Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News
Week of December 13, 2021
A Note from the Dean's Desk
Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!
Thank you to all of the families who were able to join us last week on Tuesday night for our parent information meeting! We appreciated the opportunity to provide updates and answer questions from our families. Links to the recording and to the slides are provided below. Families who wish to access the links to forms and documents shared in the meeting can do so from the live links in the slide presentation.
MVA K-5 Parent Update Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/1GqD0_9UK2U
MVA K-5 Parent Meeting Slides (with live links)
Additionally, interim grades were completed by teachers last week on Friday. Please check your ParentVUE account on or after Monday to see your child's current progress report. Please note that the marking period ends January 22, 2022 so the grades you will see at this time are not final. Should you have a concern about your child's grades, please check in with your child's teacher. Thank you!
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement on this amazing voyage! Let's make it great week of learning and a great week on purpose!
Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz
Dean
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Daily: Semester 1 Materials pick-up from 8 AM- 3:30 PM daily- No appointment needed
- December 20: Families of students in Grade 3 to receive a centrally communicated message regarding the admission process for the Centers for Enriched Studies Programs
- December 23-January 2: Winter Break- Schools and Offices Closed
- January 3: Classes resume
- January 3-January 28: Winter MAP Testing window
- January 10: Deadline to request a return to in-person learning on January 25
- January 12: MCPS Grade 3 Parent/Guardian information meeting (virtual) regarding the Centers for Enriched Studies Program
Requesting to Return to In-Person Learning from the Montgomery Virtual Academy On or Before Marking Period 3
The following message was emailed to all families on Friday, November 19.
The purpose of this message is to communicate the process to request to return to in-person for Marking Period 3. Additionally, now that vaccines are becoming more available, we are aware there are some students who may wish to return prior to Marking Period 3 which begins in late January. While we hope families will choose to stay with us until the end of the year, we recognize there are many reasons you may want to have your child attend in-person learning.
There were three possible dates to return to in-person learning between now and Marking Period 3.
December 13, 2021 (Interims) (CLOSED)
January 3, 2022 (following Winter Break) (CLOSED)
January 25, 2022 (start of Marking Period 3/Semester 2)
To provide us notice of your intent to transfer, and to ensure we can provide a smooth transition for your child, please complete this survey by the deadlines indicated below so that we can coordinate with your child’s school.
https://forms.gle/VfJb6X7KSojAJbvh6
- To return on December 13, 2021 complete the form by December 1, 2021 (CLOSED)
- To return on January 3, 2022 complete the form by December 10, 2021 (CLOSED)
- To return on January 25, 2022 complete the form by January 10, 2022
Following completion of the form, notification emails will be sent to the school and confirmation emails will be sent to you.
"Leader In Me": A Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum
As part of a system-wide initiative to promote social-emotional learning, the K-5 MVA program is implementing a whole-school transformational process and social-emotional learning curriculum called the "Leader in Me". "Leader in Me" teaches 21st-century leadership and life skills to students and creates a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a leader.
We are conducting surveys to learn more about key areas of strength and areas of needed growth in our program. In order for us to have a holistic picture, we are asking all full-time staff members, families, and students in Grade 4 and up to participate.
Family Participation
Families are asked to complete a survey (without sharing your name or other identifying information) that is available from the link below. The survey is completely voluntary, but we do hope to get feedback from one member of every household.
The family survey takes about 8-12 minutes to complete and will ask questions about your child and about their experience in our school. If you have more than one child attending the school, you will be asked to think about the oldest child's experiences as you answer questions related to their growth.
Please take this survey called the "Measurable Results Assessment: Family":
Survey in English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VirtualAcademyK6Family
Survey in Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VirtualAcademyK6FamilyES
Please complete the survey by: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 (Extended!)
Thank you for your support and engagement!
Stay Informed About School Cancellations, Delays, and Early Closings
- listen to area radio and television stations
- check MCPS TV (Comcast Channel 34/998, Verizon Channel 36, and RCN Channel 89)
- check the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
- check the myMCPS mobile app
- access a recorded telephone message at 301-279-3673
Emergency announcements are also available by signing up for Alert MCPS text and e-mail notifications and on the MCPS Outlook, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.
The Virtual Academy will follow all weather related school delays and cancellations.
When schools open on a 2-hour delay, elementary Virtual Academy students should plan to log in at 10:50 AM so that classes can start at 11:00 AM. The lunch/wellness break will still take place as scheduled from 11:35 AM-12:35 PM.
