Getting Started @ LAVCA!
Grades 6-12 Strong Start 19-20
This S'more has all of the information you need to get started at LAVCA.
Please take the time to read this document carefully.
Please bookmark this page, so you can refer back to it as needed.
Welcome to LAVCA!
We are so glad to that you have chosen to school at LAVCA! We look forward to working with your family to ensure your success.
Each new family will work with a FASL (Family Academic Support Liaison) as they get started. Please take note of your FASL's contact information. Your homeroom teacher and FASL are your first points of contact as you are getting started.
Shortly, you will receive a Connection Call from your a member of our faculty/staff and/or your FASL. Please take time for this call from 504-322-7543. The FAST team is in place to help you have a Strong Start. Your FASL will give you important information and answer questions you may have to help you confidently start classes.
FAST Team Contact Information
Carolyn R. Coleman, Director of Truancy and Engagement
Email: ccoleman@lavirtual.org
Phone: 3189
FASL
Ready, Set, Go! Make sure you have:
1) Internet Service
2) Computer (not a tablet or Chromebook) with microphone and speakers
*If you qualify for a loaner computer per federal regulations but haven't received it yet, please have a Plan B for completing the following steps (and possibly school work) in place until your computer arrives. You can go to the public library, use a personal computer that you own, or borrow a friend or family member's computer.
Please note, loaner computers for qualifying families are given per the following rule:
K-5: One per family
6-7: One per family
8-12: One per student
That means that, even if your family qualifies for a loaner computer, your students may have to share a computer. We strong suggest that each student have his/her own computer.
Please make sure you have Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox downloaded on your computer. Click here for information on recommended browsers and direct links to download these browsers.
3) A dedicated learning space
Take some time to watch these videos for ideas on setting up your learning space and creating schedules and routines.
Click here for a downloadable Strong Start checklist.
THE FOLLOWING STEPS SHOULD BE COMPLETED ASAP.
You are not responsible for attendance hours or actual coursework (except the online learning course) until your official start date--even if you see overdue notices; however, these are preliminary requirements that must be completed.
The official start date for first semester is January. (If you are enrolling later than the first day of school, please check your Getting Started email for your official start date.)
Step 1
Withdrawal Forms/Report Cards/LEAP Scores/IEPs/504s
All public and charter school students should get an official withdrawal/drop slip from their previous school. Typically, this requires that you go to the school personally to obtain this form. (We do not need withdrawal/drop slips from kindergarten students, private school students, or out-of-state students.)
We also need an official, final report card and/or transcripts and LEAP (6-8) or EOC (9-12) scores.
These documents should be emailed or faxed to:
6-7th grade students:
LaPorshe Williams at lapwilliams@lavirtual.org
504-322-7543 ext 3093
8-12th grade students:
Cassandra Mullins at cmullins@lavirtual.org
504-322-7543 ext 3115
Fax: 504-300-0806
IEP/504s
If your student has a 504 plan you can fax it to the attention of Tara Ferguson at 504-300-0826.
Step 2
Create Learning Coach and Student accounts at https://login-learn.k12.com/#login
Both you and your student will have to log-in for school.
You use written instructions or you can watch this short video.
If you need to update your (Learning Coach) email account or phone number, please follow these steps. You will also need to email your homeroom teacher or Ms. Williams or Mrs. Mullins (see contact information above) the new information.
If you need to update an address, email or fax TWO proofs of residency to Ms. Williams or Mrs. Mullins.
Step 3
Install Blackboard Connect (BbC), Adobe Reader, and the Top Three Browswers to the computer your student will use for schooling at home. (BbC is what you will use to "go" to class.) If you received a computer from K12, these programs should be loaded on your computer.
Click here for BbC installation instructions.
Here is a great video with BbC tips.
Click here for Adobe Reader installation instructions.
Click here to download Internet Explorer.
Click here to download Google Chrome.
Click here to download Mozilla Firefox.
Click here to download Adobe Flash.
Click here to download Java.
If you have any problems downloading the programs, please contact technical support via web request or phone at 866-512-2273.
Step 4
Make sure your email is working:
Click here for information on school email.
If you are unable to access your school email, try these steps.
Students can also set up their school email accounts on their mobile devices. Click here for directions.
Email is our main mode of communication. You will receive important, timely information via email. Checking and responding to your email daily is mandatory.
Having trouble? Click here for troubleshooting tips.
Step 5
Attend a MANDATORY new student virtual orientation.
**If you have a student(s) in grades K-5 AND a student(s) in 6-12, you must attend a virtual orientation for each.
Please log in using the student account when you attend the virtual orientation.
