Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News
Week of January 24, 2022
A Note from the Dean's Desk
Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!
Happy Semester 2! It's hard to believe this is the half-way mark of the school year! We sure have come a long way in the MVA! I'd like to take a moment thank the many families who have been with us since the beginning of the school year. I'd also like to welcome the new families joining us in second semester! We are pleased to have you on this voyage with us and hope your first days will feel like smooth sailing!
In this week's newsletter, please find mostly reminders about previous announcements and some new information from our school counselors. Also, just a reminder that there is no school on Monday, January 24, 2022.
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
- January 3-January 28: Winter MAP Testing window
- January 18-28: Semester 2 Supply Distribution (Details below)
- January 24: Professional Day for Teachers- NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS
- January 24: Student Pictures for MVA Students (Details below)
- January 25: Marking Period 3/Semester 2 Begins
- February 3: Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council Meeting -6:30-8:00 PM
- February 9: Middle School Information Parent Night for Current Grade 5 Families
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
School Pictures for MVA Students on January 24- Sign-ups still available!
It's not too late to sign-up for pictures on Monday, January 24 and there are still spots available at all three locations!
The MVA has partnered with Barksdale School Portraits to offer MVA students an opportunity to purchase school pictures.
The MVA has partnered with Barksdale School Portraits to offer MVA students an opportunity to purchase school pictures.
On Monday, January 24 from 9 AM to 4 PM, there will be three (3) locations in Montgomery County that interested MVA families can select from to have their child's school portrait taken. This is a "no school for students" day, and MVA students will not be interacting with students from other schools.
- Up-County Location: Roberto Clemente Middle School, 18808 Waring Station Rd, Germantown, MD 20874 https://www.appointment.com/barksdaleschoolportraits?redirect_url=/customer/calendar.php&y=2022&m=01&schedule=Montgomery%20Virtual%20Academy%20Clemente%20Location
- Down-county Location: Sligo Middle School,1401 Dennis Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902 https://www.appointment.com/barksdaleschoolportraits?redirect_url=/customer/calendar.php&y=2022&m=01&schedule=Montgomery%20Virtual%20Academy%20Sligo%20Location
- Mid-County Location: MVA Main Office, 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850 https://www.appointment.com/barksdaleschoolportraits?redirect_url=/customer/calendar.php&y=2022&m=01&schedule=Montgomery%20Virtual%20Academy%20West%20Gude%20Location
- STEP 2: After the selecting a time slot, go to www.barksdalephoto.com to place your order prior to picture day using the access code 0089990IN. Since all picture packages will be shipped to the student’s home all orders have to be placed online.
NOTES: All students must wear their mask until it is their turn at the camera. This is a prepay event only. All orders must be placed online.
We are also exploring offering evening hours at the Rockville location sometime after January 24, depending on demand. In the coming days, a sign-up form and details on picture packages will be provided.
Note: School pictures are not required and sign-up is optional.
MVA Enrollment for the 2022-2023 School Year
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.
Enrollment in the MVA is intended to be a full year commitment. Please complete this form for each student currently enrolled in the MVA. Responses were requested by Monday, January 17, 2022 but we continue to accept responses. Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete this form.
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!
Semester 2 Supply Pick-up Sign-ups Now Open
NOTE: Materials for Semester Two include many items for all elementary school students and books for middle school students. High school students whose teachers have ordered materials will notify their students in class and on their Canvas pages; please have your children ask their teachers if there are materials they should pick up.
Please sign-up for a pick-up time using this Sign-up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094bafa92cabf94-mvastudent1
We are also seeking parent volunteers to assist with distribution. You can sign-up to volunteer here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094bafa92cabf94-mvavolunteer3
MAP Testing- NEWLY UPDATED SCHEDULE
MCPS RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL ACADEMY FAMILIES
COVID-19 AT-HOME RAPID TEST KITS for STUDENTS
MCPS has made arrangements distribute home self-administered COVID-19 rapid tests to all students. Students attending the Montgomery Virtual Academy should contact the home school to make arrangements to retrieve your student kit.
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!
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
MCPS INFORMATION FOR ALL FAMILIES
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.
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
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.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Internet Safety Counseling Lessons and Parent Resources
Happy New Year!
