VA Weekly Navigator
Your guide to news, updates, and reminders in the Upper VA
(Week of October 31, 2021)
November Calendar Reminders & Updates
Reminder: There is no school for students on Thursday, November 4. This is a grading day, and students will not be assigned any asynchronous or live class work.
You can view the entire November student calendar here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sGiF7m_hCvfTA21oLWm84PQaZXYGT_SbZHlPnMA_sw4/edit#
Tips and Reminders for Closing out the First Marking Period
We've reached the end of the first quarter of the year! It has been an exciting couple of months, and we appreciate the flexibility and patience of all our students, parents, and staff throughout the launch. The end of marking period one is an important landmark on our voyage, so we wanted to take this moment to share some helpful tips and reminders as we finish MP1 strong this week and set our sights on the new horizon of MP2 and beyond.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all live Zoom sessions on their schedule each day. If there is a reason they cannot attend, please email Ms. Hikeyya Falden, our attendance secretary: Hikeyya_A_Falden@mcpsmd.org
It’s also helpful to copy your child’s teachers, so they can anticipate the need for makeup work, provide extra time (one day per excused absence), and check in with the student about any missed content. You can email all your child’s teachers easily from Synergy; watch this YouTube video clip, or review page 10 of this Synergy ParentVue guide to see how.
Students can also look at what is posted in Canvas/myMCPS Classroom in order to keep up with what they’ve missed.
Grading expectations
Our Grading, Reporting, and Feedback (GRAF) Project Team is working to clarify expectations and policies around many aspects of grading, reporting, and feedback. More details and updates will be shared as they become available. For now, here are some important reminders and tips…
Please use Synergy to access the most up-to-date grade information. Teachers enter grades on an ongoing basis, so check often, and email teachers directly with any questions.
The last day of this first marking period is Wednesday, November 3. Teachers will be finalizing grades for this marking period on Thursday, November 4. Please email teachers directly with any questions, and make sure your child attends any student support or office hours offered during this final stretch.
Virtual Academy teachers do not currently deduct points for late work. However, it is crucial that students keep up with their assignments so that they don’t miss important concepts and skills. When a student knows they will need extra time on a project or assignment, it is best to notify the teacher with a timeline/plan for completion.
Most teachers primarily use email to communicate with their students and their parents. If students aren’t checking their email regularly during the week, they may miss important updates and reminders, as well as notifications of missing work.
Remember that grades for marking period one are averaged with those from marking period two, and upward trends are favored (B+A = A). So, if your child has a grade they are not thrilled with, remind them that we are on the brink of a fresh start! Work with your child and their teachers, counselor, and/or administrator to help set them up for success in marking period two.
Bikes for the World
When: Saturday, November 13, 2021 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (rain or shine)
Where: Paint Branch High School, Bus Loop
Bikes for the World is an organized collection of bicycles, accessories, and parts, sponsored by the Travis Manion Foundation and Paint Branch High School. They will be accepting donations at Paint Branch High School. A suggested $10 donation along with the bike helps us make this convenient drop off location possible.
For more information, check out this video, or contact: office@bikesfortheworld.org
Clubs and Activities - Interest Survey
We are in the planning stages for our clubs and extracurricular activities here at the Virtual Academy, and we want to hear from you! Please use this link to let us know what clubs or activities you are interested in.
NOTE: We are still PLANNING which clubs and activities we can run, based on student interest and staff availability. It is unlikely that ALL of the selections listed in the survey will be available.
Communication Methods of Choice
In the Virtual Academy, teachers will communicate with students and parents primarily through email. If you would like to schedule a time to speak with a teacher, please email them with a request for a phone call or a Zoom meeting. It is important to remember that during class time, teachers do not have an opportunity to speak with parents.
Join the Upper Virtual Academy Parent Council
We are still looking for parents who are interested in participating in a Virtual Academy Parent Council. The purpose of the council will be to provide parent/family voice and share ideas for improving the Upper Virtual Academy (Grades 6-12). Our first meeting will be coming up in November. Complete this form if you are interested in serving on the Parent Council. Contact Carrie Vieira, UVA Coordinator, for more information: Carrie_P_Vieira@mcpsmd.org.
Reminder: Students must update passwords by November 9
- Students have been successfully updating their passwords for this school year using the new MCPS Student Password Manager.
- Students (in Grade 3 and higher) and their parents received Synergy Mail messages on October 1st reminding them to update student passwords.
- Starting on October 10th, students who have not updated their passwords began receiving frequent password expiration notices to their Gmail accounts.
- On November 9th student passwords that have not been updated will be automatically changed. These students may need assistance with retrieving their new passwords. November 9th was selected because it falls outside testing windows and marking period transitions.
- The process only takes a few minutes to complete. Here are the directions:
Student navigates to SPM.mcpsmd.org.
Student logs into SPM with their current userid and password.
Student enters new password.
Ongoing Technology Support
If you are having technical or technological issues, please submit an e-ticket by emailing your question or issue to communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org. This account is monitored daily and you will receive email notifications throughout the process. If your question or issue is not adequately addressed when the ticket is closed, you can click a link right in the “Case Closed” email to reopen the case and provide more information or additional questions. We are dedicated to serving all families promptly and thoroughly; if you experience problems with this process, or haven’t gotten a response within 24 hours, please call us at 240-740-6060 to request further assistance.
Bulk Meal Kits for Virtual Academy Families
Families can register this week for Meal Kit pick up on Friday, November 11, 2021. MCPS and The Division of Food & Nutrition Services are providing Bulk Meal Kits to MCPS students enrolled in either MCPS Virtual Academy. DFNS will distribute boxes at the designated locations listed below.
Please utilize this form to place an order for our Bulk Meal Kits.
These kits will provide 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 7 Suppers and 7 Snacks.
These kits will be distributed every Friday from 11:00am - 1:00pm at most locations (see the form for details).
The kits need to be reserved by Friday 12:00 p.m. one week in advance to ensure availability.
Confirmation of order will be sent via email.
Magruder HS
Clarksburg HS
Damascus ES
Gaithersburg HS
Paint Branch HS
White Oak MS
Parkland MS
Blair HS
Northwest HS
Richard Montgomery HS
Poolesville ES
Walter Johnson HS
(Here is the link URL : https://forms.gle/XQHyNJe5kG6fzj6v9)