OVCA Middle School Bison Blast
September 2017
In this issue...
Upcoming Events
Help Desk is OPEN!
Stuff for Students
Visit our New Website
Gifted and Talented Testing info
Learning Coach and Student Resources
You've got to watch this video!
Opportunity to help students at Texas Virtual Charter Academy following hurricane Harvey
Hundreds of our TXVA students and their families have been affected by the devastating hurricane Harvey. Many of our students have been forced out of their homes and have lost so much, including personal belongings like school supplies. We are asking for donations so that we can support as many students as possible by replacing these much needed school supplies. The donations will be transferred to gift cards and mailed to the student. We want our amazing students to return to school feeling as prepared and supported as possible! Every donation is appreciated and will help a TXVA student.
You can make a donation by clicking here.
Upcoming Events
September 14: In Person Support Sessions
OKC and Tulsa locations 5:30pm-7:30pm *details below
September 22: Regional Outings
Woolaroc Museum in Bartlesville; Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center in Enid; Wildlife Expo in Guthrie; Chaddick Park in McAlester; Greer Park in Lawton; Broken Arrow Bowling Lanes in Broken Arrow; Virtual Field Trip online
September 27 and 28: School Choice Picnic 11:00am-1:00pm
27th - South Lakes Park in Oklahoma City, 28th - LaFortune Park in Tulsa
*details coming soon
September 28: In Person Support Sessions
OKC and Tulsa locations 5:30pm-7:30pm *details below
October 6: Meet the Teacher Day
Mohawk Park in Tulsa, OK
Families will bring picnic lunch and get a chance to meet their teacher. Some families may choose to go to the zoo or the Oxley Nature Center following the Meet the Teacher activities. *More Details will be sent in email.
October 12: In Person Support Sessions
OKC and Tulsa locations 5:30pm-7:30pm *details below
November 3: Regional STEM Showcase and Rubik’s Cube Competition
Bartlesville Public Library, Enid library, OKC Metro Public Library, Ada Public Library, Lawton Public Library, Hardesty Library in Tulsa
Hope you will plan to join us for some fun at our outings this year!
September Regional Outings
We hope you will join us for an outing on Friday, September 22nd! If you are unable to join us in person, be sure to sign up for our virtual field trip. All the details for each outing are in the Sign-Up link below. Hope to see you at an outing soon!
Click here for outing details and to sign up.
Wildlife Expo @ Lazy E Arena
9601 Lazy E Dr, Guthrie, OK 73044
12:00pm-2:00pm
Greer Park – Lawton
467-513 NW 38th St. Lawton, OK 73505
11am-1pm
Families bring picnic lunch and park games
Woolaroc Museum
1925 Woolaroc Ranch Rd, Bartlesville, OK 74003
10am-12pm
K-5th students & teachers (parents) are free.
6th-12th students and teachers (parents) are $5 each
Broken Arrow Bowling Lanes
4701 E. Elm Place, Broken Arrow, OK 74011
12pm-2pm
$2.71 one game/$5.42 two games
Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center
507 S 4th Street, Enid, OK 73701
10am-12pm
$4 per student; $6 per adult
Chaddick Park – McAlester
S 3rd St & East Chaddick Avenue, McAlester, OK 74501
11am-1pm
Families bring picnic lunch and park games
Virtual Outing - Visit to Hershey, PA
Elementary Session
Middle School/ High School Session
Link will be in your Class Connect session list. *Be sure to sign up!
OVCA Help Desk is Open until September 15th!
Our LIVE Help Desk is open every school day from August 7th-September 15th
Link to session is in your Class Connect sessions list or use the link below.
Middle School: 12pm-2pm
1-866-512-2273
Course Questions?
Contact your teacher by phone or email
Way to go Bria!
Learn how to set up your school email on your mobile device!
In Person Support Sessions for OVCA Families!
OVCA is hosting In Person Support Sessions! These informal, optional sessions are offered as a place for families to come and ask questions regarding the Online School. Families are encouraged to bring their laptop computers if they have them for trouble shooting.
Commonly asked about topics include: Navigation, CC Session Questions, Student motivation, Scheduling, Course expectations, and more!
Click on sign up link to see all the details. Be sure to sign up if you plan to attend so we can have enough staff available to help all families.
Click here to sign up
Attention 8th Graders - Apply for Oklahoma's Promise!
