ORVA Community Newsletter
April 2022
In This Issue
- Re-Registration and Open Enrollment
- State Testing
- Activities Coordinator Corner
- Learning Coach Corner
- Text opt In
- Parent and Student Connect
- Box Tops
- Scholastic Books
- Amazon Smile
- Vector Solutions
- Elementary Spotlight
- Middle School Spotlight
- High School Spotlight
- Special Programs Spotlight
- From our School Psychologist
- Community Resources
- School Calendar
- Contact Us
Re-Registration
Open Enrollment (New Students)
Yearbook
Prom
Activities Coordinator Newsletter
Re-Reg Help Sessions
Here are the links to the sessions (these links will stay the same each week):
10:30-11:30am sessions: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81067695392
4:00-5:00pm sessions: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87852842962
Parent Education Classes
Learning Coach Corner Newsletter
When filling out the opt-in form, please be sure to include all of your students' names and student ID numbers even if you select no for student texting. This allows us to mark your opt-in choices on each of their accounts in our system. Additionally, please be sure to include the phone numbers for each person you are opting in.
If you are opted in and would like to opt OUT or make any other changes, please contact Tiffany Folsom at tfolsom@oregonva.org.
Parent Connect
Student Connect
IMPORTANT:
- Form MUST be filled out by the student's Legal Guardian
- Please do not put gaming handles (Nintendo, Xbox, PS4, app games, etc.) on this form. Any gaming handles found on the form will be removed before info is added to the directory.
- What is shared between students over the phone or email is at the discretion of their Legal Guardians
- The Student Connect Directory will only be accessible to those who have filled out the Student Connect opt in form. Your student will receive a link to this form via their school email.
- To remove your student from the Student Connect Directory, you will need to contact Tiffany Folsom (tfolsom@oregonva.org)
Please note: if you choose to add an email address to the directory, it must be a personal email address and not their school email as students are not able to email each other through their school (oregonva.org) email. Thank you!
Orders for April are currently being accepted.
When you use the school’s code below with your order, ORVA earns points with Scholastic. The points will be used to purchase books as incentives and prizes throughout the year. Our school account says MS, but it’s the account for K-12.
Website/ordering link: https://orders.scholastic.com/XQ8XT
If you’re asked for our school code, it’s XQ8XT.
Be sure to choose the ship to home option when you’re ready to order.
Orders will be placed for this month on April 29, which means that orders will ship after that date.
ORVA teacher to contact if you have questions: Tina Lowen, (541) 751-5410, tlowen@oregonva.org
How do I shop with AmazonSmile?
How do I activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping App?
VectorSolutions (previously SafeSchools Alert) is our online tip reporting system that allows students, staff and parents to confidentially report safety concerns to our administration 24/7/365 via:
1.Mobile App
2.Text
3.Phone
4.Email
5.Website
NOTE: Vector Alert is for non-emergencies. For true emergencies, always call 911.
Hello Amazing ORVA Families!
The 4th grade team would like to thank all of you for what has been a great 2021/2022 school year thus far. We have learned a lot and continue to push full steam ahead as we finish our final weeks of the school year. As the sun comes out once again and we start going back into the world, many of us for the first time in over two years, we start graciously looking ahead with a newfound excitement. We have all come through so much and deserve to spread our wings and fly a little. We certainly understand and encourage this. Our one ask is that we stay grounded in your child’s education for just a little longer as we finish this school year strong. There is still much to do and so much to be learned.
With this in mind, we are excited to announce a few new programs we have had the honor of trying out for these last few weeks. Lexia is a web-based reading program that the 4th and 5th grade has been selected to pilot for the remainder of the school year. It has had great success in schools all over the world and its potential for individual growth is remarkable. All students in 4th and 5th grade have access to it and we are using it to guide our small group placements and lessons. Additionally, every grade has had the opportunity to try out (in a very limited capacity) a web-based Math program called iReady. This has also been extremely popular and successful in schools across the country. IReady offers both math and reading programs that ORVA will look into potentially purchasing next year for all students. Both programs are intuitive and meet the kids where they are at allowing for individual growth and interest-based learning while providing teachers with current and continuous data. So far they have been a big success and we look forward to seeing just how far they can take us in these final weeks.
