River Valley Academy News
An RVA Family Update
December 11, 2020 Edition
Let's get productive!
More remote learning is not what most of us hoped for, but here we are! As this round of remote learning is very different then those we have had in the past, I want to make sure we are all on the same page!
As RPS has moved forward with remote learning since last March, expectations have increased as resources and remote teaching and learning skills have grown, and as Covid-19 continues to impede traditional teaching and learning. As such, attendance now needs to be taken via Google Meet. Education still needs to happen, and diplomas still have to be earned! As with in person classes, attendance rates should be above 90%. Schools are required to track attendance and report to the truancy office. A letter went out on Wednesday to each family with individual student attendance information. Please check in with your student to make sure they attend over 90% of their scheduled classes!
Hopefully, we will be able to meet in person again on January 4. In the meantime, students please take advantage of the opportunity you have to complete courses that will help you graduate on time, or in the time frame you have planned, for those of you planning to graduate early. Your diploma is a product of time and effort! Make it happen!
As always, please contact me with any questions you may have or if there is anything you need.
Sincerely,
Jenny Thompson
Director of Adult/Alternative Education
Rockford Public Schools
How do I know how my student is doing?
Edgenuity courses offer parent updates. If you would like to be signed up to receive these, please complete this form. When the form has been processed, you will receive directions for signing up for the Parent Portal along with an access code. You will receive daily updates. If you want specific information on how your student is doing in Edgenuity, ask your student for their login information. If you log in as the student, you can see a more detailed report.
Good questions to ask your student include:
1. Are you attending all class sessions, whether school is in person or remote?
2. Are you completing at least one assignment in each class session?
3. About how far in each course are you?
4. What are you doing well?
5. What can you do better?
Parents and schools are partners in educating students!
Remote Learning Schedule
Google Meet sessions are currently happening for our students working form home. Students are expected to participate in 5 Google Meets a day, and remain in attendance for the full 45 minute period. Attendance will be taken, and tardies recorded.
Here is the schedule that RFC, RHS, and RVA will follow from November 17 through December 8:
First hour: 9-9:45
Second hour: 9:55-10:40
Third hour: 10:50-11:35
Lunch: 11:35-12:05
Intervention/small group (teacher may ask you to participate): 12:05-12:35
Fourth hour: 12:45-1:30
Fifth hour: 1:40-2:25
Google Meet nicknames will be the teacher's first name followed by the class hour. For example, if you have Heather for third hour, the code would be heather3.
If any packets or other school items are needed, these can be picked up at RVA. Please let the office know what you need.
Teacher Spotlight
Welcome Sean O'Brien!
Sean always knew that he wanted to teach and coach because he loves working with kids! The things he most enjoys about his job are watching students and athletes grow, and building relationships with students and staff. Sean likes being a part of our amazing community and he appreciates the pride that students and staff have in being Rockford Rams!
In high school, Sean worked for a contractor building houses and in college he worked at a golf course. Sean is a Ferris State Bulldog! He played football for Ferris, all four years he was there. Currently, Sean is in graduate school at Wayne State University.
Sean encourages students considering career and post-secondary options to seek out a career or college degree they will enjoy. Sean says, "You want to get out of bed every morning and be excited to go to work and work hard for the people around you."
Sean has been working hard for RVA, creating and revising classes and learning Schoology, Skyward, and Edgenuity. He is making a difference here, by building relationships and growing our Social Studies program. We are thankful to have him on our RVA team!
"My Pandemic"
Food for Thought . . .
KCTC Virtual Visits are up and running! There are 3 steps to get enrolled for next year!
If you are a junior or sophomore and you are interested in KCTC for next year, please let Jenny know, by signing up using the KCTC Individual Virtual Visit survey. Step 3: After your individual virtual visit, let Jenny know your interest in getting registered for KCTC next year!
Groundhog Shadow Day is coming!
Virtual!
Friday, February 5, 2021
Students will have the opportunity to participate in up to three virtual job shadows, offered by local employers in a wide variety of occupations and career pathways. Employer registration is now open for this great day of career exploration and student registration opens December 15!
This year, we will be offering three time slots running 60-minutes each:
7:30am - 8:30am
9:30am - 10:30am
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Parents/Guardians: We are seeking adults from a wide variety of occupations to join us as career mentors. Please help us get the word out to your employers or consider hosting a session yourself. Visit kentisd.org/groundhog for more information.
Developing Healthy Kids - Handling Stress and Anxiety During Covid 19!
Developing Healthy Kids put together a panel of mental health experts to address questions from Rockford families regarding the stress and anxiety caused by Covid 19. View it here!
How are you doing? People care and want to help!
RVA has an amazing staff, social worker, and mental health liaison who can listen and connect you to resources!
Ele's Place is a community based organization with the mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Please find a very helpful guide for parents - how to support teens, as well as a handout titled, How to Help Yourself: For Teens below.
Area Resources
North Kent CONNECT: (adjusted hours due to COVID-19 precautions)
Mondays and Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Community Calendar of Services
Mobile Food Pantries: https://www.feedwm.org/findfood/
Assistance with housing, food, utilities:
contact 211 by phone or text (800-877-1107), text your zip code to 898211
Youth in need of shelter: The Bridge 616-451-3001 or 877-275-7792
Please reach out with any questions you have or if there is anything you need!
Email: jthompson@rockfordschools.org
Website: http://www.rockfordschools.org
Location: 350 North Main Street, Rockford, MI, USA
Phone: 616-863-6324
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rivervalleyacademy
Twitter: @academy_river