Don't miss this great opportunity to submit your application for Oklahoma's Promise:
http://www.okhighered.org/okpromise/
Contact your Homeroom Teacher if you have questions.
Submit your art for Oklahoma License to Educate!
Student Art Contest ( students can submit original art for a new license plate)
Submissions due by Sept. 22nd
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister invites all Oklahoma Pre-K through 12th-grade students to enter their best work. The winner’s creation will be featured on the new Oklahoma License to Educate Plate to benefit teacher recruitment efforts.
Check out our new website!
Have you had a chance to check out the awesome new OVCA Website? www.okvirtual.net
You can find some great information here and even log directly into the online school. Check out things like school calendars, purchase spirit wear, parent resources, and more. If you have ideas for improving the website feel free to email Nicole Ellison at nellison@okvirtual.org with yours ideas!
Attention: Use Firefox Browser
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: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/.
Keep your Computer Running Smoothly
UPDATED Help Videos for you!
Overview of the Online School Platform for Middle School and High School Students
https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/ka90B000000kA1mQAE/Online-Middle-and-High-School-Tour
Blackboard Collaborate Download_UPDATED!
Audio Set Up for Class Connect _ UPDATED!
Resources just for you!
OFFICE 365 SET-UP
Click Here To Download Office 365 (Free) and Set Up Your Student Email Account.
Learning Coach Resources: https://www.help.k12.com/s/topic/0TOU00000000jxEOAQ/Learning%20Coach%20Resources#?tabset-26361=2
Troubleshooting Support:
Class Connect Support:
https://www.help.k12.com/s/topic/0TOU00000000jx2OAA/Class%20Connect%20Support#?tabset-26361=2
School Email Support:
https://www.help.k12.com/s/topic/0TOU00000000jx3OAA/School%20Email%20Support#?tabset-26361=2
Gifted and Talented Testing
At OVCA, our program is for gifted and talented students at all grade levels. If you are identified as gifted or talented, you will be invited to attend virtual and in person enrichment classes, as well as clubs and extracurricular classes designed to specifically to fit your needs.
Watch a recording to learn more about the program by clicking here.
To sign up to take the GT test, please click here.
Contact Amy Conder at aconder@okvirtual.org for more information.
Learning Coach Resources and Info
OVCA Learning Coach Connections - Find us on Facebook
Click here to request to join the group.
•Open to all current OVCA Learning Coaches grades Kindergarten – 12th grade
•Share your tips for successfully schooling at home in a positive environment
•Please include your students grade level in your posts. There is a progression of learning through the grade levels so each school has different requirement to meet the needs of students.
•Contact your student’s teacher if you have specific questions or concerns about courses and grades. They are the BEST source for those answers.
Calling all LC’s! Check out Wednesday Workshops! You will NOT regret it!
Click HERE to watch a 2 minute video explaining what Wednesday Workshops are and why we want you to attend!
Check out the calendar to see which topics will be offered this school year at http://okvirtual.net/p-resources.php
Are you an expert at one of the topics being offered? Or do you have vast experience as an LC and you would love to share your knowledge with others? PLEASE email Nicole Ellison at nellison@k12.com She is always looking for LC’s to share the mic!
What: Wednesday Workshops will offer a weekly topic to help LC’s and high school students school more effectively getting the most out of online school. They are held weekly at the same time & place.
When: Every Wednesday school is in session at 4pm
Where: Online in BBC – The links can be located in the OLS announcements, and under class connects for the LC.
Why: OVCA looks to partner with both the LC and student to make virtual schooling as smooth as possible. Providing the LC and student resources like a weekly support session is just one way we can partner together. #teambison #comecheckitout
Wednesday, September 6th 4pm – Computer Basics
Wednesday, September 13th, 4pm – HELP! 9-1-1 Being an LC is not easy!
Wednesday, September 20th, 4pm – How to get to know other enrolled families
Wednesday, September 27th, 4pm – Creating a Schedule/Managing Long Days
Here is how to find the OVCA Family Directory
2. Click the Link icon to the left of LC name and then select k12 LMS from the dropdown.
3. Select the My Info from the Quick Links box
4. Select Family Directory from purple box on left.
OVCA Military Co-Op
OVCA offers additional support to our students who are connected to the military. If you have access to Tinker Air Force Base, please contact the coordinator Christine Nichols at cnichols@k12.com.
