NCVA Beacon Herald
September 2018
Our Mission
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL
It was in September 1774 that a man by the name of John Chapman was born. That name is, more than likely, one you do not recognize but he became a folk hero and American legend better known as “Johnny Appleseed.” His name, however, creates confusion about what he actually did.
Johnny did not travel and throw apple seeds to create orchards. He went to those areas, stayed awhile, started a nursery that grew apple trees, trained people to maintain it, and then he moved on to other locations. His travels and work took him through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and even in parts of Canada. He would then come back to check on those nurseries.
He wanted to make a difference and found a way to do so. This month, the K12 Cares Community of Service project focuses on days of service in remembrance of what happened on 9/11 some 17 years ago. More details will be forthcoming but remember that no deed of service is too small to make a difference.
~Dr. Medley
Important Dates
- 9/3: Labor Day Holiday (School Closed)
- 3rd Grade BOG Testing (See E-mail for dates and times)
- 9/13: Face to Face LC Training/ Region 5 (See Attached)
- 9/14: LC Social Hour via BbC (Under the LC Account)
- 9/21: Regional Adventure Day! (See Attached)
- 9/26: Face to Face LC Training/ Region 6 (See Attached)
- 9/28: Face to Face LC Training/ Region 3 (See Attached)
UPDATE Your Contact Information
Please ensure your phone number and e-mail are up to date in the OLS under your LC Account.
- Change of Address: Proof of Residence (utility bill, lease, home owner's statement) is required to update your physical address. Please e-mail the information to the Registrar at ccameron@ncvacademy.org.
K12 Customer Support 1-866-512-2273
K12 Customer Support Videos
https://www.help.k12.com/s/topic/0TO0B000000I2moWAC/technical-support-videos#?tabset-26361=2
- Audio Set-Up: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-to-Setup-a-Headset-Microphone-and-Configure-Audio-for-Class-Connect
K12 is working diligently to eliminate and replace content that was built on Flash, as web browsers are ceasing support of it. However, you may still encounter some Flash content.
For the best user experience, we recommend accessing your online classes using the Mozilla Firefox browser. To download the most recent version of Firefox, please visit: http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ .
If you are using a Chromebook or need to access your online classes using Chrome, we recommend not updating to the newest release (Chrome 69), which forces users to re-enable Flash every time they restart their browser. Please refer tohttp://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Enabling-Flash-in-Chrome-69 on help.k12.com for a step-by-step guide to enabling Flash in Chrome 69.
New to NCVA?
- READ the Strong Start Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/ae15n
- REQUIRED New Student Orientations (Will appear on Student OLS Schedule)
*Parents & Students attend*
Mondays and Tuesdays: 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.
Thursdays and Fridays: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
* Only 1 is required per grade band (ES,MS, and/or HS)
For example, a family with 3rd and 5th graders only attend 1 ES session. Whereas a family with a 7th and 10th grader would attend both MS and HS sessions.
- Complete Online Learning/Welcome to Online Learning Course
- Complete a Connection Call with your student(s) Homeroom Teacher(s)
- Log-in to Student and Learning Coach Accounts daily
We are here to support you! Thank you for choosing NCVA.
K12 Cares September Service Project
National Day of Service 9/11
~Ways to participate~
- Serve in your local community by completing a project of your choice. Find opportunities here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve/search.
- Place a small flag in your yard in remembrance of 9/11.
- Post a picture on our NCVA Facebook Page of your student in action!
*TRACK your community service hours here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K12Cares *
*NEW* NCVA Social Events Quarterly Calendars
Features include:
- Community Service Activities
- *Bonus* and Gradeband Adventure Day Activities
- Town Hall Topics
- LC Events
Check it out and print a copy. Hopefully, this additional tool will help our families with advance planning and e-mail reduction!
Elementary School Updates
*NEW* Elementary School Website
Check out our K-5 Welcome Videos:
http://safeYouTube.net/w/z3fe
First: Second:
http://safeyoutube.net/w/BWce
Third: Fourth: Fifth:
Admin:
K-5 Tips to Remember...
2. Reward children for a job well done (be creative with awards).
3. Make use of the resources available through K12!
4. Read the weekly newsletter every week!
5. Check your email daily (multiple times a day).
6. Ask! If you need help, please reach out. We are here to assist you in any way that we can!
2018-2019 Handbook
Middle School Updates
Reminders
2. Follow your lesson plan and schedule (not necessarily lesson numbers).
- Follow the DUE dates on your Schedule and Class Plans.
3. Exit tickets: Make sure you are completing exit tickets in class. These are required!
4. Use any Open Office/team hours if you have questions. We can't answer if you don't ask!
5. IMPORTANT: log into individual courses to do work - don't rely on clicking assignments on your schedule. This will allow you to read announcements that may apply to that day!
6. Attend all required Class Connect Sessions. Be on time.
For all technical errors, please call k12 tech support at 866-512-2273
Symbaloo Links
- Bookmark the Middle School Symbaloo page for helpful links: https://www.symbaloo.com/shared/AAAABzTHnfoAA42AR5bOnw==
- Watch the Help Videos on the Symbaloo page!
Coffee with Mrs. V
Learning Coaches: Be on the lookout for a “Coffee with Mrs. V” invitation on your learning coach class connect schedule. This a special session held for the middle school learning coaches covering a variety of different topics and is hosted by our administrator Mrs. Villegas.
We'll bring the info, you bring the coffee!
Stride
Learn more about Stride here: https://start.k12.com/national.html?st=stride&product=public_schools_generic&leadsource=drtv
High School Updates
Reminders
Please remember that certain high school courses have EOC's (End of Course Tests) Thus, if your student has an EOC course and has a scheduling conflict they should attend the EOC course first and then watch the recording for the other course. Work still has to be completed in BOTH courses.
