OVS Weekly Update
February 2, 2017 Edition, Volume 60
Mark Your Calendars!
Learning Coach Trainings
February 6th-8th: One Note/One Drive Refresher- Tuesday February 6th: 10am OPS Grading Practices with Coffee Chat with Wendy (morning session only)
- Tuesday February 13th: MAP Results and Review (afternoon session only)
Math Club Mondays
Start Monday February 5th from 1:30-2:30
Students engage in math groups with teachers and math specific training provided for learning coaches.
Week of Feb. 6th-8th
PE and Art classes are offered
Parent Teacher Conferences: Check email for sign ups for ALL Grades
Weds., Feb 14: 1:30-8pm
Thurs., Feb 15: 4:30-8PM
Fri., Feb 16: NO SCHOOL
**9th grade information sessions led by 9th grade teachers during PT conferences in the Commons Area.
- Wednesday, Feb 14 at 6:30-7:00pm
- Thursday, Feb 15 at 4:30-5pm
Other Important dates
Every Friday at 1:30-3:30 Ms. Sechrest will be offering LC Office Hours in the LC Lounge. Come in for some hands on assistance or to answer any questions you may have!
Principal's Corner
MAP Scores and student growth
This week at learning coach training we shared student’s winter MAP scores and showed parents what these results mean for student learning. A link to the presentation is below the Principal's Corner for you to refer to.
A few things to keep in mind in regards to MAP in our school community, are that the MAP test results:
- Measure and communicate student growth in math, science, and reading
- Inform classroom instruction and student support
- Drive conversations regarding student growth between LC, student, and teacher.
We encourage learning coaches to use these scores as a springboard to a connect with teachers regarding students’ strengths and areas of concern. If a learning coach and student question the accuracy, they can work together with the teacher to identify additional data points to provide clarity and a more accurate idea of student skills and abilities. For most of our students the January MAP was not their first time taking this assessment. Even though our students are becoming more comfortable with the MAP, they still have bad days, mornings, and may struggle to focus on a test. It is important to note that the MAP provides one data point, it does not and will not define our students, but it does help provide powerful conversations and insight on how we can help our students grow.
We do hope to continue conversations with LCs regarding student growth in order to strive for a more personalized experience. These conversations will occur at parent teacher conferences where teachers, LCs, and students continue to set goals in the student’s Personalized Learning Plan.
To continue to facilitate student growth, we urge you to:
- Sign-up for parent-teacher conferences AND BRING YOUR STUDENT WITH YOU. It is important for them to be included in this conversation, so they are aware of their progress.
- If your student has not taken the MAP test yet, come in for our make-up session on Friday, February 9th at 9:30am and/or contact your teacher.
As always, thank you for your partnership and engagement.
Wendy
MAP Testing Make-up Sessions
Students will need to bring their device, headphones and mouse. Please make sure the student's device is fully charged when they arrive. MAP Testing is required of students to attend Omaha VIrtual School and Omaha Public Schools.
Math Club Mondays
Coming in February
Have you ever played Trashketball? How about Cup Stacking? Zap!? These are just a few of the games that we will be playing at Math Clubs! Students will be playing games to reinforce key math concepts that are appropriate for their learning levels. We encourage learning coaches to stay and engage in learning coach training on math strategies and supports to use at home.
Three math clubs are:
- Ms. Rogers will be reinforcing addition and subtraction.
- Mr. Dowling will be playing multiplication and division games.
- Mrs. Nommensen will be teaching higher level math rules.
*If you have questions on which club your student should attend, please consult your teacher.
Join any club you like and enjoy applying math using fun games! After clubs are over, stay for ISL to get caught up on your K12 assignments! We are here to help you out! Sign up with this link: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/508084EABAB23A4FA7-math
Synergy Corner
Boxtop Collection Box Top Classroom Challenge: Deadline: February 15th
Bring in your box tops and place them in your teacher's jar on the front desk. The teacher with the most box tops by February 15th will win Pajama day during the following week!!
Be on the lookout for Ocelot paw prints We have asked our teachers to let us know of any classroom needs. They will keep posting these items on the Learning Coach Lounge door. Please consider adopting a paw print! You can then return the items directly to the classroom teacher. THANK YOU!
Synergy Board Vacancy The Synergy board is still seeking board members. Please contact us at omahavirtualschoolpto@gmail.com if you are able to help serve our community.
OVS T-shirts Available: We still have grey and blue t-shirts available for sale. There are limited sizes and quantities. The blue shirts are $10 and the grey shirts are $17. Here is what is available:
- Blue Shirt: Youth Medium (2) and Youth Large (1)
- Grey Shirt: Youth Extra Small (2), Small (3), Medium (3) and Large (5), Adult Small (2) and Adult Medium (2)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday March 23rd: Family Game Night
Cost: $10 per family (if eating pizza dinner)
5:30-6- Pizza Dinner
6-7:30- Learning HQ will provide games for families to play! Join us for a fun family night! Games will be available for purchase during the event. RSVP Cards available at the front desk.
Friday April 20th: Storm Chasers Game
Save the Date! More Info Coming Soon
Synergy and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Synergy would like to provide food for the teachers during conferences again. Sign up HERE to bring items that are needed.
Black History Month Art Contest
Here's how to Enter
- Create art that truly commemorates and celebrates Black History. You may use any materials you want: canvas, pencil, paint, charcoal, crayon, marker, etc.
- Write your name, your grade, your Teacher’s name and your school’s name on the back of your art.
