Welcome to LAVCA Edition #3
Be sure to read editions #1 and #2 before proceeding to #3.
In edition #1 above, locate the following:
- Student and Learning Coach Account Setup and Username and Password Retrieval if you've misplaced them
- Checking Materials Shipping Schedules for your Student(s)
- Logging into the Online School
- LAVCA 2020-2021 School Calendar
- Connecting with other LAVCA families
- Submitting Required Documents from your previous school
In edition #2 above, locate the following:
- Getting Your Computer School Ready (Internet Information, Getting Speakers/Microphones Working, Downloading the correct Browser for LAVCA, ensureing LAVCA email is correctly established, Installing and running Blackboard Collaborate for live virtual sessions, Installing Adobe Reader, Installing Adobe Flash and Installing JAVA)
- Creating a Designated School Area
- Suggested LAVCA School Supplies
- Summer Enrichment Programs
This S'more has all of the information you need to get started at LAVCA.
Please take the time to read this document carefully.
Please bookmark this page, so you can refer back to it as needed.
Are you ready for your transition to virtual learning with LAVCA?
Connections calls are continuing as we continue our enrollment process and our staff returns from winter break. We are thrilled to be adding your family to our family! In order to be prepared, we have created these three editions to get your family ready without overwhelming anyone. Please be sure to take the time to look over the previous editions as needed and follow steps included below as well. If you have questions, be sure to reach out to your Student Support Team! Shawandalyn Johnson, Community Engagement Specialist and onboarding POC can be reached at shjohnson@lavirtual.org
THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE COMPLETED BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UPON ENROLLMENT.
You are not responsible for attendance hours or actual coursework (except the online learning course) until your official start date--even if you see overdue notices; however, there are preliminary requirements that must be completed.
Step 13: Locating Class Connect Schedule and Sessions -ALL NEW STUDENTS/LCs are REQUIRED TO ATTEND NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION SESSIONs AS SOON AS POSSIBLE as well as a Connection Session with your Advisor
***Sessions will only open 15 minutes before the scheduled time.***
REQUIRED VIRTUAL ORIENTATION SESSIONS & STRONG START SESSIONS
Virtual Orientation Sessions are scheduled the week of January 4th.
If you have a student or students in grades K-5 AND a student or students in 6-12, you must attend a virtual orientation for each student along with your child.
Virtual Orientation can be located by logging into the student account (see step #13 for logging into the student account and viewing the class connect schedule).
For All Families with a start date of January 6th or later:
Orientation sessions will be offered repeatedly on your child's class connect schedule and will be listed as required but they are only required once for K-5 and once for 6th to 12th. We offer sessions repeatedly for your convenience. You will see an invite in your class connect sessions/schedule.
Strong Start Sessions:
In addition to virtual orientations, students and LCs are also required to participate in a "Strong Start" specific to your grade level. Advisors will host the Strong Start Sessions which will begin the week of January 4th and will be offered repeatedly. Advisors will provide you with more information about specific dates and times.
***NOTE: These orientations are different from the required parent session that you completed for enrollment and the "Walk to Class" offered by K12. It is required as part of your formal admission requirements.***
We also offer Student Support Live Help sessions each day. These sessions are drop-in, ask and answer sessions, that we make available for you. Please join us if you have any questions. These will also be listed under the student class connect schedule and are optional as needed. We can share our screens during these sessions and are happy to!
The orientation schedules will be set up on Fridays and available weekly but should be attended as soon as possible.
Step 14: (OR within 5 days of Start Date):
Complete Online Learning and Strong Start Activities for ALL students before school begins or within 3 days of start date. These are the first courses that students will see and only take about 1.5 hours to complete! It is mandatory for all students at LAVCA and is another excellent piece for getting the year started.
For 6th grade and up:
These courses are MANDATORY! The welcome course has 4 sections that MUST be completed. Please have this entire course completed before school begins or within 3 days of start date. If your child has a Strong Start Course, it is very similar and is specific to your grade level.
Please make sure your complete the practice exercises and the assessment in 1.02 Tour Your Online School.
Here's a guide on how to find the course.
**Please keep track of the time spent on this course, so you can log the time the first day of school.
Diagnostic Assessment Computer Enabling Steps
Teachers will communicate how to complete required diagnostics for your grade level students. ALL GRADES COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICS. For the initial assessment, we will be utilizing the NWEA Map Assessments. It may take a little time for us to get your login credentials created and distributed but please log in and verify upon our first test dates. This will be scheduled within students' classes with their teachers.
Follow the steps below to ensure that your computer is ready for testing BEFORE you log into the sessions so that you can proceed with the assessments at that time.
Update Browsers (you must have the most current version)
Update Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95414?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
Update Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/update-firefox-latest-release
Unblock pop-ups for this testing site.
The trusted site is: test.mapnwea.org
Unblock in Chrome: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
Unblock in Firefox: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/pop-blocker-settings-exceptions-troubleshooting
***To ensure you're computer is ready, go to test.mapnwea.org and attempt the practice test for your grade level. You do not have to complete it, just be sure that you can access it.
Username and Password for Practice Tests is: grow
Step 15: Please read the LAVCA Handbook fully and submit the Required Signatures electronically.
Step 16: Learn to Log Attendance DAILY beginning on your START DATE:
Learning Coaches, when you log into the online, you may see a notice that you are missing attendance days. Please do not worry about this. You are not responsible for having attendance hours logged until your official start date. Attendance time is not just for time spent doing online lessons or going to class. It also includes:
- Any time spent doing school work, online or offline
- Attending required FACE-to-Face Orientations
- Additional academic activities as long as daily assignments are completed
We'll go over more about attendance in our orientation sessions but know that you CAN INCLUDE time spent completing these first tasks. Simply write it down someplace safe and log it on your school start date.
To Log Attendance:
Additional Notes
Materials
**You are required to get started with coursework and attendance, even if you have not received materials or a loaner computer by your start date.
You will receive almost everything you need for your student to complete his/her assignments. Most of your student's textbooks will be online. However, please have basic school supplies on hand and refer back to Welcome Packet #1 as needed.
Also, please note, if you qualify for a loaner computer, you will receive a printer as well but the school does not supply printer paper or reimburse for ink.
Acronyms
Thank you!
Thank you for completing these steps in a timely manner. We appreciate your dedication to your student's education. Please know that we are available to help. Do not hesitate to contact your Advisor or another member of the Student Support Team if you have any questions or concerns. Note that during the first weeks of school, the fastest way to obtain help will be in live help sessions and through emails.