The Howl
IDVA November Newsletter
Newsletter Table of Contents
ALL SCHOOL:
- December Statewide Event Information
- K12 Special Event - Eagle Watch Cruise
- December Month of Giving: Schoolwide Food Drive
- November Statewide Event Slideshow
- November Month of Kindness and Gratitude
- K12/IDVA Pulse Check Survey #4
- K12/IDVA Pulse Check Survey Results
- K12 National Learning Coach Programming
- NCAA and K12
- FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Technical Tips Library
- Past Issues of The Howl
K-5 SCHOOL:
- Learning Coach Tip: Self-Care
- Interim Assessments
- K-5 Data Week Nov. 12-16
- How to Motivate Your Students to Learn
- Choosing Reading Level Appropriate Books for Your Child
6-12 SCHOOL:
- IDVA Scholarships
- Message from the Counseling Department
- Counselor Connect
- College and Career Advising - Career Spotlight: Critical Care Flight Nursing
- College and Career Advising - Resume Workshop
- College and Career Advising - Newsletter Link
- Yearbook
- 2019 Senior Graduation Slideshow
- IDVA Ski and Snowboard Days
- U.S. Selective Service System
ALL SCHOOL
STATEWIDE EVENT DAY
Friday, December 14th, 2018
IMPORTANT EVENT REMINDERS
- Photo Disclaimer: Please understand that photos may be taken and could be used by K12 and/or Idaho Virtual Academy. If you would not like yours or your child’s picture taken, please let an IDVA staff member know at the event.
- All are welcome. Remember, per IDVA policy, all students must have a parent/guardian with them at all times during school events.
- Please bring exact cash for admission.
- There are no classes scheduled on event days.
- All events are optional.
We want all students to have the opportunity to join an event. If cost is keeping you from being able to join, please email Lisa Stein lstein@idahova.org.
Treasure Valley
Where: Treasure Valley Skate - Roller Skating
Address: 4712 W. State Street, Boise
Cost: $5.00 per person, $2.50 skate rental
Check-in: 10:00 am MT
Start Time: 10:30 am MT
Note: You are welcome to bring your own roller skates if you have them.
Please bring a non-perishable food item for the December Food Drive, if you would like.
RSVP: Click here to sign up.
*****
Magic Valley
Where: Magic Valley Skateland - Roller Skating
Address: 2100 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls
Cost: $5.00 per person. Skate rental included. $2.00 for inline or speed skates.
~Cash or check only. Credit or debit cards are not accepted.~
Check-in: 10:00 am MT
Start Time: 10:30 am MT
Note: Please bring a non-perishable food item for the December Food Drive,
if you would like.
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Northern Idaho
Where: Frontier Ice - Ice Skating
Address: 3525 W. Seltice Way, Coeur d'Alene
Cost: $4.00 per person. Skate rental included.
Check-in: 11:00 am PT
Start Time: 11:30 am PT
Note: Please bring a non-perishable food item for the December Food Drive,
if you would like.
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Moscow/Lewiston
Where: Palouse Ice Rink
Address: 1021 Harold Street, Moscow
Cost: $5.00 per person. Skate rental included.
Check-in: 10:30 am PT
Start Time: 11:00 am PT
Note: Please bring a non-perishable food item for the December Food Drive,
if you would like.
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Eastern Idaho
Where: StarLite Skating - Roller Skating
Address: 2150 N. Woodruff Avenue, Idaho Falls
Cost: $5.00 per person. $1.50 for regular skates or $3.00 for inline skates.
4 years old and under free.
Check-in: 10:00 am MT
Start Time: 10:30 am MT
Note: Please bring a non-perishable food item for the December Food Drive,
if you would like.
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Southeastern Idaho
What: Gingerbread House Activity
Where: Franklin County Extension Office Community Room
Address: 561 W. Oneida St., Preston
Cost: Free
Check-in: 9:45 am MT
Start Time: 10:00 am MT
Note: Please bring one bag of candy to share to decorate the gingerbread houses.
Please bring a non-perishable food item for the December Food Drive, if you would like.
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
K12 Special Event - Eagle Watch Cruise
Join Idaho Virtual Academy, and Idaho Technical Career Academy for an Eagle Watch Cruise on beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Come and experience beautiful eagles flying over the lake in search of food while learning about their feeding habits. For high school students, we will have a wildlife photographer on board who can answer questions about digital photography. We will talk also about what it is like to school with the K12 programs in Idaho. Bring warm clothing so you can explore from the boat’s top open deck.
$10.50 per person is required for entry at the CDA Resort Boat Docks. A hot chocolate drink is included in the price. Each additional drink is $3.50. Please note: This event is CASH ONLY.
Please arrive no later than 12:00 pm PT. Boarding begins at 12:20 pm PT, launch is at 1 pm PT. The cruise will end at 3:00 pm PT.
For more information about the Eagle Watch Cruise, please visit the website http://www.cdacruises.com/daily-cruises/eagles/.
Friday, Dec 7, 2018, 12:00 PM
Coeur d'Alene Resort Boat Dock
IDVA Schoolwide Food Drive
Food Drive Details
Who can participate: All grades, K-12, are invited to participate, but as always, participation is optional.
Begins: 12/1/18
Ends: 12/21/18
Students and their families are invited to participate in our schoolwide food drive as a way to focus on our December: Month of Giving theme. To get involved, families can make plans to donate at a local food pantry, donate at one of our statewide events on December 14, or do both.
At our December 14 statewide events, teachers and other staff will collect non-perishable food items that students and families bring and will deliver the collected items to the local food pantry after the event. Please use the list of most needed items linked below as a starting point for determining what you will bring to your local statewide event. Please only bring non-perishable items. Thanks!