We have come to know our students pretty well at this point this year and they have come to know us. We thought we might throw in a few fun facts about each of us that you and they may not know:
Sarah Lishka
Background: This is my 18th year in education and my 11th year at ORVA. I have lived in Oregon for almost my whole life, aside from one year in Washington. I have taught kindergarten, first, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh grade throughout my teaching career. I live in Oregon City with my husband Ryan, our two daughters, Scarlett (11) and McKinley (8), and our dog, Milo.
Favorite Quote: “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
Something you may not know about me is… I like DIY projects and crafting.
Linda Stoll
Background: This is my 15th year in education and my 2nd year at ORVA. I previously taught for the Oregon City School District. I have lived in Oregon for the past 21 years. I currently live in Oak Grove, just outside of Portland. I live with my husband and two children, Katie (11 years old) and Gary (6 years old).
Favorite Quote: “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Something you may not know about me is… I have always wanted to learn how to play the violin.
Holly Reed
Background: This is my 17th year in education and my 3rd year teaching 4th grade with ORVA. I have lived in Oregon most of my life, and I currently live in Lake Oswego with my husband, Jeremiah, and my two children, Westin (6 years old) and Emerson (1 year old).
Favorite Quote: "Be a bush if you can't be a tree. If you can't be a highway, just be a trail. If you can't be a sun, be a star. For it isn't by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are." -Martin Luther King Jr.
Something you may not know about me is… I love to draw and paint.Ken Howell
Background: This is my 8th year of teaching (1st year at ORVA, previous 7 in North Clackamas School District). I have always lived in Oregon and currently live at the base of Mt. Tabor in Portland with my wife (Carol) and 3 year old son (Wyatt).
Favorite Quote: “Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Fall forward. Every Failed experiment is one step closer to success.” – Denzel Washington
Something you may not know about me is… I am a licensed Principal in both Oregon and Washington.
Dear ORVA Middle School Community,
Happy April to our ORVA Middle School Families!
I hope you are all enjoying some sunshine and April showers. As we see tulips and daffodils slowly bloom across our state, it reminds me of the rejuvenation and reinvestment we make every spring. A well deserved summer break is coming for students and teachers, and until then we will all stay focused on rigorous learning experiences, making connections and having fun!
Academic Dates!
In Middle School this month, students and teachers are working hard to prepare for the end of Quarter 3 and the beginning of Quarter 4. Please remind your student of these important academic dates:
· April 8th is the last day to submit essays or large projects for a grade in Quarter 3
· April 13th is the last day to submit other class work for a grade in Quarter 3
· April 15th is the end of Quarter 3
As a reminder, please stay informed in your student’s Online Learning System. Many Middle School students may save work for the last minute and this can be very challenging for the adolescent mind (and the learning coach too!) Please reach out to myself, teachers and advisors for support. We are here for you!
Communication:
Please keep checking the ORVA Middle School Padlet Information Page for Learning Coaches to access important links in a one-stop-shop format. Please check out our Learning Coach Information Padlet linked here or visit https://tinyurl.com/ORVAMS. As we continue in semester 2 together, please stay connected to your student’s teachers and advisors and make sure healthy academic habits are incorporated into daily family life this year.
Warmly,
Caitlin Klenz
ORVA Middle School Principal
Greetings Community,
Happy spring. We’ve made it to April 2022 and are only months away from graduation, forecasting for next year, and of course summer vacation! Your continued perseverance has made this year possible. Thank you LCs, students, and staff. It has been a team effort, and we are so excited to wrap up Quarter 3. Below you’ll see a few areas of business ahead of us for this spring:
Forecasting for the 2022-2023 school year: Over the next two weeks, we will be rolling out forecasting for soon-to-be 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students.
End of Quarter 3/ important April dates:
April 8th—Last day to submit essays and larger projects for a grade in Quarter 3.
April 13th—Last Day to submit work for a grade in Quarter 3.
April 15th—End of Quarter 3 (progress reports will be sent out by 5pm)
Teacher Appreciation Week:
May 2nd-6th; Please, use this padlet to thank our teachers and staff for all their hard work this year: https://padlet.com/mpaulson25/ref2qoaz1u3psem5
State Testing:
May 9th-13th is Testing Week (there will be no live content CCs; teachers can provide asynchronous lessons, asynchronous light for 11th grade which tests)Dual Credit Options
Contact Kari Carter, Dual Credit Specialist, at kcarter@oregonva.org or 541-520-4238
What is the difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP?
