Paper Staff Call August 18, 2017
Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy
Praise Report
Head of School
Why Blended?
LAVCA Team,
We are very excited to kick-off our blended family orientations next week. As a reminder, blended is no longer the responsibility of a select few. #WEAREONE As a part of our state mandate for virtual schools, the role of the blended learning centers rest on our entire staff. Please see a portion of our responsibility according to the LA DOE:
Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, the charter school shall provide “struggling students,” as defined in the charter school’s 2016-2017 pupil progression plan and all subsequent pupil progression plans, and as approved by the Department of Education, with access to in-person instruction from teachers who possess the qualifications required by law. All struggling students shall receive at least twenty percent (20%) of their instruction in person as specified herein.
The charter school shall provide a physical location for a student learning center at which struggling students are to receive the student services specified herein. The charter school shall provide any and all necessary and appropriate technology, technology services and other materials and supplies as needed by all struggling students in order to utilize the services provided at the student learning center.
There were many determining factors in finalizing the blended site staff schedule. Considering the student interest, population, location, and 6-12 content area teacher's live sessions schedule, we worked hard to ensure the work load was balanced. The schedules will be released monthly to accommodate adjustments to meet the needs of our students. We look forward to what this new state-wide endeavor will bring for our families.
ESSA Update
RELEASE: U.S. Department of Education Approves Louisiana ESSA Plan
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/15/2017
Contact: sydni.dunn@la.gov; or (225) 362-4644
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVES LOUISIANA ESSA PLAN
BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Department of Education today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has approved the state's plan to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Louisiana's plan, which sets higher expectations for learning and invests in local plans for improving where schools and students are struggling, is among the first in the nation to earn this endorsement.
For more than a year, the Louisiana Department of Education collaborated with educators, parents, advocates, and business and community leaders to create an improved education system that provides all students with equal access and opportunity to high-quality learning. The state conducted 136 public meetings and shared the plan's framework on its website to solicit public feedback, and comments were received from more than 200 organizations and more than 1,000 individuals. The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) endorsed the plan at a special meeting in March 2017, and Louisiana submitted it for federal review in April 2017.
Louisiana's ESSA plan, which has garnered praise in nationwide reports, will:
- Raise fundamental expectations for what it means to earn an "A" school rating in Louisiana.
- Measure and reward academic growth for all students.
- Reduce state, district and school-based testing.
- Invest in partnerships to improve the most struggling schools.
- Prepare the next generation of teachers under the mentorship of today's experts.
The Louisiana Department of Education will now move ahead with the following steps:
- Publish drafts of policy revisions for review at this week's BESE meetings, with votes to approve the revisions to be taken at a future meeting.
- Launch a competitive grant process to award funding to school systems with persistently struggling schools that submit evidence-based plans for improvement.
- Convene a work-group of industry experts to develop the plan's Interest and Opportunities Index, a measure of school quality that will be based on the level of access students have to enriching experiences such as arts, music, and foreign language.
- Host trainings for thousands of school system supervisors and teacher leaders.
"The U.S. Department of Education's approval of Louisiana's plan is another step in a long process of collaboration and hard work by thousands of Louisianans," said State Superintendent of Education John White. "But today's announcement is less a final step than a starting point. This plan calls for improvement for a generation of school children. It's time to get to work on making that improvement happen."
"We are very pleased to receive federal approval of Louisiana's plan," said BESE President Dr. Gary Jones. "As we proceed to the work on policy development and implementation, the Board thanks all of the educators, parents and other stakeholders who provided valuable input in this process. While much work lies ahead, Louisiana remains solidly on track to fulfilling its objectives of strengthening accountability, supporting schools and teachers, and improving educational opportunities for all Louisiana students."
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Enjoy your weekend!
~Danielle
News You Can Use- Blended Open House Dates
We will be hosting Blended Open House sessions to discuss each site’s policy and procedures for Blended. All staff associated with a particular blended location needs to make plans to attend. Those named in parenthesis below will be presenting as the Blended POC.
8/22 – Monroe (Keegan) and NOLA (Nette)
8/24 – Baton Rouge (Ms. Pat)
8/28 – LAF (Rachel)/Shreveport (Marjorie)
8/29 – Alex (Yvonne)/NS (Anne Geiger)
8/30 – Houma (Michelle)/ Lake Charles (Kim)
Presentation for BOH can be found HEREPlease do not cancel class to attend; however, we have approved shortened whole groups so that all teachers can participate.
LAVCA Alumni at NASA
K-5 Instruction
Here is your playlist.
Thank you to all that helped with the statewide Kindergarten Testing. We could not do it without you.DIBELS and AIMSWeb Testing continues next week. Trackers are coming.
Be sure to keep in mind that all Connection Calls need to be completed by Tuesday. Your participation counts toward your annual evaluation score and our school metrics. Our goal is 95% success! You can do it!
6 -12 Instruction
Please look for specific due dates on upcoming tasks and events. If you planning to take time off, always be sure that any tasks due during your absence are completed PRIOR to your absence. #TEAMWORK
Be sure to keep in mind that all Connection Calls need to be completed by Tuesday. Your participation counts toward your annual evaluation score and our school metrics. Our goal is 95% success! You can do it!
Have a great weekend!
Operations
Reminders from Ops:
When communicating with office staff regarding a student, please include the student’s ID number.
28 Code is still being used. If necessary, please use before 8am, between 12pm to 1pm, and after 5pm. If you are experiencing problems with your work issued phone, please contact Comm-core for tech support.
When completing information change surveys, please include as much detail as possible. If a LC change is being requested, please gather information from the parent regarding the new LC name and contact information. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQVj7x5anr-24_iMs8lzZbnPiUmp2ZZv1FARuMXTD4BO4TnA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Staff Contact List – Ashley has saved the day (again)!!!! Be on the lookout in your email because I will send the link to view the Staff Contact List in Sharepoint. I will also send the link available to request a change in information on the Staff Contact List. I think this is great!!!!
Please complete the Skype Contact survey by COB today. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrsqGvoqmr8KOgDVaBNwPiMwXISeIDn-vhMQTE3Sv4rBnPTA/viewform?usp=sf_link
When inquiring about a non-payment reimbursement, please remember to forward the email you sent initially to reimbursements with your inquiry.
For grade-level specific record inquiries, please forward to the grade level registrar.
#WEAREONE
FAST Team
Here is a list of students who still need Connection Calls. Please make sure each student gets a call before the COB Tuesday. If you need help making your calls, please send Liz an email ASAP.
Tech Tip of the Week
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Meet our New Team Members
9-12 IEP Writer
6-8 Math Speicalist
Related Services Coordinator
LAVCA Job Opportunities
We are currently looking to fill 3 positions at LAVCA:
- 11th-12th Guidance Counselor
- FASL
- HS Math SPED
If you know anyone who may be interested, please forward resumes to Mrs. Scott-Johnson, Mrs. Groven (Guidance), Dr. Rounds (SPED), and Mrs. Leger (FASL)