January 2018 Newsletter
For families of the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
End of Semester Procedures
Reminder: students must pass all classes in order to get additional electives paid for.
Exam procedures: Exams must be proctored here at school. Students are allowed a notecard for exams (front and back). Foreign Language Exams are open-notes.
If you have concerns about this, please call 269 473-0500 to make an appointment to speak with Mrs. Stout
Attention current 10th and 11th grade students
IF you are interested in dual enrollment, please contact Mrs. Linda Bergan right away at lbergan@homeoftheshamrocks.org to get your name on the list. She will guide you through that process.
Reminder: If you are enrolled in a "Test Prep" course - you need to study 2 hours per week
Those who are enrolled in Test Prep are required to use khanacademy 2 hours per week to earn credit. This course is NOT for a grade - you will earn CR or NC.
Important Upcoming Dates!
Calendar Items
- Monday, January 15 - no school
- Monday - Friday Jan 22-26 Exams
- Thursday, January 25 - half day, building closes at 11 am
- Friday, January 26 - half day, building closes at 11 am **End of Semester 1**
- Wednesday, Feb 14 - COUNT DAY - All students MUST attend
- Monday, Feb 19 - HALF DAY - Lab closes at 11 am.
- Friday, March 30. End of Marking period Lab closes at 11 am.
It's Elementary
Elementary News:
1. Connexus users - please remember to LOG attendance. This is important as the data is used to report student attendance. Re-watch the Parent Orientation video for instructions on recording attendance.
2. Stay on pace - one of the nice things about this program is that it is flexible; you don't have to do school at a set time or day. However, if your child misses a day or days of school, please plan to make them up to avoid falling too far behind. Please refer to the Percent Target Completion table that was emailed on 09/18/17 for completion targets for each week of school. Print it for easy reference.
3. Email communication - Parents, please use my bphelan@homeoftheshamrocks.org email rather than the messaging system embedded in your student's learning platform. Older students (4th and 5th grade) may use the platform messaging system to ask me questions about specific assignments or questions. Please reply to every email I send so that I know that you've received my message. A simple, "Got it," is all that is needed.
4. A Just-Right-Book - Your student should be reading daily. Be sure your student selects a Just-Right-Book. One way to find a Just-Right-Book is the 5 Finger Rule:
5. Six Flags Read to Succeed is an exciting program that encourages students in grades K through 6 to read for fun. BSVA students who complete six hours of recreational reading earn a free ticket to Six Flags!
It's easy to earn your FREE amusement park ticket!! Just READ and RECORD your times on the Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Log that Mrs. Phelan sends to you via email by Friday, February 2, 2018 and you'll receive a FREE ticket to Six Flags Great America, Chicago! You may submit your reading log before the deadline if you reach your goal before that date.
Field Trips
Friday - Jan. 19 Water Street Glassworks - Glassblowing Demo, Benton Harbor, MI
If FIRE interests you at all .... this is for YOU. This is a fascinating and beautiful Artform to witness ... but don’t ‘blink’ .... timing and and coordination are everything when it comes to working with Fire and Molten glass.
FREE to all!
Location Time 9 - Noon DRIVE only!
Limit: two groups of 25 Best for older elementary age and above
Friday - Jan. 26 Krasl Art Center - Gallery Tour & Project, St. Joseph, MI
Students will have a unique experience in the Galleries by way of a docent led tour and then in studio by
way of an exhibit inspired Art Project. The visiting gallery exhibit viewed will be that of German Renaissance master printmaker Albrecht Durer (1471 - 1528)
Field Trip Class students only - FREE
Location Time 10 - 11:30am
DRIVE only!
Limit: 60 Field Trip Class Students
Friday - Feb. 2 Sky Zone , South Bend, IN
Have a LOT of ‘pent up’ energy at your house?? . ..Come ‘JUMP it AWAY’ at this indoor trampoline park
Where ‘fun and fitness’ go together. We will have an hour of jumping fun at this wall-to-wall trampoline venue.
1
Field Trip Class students - FREE Other ‘jumpers’ - $7.
Location Time 11:15am - 1:15pm DRIVE only!
Limit: 150 jumpers
MANDATORY - EVERY Field Trip Class Student MUST attend 1 of the above 4 Trips!
Friday - Feb. 16 Chicago Auto Show , Chicago, IL
Come and see the world’s largest room transformed into a transportation fantasyland with amazing
displays of more than 1000 exciting new production cars, trucks, sport utility, concept and specialty vehicles on display. The students will be given a worksheet that focuses on emerging automotive technologies that benefit the environment. There are many interactive components to the day. Field Trip Class students - FREE
Other students & Adults - $7. Location Time 9:30am - 3pm CST
BUS & DRIVE option! NO Limit!
Friday - Feb. 23 Cook Nuclear Plant , Bridgman, M I
This experience will provide students the opportunity to learn more about how Nuclear Energy is produced and used. After a fast paced media adventure with Dr. Nate, the students will have time to tour and explore the brand new hands on interactive exhibits in the visitor center. It will be a real “Power Trip”. FREE to all!
Location Time: Group #1 9-11am Group #2 1-3pm DRIVE ONLY!
Limit: 35 students per group