BSVA Newsletter
Summer 2017
Our final communication for 2016-17
With only a few weeks remaining in the school year, this final communication will highlight important dates, end of year procedures, and upcoming summer opportunities.
Important Upcoming Dates
January 18-20 NEW student NWEA testing
January 26, 2 pm - NEW student orientation - let's all welcome our new students!
January 28-29 - Half days due to final exams. The lab WILL be open until 5:30pm on Thursday, but will close at 11 am on Friday for record keeping.
February 8: COUNT DAY - Required attendance for all. Please join us for lunch as we honor 1st Semester Honor Roll Students! (A/B in all classes)
February 8-March 8 COUNT PERIOD: Weekly 2 way communication with mentor AND login requirements.
March 29-31: Parent Teacher Conferences
April 3-7: Spring Break: NO SCHOOL
April: Please do not vacation during your scheduled standardized testing. **Call if you have specific questions**
January 26, 2 pm - NEW student orientation - let's all welcome our new students!
January 28-29 - Half days due to final exams. The lab WILL be open until 5:30pm on Thursday, but will close at 11 am on Friday for record keeping.
February 8: COUNT DAY - Required attendance for all. Please join us for lunch as we honor 1st Semester Honor Roll Students! (A/B in all classes)
February 8-March 8 COUNT PERIOD: Weekly 2 way communication with mentor AND login requirements.
March 29-31: Parent Teacher Conferences
April 3-7: Spring Break: NO SCHOOL
April: Please do not vacation during your scheduled standardized testing. **Call if you have specific questions**
Senior Meeting
Mrs. Stout needs to meet with Seniors during the first week of February. Students NEED to stop in and present to Mrs. Stout your project pitch. You must also identify who your community mentor is and your timeline with which you expect to complete the project. Mrs. Stout will provide feedback and some guidance on the project itself. I will also be giving you back your passions paper with some feedback for improvement. Please email Mrs. Stout at rstout@homeoftheshamrocks.org to set up a time. Thank you.
Raising the Bar 6th-12th grade: Notetaking in Science and Math courses to count for 10% of grade in Second Semester
Check out this article for strategies on how and why to take better notes.
What are we looking for?
1. Legible handwriting
2. You have a notebook for each class.
3. Your notes are organized.
4. You include color/graphics to draw the eye to important ideas.
5. You do NOT write down every word spoken.
6. You include enough examples to aid you in your practice/quizzes.
Students will be checked twice per marking period, they can use their phones to take pics and send to Mr. Pauley (Science) or Mrs. Stout (Math) OR they can show us when they stop in for other reasons.
Here are some samples of good notes taken by an 11th grader in our school:
What are we looking for?
1. Legible handwriting
2. You have a notebook for each class.
3. Your notes are organized.
4. You include color/graphics to draw the eye to important ideas.
5. You do NOT write down every word spoken.
6. You include enough examples to aid you in your practice/quizzes.
Students will be checked twice per marking period, they can use their phones to take pics and send to Mr. Pauley (Science) or Mrs. Stout (Math) OR they can show us when they stop in for other reasons.
Here are some samples of good notes taken by an 11th grader in our school:
Upcoming Field Trips
Did you know that our students are allowed to participate in Homeschool Partnership Field Trips? For those who are signed up for Field Trips as a "class" - the events are free.
For those who are not enrolled in that class, if there is extra room, our students may participate for a small fee.
Please click HERE to view the itinerary and details of each trip.
For those who are not enrolled in that class, if there is extra room, our students may participate for a small fee.
Please click HERE to view the itinerary and details of each trip.
Don't forget to answer your weekly Collaboration Corner for History class!
Your responses can really help your grade - please participate weekly.
Please watch the instructional video for how to access collaboration corner:
Please watch the instructional video for how to access collaboration corner:
collaboration corner
Elementary Reading Groups to Launch Second Semester
As we work to bring more of a focus to reading, Mrs. Phelan is excited to launch a reading initiative for second semester. This focus will take two forms: an online reading group for lower elementary which will have a similar format to a library hour, and "book talks" for upper elementary. We hope to also start an incentive program to help all students develop a love for reading. Watch for communication coming soon about times!
Electives for students in Good Academic Standing
The Virtual Academy is proud to offer exciting electives for students in good academic standing. Good standing is defined as passing and on pace in all core areas and/or staying on pace for graduation. If you are wondering whether or not you are in good academic standing please do not hesitate to ask.
For those who are, and who need some assistance getting signed up for electives, please take the time to watch this how-to video:
For those who are, and who need some assistance getting signed up for electives, please take the time to watch this how-to video:
BSVA Partnership Enrollment