VAR April 23 Newsletter
April 2023
🎉ONLINE CREDIT RECOVERY (OCR) COMPLETIONS TO DATE: 438🎉
AP Exam Schedule
Virtual Academy of Rochester's AP students will test with the School of the Arts (SOTA) students at the Memorial Art Gallery. For morning exams, students need to arrive at SOTA (45 Prince street) at 8:30 am and for afternoon exams arrive at SOTA at 11:45 am.
All times listed below are general. Every AP student is encouraged to check with their school for specific testing and time information.
Study Tips🧠📝
Save the Dates 📅
⭐Students of the Month⭐
Marcus Scott (ALL CITY)
Despite devasting circumstances this year, Marcus has excelled in his studies. He is always vigilant about his classwork. Recently he emailed me to ask what part of the Regents he didn't do well on so he can focus his studies in order to get a passing score in June. Besides all this, he's just a good guy. Marcus is taking English IV and Algebra I, Global II, Health OCR. He was nominated by Mr. Kevin Morrissey.
David Johnson (EDISON)
David is extremely self-aware. He realizes when he needs additional support and he does the work to get help. His grades have improved tremendously due to his self-awareness. David is currently taking AP US History in person. He was nominated by Mrs. Diane Watkins.
Bryan Ortiz (EDISON)
Bryan is a conscientious student who strives to do quality work in completing assignments. He joins my Virtual American Sign Language Zoom Office hours every Wednesday evening to ask questions, review ASL vocabulary, and receive some 1:1 help in completing assignments. He has an A+ average in the course. Bryan was nominated by Ms. Katherine H. Wardlow.
NyZiria Simmons (EDISON)
NyZiria gets it! She wants to do what it takes to understand her learning. NyZiria knows this course is challenging. It's all about understanding the learning and does not get in the way! I like this mindset and know with consistent effort NyZiria is doing what she needs to do to keep progressing! NyZiria is taking AP Statistics in person. NyZiria was nominated by Ms. Julie Natarelli.
Lynia Taylor (EDISON)
Lynia has demonstrated improved effort and consistent perseverance this marking period as she continues to work through the rigorous content that AP Statistics presents. This has not been easy as she was a member of the Varsity basketball team and struggled with time management, and having a job outside of school has provided a challenge. It has become increasingly evident to me that Lynia truly values her education and strives to not only complete her coursework, but wants to make broad connections through her understanding of the content. She has been a joy to have in class this year. She was nominated by Ms. Julie Naterelli.
Physsi Tyler (EDISON)
Physsi is highly motivated to graduate on time in June. She is very dedicated to her coursework in class and at home. Physsi is no stranger to working hard and completing her work in a timely fashion. Physsi is taking English III, US History, and Earth Science. She was nominated by Mr. Ryan Wise, Mr. Stephen Sickles, and Mrs. Leigh Trifeletti.
Ernest Diggs (FRANKLIN)
Ernest has put forth a lot of effort to get his OCR Environmental Science course completed. He worked diligently on lessons and competed quizzes consistently. Ernest and I had a lot of fun working together and he always brightened my day, as I am sure I brightened his. Great job Ernest, we are all proud of you. Ernest was nominated by Mrs. Leigh Trifelletti.
Jovon Scott (MONROE)
Jovon has done an outstanding job working independently on his OCR English I coursework. He has been able to advocate for himself and seek clarification when he needs to through email. I'm so very proud of him and what he's been able to accomplish! Jovon was nominated by Mrs. Corrine Mundorff.
Lorenzo Thomas (MONROE)
Lorenzo is a student who is focused and determined to obtain college credit from the dual credit RIT Introduction to Digital Photography course. He continues to be diligent in completing assignments in a timely manner. Although "computers" are not his thing, he continues to push through the technology piece to excel in the course. I am so proud of his ability to advocate for himself and ask for help when needed. Lorenzo was nominated by his Advocate. Mrs. Parchment -Magnussen.
Norah Beach (NORTHEAST)
Norah has really evolved throughout this year. She has made it a challenge to catch up and score well on her missing assignments. She is extremely motivated to complete the dual credit RIT Introduction to Digital Photography course. Norah has found a passion for photography and will no doubt obtain college credit for this course. Norah's academic successes have placed her in the top 20 rankings of the Class of 2024. I am so proud of her determination to be successful. Norah was nominated by her ACA Advocate, Mrs. Garonia Parchment- Magnussen.
