School Counselor. She is very excited to work with our students and families. She offers brief individual counseling services, small groups and support groups, and you will see her in our monthly Townhalls. Feel free to reach out to her for social, emotional or academic concerns and support. Welcome Mrs. Cress!
Monthly Townhalls
Townhalls will show up on your class connect schedules. We look forward to seeing you there! The topics for October will be:
K-2: October 5 @ 12:00 Dealing with Our Feelings
3-5: October 12 @ 12:00 Coping Skills: The Power of Positive Thinking
MS: October 22 @ 1:00 Bullying/Cyber Safety
HS: October 15 @ 1:00 Bullying/Cyber Safety
FAST (Family Academic Support Team)
A "Strong Start" for EVERYONE
Welcome back! The FAST Team would like to wish all of our families a "strong start" to the new school year. Check out this S'more for resources you will use all year long!
Strong Start Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/ae15n
LC Social Hour (Online Via BbC)
Friday, 10/5
(Under the LC Account)
Open chat for Learning Coaches! All are welcome to join.
- K-5 @ 9:00 a.m.
- 6-12 @ 10:00 a.m.
*"Tip of the Month"
*Ask Questions
*Share helpful resources
*Connect with other LCs
Jillian Davenport and LC Volunteers will be available to assist with questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
LC Information Exchange (ONLINE VIA BbC)
Tuesday, 10/16
(Under the LC Account)
Specially designed to connect LCs with one another by location!
- K-5 @ 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- 6-12 @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
*Regional Parent Groups
*NCVA Teachers
NCVA provides McKinney-Vento/Homeless assistance and supports to qualifying students.
You may be eligible for assistance through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Below is the definition of what qualifies a family to be considered eligible for supports and services.
According to section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)), the term “homeless children and youths”—
(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence...; and
(B) includes—
(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.
(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
Children and youth are considered homeless if they fit both Part A and any one of the sub-parts of Part B of the definition above.
If you feel you may qualify or if you have any questions, please contact Paige Adams, Homeless Liaison & Family Resource Coordinator, at padams@ncvacademy.org or at 919-346-0121 ext. 2030.
Celebrating Attendance Awareness Month
STUDENT AND PARENT OPPORTUNITIES
Social Media
Please take advantage of opportunities to connect with the K12 and NCVA communities online and social media, via
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncva_k12
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncva_k12/
**NEW** Regional Parent Groups
- Make new friends
- Attend informal social activities outside of school
- Share tips and tricks
How do I join? : E-mail the Regional Parent Group where you reside. Use the map below to find your Region by County. Include your name, county, student(s)' name(s), grade levels, and phone number.
Region 1 ncvaregion1@gmail.com
Region 2 ncvaregion2@gmail.com
Region 3 ncvaregion3@yahoo.com *NEW*
Region 4 ncvaregion4@yahoo.com
Region 5 ncvaregion5@gmail.com
Region 6 ncvaregion6@gmail.com
Region 7 ncvaregion7@yahoo.com
Region 8 ncvaregion8@gmail.com
RPG Newsletter (Quarter 1 2018): https://www.smore.com/0rd4z
PLEASE NOTE: The Regional Parent Groups are comprised of Learning Coaches. They do NOT have access to student information. Please contact your student's Homeroom or Content Area Teacher(s) for academic questions.
K12 Clubs
K12 offers a variety of student clubs where like-minded students can share their areas of interest. These clubs are offered typically two times a month, and last one hour. K12 Clubs are available between September and May annually.
Registration is opening soon!
To register, visit: http://www.k12.com/k12-student-clubs. Student and Family questions about national clubs & other national programming may be directed to clubs@k12.com .
K12 Learning Liftoff Newsletter
Register here: http://www.learningliftoff.com/
Community Activities
Victory Junction: Located in Randleman, NC. Camp opportunities are available year round for children with special needs and various medical conditions at no cost to families. Contact Victory Junction at https://victoryjunction.org for more information.
Carolina Parent: The Carolina Parent website is an excellent resource for family friendly activities and resources throughout the state. Visit http://www.carolinaparent.com/ for more information.
Museums for All
Museums for All allows low income families (who can show proof of an EBT card) to enter specific museums across NC with an admission fee ranging from free to $3 depending on location.
Program Link
http://www.childrensmuseums.org/about/acm-initiatives/museums-for-all
List of museums that participate:
HELPING OUR SCHOOL
Box Tops for Education
As a public school, NCVA is able to participate in Box Tops for Education by General Mills and has signed up to create an account. As you shop and purchase normal, everyday products, you can cut those box tops off and get them to our school so that we can gain additional supplies. The products vary and include food, storage, paper products, and cleaning supplies.
When you cut them off, there are printable, fun sheets to be able to collect them. The link below will take you to those sheets:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/~/link.aspx?_id=CD4A2815C2894609BCBA7A1A3DB6E65F&_z=z
Once you have collected several, here are the ways to be able to get them to our coordinator – Carrie Daniel:
- Bring them with you at an outing and give to a teacher
- Bring them with you to a testing site and give to the Site Coordinator
- Mail them to the Office at the school address attention to Ms. Daniel.
"Together In Education Program"
Account # 3669
"Tools For Schools"
(Account # 31300)
Contact Information
North Carolina Virtual Academy
4220 NC HWY 55, Suite 130
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 919-346-0121
Fax: 919-324-6597
Website: http://ncva.k12.com
K12 Customer Support: 1-866-512-2273