VA Weekly Navigator
Your guide to news, updates, and reminders in the Upper VA
(Week of June 13, 2022)
Coming in to Dock (a note from the dean)
Our heads, Drive folders, and analog notebooks & whiteboards are already oveflowing with new ideas, questions, and upgrades for next year, even before we've officially closed the Captain's Log on this one. We look forward to the last two weeks of June, and the rest of the summer, as a chance to both step back and lean in -- to examine what worked well, what needs tightening up, and what needs to be either built now from scratch or jettisoned in order to improve our craft's speed and agility going forward.
If you have suggestions or ideas, please share them with me directly via email (steven_orders@mcpsmd.org) or call our main office number, 240-740-6060. Likewise, if you have a perspective or story you'd like to share about how our teachers and staff made a difference for your family, we are always collecting these and finding ways to share them with our teams. It is undeniably touching and heartening to hear how the work our staff does every day -- and at all hours -- has a positive impact on our community.
I hope each of you has some amazing plans for the coming summer days and months, whether they include summer school, some time away, or just a chance to slow down and reconnect with family and friends.
My administrative team and our growing leadership team will be working hard all summer to make sure the Academy is shipshape for the next outing in the fall, so please reach out, or -- even better -- stop in and say hello! We are so thankful that you've entrusted your very special children with us this year, and we wish you all the best, wherever you are headed next.
With humble gratitude and heartfelt congratulations,
-Steve Orders
Dean
8th-Grade Promotion Video
We are proud to present the following online celebration of our Montgomery Virtual Academy 8th Grade Class of 2022! This middle school journey has been different than we all imagined, but we are grateful that we are able to end our middle school journey here together.
Use the link below to view a video celebration, created by our amazing students, teachers, and staff. Congratulations to our MVA 8th graders!
MS End-of-Year Zoom Party Recap
215 students and staff members joined us on Thursday, June 9 for our MS End-of-Year Zoom Party! Students joined breakout rooms to dance together, do art projects, play video games, and just hang out. Students left feeling excited and energized. A special thanks to Mr. Ettinger and the MVA Middle School Student Council for organizing this effort!
Summer Tutoring for MVA Students
Free virtual summer tutoring is being offered in English, math, science, and social studies courses. To register, please complete the survey. Tutoring will start on June 27th and end on August 5th. Tutoring is offered to students that are in need credit recovery and for students who are interested in enrichment. Registration ends on June 20th.
See the flyer for more information.
End of Year Processes for Chromebooks and Changes of Address
Are you a family with a high school senior, or is your family moving out of MCPS after the school year is over? If so, please plan to return your child's chrome book and charger at the conclusion of the school year. Please note: there may be a fee for lost, damaged, or non-returned chrome books. Families who are remaining in MCPS may keep their devices for use next school year.
To review:
- Students who are staying with us or transferring to local schools will keep their Chromebooks.
- Students who are graduating or leaving MCPS will need to turn in all devices, chargers and case to 15 West Gude Drive in Rockville.
Additionally, if your family has moved, please check in with your child's school to update your address and residency. We want to make sure letters and mailings reach the right address! Please also notify the school of any changes to phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts. Thank you for your assistance!
Arise and Flourish: Another SSL Opportunity
Please review this End-of-Year SSL information from MCPS.
SSL OPPORTUNITY
Arise and Flourish is a nonprofit organization based in Montgomery County that speaks to students in their health classes about substance abuse prevention by sharing stories from persons in long-term recovery. They are extending an SSL opportunity to MCPS students; see below for more details:
Visit the Montgomery County Volunteer Center (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteercenter/) and in the red box - Find a Volunteer Opportunity - type in Arise and Flourish. You will find the volunteer opportunity for the cycle of addiction video review project. Please do NOT use your MCPS email address to register for this opportunity as the organization will not be able to respond to you.
Once you respond for the volunteer opportunity on the site, Arise and Flourish will email you a student/parent permission slip and detailed volunteer information. Please make sure the students do NOT use their MCPS email address as we will not be able to respond to them.
Students will watch two video presentations provided by the organization. One video is speakers who are people in recovery sharing their personal experience. The second video is the presentation on the cycle of addiction which has information on how addiction happens.
Students have the ability to earn the following for the quality completion of this project:
1) Earn 1 SSL hour for watching one speaker video and the video for the cycle of addiction and completing one paper or artwork or;
2) Earn up to 4 SSL hours for watching up to 4 speaker videos along with the one video for the cycle of addiction and completing 4 papers or 4 artworks.
Students can watch anywhere from 1 - 4 speaker videos and the video for the cycle of addiction and completing one paper or artwork for EACH speaker video watched.
MORE SSL Opportunities!