- Turn in your art and the permission form into your Homeroom, Art, or Social Studies Teacher or Love Jazz Art Center at 2510 N 24th Street, Omaha NE by 28 February 2018.
- Only one submission per student. Art must be original and students own work.
- Art must arrive at Love’s Jazz and Arts Center, 2510 N. 24th Street, Omaha Nebraska, by 7 March 2018. Center hours are: Tuesday-Friday, 11am-5pm & Saturday, 11am-3pm.
- Permission slips can be picked up at the front desk.
Classroom Happenings
Art with Ms Barry
Coming up in K-5 Art:
- Week of February 5th- February Face to Face Time - Bring in portfolios with any 3rd quarter work completed this far.
- NOW OFFERING: Open Art Time 9:30 -11:30 AM February 20, 21, 22 *Registration is Required
- Registration will be sent out Week of Feb 12th
- All 3rd Quarter art should be turned in to Mrs. Barry by Friday, March 2nd
Ms. Roger's Classroom
Ms. Andrea Yager-Neuzil is Megan's sub while she is out. She had a great week with the students. Thank you all for your support for Ms. Andrea and Ms. Rogers during these few weeks.
Mr. Dowling's Classroom
Week in Review:
We had mixed results for our Literature Circles this week. Some students completed their work, but didn’t bring it with them. Some students don’t have the book yet. Some students didn’t do the work at all. In order for this to be successful, students need to read, fill in the graphic organizer, and bring it back to school. They should have a large, yellow envelope in their backpacks. Inside the envelope is a folder containing a sheet that needs to be filled out and brought back to school each week. They should keep their book inside the yellow envelope as well. Please help me with this. There is potential for great conversations and learning!
Looking Ahead:
We have Art this week. Please continue to bring in your artwork homework with your Name, Unit, and lesson clearly marked on the artwork. We will be working with details in sentences this week. We will be starting with a short bland sentence and adding some spice! In Math we will continue with 2-D and 3-D Geometry.
Please think about signing your student up for one of the 3 Math Clubs being offered on Mondays from 1:30-2:30. A detailed description is offered above in our newsletter!
Ms. Nommensen's Classroom
Mr. Gamble's Classroom
Week in Review:
Students took the MAP-Science test. All worked hard to show their best effort and represent growth. Students also worked through various math topics and got modeling on difficult concepts.
Looking Ahead:
In class we will work on varied math concepts from their curriculum involving real-world math.
- Fundamentals: Identify and apply the formula for compound interest. (Lesson 6.11- Compound Interest)
- PreAlgebra: Identify the and apply the formula for area of a circle. (Lesson 7.11 – Area of Circles)
- Algebra: Prove how the Pythagorean Theorem identifies triangle lengths. (Lesson 6.15 – Pythagorean Theorem)
- Algebra 1: Order and write rational numbers in multiple representations. (Module 2: Rationals, Irrationals, and Radicals)
- Geometry: Calculate circumference, area, and volume of various polygons and polyhedrons. (Module 2: Area and Volume)
Resources:
- Fundamentals: The Mint shows how to calculate interest for various types of rates.
- PreAlgebra: Math is Fun has models, sample problems, explanations, and an interactive calculator on the Area of Circles.
- Algebra: Ducksters has models, sample problems, and explanations on the Pythagorean Theorem.
- Algebra 1: The Math Page - Discusses rationals, irrationals, and radicals. Offers sample problems with solutions and vocabulary related to the topic.
- Geometry: Thought Company - Discusses area and volume of polygons and polyhedrons. Offers sample problems with solutions and vocabulary related to the topic.
Weekly Online Math Lessons:
Each week I am teaching the current math lesson, per the pacing guide, for each subject online via ClassConnect. These sessions are mandatory and students will learn the concept through interaction with the teacher. Upon completion, students will take their check-up and be complete with that lesson. Recordings are available within the Content area after each session has completed.
- Fundamentals: (Monday @ 9:30) Prime factorization (6.13).
- PreAlgebra: (Friday @ 9:30) Circumference (7.09).
- Algebra: (Monday @ 10:15) Higher roots (6.16).
- Algebra 1: (Friday @ 10:15) Square roots (2.03).
- Algebra 2: (Monday @ 11:45) Varied topics.
- Geometry: (Friday @ 11:00) Volume of cones (2.08).
Ms. Blackburn's Classroom
Next week in class, students will work on social studies topics as well as science topics. At their independent stations they will be filling out goals for second semester on their Individual Learning Sheet.
9th Grade
Community Events & Opportunities
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
Inspire a Girl’s Future! Introduce her to the world of engineering.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day will occur during national Engineers Week: February 18-24.
Calling all girls to celebrate and learn:
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018; Nebraska Innovation Campus – 2021 Transformation Dr.
Dream Big, Engineering Our World will be shown followed by engaging and age appropriate hands-on activities.
Two sessions: 9-11am & 10am-Noon
Event is free for girls grades 3-12, but registration is required. Register here today!
Questions can be directed to swei2@unl.edu.
STEM Contest
Build a Machine!
Troubles with your device?
Parents will get an email response following your submission. One of our staff members will email parents back to provide assistance, so be sure to check your email after sending your concern.
Mission Statement
Omaha Virtual School
Email: virtualschool@ops.org
Website: ovs.k12.com
Location: 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE, United States
Phone: (531)299-0269
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPSVirtualSchool/
Twitter: @OPS_Virtual