Both 504 Plans and Individual Education Programs (IEPs) can offer support for students with identified disabilities. While there are some similarities, it is important to understand the difference between these two programs.
504 Plans are supported under the Rehabilitation Act and the American's with Disabilities Act, which are federal civil rights laws to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities. The 504 plan outlines how the school will provide support and remove barriers for a student with a disability. This plan includes any alterations or supports to the learning environment, such as classroom accommodations or modifications required for the student to access educational opportunities.
IEPs are supported under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which is a federal special education law for children with disabilities. An IEP outlines the students individualized special education program so the student can access and make progress toward the general education curriculum. This plan also may include any alterations or supports to the learning environment, such as classroom accommodations or modifications required for the students individual needs. The IEP also includes goals for measured areas of significant educational deficit, as well as services to support those goals.
Students with identified educational disabilities may be supported with a 504 Plan or an IEP, but not both. Students who do not qualify for an IEP, but have a documented disability, may be eligible for a 504 plan.
For more information you can reach out to Nikki or Ashley!
Nichola Roensch, 504 Coordinator
Email: niroensch@oregonva.org
Phone: 541-751-5831
Ashley Smithey, Director of Special Programs
Email: asmithey@oregonva.org
Phone: 541-435-5158
Hi ORVA Families~
----------This isn’t to scare; this is to make you aware! ----------
Let’s talk about some more on internet safety. I want you to be thinking about internet safety with regard to the dangers of having access to the WORLD WIDE WEB.
- Cyberbullying: this is prevalent and causes just as much damage as any other form of bullying. This is one of the most challenging situations to deal with, as it can often be difficult to identify and also to fix. According to cyberbullying statistics, students are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide if they have been cyberbullied. 15% of young cyberbullying victims would prefer to keep the issue a secret. (dataprot.net)
- Keep connected with your student regarding who they are chatting with. Pay attention to sudden changes in mood, attitude and responses to typical home situations. Remind your student that they can come to you if there is ever a problem. If your child is elementary or middle school age, prevent your children from creating social media profiles. If this isn’t your parenting decision, always have access to passwords. And, keep them hanging out in a public setting at home so that you can be aware of things going on.
- Chat room “friends”: predators do enter chat rooms and use social media to find and prey on younger children. They befriend them by pretending to be their age often with the intention of meeting up eventually. They set up fake profiles and can steal pictures of children from other sites and pretend those pictures are them. Fake friends online can be difficult to discover.
- Encourage your student to interact only with those who they know, such as friends and relatives. If they do meet new people, make sure you learn about them, who they are and try to verify that they are really who they say they are.
- Theft and online scams: Students are vulnerable to scams online. Common scams could be anything from winning a large sum of money and requesting payments to collect the money, to asking for personal credit card information in order to complete a free transaction (for verification purposes). Sometimes scammers will threaten to get what they want and have been known to scare children into complying for fear of retaliation.
- Be sure to educate your student so that they know what the signs of scams are. Make sure they understand they should never, ever purchase something online without checking with you nor should they ever give out any information (personal/financial) for money/prizes. Also, make sure they know to tell you if anyone ever does threaten them. Even if the threat is to tell their parents.
- Exposure to offensive images and messages: your children will have access to the world online. Just as you do. Be aware that they can find out about non-age-appropriate things, illegal things and things that may just be dangerous for anyone!
- Don’t be afraid to have this conversation with your student regarding the dangers of the internet. Talk about the sites that you do allow them to play on. Keep them playing on the computer in a public setting at home. If they want to search something, ask them to share it with you before they go ‘surfing’ for it.
Last, if you have any questions or thoughts or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me, your school psychologist, a teacher, counselor/advisor, admin and of course our resource coordinator for support. We are always here to help.
School Calendar
Contact Us
Instagram: @oregonvirtualacademy
TikTok: @oregonvirtualacad
Email: oregonvirtual@oregonva.org
Website: oregonvirtual.org
Phone: 541-751-8060
Facebook: http://facebook.com/OregonVirtual
Twitter: @AcademyOregon