During the month of January, all Virtual Academy students will receive a counseling lesson to do asynchronously on the topic of Internet Safety. Classroom teachers will post these lessons on their homeroom Canvas pages and provide students with the information. The lessons also include a quick exit ticket that is a google form for students to complete.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
K-2 grades: Nicole Bamberger - nicole_m_bamberger@mcpsmd.org
3-5 grades: Corinne Whited - corinne_e_whited@mcpsmd.org
We have also provided some more Parent tips on Internet Safety included in this week´s newsletter.
Being a Trusted Adult:
English being-a-trusted-adult.pdf
español being-a-trusted-adult-es.pdf
Gaming Online:
English gaming-safely.pdf
español gaming-safely-es.pdf
Cellphone Safety:
Caring Matters Parent Nights
We know holidays are particularly challenging for grieving families and Family Nights are helpful in supporting them as the holidays approach. The next Family Night is connected with Valentine's Day and special days.
Registration is now open for the next Virtual Family Night for grieving families on Thursday, February 3rd at 6pm. Registration deadline is January 28th. Please see included flyers for details.
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY PARENT TEACHER COUNCIL (MVAPTC) INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following MVA Parent Council Announcements are being shared as a public information courtesy.
Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council Updates
Please see below links to become a member (no dues this year) or to lead/join a committee of your choosing.
Please contact Council President, Jessica at parentcouncil@cpjsweb.com if you’d like to help or have any questions, concerns or suggestions.
Thank you for your support!
Teacher Appreciation Wish List - please help the MVAPTC support our teachers with MVA shirts and technology gifts.
https://www.amazon.com/registries/custom/KW86FXCZ3F5L/guest-view
Upcoming Parent Teacher Council Meetings: 1st Thursday of the Month at 6:30 PM
*February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2 (Board Member Elections)
MoCo Delivery Fundraiser (ongoing weekly):
Enjoy delivered food from the Amish Market Yummy Pies & Beiler’s Donuts, Metro Dahaba, Izes Deli, Fresh Baguette and Poolesville Raw Pure Honey! Your purchase will be placed at your door on Saturday morning. Deadline for ordering is Thursday night! Please put "Donation to MCPS VA" in the special requests section. Order at: www.mocodelivery.com
Helpful MVAPTC Links:
- GoFundMe for MVAPTC start-up costs: https://gofund.me/f0bba235
- Website: https://vaparentcouncil.godaddysites.com
- Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=montgomery%20virtual%20academy%20parent%20teacher%20council
- Facebook page for unofficial Parent Group called MCPS - Montgomery Virtual Academy Families (Montgomery County, MD): https://www.facebook.com/groups/530674078014807
- MVAPTC Membership Signup: https://forms.gle/ATxuHnUWnvEqVD9Y8
- MVAPTC Committee Signup: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P26ZtfaHo0NR9GSjc2xuzHg7G40AvbsiSfEqhBTJjRw/edit?usp=sharing
Staff Appreciation Flower Bouquet Fundraiser
Please follow the attached link to add a message for your teachers, paraeducators, and other staff members. These messages will be added to a bouquet of unique handmade wood flowers to show each how unique and appreciated they are. We are asking for a donation of at least $2 per message to help us cover the costs of the bouquets. All additional proceeds will be donated to the MVA Parent Teacher Council.
MVAPTC Committee Sign-Up
- Grades K-2 Parent Committee (Social & Student Needs)
- Grades 3-5 Parent Committee (Social & Student Needs)
- Grades 6-8 Parent Committee (Social and Student Needs)
- Grades 9-12 Parent Committee (Social and Student Needs)
- Special Needs Committee
- Restaurant Night Fundraiser
- Auction Committee
- Parent Social Committee (Parent Get Togethers)
- Teacher Appreciation Committee
- Community Outreach Committee
- Cultural Arts Committee
- Student Recognition Committee
- NAACP Committee
- Hispanic/Latinx Family Community Committee
- Asian Family Committee
- Board Nominating Chair/Committee
- Volunteer Coordinators
- Grant Writing Committee
- Membership/Recruitment/Directory Committee
- Social Service Committee
- Teacher/Staff/Administrator Awards
Committee Sign-ups Available At:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P26ZtfaHo0NR9GSjc2xuzHg7G40AvbsiSfEqhBTJjRw/edit?usp=sharing
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
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?
Find us at...
Email: Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/
Location: 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6060
Twitter: @MVA_DeanHeifetz