This orientation is different from the required session that you completed for enrollment.
This virtual session is one of the most important sessions you will attend at LAVCA, and it will help you get off to a strong start. This session will take approximately 1.5 hours; please be prepared to stay the entire time. In this session, you will learn a lot of pertinent information. You will also learn how to navigate the OLS (Online Learning System). You'll learn things, such as how to take attendance, how to find your Class Connect schedule, how to follow your teachers' newsletters, how to write on the whiteboard and chat in class, as well as many other necessary things.
You can find the invitation to the sessions in your Class Connect schedule. (*Please note, although you will see the invitation repeatedly, you only have to attend ONE of the sessions.)
Log in at https://login-learn.k12.com/#login
Learning Coaches, go here and choose the Class Connect for Learning Coaches from the list of videos in the left pane. Also, click on Middle School Videos and choose Middle and HS OLS Tour.
The virtual orientations are available. Please check your class connect sessions for an invite.
We will also offer FAST Live Help sessions each day. These sessions are drop-in, answer/question sessions that we make available for you. Please drop in if you have any questions. We are happy to help you.
This course is also MANDATORY! This course has 4 sections that MUST be completed. The course will open about a month before the start of school. Please have this entire course completed by 5 days after your classes begin.
Please make sure you complete the practice exercises and the assessment in 1.02 Tour Your Online School.
You can find this course on your student's class page, and it is available now. Please go ahead and get started. Here's a guide on how to find the course.
**Please keep track of the time spent on this course, so you can log the time the first day of school.
Step 7
Read LAVCA's handbook
Please follow the instructions on the last page.
Please read the LAVCA Handbook in its entirety.
Please follow and complete the directions on page 37-38. Please send the completed form and statements to your homeroom teacher.
Step 9
Install the DRC program on your student's computer. (If you are getting a loaner computer from LAVCA, you can complete this step once the computer arrives.)
The CODE FOR INSTALLING DRC IS 1618229858.
All students will utilize a program (referred to as EAGLE) as required and communicated by teachers. EAGLE 2.0 is an online assessment tool that supports formative assessment in the classroom and can be used to aid and enhance your learning throughout the year. It also connects you to items that align with the state adopted standards and prepares you for the rigor and format of state testing.
Please follow these instructions to download the program. Here is a video as well.
Please look for an email with your student's username and password.
Here is a link to help if you are having problems downloading the program.
If you are still having problems downloading the program, please complete this survey.
Step 10
Please complete all of these steps.
Additional Notes
Blended Sites
Blended sites are available for 6-12th grade students. Blended sites are staffed with certified teachers that will help students with their online course work.
Blended sites will be open in Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
If you are interested in your student attending a blended site, please complete this survey.
Learning Coach Certification
LCU Certification Course Now Available!
This training serves to provide a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a Learning Coach. The topics that are covered are:
Section 1 identifying the computer system requirements, accessing high speed internet, and downloading Blackboard for Class Connect Session
Section 2 to find school specific school requirements, calendar and more.
Section 3 goes to the Get Started Videos: https://fw.unitymg.com/rdr/D:2874
Section 4 covers Creating a Schedule, Importance of Routines, Time Management videos.
Here is a link for this interaction: http://www.k12start.vimdev.com/course/
You can find many valuable Learning Coach educational sessions here.
Attendance
Learning Coaches, when you log into the OLS, you may see a notice that you are missing attendance days. Please do not worry about this. You are not responsible for having attendance hours logged until your official start date, The week of August 9th, you will need to make sure you have 12 hours (6 hours per day) of attendance logged.
Attendance time is not just for time spent doing online lessons or going to class; it's for any time spent doing school work, online or offline. We'll go over more about attendance in our orientation sessions.
Materials
**You are required to get started with coursework and attendance, even if you have not received materials or a loaner computer.
You will receive almost everything you need for your student to complete his/her assignments. Most of your student's textbooks will be online. However, please have paper, pencil, glue, scissors, a composition notebook, a three-ring binder, and basic school supplies on hand.
Also, please note, if you qualify for a loaner computer, you will receive a printer as well. However, please note, the school does not supply printer paper or reimburse for ink.
Click here for information on how to track materials.
Here is information on which materials will need to be returned at the end of the school year.
FAST Live Help Sessions
Please reach out to the FASL assigned to you if you have any questions or need help with anything.
Acronyms
Thank you!
Thank you for completing these steps in a timely manner. We appreciate your time and dedication to your student's education.
Please know that we are available to help. Please do not hesitate to contact your FASL or another member of the FAST Team if you have any questions or concerns.