Check out the upcoming SSL opportunities below:
Rotary Club of Rockville (ages 11+)
Volunteers Needed for MCCPTA Awards Event (ages 14+)
Hughes United Methodist Church Food Hub (ages 14+)
Gaithersburg Book Festival (ages 16+)
Food and Service Consolidation Hubs (age requirements vary)
Upcoming Districtwide Opportunities:
Montgomery County Board of Elections - Poll Worker Registration - For Students Ages 16 and Up - The Montgomery County Board of Elections seeks student volunteers to serve as poll workers for the 2022 Primary Election. Students can earn up to $210 or up to 25 SSL hours for their service. Individuals must be U.S. citizens, 16 years of age or older, and registered to vote. To apply, download and submit the three fillable forms below to your school SGA Advisor or mail directly to the Montgomery County Board of Elections:
MD Voter Registration Application: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/pdfs/registration/VRA/English_Internet_VRA.pdf
Poll Worker Questionnaire: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/pdfs/EJ%202021/Forms/Election%20Worker%20Application%20-%20Website2022.pdf
Poll Worker Parental Permission Form: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/Resources/Files/pdfs/EJ%202022/Permission%20Slip_fillable_02152022.pdf
Find tons more ideas and resources in the COVID-19 School-Hosted SSL Opportunities document!
Check Out Our VA SSL Website
Here you'll find...
- Contact information for our SSL Coordinator and our counseling team
- An introductory video about SLL hours and how to complete them
- The official submission form for reporting hours
- Timely updates on service opportunities within and outside of the Virtual Academy
- and more!
Summer Opportunity for HS Students
HS students—are you interested in learning how to start a for-profit business that can create social change? MCPS is hosting a Social Entrepreneurship Summer Program for rising 9th-12th-graders at The Universities of Shady Grove in Rockville.
Classes will be held Monday - Thursday from July 18 - July 28, 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. The program culminates in a Shark Tank Pitch Competition on Friday, July 29th. See the flyer below for more information, and click here to register.
FREE Summer Gym Membership for Teens
Teenagers can work out for free all summer at Planet Fitness. Sign up starts May 16th via the Planet Fitness website. The membership lasts from May 16th until August 31st and allows teenagers to work out for free at their home club via a digital key tag. There are Planet Fitness locations in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, and two in Silver Spring.
Any teenager to sign up for the program is automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship (one winner per state). Additional information can be seen on their website: https://www.planetfitness.com/summerpass/preregistration.
High School Summer Pass is just for teens 14 – 19. Under 18? Sign up with a parent/guardian (online or in-club) from May 16 – August 31.
MVA Student Enrollment for 2022-2023
Students who are currently enrolled in the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) and wish to continue in the MVA in the 2022-2023 school year are not required to re-apply. However, we are asking for current families to please complete the form linked below for each child. In the form, please indicate whether you wish your child to remain in the MVA for the 2022-2023 school year OR plan to have them return to their home school. Families who have already completed the form do not need to re-submit it.
Montgomery Virtual Academy 2022-2023 Enrollment Commitment
https://forms.gle/P1TvdtdzLXDuxafq8
Questions regarding continuation of enrollment may be sent to MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
Virtual Academy Accepting New Applications for 2022-2023
The following message was posted on the MVA Website on February 2, 2022. Please feel free to share and pass it along!
The Montgomery Virtual Academy, a full-time virtual learning program for students in Kindergarten to Grade 12, is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. Students interested in the program are required to apply for admission and must be approved to participate. (Students currently enrolled in the Virtual Academy do not need to reapply). Applications will be considered on a rolling admissions basis. Application reviews will begin March 1 for initial enrollment and staffing purposes.
The Virtual Academy serves students in a comprehensive, full-time online instructional program. The program will continue to expand its infrastructure and services, innovative instructional approaches and flexible options to access coursework, particularly for high school students.
Admission considerations include:
- For elementary school students: Primarily for students with extenuating circumstances related to health or other reasons that can be mitigated through a virtual learning program.
- For middle and high school students: For students to gain access to innovative courses, flexible scheduling and specialty courses that may not be available in all schools, and for students with extenuating circumstances, including health and other reasons, that can be mitigated through a virtual program.
Applications can be submitted through ParentVUE beginning Feb. 2.
For families needing assistance submitting an application, please call 240-740-6060 or email MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org.
For more information, visit these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) or the Montgomery Virtual Academy website.
Montgomery Can Code: Free Coding Camps for Middle School Students!
In partnership with Montgomery College and the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, MCPS is offering FREE virtual coding camps for rising middle school students this summer, as part of the Montgomery Can Code initiative. Students in the camps will receive a loaner iPad and learn to code with Swift, Apple’s easy-to-learn programming language and engage in a fun competition. For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.montgomerycancode.com/. If you have additional questions, please contact Mr. Kelly Dunston, coordinator, at Kelly_A_Dunston@mcpsmd.org
MVA Parent Teacher Council Updates
Please contact Council President, Jessica at parentcouncil@cpjsweb.com if you’d like to volunteer or have any questions, comments or suggestions. Thank you for your support!
