Dear Virtual Academy Families,

It's hard to believe we only have nine weeks of school left. This year is flying by.

We were so excited to see everyone during our optional March in-person days. It was a great lead up to spring break.

Additional information regarding mandatory in-person STAAR testing on various days in April and May for students in grades 3-8 was sent home. The information is also published in this newsletter. These in-person testing dates are mandatory to stay enrolled in the Virtual Academy of North Texas.

Please continue to encourage your student to attend all live classes, tutorial sessions, and to complete all assignments. If you need support viewing your child's Canvas account, grades, and/or assignments, please contact his or her teacher. They are happy to help.

We are still enrolling students in every grade level. We are also extending our enrollment area. Please let any interested families know about our amazing virtual learning program. Applications are online at https://virtualacademy.wsisd.com.

We also have a NEW Facebook page. Please like, share and follow our page.

https://www.facebook.com/VirtualAcademyNorthTexas

Thank you for sharing your children with us and being an active partner in their learning success.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bitters, Principal

cbitters@wsisd.net

April is Courage Month- Act & Adjust-Positive Thinking

and Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month

• Mar. 23- Building Future Leaders Day- Wear College, Military, or Career Dress Wear
• Mar. 28- Casa and Park Fieldtrip 10-2:30 pm
• Mar. 30- Wear Red for Heart Awareness
• Apr. 3- Autism Awareness Day- Blue Dress Day
• Apr. 7- Inclement Weather/Holiday for Staff and Students
• Apr. 10- Hope Day- Wear yellow, teal, purple, or district Hope shirt
• Apr. 11- Austin Fieldtrip for registered students
• Apr. 14- Talent Show Finals
• Apr. 18- 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade Reading STAAR
• Apr. 19- 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Reading STAAR
• Apr. 20- Wear Red for Heart Health Day
• Apr. 25- 5th and 8th Grade Science STAAR
• Apr. 26- 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR
• Apr. 27- Building Future Leaders Day- Wear College, Military, or Career Dress Wear
• May 1- Mental Health Awareness Day- Wear green
• May 2- 3rd, 4th, and 5th Math STAAR
• May 3- 6th, 7th, and 8th Math STAAR and 8th Algebra I STAAR

Our school-based healthcare partner, Goodside Health, accepts registrations for the SchoolMed program all year! When students get sick while they are at school and go to the nurse, the parents and campus nurse can discuss the option for students to be seen virtually by a licensed pediatric provider in minutes!

If a treatment plan is needed, Goodside Health providers will send prescriptions to a local pharmacy for easy pick-up. The cost of a SchoolMed telehealth visit is just like a clinic visit. Sign-up for SchoolMed today at gsh.co/register.

Unfortunately, we have had some situations with academic dishonesty. Many times students are not aware of what types of actions are considered under academic dishonesty.

Please help us by discussing this with your child and encouraging them to always do their own work. It is common for students to have productive struggle when learning new things and the teacher is better able to help your child when they know what the student does and does not know and understand.

Discuss what constitutes academic dishonesty-

• Copying or using answers from an unapproved resource like an internet search, class notes, textbook, etc.

• Copying answers directly from a resource

• Having someone give you answers, do the work for you, or helping too much

• Giving someone the answers or doing the work for them

• Representing someone else’s work as your own

First Offense-

• Teacher conferences with student and parent.

• Student will not receive a score for that assignment

• Alternate assignment will be given (can be oral) for a grade of up to a 70 or may be required to come in person for assignment

Second Offense-

• Admin conference with parent and student

• “0” for the assignment and on probation

• All assessments must be taken in person

1st and 2nd offenses are combined for all subjects, not per subject area.

Students should have a learning coach available for support as needed. Younger students will need more support.

The learning coach is there to observe and support, but not answer questions or do the work for the student.

It is expected that an adult learning coach is with the student for assistance as needed, to ensure that the student completes assignments and makes the appropriate progress.

Helpful tips for Learning Coaches:

• Maintain open communication with your child’s teacher and make school a priority.

• Be patient. It can take time to adjust to a virtual learning environment.

• Parents who have questions or concerns during live sessions are encouraged to contact the teacher during the teacher’s office hours and refrain from interrupting live synchronous instruction.

• Ensure your child is on track with assignments and coursework.

• Provide your child with assistance on their day to day activities with the exception of designated independent work.

• Assist in supporting your child’s needs by establishing and managing the daily schedule communicated by the teacher.

• Create a designated learning space for your child at home to learn comfortably.

• Maintain communication with your child’s teacher by phone, email messages, and/or online meetings to create a learning partnership.

• Learning coaches should be appropriately dressed and use appropriate language if on camera.
  

Connie Bitters- Principal, cbitters@wsisd.net

Lynette Alexander- Assistant Principal, lalexander@wsisd.net

Denise Benton- Instructional and Technology Coach, dbenton@wsisd.net

Jen Tyler, Administrative Assistant- jtyler@wsisd.net

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