OVS High School Weekly Update
October 12, 2018 Volume 85
Mark Your Calendars!
Learning Coach Training
Quarterly Check In
Our training this month is going to focus on creating a positive classroom environment at home and monitoring data inside K12. We will be taking a look at your student's data and reflecting on what is going well and what we can improve. Your attendance at one of the sessions is required.
Tuesday- Oct. 16- 9:00 at MCC in room 201
Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 9am at 60 & L- Learning coach lounge
Wednesday- Oct. 24- 4:30 and 6:30 (at 60 & L during parent teacher conferences)
Thursday- Oct 25- 12:30 (at 60 & L location)
Upcoming:
Parent teacher conferences week (October 22-26)
- Monday, October 22nd-- NO ONLINE LESSONS
- Wednesday, October 24th --Parent Teacher Conferences @ 4:30 to 8pm @ 60 & L
- Thursday, October 25th--NO ISL
- Thursday, October 25th --Parent Teacher Conferences 1:00 to 8pm @ MCC
- Friday – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS-No Online lessons
*More information below.
Physical Education/Elective Day
- Monday, October 29th--8:30-12:30
- Bring fully charged laptops & wear gym clothes
Parent Teacher Conferences--NO SIGN-UP NEEDED- Drop-in for High School
When & Where:
- Wednesday, October 24 from 4:30-8:00pm AT 60 & L
- Thursday, October 25 from 1:00-8:00pm AT Metro Community College
Who: Learning coaches AND Learners--BRING YOUR LEARNER!
Why:
Parent teacher conferences are a time for the learning team (learning coach, learning facilitator, AND learner) to connect regarding the learners' growth goals for the school year using MAP data, current progress, and how the team can work together to finish this semester off strong. Think of it as a huddle in football! You are strongly encouraged to attend so you can rally the team around your learner to ensure a winning season, er, semester!
Parent Teacher Conference Synergy Chili Cook-off
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080445a4ae2dabf49-chili
Attendance
- Learning Coaches must enter learning that takes place OFF K12.com.
- Log minutes for Online lessons AND when learners watch recordings.
- Log hours daily
- Have your learner support you by keeping track of their time off K12.
Attendance Support
Dr. Herbert's role is one of support, as he is the Student Support Liaison (SSL) for our program. He will reach out to families to inquire if there are any barriers or concerns that are impeding a learner's engagement in school and support the family in finding the appropriate supports. He is a wonderful addition to our community and has already provided assistance to a number of our families.
5 day attendance letters
School Climate & Feedback Survey for Parents
Every year, the district surveys students, parents, and staff about their school/program. This year, parents can give feedback throughout the year with the Parent Voice survey. We will share this link throughout the year, and we urge you to participate. This data is shared with the program director and district leadership to get a pulse of the program culture and overall experience.
Thank you in advance for participating!
Click the below link to start the survey:
www.TinyURL.com/OPSParentVoiceHigh School Hangout
UPDATE!!!!
We are half way full for our Escape Room outing! We need 4 more high school learners to make this event happen! First come, first served!
When: October 26th (time TBD)
Where: The Escape 6314 Center Street
Cost: $15
Please call or text Erin Cox at 402.739.7632 to reserve your spot!
OVS Synergy Updates
Box Top WINNER was....Middle School!! The middle school students will receive a prize the week of the 15th. Students can keep sending in box tops, so keep them coming!
High School Learning Coaches Facebook Group
A few learning coaches have requested a separate facebook group for high school only. Here is the link for that group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/269153923721409/?source=unknown
OneNote Notebook for Teachers
https://education.microsoft.com/GetTrained/OneNote-Toolkit-for-Teachers-Guide
Classroom happenings
Mrs. Mendoza's Updates--Currently on Maternity Leave
Mrs. Diaz will start her long term sub position on Monday, October 15th. She will hold online lesson sessions as scheduled. The format will be more of support, answering questions, and reviewing next steps/goals in the pacing guide. Her email is: laura.diaz@ops.org.
Looking Ahead: (Week 10)
We are going to really focus on the following units in K12
English 9: Unit 1 – Narrative Techniques and Structures
English 10: Unit 2 – Theme and Characters
We will be utilizing our Explorations in Literature K12 Text often during the next few weeks! This can be found online as well as in hard copy form in your K12 materials that were mailed at the beginning of the year.
Online Lessons:
Monday, 10.15.18: Journalism Online Lesson @ 10:15am
Monday, 10.29.18: F2F Elective Monday
English 9 Online Lessons: Wednesday @ 11:30am (this change was made recently due to maternity leave scheduling conflicts)
English 10 Online Lessons: Wednesday @ 9:15am
Welcome Mrs. Diaz, Language Arts long term sub!
Hello! My name is Laura Diaz. I will be teaching Language Arts, Journalism, and Creative Writing while Mrs. Mendoza is on maternity leave. The challenge of teaching in this format is an exciting opportunity, and I am really looking forward to getting to know your learners and learning coaches!
I am the mother to seven, and NE Certified teacher for Middle grades 4-9 with an MA in Teaching and endorsements in both Language Arts & Social Science. I love teaching and have experience with both homeschooling and teaching in public schools. I have been with Omaha Public Schools since 2004.
As a child, I grew up with the struggle of ADHD, in an era when that really wasn’t a “thing.” When I became a teacher, I found that I was able to connect quite easily with my ADHD students. As a teacher, I desire to "make a difference" by cultivating a growth mindset and a passion for learning in my students.