Ajai Goggins (SCHOOL OF THE ARTS)
Ajai has done an amazing job with his Literature to Film coursework over the past month! He took the initiative to attend the VAR April Break Bridge Week where he not only worked on Marking Period 3 assignments but also resubmitted Marking Period 2 assignments to raise his grade. He completed and resubmitted enough Marking Period 2 assignments to raise his quarter grade to 96%! Ajai's attention to detail and academic initiative have been and continue to be outstanding! Keep up the great work! Ajai was nominated by Mrs. Corrine Mundorff.
Martin Figueroa (SCHOOL WITHOUT WALLS)
🍎Teacher Feature🍎
I am Cecilia McCaffrey and co-teach VAR's dual credit SUNY ESF Global Environment course with Ms. Spitzer-List as a blended model at Northeast High School where I also teach face-to-face Earth Science. This particular blended learning model combines on-site classroom instruction with the Virtual Academy's online course.
Before becoming a teacher two years ago I worked as a deckhand on a boat, a secretary for a heavy equipment company, a travel trainer for a software company, and a flight attendant. I received my Bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport in Meteorology and my Master's degree and teaching certification from the University of Rochester. I love to travel and have been to 44 out of 50 US states and 4 of 7 continents.
Environmental issues and policies are current events topics featured in the daily news. ESF Global Environment teaches you the complex science and social issues behind many of these problems. It is important, whether or not a student pursues a STEM field, to become an informed citizen of planet Earth. The benefit of taking a course through a SUNY institution while still in high school is that you can receive three college credits. The credits will transfer to any SUNY school in the state so you can have a lighter load one semester or even graduate early.
ACA Tip of the Month: Afterschool Support
ACA Tip of the Month: AP Daily Practice Sessions🔗
ACA PLEs
VAR Students and Staff in Action🎬
VAR's RIT Intro to Digital Photography Students in Action📸
World of Inquiry students show off their RIT's Intro to Digital Photography skills by taking photos of seniors
VAR Students participate in the 2023 ROC2CHANGE Summit
❗VAR COURSES OPEN FOR ENROLLENT FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR❗
As the course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year continues, we want to share the dual enrollment courses offered by the Virtual Academy of Rochester (VAR). ALL courses are currently available to students! Students at ANY RCSD High School/Program are eligible to take VAR dual enrollment courses if they have the required pre-requisite courses. If you have students that might be a good fit, consider enrolling them as soon as possible. The course descriptions are listed below. Feel free to reach out to the ACA Advocates for more information!
RIT Intro to Digital Photography
This RIT course will introduce students to the creation of imagery using a digital camera. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 3 college credits and 1 high school Art credit.
SUNY ESF Global Environment
The Global Environment will help you to gain the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions regarding the environment and the earth’s future and to be able to understand the connections between such varied topics as pollution, deforestation, climate change, acid rain, soil depletion, economics, evolution, history, and social justice. The course stresses a science-based systems approach in evaluating problems and potential solutions as well as the critical role of energy in many of the environmental challenges facing the world. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 3 college credits and 1 high school Science credit.
SUNY ESF Research Writing Humanities
Intended for students who have had an introductory writing course (ESF 190), students will examine different views of nature and the environment as they are expressed by selected writers, poets, and essayists. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 3 college credits and 1 high school English credit.
SUNY ESF Writing and The Environment
This course provides an introduction to academic reading and writing at the college level, with an emphasis on science, the environment, and nature. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 3 college credits and 1 high school English credit.
SUNY Potsdam Introduction to Sociology
In this SUNY Potsdam dual enrollment course, you will be introduced to some of the key theories and methodological approaches of Sociology. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 3 college credits and 1 high school Social Studies elective credit.
SUNY Potsdam Introductory Studio Art
Do you have a student interested in drawing, painting, and the arts? This is a SUNY Potsdam studio course with an emphasis on art making as a teachable skill based on learning fundamental components and developing these components through practice. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 4 college credits and 1 high school Art credit.
SUNY Potsdam Physical Activity for Health
This SUNY Potsdam dual enrollment course is designed to provide students with an overview of health and fitness topics. Students who successfully complete the course can earn 1 college credit and 0.5 PE/Elective high school credit