The Howl
IDVA December Newsletter
Newsletter Table of Contents
ALL SCHOOL:
- No January Events Notice
- December Statewide Event Slideshow
- December: Month of Giving
- NCAA and K12
- Technical Tips Library
- Past Issues of The Howl
K-5 SCHOOL:
- Holiday Wishes
- Interim Assessment #2
- K-5 Gifted and Talented Testing
- Learning Coach Tip: Math
- How to Read with a Beginning Reader
- Looking Ahead to January 2019
6-12 SCHOOL:
- IDVA Scholarships
- Counselor Connect
- College and Career Advising - Career Spotlight: Information Technology
- Yearbook
- 2019 Senior Graduation Slideshow
- IDVA Ski and Snowboard Days
- U.S. Selective Service System
ALL SCHOOL
NO EVENTS IN JANUARY
There are no Statewide Events scheduled in January due to the timing of the Holiday Break.
Mark your calendars for the next events on February 8th!
December Statewide Event Slideshow
On Friday, December 14th, IDVA students, families, and guests spent a wonderful day together at events across our state. We roller skated, ice skated, decorated gingerbread houses, and enjoyed each other's company! Check out the photo slideshow of the fun that was had!
Statewide Events are planned for the second Friday of every month except January and April.
We hope to see many IDVA students and families at future events!
December: Month of Giving
Thank you to all who were able to participate in the Food Drive by attending one of our local events on Friday, December 14, and to those of you who have been participating on your own. So far, our school’s donations total 163 pounds! That is wonderful! If you are interested in continuing to donate, please see the details below, and make sure to fill out the survey after each time that you make a donation. Thanks so much!
Food Drive Details:
Who can participate: All grades, K-12, are invited to participate, but as always, participation is optional.
Begins: 12/1/18
Ends: 12/21/18
Students and their families are invited to participate in our school-wide food drive as a way to focus on our December: Month of Giving theme.
Locally, students and families can collect food on their own and deliver it to their nearest food pantry. If you decide to donate locally, make sure to use the link below to find your nearest food pantry and to contact them about specific needs and hours during which they are open to accept donations.
Families and students can keep track of the pounds they donate and then enter the pounds collected into the Food Drive Google Survey (shown below). Our food drive team will keep track of the pounds donated on a weekly basis and will share that information with students through email.
Let’s see how much we can donate during our Month of Giving!
- For a list of food pantries throughout the state of Idaho, click here.
- For a list of the most needed items, click here.
- Enter your pounds donated to your local food bank. Note: Each time you make a new donation this month, please enter the pounds for just that date.
- Record the number of pounds that you donate by completing our Google Survey.
If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Wells: awells@idahova.org
NCAA and IDVA
If your student is interested in pursuing college athletics, please, be aware that the NCAA has all K12 schools on “extended review” status. IDVA is a K12 school so is on extended review status with the NCAA. Students graduating from a K12 school applying for NCAA eligibility will be denied currently. After they are denied, they can work with the college Athletic Director to gain a waiver. K12 has helped students through this process and has noted that about 75% of these students do get the waivers.
If you have questions or would like to talk further, please, contact your school counselor.
Technical Tips Library
Past Issues of the IDVA School Newsletter, THE HOWL
K-5 SCHOOL
As we approach the holiday break and reflect upon the first months of school, there is much to be celebrated! Our K5 students have been working hard as is evident in over 90% of all students being on track in their online school courses. Our live class attendance rates are outstanding and student engagement in class is wonderful! We continue to see academic growth and appreciate partnering with you to ensure the best educational experience for your child.
The K5 team would like to wish you a safe and blessed holiday season. School breaks from Dec 24th – January 4th. School Resumes on Monday, January 7th.
The Online School will be accessible during the break if you would like or need to access your student’s courses.
We look forward to seeing you back in the New Year!
Interim Assessment #2
The next interim assessment for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade will be administered on January 8th. This is the 2nd day back from the holiday break. Although we advocate for students to enjoy and relax on their holiday break, research shows that consistent educational experiences support retention and long-term learning. We encourage you to have your student work in Istation and/or iReady while on break. The game-like learning in these programs supports a non-rigid learning environment yet provides opportunity for continual learning. Information to log into Interim Assessment #2 will be emailed to you after break.
K-5 Gifted and Talented Testing
In January, we will be screening 2nd and 4th grade students, as well as students by request, for gifted and talented services in the surrounding areas of Payette, Emmett, and Meridian. These assessments help us identify students who would qualify to receive GT services. At IDVA, GT services are provided through our Advanced Learning Program (ALP).
Do you think your student is a good candidate for the ALP program? We would love to know about it! To be scheduled for testing and considered for our program, please email Mrs. Waski: twaski@idahova.org
Payette and Emmett - January 18th
Treasure Valley Learning Center - January 25th
Why is Math Different Now? Math Tip for Learning Coaches
Dr. Raj Shah explains why math is taught differently than it was in the past and helps address parents' misconceptions about the "new math".