Read this article about the unique way OVCA Support military families
Fall Family Events at the Oklahoma History Center
Saturday, September 9 – Septemberfest 10am-3 pm
FREE family event! Bring the family to enjoy arts and crafts, chuck wagon cooking, living history, face painting, laser tag, museum exhibits, pony rides, storytime with Governor Mary Fallin, square dancing, live performances, and more! The Governor's Mansion will also be open for tours.
Saturday, September 23 – Leaf and Flower Printing Class 1-4 pm. Revel in the beauty of nature and create handmade cards or paper artwork! Participants will survey local plant species and make their own leaf or flower print. To register for the class, visit http://www.okhistory.org/historycenter/classes
October 9 – Homeschool Day 10 am-2 pm
FREE family event! Intended for homeschool families, but everyone is welcome! Activities for all ages, including two Abraham Lincoln Living History performances! (Performances will be at 11 am and 1 pm, seating is FIRST COME FIRST SERVE for these performances.)
October 9 – Abraham Lincoln Evening Living History Performance 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members.
Tickets will be sold starting at 10 am on Monday, September 25th. Please call (405) 522-0765 for ticket information.
K12 National Online Clubs
K12’s ’17-’18 Club signup is set to launch on August 16th. A mass email will be sent out to families announcing the opening of club signups, and announcements will be placed. Families can find the list of clubs and signup links by visiting www.k12.com/k12-student-clubs.
For a flyer of all the national clubs being offered this school year visits: http://www.k12.com/content/dam/k12/sites/default/files/pdf/K12_National_Clubs_17-18.pdf
A few points of reminder about national clubs:
· National Club sessions will not begin until September 18th
· National Club sessions will appear on the student Events schedule with other Class Connect sessions
· National Club teachers will send emails approximately 1 week in advance of the club session to let students and families know when to watch for the scheduled session
· In the beginning it may take up to 4 weeks to hear from their club leaders
· Families can email clubs@k12.com for questions regarding clubs
· Grade ranges are closely observed
Got Box Tops?
You can now use the Box Top app to increase your Box Tops for our school! Don't have the app? You are welcome to drop off your Box Tops at any of our in person outings or mail them to our office at the address below. Please check the expiration dates of your Box Tops before turning them in. Thank you and we appreciate your support!
OVCA Office
Box Tops- Attention: Sondra Callaway
1160 S. Douglas Blvd.
Midwest City, OK 73130
Share the Love
Sharing is easier than ever! With one click, let everyone know how much you love online schooling with K12. Share today!
Previous Monthly Newsletters:
Notification of Language Assistance Services
Any parent/legal guardian who is limited in speaking, writing, or reading English may request the school to provide access to services such as interpreter and/or translated documents. To request services please email or call the ELL Coordinator, Nicole Ellison, at nellison@okvirtual.org or 405.259.9478 ext. 2064. Nicole Ellison will coordinate prompt access for the parent/legal guardian to the appropriate services and/or translator service.
Parents Right to Know
At the beginning of each school year each Title I school must notify parents of students that they can request information regarding their child’s teacher, including, at a minimum:
(1) whether the teacher has met the state requirements for licensure and certification for the grade levels and subject-matters in which the teacher provides instruction; and
(2) whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or their provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and
(3) the college major and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree; and
(4) whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals, and if so, their qualifications.
In addition, each Title I school must provide each parent timely notice that the parent’s child has been assigned, or has been taught for four or more consecutive weeks by a teacher who is not highly qualified.
To receive any of this information please contact Nicole Ellison, Title I Coordinator, at nellison@okvirtual.org
OVCA is proud to provide your student the best possible educational experiences. OVCA strives to recruit the most qualified, experienced, and passionate educators to work with our students. All teachers employed at OVCA for the SY17-18 are highly qualified as defined by the State Department of Oklahoma. For more information regarding highly qualified criteria or other public school related matters you may go to the Oklahoma State Department website at http://ok.gov/sde/.
Sincerely,
Nicole Ellison
Title I Coordinator
405-259-9478 ext. 2064
Important Information about Special Education Services
Click here for information on Special Education Services at OVCA.
Please complete this Child Find Survey for Special Education
To reach all families, this information has been sent through multiple avenues, however you only need to complete it once.
2017-2018 Academic Calendar
K12 Customer Support
K12 Customer Support https://www.help.k12.com/s/
or call 866-512-2273
Find us on Facebook
Click here to request to join the OVCA Learning Coach Connections group.