Montgomery Virtual Academy Shirt Sales and Donations: https://mvaptc.square.site
Please contact Jessica at parentcouncil@cpjsweb.com with any questions. Pick up in Kensington or can be mailed at an additional cost.
MVAPTC Links:
Website: mvaptc.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=montgomery%20virtual%20academy%20parent%20teacher%20council
Facebook page for MVAPTC Families & Staff Discussion Group called MVAPTC Discussion Group - Montgomery Virtual Academy Families & Staff (MD): https://www.facebook.com/groups/530674078014807
MVAPTC Membership Signup (no dues this year): https://forms.gle/ATxuHnUWnvEqVD9Y8
How to Check SSL Hours in ParentVUE
- Navigate to https://md-mcps-psv.edupoint.com/PXP2_Login.aspx.
- Select "I am a parent" or "I am a student."
- Enter your User Name and Password, then click "Login."
- Click "Course History" from the left-hand navigation.
- The Course History page shows the student's graduation progress, test requirements, and SLL hours earned. (Students need 75 hours for graduation.)
- Toggle on "Detail" to see full Service Learning details.
Yet Another SSL Opportunity: Hands2Inspire
Our very own Dr. Sandhu owns a non-profit organization called Hands2Inspire. She has created an SSL opportunity that can earn students up 15 SSL hours.
Students will create a Google Slideshow to spread awareness about a scholarship that Hands2Inspire has set up in honor of Dr. Sandhu's grandfather, Sardar Maluk Singh Sandhu. Students will talk about the scholarship and how it can benefit students. These slideshows will then be shared throughout the community and the nation to raise awareness for the scholarship.
This opportunity is open to all students, with special focus on seniors who need credits to meet their graduation requirements. Students are also more than welcome to apply for this scholarship, as it is open to high seniors.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Dr. Simarjeet directly via email: Simarjeet_K_Sandhu@mcpsmd.org.
Important SSL Links:
Student Service Learning HUB for MCPS Students and Families
Virtual Academy Calendar for June 2022
Attendance Questions and Absence Notes
- Hikeyya_A_Falden@mcpsmd.org
- 240-740-6060
Advisory ("Homeroom") Reminders
Every student in the VA is scheduled for Advisory (indicated as "Homeroom" on their schedules).
Advisory meets Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays. Students are able to:
- connect with peers from their home school
- receive Virtual Academy updates and information
- participate in fun and interesting advisory lessons
It is important for students to log in each Advisory day for learning and attendance.
Contact your advisory teacher for information and to answer questions.
Activating and Utilizing ParentVUE
Activate Your ParentVue Account
This important tool will provide near real-time access to information on assignments and scores, attendance, class schedules, transcripts, graduation status, and more. You may access ParentVUE online, but for the best mobile experience, we encourage you to download the ParentVUE App from the Google Play Store or Apple Store, as this app will replace the current myMCPS mobile application.
Contact Your Child's Administrator or Counselor for your activation letter
Free English as Second Language Classes for Parents
In collaboration with MCPS, the Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) is offering free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for MCPS parents. The classes will be held virtually and there will be options for all levels of English speakers. They are available to any MCPS parent for whom English is not their first language.
Please 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.
Technology Support
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
Student Newsletter
Click here to review the updates that we share with students each week in our student newsletter Google Site.
Helpful SSL Tip
When you submit your SSL forms, it’s really important that you complete all sections properly, so the form does not get returned to you. Check out this video from our SSL committee that demonstrates how to complete the SSL form in its entirety.
Thank you, Ms. Marks, for the helpful video!
https://www.loom.com/share/a9aafe11b7c7475caa166006528bf823
Free Computers for MoCo Residents in Need
The Montgomery County government has received grant funding to provide a computer to residents who do not have one. All you need is a valid Montgomery County library card and a photo ID to register. Click here for more information: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/obp/computer-for-you.html
VA Weekly Navigator Archive
SEMESTER TWO
- Week of June 13, 2022
- Week of June 6, 2022
- Week of May 31, 2022
- Week of May 23, 2022
- Week of May 16, 2022
- Week of May 9, 2022
- Week of May 2, 2022
- Week of April 25, 2022
- Week of April 18, 2022
- Week of April 4, 2022
- Week of March 28, 2022
- Week of March 21, 2022
- Week of March 14, 2022
- Week of March 7, 2022
- Week of February 28, 2022
- Week of February 22, 2022
- Week of February 14, 2022
- Week of February 7, 2022
- Week of January 31, 2022
SEMESTER ONE