MEALS
Families can now pre-order meals using the same link each week. (Please see below.) The link will open on Mondays and will close temporarily over the weekend so that the data can be accessed by our Food Services partners. Please note the form is not managed or maintained by the Virtual Academy.
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.
Questions regarding meal kits can be sent to the meals drop box:
DFNSMealKitOrders@mcpsmd.orgWe are so grateful to our partners in Food Services!
Parent Volunteers
Are you interested in volunteering during the student day to support your child's teachers and classrooms?
There are a few steps to complete before beginning your service as a volunteer in the Virtual Academy.
- Complete the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom form.
- Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training.
- Contact an administrator, counselor, or your child's teacher and provide the following:
- Your completed MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom Form and
- Your online course grade sheet that will show 100% for completing the online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training and an 83.3% for submission of the vaccine attestation (a total of 183.33%).
More details and support guides are available at: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer.aspx
Technology Support for Virtual Academy Families
If you are having technology issues, please submit an e-ticket by emailing your question or issue to communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org or submit a ticket via the Community Tech Support portal This account is monitored daily and you will receive email notifications throughout the process.
For helpful support guides and screencasts in English and Spanish, please visit https://montgomery.service-now.com/csm. A support guide for the Community Tech Support portal is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cczbhEXF7x3TBquSMQGUGsxIcqsm_BtG2KBBi_bA0_0/edit
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
STRONG PARENTS STRONG CHILDREN PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Many of our students have experienced trauma over the last 2 years. Some are related to the Covid-19 pandemic and others may be due to another tragic event that happened in their lives.
Sheppard Pratt is offering 6-week Parent Groups meeting once per week to address and offer ideas to support your children. All sessions are held virtually.
Information shared will include:
- how trauma effects children's brains and bodies
- common reactions to stress & trauma and strategies to reduce stress
- new strategies on how to support your child´s emotional well-being
- receive support from other parents experiencing the same with their children
Please see this linked flyer for details.
Ready to Sign Up for the sessions, click this link to register:
ENSURING STUDENT SAFETY – PERSONAL BODY SAFETY LESSONS
MCPS implements Personal Body Safety Lessons (PBSLs) with grade-level, age-appropriate content for students in every grade from Pre-K to 12. These lessons were developed with input from national stakeholders and County partners, and are designed to empower students to recognize and report suspected cases of abuse without fear of reprisal. The Chief of the State’s Attorney’s Office—Special Victims Division has commended MCPS on the PBSLs and shared publicly that these lessons are making a difference in children reporting incidents of abuse and neglect. In addition, embedded in the MCPS elementary and secondary health curriculum are age-appropriate lessons on safety and injury prevention, family life and human sexuality, cyberbullying and social media, healthy relationships, harassment and intimidation.
Lessons will be provided by the Virtual Academy School Counselors during students´ extensions class schedule one day during the month of December. Please see attached letters about Personal Body Safety Lessons.
- Learn more about MCPS efforts to Prevent, Recognize and Report Child Abuse and Neglect
- Parent Elementary Personal Body Safety Lessons Overview and Resources
- MCPS Webpage Overview (contains PBSL Curriculum Information by Grade Level)
Podcasts for Parents
Notes from the Backpack: A PTA Podcast
Social Media & Cyberbullying
From the cyberbullying risks to dangerous social media challenges, many parents feel terrified when their child enters the world of social media. How can families have proactive discussions about navigating the online world responsibly? Dr. Sameer Hinduja, director of the Cyberbullying Research Center joins the show to share practical tips and respond to some of your most commonly asked questions!
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Free English as Second Language Classes for Parents
See this flyer for details:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CWxRzof4pPS95Fi7SjEadPgf3_w39orL/view?usp=sharing
Parents can complete this Interest form to receive a placement test.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 5-11:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/children.html
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/
Food Giveaway Events this week:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get- help/food.html#events
Family And Friends Mental Health Support:
http://namimd.org/family__friend_support
Health Care for the Uninsured (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FoOQWe-GVr6ljzHjIxYRcl5VxtdBQCHN/view?usp=sharing
Health Care for the Uninsured (Spanish):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Pss-kVuL1IDh7cG1o47PrF0ZWImn1GY/view?
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Find us at...
Email: Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/
Location: 15 West Gude Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6060
Twitter: @MVA_DeanHeifetz