Just a reminder, if you have a scheduling conflict you need to let your teachers know if you have live CC sessions that overlap and an EOC course: (Math 1, Math 3, Eng 2 and Biology)
EOC courses have State Exams at the end of the semester that count for 20% of their grade!
Please remember if you are submitting an application to NHS it needs to be submitted by September 14.
Other Resources:
Help raise money for your school!
Watch the video to find out how.
We are excited to have you as part of NCVA's High School! Welcome Back!
Upcoming dates
ALL HS outing in October (October 12) at the NC State Fair
Department of Exceptional Children
Counselors' Corner
Driver’s Education
NCVA students should register for a driver’s education class in their county of residence. Once they complete the class and driving portion, they should email Mrs. Beck to request a Driver’s Eligibility Certificate. Students must pass 2 of 3 classes each semester to qualify for a certificate.
We have a new high school counselor this year- welcome Mrs. Hairston! Make sure you are contacting the correct counselor when you have questions.
Katie Beck
Nicole Hairston
School Counselor for Students with Last Names
G-N
Erin Farmer
FAST (Family Academic Support Team)
A "Strong Start" for EVERYONE
Welcome back! The FAST Team would like to wish all of our families a "strong start" to the new school year. Check out this S'more for resources you will use all year long!
Strong Start Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/ae15n
LC Social Hour (Online Via BbC)
Friday, 9/14
(Under the LC Account)
Open chat for Learning Coaches! All are welcome to join.
- K-5 @ 9:00 a.m.
- 6-12 @ 10:00 a.m.
*"Tip of the Month"
*Ask Questions
*Share helpful resources
*Connect with other LCs
Jillian Davenport and LC Volunteers will be available to assist with questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
NCVA provides McKinney-Vento/Homeless assistance and supports to qualifying students.
You may be eligible for assistance through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Below is the definition of what qualifies a family to be considered eligible for supports and services.
According to section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)), the term “homeless children and youths”—
(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence...; and
(B) includes—
(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.
(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
Children and youth are considered homeless if they fit both Part A and any one of the sub-parts of Part B of the definition above.
If you feel you may qualify or if you have any questions, please contact Paige Adams, Homeless Liaison & Family Resource Coordinator, at padams@ncvacademy.org or at 919-346-0121 ext. 2030.
Celebrating Attendance Awareness Month
STUDENT AND PARENT OPPORTUNITIES
Social Media
Please take advantage of opportunities to connect with the K12 and NCVA communities online and social media, via
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncva_k12
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncva_k12/
**NEW** Regional Parent Groups
- Make new friends
- Attend informal social activities outside of school
- Share tips and tricks
How do I join? : E-mail the Regional Parent Group where you reside. Use the map below to find your Region by County. Include your name, county, student(s)' name(s), grade levels, and phone number.
Region 1 ncvaregion1@gmail.com
Region 2 ncvaregion2@gmail.com
Region 3 ncvaregion3@gmail.com
Region 4 ncvaregion4@yahoo.com
Region 5 ncvaregion5@gmail.com
Region 6 ncvaregion6@gmail.com
Region 7 ncvaregion7@yahoo.com
Region 8 ncvaregion8@gmail.com
Check them out here: https://www.smore.com/avzdx
PLEASE NOTE: The Regional Parent Groups are comprised of Learning Coaches. They do NOT have access to student information. Please contact your student's Homeroom or Content Area Teacher(s) for academic questions.
K12 Clubs
K12 offers a variety of student clubs where like-minded students can share their areas of interest. These clubs are offered typically two times a month, and last one hour. K12 Clubs are available between September and May annually.
Registration is opening soon!
To register, visit: http://www.k12.com/k12-student-clubs. Student and Family questions about national clubs & other national programming may be directed to clubs@k12.com .
K12 Learning Liftoff Newsletter
Register here: http://www.learningliftoff.com/
Community Activities
Victory Junction: Located in Randleman, NC. Camp opportunities are available year round for children with special needs and various medical conditions at no cost to families. Contact Victory Junction at https://victoryjunction.org for more information.
Carolina Parent: The Carolina Parent website is an excellent resource for family friendly activities and resources throughout the state. Visit http://www.carolinaparent.com/ for more information.
Museums for All
Museums for All allows low income families (who can show proof of an EBT card) to enter specific museums across NC with an admission fee ranging from free to $3 depending on location.
Program Link
http://www.childrensmuseums.org/about/acm-initiatives/museums-for-all
List of museums that participate:
HELPING OUR SCHOOL
Box Tops for Education
As a public school, NCVA is able to participate in Box Tops for Education by General Mills and has signed up to create an account. As you shop and purchase normal, everyday products, you can cut those box tops off and get them to our school so that we can gain additional supplies. The products vary and include food, storage, paper products, and cleaning supplies.
When you cut them off, there are printable, fun sheets to be able to collect them. The link below will take you to those sheets:
http://www.boxtops4education.com/~/link.aspx?_id=CD4A2815C2894609BCBA7A1A3DB6E65F&_z=z
Once you have collected several, here are the ways to be able to get them to our coordinator – Carrie Daniel:
- Bring them with you at an outing and give to a teacher
- Bring them with you to a testing site and give to the Site Coordinator
- Mail them to the Office at the school address attention to Ms. Daniel.
"Together In Education Program"
Account # 3669
"Tools For Schools"
(Account # 31300)
Contact Information
North Carolina Virtual Academy
4220 NC HWY 55, Suite 130
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 919-346-0121
Fax: 919-324-6597
Website: http://ncva.k12.com
K12 Customer Support: 1-866-512-2273