Dr. Shah is the owner and founder of Math Plus Academy an academic enrichment program with two locations in Columbus, Ohio. Math Plus Academy offers classes in math, robotics, programming and chess for kids from KG to 9th grade. Math Plus Academy is on a mission to show kids the joy of mathematics and science. Click on this link to watch a 9 min video explanation:
How to Read with a Beginning Reader
- Encourage your child to use his/her finger to point to each word.
- Read a sentence and have your child repeat it.
- Take turns reading a sentence each or a page each.
- Talk about the story as you read it. What do you think will happen next?
- What does this story remind you of? How do you think the character feels?
- Don’t be afraid to read the same book again! Repeated reading helps build reading fluency!
January Dates to Note
January 7th – 11th: Final week of Instructional Cycle #2, Interim Assessment week
January 14th – 16th: K5 Data Week, no live classes
January 17th, 18th and 22nd: Teacher work days, no school for students
January 21st: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – no school for students
January 23rd: School resumes: Online School and Live Classes
6-12 SCHOOL
IDVA Scholarships
IDVA High Achievement Scholarship:
- One award at $2,500
IDVA Academic Excellence Scholarship *(new)* :
- One award at at $2,100
IDVA Janet Aikele Excellence in Online Learning Scholarship:
- Three awards at $1,000
IDVA Odyssey Scholarship *(new)* :
- Three awards at $1,500
IDVA First Generation Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Career and Technical Education Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Idaho Vision High School Scholarship:
- One award at $1,500
Only one IDVA Scholarship will be awarded to a student.
Application Deadline: April 26, 2019
You are Invited to the Couselor Connect!
College and Career Advising
Career Spotlight: Information Technology Career
Aleana Hernandez is a graduate from College of Western Idaho (CWI) and a Systems Analyst IT professional with Scentsy, Inc., in Meridian, Idaho.
In this interview, Aleana shares with IDVA students her journey through college and career, including the challenges of being dyslexic in the workforce.
Link for the Career Spotlight Questions: https://goo.gl/forms/HIroV00dsF5wZj542
Class of 2019 Graduation Slideshow - Submissions Needed
Seniors, please submit your senior photo AND a baby/childhood photo of yourself to be included in the senior slideshow at graduation.
Due Date: March 1, 2019
Send photos and questions to:
2018-2019 Yearbook
Photos are a great way to capture memories, so what better way to remember your teen years than with a yearbook? The yearbook class is proud to announce that we will be releasing another yearbook this year, for grades 9-12!
Yearbooks start selling online in April 2019, and are shipped directly to you! Yearbooks come in softback and hardback covers, and include 4 pages for each student to add and customize for their own. Exact costs have not yet been decided, but are estimated to be around $20 for a softback and $30 for a hardback, with $8.99 shipping. We promise it’s worth it, as we work all year to make sure that your yearbook will be perfect!
However, we need your help! We need pictures for our yearbook, and would love to have you in it! You can submit photos for the following sections, which are due by the dates they are listed under.
Submit your photos using this link and make sure you select the correct section:
https://uploads.picaboo.com/8156372.
- Pictures Due Jan 27th
- Senior Projects
- Hobbies and Talents
- Winter Sports
- Prom (Pictures from spring 2018)
- Winter School projects
Important: When uploading your photos, please be sure the file name includes your first and last name so we know who is who.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Contact our yearbook advisor, Mrs. Dietz, at mdietz@idahova.org.
Join IDVA Ski and Snowboard Days!
Treasure Valley IDVA students in grades 7-12 are invited to participate in the Junior High and Senior High School Race Program at Bogus Basin. The race program offers students:
- Discounted lift prices
- Friendly competition with other students in the Treasure Valley
- Community of athletes who enjoy winter sports
Details:
- Racers can compete in Nordic, Freestyle, or Slalom events.
- Races are scheduled from January 12th until February 16th, 2019.
- Participants must participate in at least three of the Saturday races to qualify for the Dotty Clark Competition.
- Dotty Clark race qualifiers will compete against other racers in the Treasure Valley. Ribbons and trophies will be awarded!
Click here for more information or email Mrs. Moran at mmoran@idahova.org
U.S. Selective Service
Attention all 17 and 18 year old young men:
Remember that when you turn 18, the law says you must register for the Selective Service.
Those who fail to register may be denied student loans, government jobs, and a driver's license in most states. In addition, if you are a male immigrant seeking to become a citizen, you must also be registered, regardless of your immigration status.
Click here to visit the U.S. Selective Service website.
Have a Question?
Have questions about your classes or our Idaho Virtual Academy school? Ask your IDVA teacher or staff.
Have technology questions? Ask K12 Customer Support.