"There will be obstacles. There will be failure. There will be doubters. But with hard work and God's grace, there will be NO LIMITS."~ Will Smit
Mr. Brannan's Updates
Week in Review:
Please ensure that your students are keeping up with the Pacing Guide. The students were all given instructions on how they can make up assignments that they did not receive A's on. Please encourage them to make up as many of these as they can. Thanks
Looking Ahead:
Students were introduced to a project in History class that is a "virtual" time capsule, more info will follow. In Economics, student teams entered their first trades and actually "bought" stocks. We discovered a SMG app that the students may get on their phones.
Online lessons have already begun. The schedule for my regular online lessons is below.
- Computer: 1st and 3rd Monday of the month 9:15-10:15
- History: Wednesdays OR Fridays 8:30-9:30 (each student in this course was assigned a specific session)
- Economics: Wednesdays OR Fridays 10:15-11:15 (each student in this course was assigned a specific session)
Mrs. Ignowski's Updates
Week in Review
Physical Science: Students focused on revising assignments and getting caught up. I am pleased to say all students have completed the Unit 3 lab, which needed to be accomplished at the learning center.
Biology: Students had an in depth look at their Unit 3 Project, which is due Tuesday October 16th. This will require students to do a bit of research, so learning coaches please be sure to log their hours for attendance purposes.
Earth Science: Students have continued to get caught up, which can be quite tedious given the amount of reading required for each assignment. Please continue to reach out for clarification. Email has been the most successful method.
Looking Ahead
Physical Science: Students will come to the learning center having completed their Unit 5 Project (a lab) at home. We will share our experiences with each other and explore causes of successes/failures. Please note that the quarter is nearly over.
Biology: Students will come to the learning center having completed their Unit 3 Project (a presentation) at home. We will share our experiences with each other and explore causes of successes/failures. Please note that the quarter is nearly over.
Earth Science: According to the pacing guide students will be starting Unit 4. Few students are truly at this point. We will continue to clarify the lab reports and acknowledge our slower pace 1st quarter will dictate a faster pace 2nd quarter. Please note that the quarter is nearly over.
Weekly Online Lessons
Online lessons have already begun. The schedule for my regular online lessons is below.
- Physical Science: Wednesdays OR Fridays 10:15-11:15 (each student in this course was assigned a specific session)
- Biology: Fridays 11:30-12:30 (this change was made recently due to maternity leave scheduling conflicts)
- Earth Science: 2nd Monday of the month 10:15-11:15
Mr. Gamble's Updates
Week in Review:
The quarter’s end is approaching quickly. Grades for quarter one will be accepted through Sunday, October 14th at 11:30 PM. If there are lesson assessments not completed by then learners may still submit work through the end of the semester. Learners will receive full credit for work submitted and the “0”s will replace themselves.
Online lessons continue to happen daily. See below for the schedule to ensure your learners are in attendance. If a student is optional, they are not required to attend, but are welcome to for additional assistance. “Required” learners must attend the session for lesson assistance.
Looking Ahead:
Should your learner have a question or struggle, please encourage them to reach out to us. If they are reserved, then please email the appropriate teacher and we will make note of that need and address it. We are a team and encourage all parties (facilitator, coach, and learner) to communicate.
PIT Stop is available on Friday mornings from 10:00 – 11:00 for learners that need assistance. This is an ONLINE session. I will be actively in the session and available to answer questions or model lessons for learners in need.
We are still missing numerous learners for their required online lessons. Please ensure your learner is logging into the Class Connect sessions for their instruction and assistance. This is vital to their progress and comprehension.
Resources:
There are countless resources on the internet for math. Throughout the year I will post some here that could assist your learner or yourself. Learning coaches can use these to check the work of a learner or preview topics.
This month’s resource can be effective for all courses. Geogebra provides a free graphing calculator and many other tools that are helpful for verifying or graphing equations, expressions, and inequalities as well as drawing geometric shapes and finding their properties. It can be used to show graphs if equations in assignments or to check the work of a learner.
Weekly Online Math Lessons:
Most online sessions will not last the entire block of time, unless needed for individual help. We will work in mini-lessons addressing specific needs. If “Required” is listed on the session, you must attend that session. If “Optional” is listed, you do not have to attend, but CAN attend if you’d like help or a review.
- PreAlgebra: Thursdays @ 1:00 – 2:00.
- Algebra 1: Wednesdays @ 1:00 – 2:00.
- Geometry & Honors: Tuesdays @ 1:00 – 2:00.
- Algebra 2 & Honors: Thursdays @ 1:00 – 2:00.
- PreCalc/Trig: Thursdays @ 1:00 – 2:00.
Mr. Koneck-Wilcox's Updates
Parents ! This week we reviewed the 40 Developmental Assets that we discussed last week. Ask if you could please see the forms.
You may find more info at www.searchinstitute.org
Also, we visited about progress and grades as of today.
The last LC session was informative regarding college and finances.
EducationQuest.org will give you more college planning resources !
"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have ."
-----Maya Angelou
Troubles with your device?
Parents will get an email response following your submission. One of our staff members will email parents back to provide assistance, so be sure to check your email after sending your concern.
Mission Statement
Vision
Core Values
Positivity
Collaboration
Integrity
Self-advocacy
Accountability
Omaha Virtual School
Email: virtualschool@ops.org
Website: ovs.k12.com
Location: 4640 S 59th St, Omaha, NE, United States
Phone: (531)299-0269
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OPSVirtualSchool/
Twitter: @OPS_Virtual