Locally, students and families can collect food on their own and deliver it to their nearest food pantry. If you decide to donate locally, make sure to use the link below to find your nearest food pantry and to contact them about specific needs and hours during which they are open to accept donations.
Families and students can keep track of the pounds they donate and then enter the pounds collected into the Food Drive Google Survey (survey will be emailed on November 30th to all students and LCs). Our food drive team will keep track of the pounds donated on a weekly basis and will share that information with students through email.
Let’s see how much we can donate during our Month of Giving!
For a list of food pantries throughout the state of Idaho, click here: https://www.foodpantries.org/st/idaho
For a list of the most needed items, click here: https://idahofoodbank.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Most-Needed-Items.pdf
If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Wells: awells@idahova.org
November Statewide Event Slideshow
On Friday, November 9th, IDVA students, families, and guests spent a wonderful day together at events across our state. We visited museums, a planetarium, an aquarium, played games, and enjoyed each other's company! Check out the photo slideshow of the fun that was had!
Statewide Events are planned for the second Friday of every month except January and April.
We hope to see many IDVA students and families at future events!
November: Month of Kindness and Gratitude
Our school has a year-round, school-wide mission to promote healthy, positive life choices. To this end, each month has a theme that will inspire and enhance the lives of our students, parents/guardians, and staff. The theme for the month of November is Kindness and Gratitude.
Please see our November Kindness Calendar for some daily inspiration for acts of kindness.
November Kindness Calendar
Acts of Kindness - Student Survey
IDVA students have responded enthusiastically to the call to spread kindness and are already making a positive impact in the lives of others in large and small ways. They are documenting their acts of kindness by completing a Google Form.
Please keep spreading the LOVE. You are making a difference in your world!
Please also continue to share your acts of kindness by completing the November Month of Kindness Survey Form.
Kindness Survey Shares
Here are some examples of IDVA students' inspiring acts of kindness. We will share more in the next newsletter.
I simply smiled. She smiled back and I don't know, but I think she looked happier. It always makes me feel awesome inside when I can let another person know I care about them, even if they're a stranger. It kind of makes me light up inside when I know someone appreciated what I did, even if it's as simple as smiling at a lady who looks like she needed a smile.
- Anonymous
I helped my family get firewood, I emptied the dishwasher without being asked, and made my family a meal. I could tell that my mom was surprised. This made me feel happy and content. - Anonymous
I raked someone's yard because she is older. It made me feel good that I was able to help someone else without being asked or told to do it. - Anonymous
I left positive notes to my family. Their eyes lit up and they got really happy. I felt good that whole day. - Anonymous
I wrote a thank-you letter to Lisa Percifield because I know she works for each and every one of her students everyday. She said it brightened her day. I felt awesome! :D I like knowing that being thankful and kind can help you affect another's day, too, and that it can make their day brighter. - Anonymous
K12 Learning Coach University
K12 is passionate about helping Learning Coaches be successful. Learning Coaches of students enrolled in a K12-powered school have access to Learning Coach University, which includes interactive 30-minute sessions that cover relevant topics throughout the school year and provide an opportunity for Learning Coaches from across the nation to connect and learn—together. Register and join these tuition-free sessions hosted on Blackboard Collaborate™ (BbC). We look forward to serving you.
UPCOMING SESSIONS:
Special Series: November 6, 13, 20
Stress Reduction Workshop Series with Sara Mrozowsky, High School Counselor at Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy
Do you ever find your student stressed out with no idea how to "get over it"? In this three-day workshop, we'll look at: 1) Warning signs and triggers for when your student starts to feel overwhelmed by stress; 2) Different resources/tools that can be created to help with stress; 3) Different techniques that can be used in daily life; and 4) Different techniques to help when your student needs to stay seated (e.g., during a test).
RSVP here.
November 27
Snapchat for Parents with Sabrena Klausman, Project Coordinator of National Family Programming at K12
Is your student using Snapchat, but you have no idea how it works? This is the session for you. Mrs. Klausman will cover, 1) What is SnapChat? 2) How to Use Snapchat, 3) Creative uses of Snapchat, 4) Challenges of SnapChat, and 5) Keeping your student safe online.
RSVP here.
K12/IDVA Pulse Check Survey #4 - Participation Requested
Learning Coaches – we want to check in once again!
As highlighted in our survey information above, Learning Coach feedback is important to us. There are 7 surveys over the school year, and the 4th one will be emailed to you right after Thanksgiving Break. Many of you should receive an email from K12 on November 26.
We hope you take a moment to answer the few questions in an honest and constructive manner. All IDVA administrators review your comments and reflect on how we can increase the educational experience of your student(s). However, you don’t have to wait for this survey to ask for questions/help. You can find a full list of all IDVA staff by clicking on this LINK.
Thank you for all you do!
IDVA Family Pulse Check Survey Results
Many of our families have taken part in our first three Pulse Check surveys. These surveys are quick surveys where you have the opportunity to give us your feedback and request additional support. We appreciate your feedback and utilize it to improve our program. Thank you to those who have participated!
As always, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to your teacher(s) and/or the school administration. You can find a list of staff and their contact information at this LINK.
Here are the survey results.
Number of 18/19 survey participants/response rate:
Survey 1 – 905 participants /51% response rate
Survey 2 – 452 participants /31% response rate
Survey 3 – 323 participants/ 29% response rate
NCAA and IDVA
If your student is interested in pursuing college athletics, please, be aware that the NCAA has all K12 schools on “extended review” status. IDVA is a K12 school so is on extended review status with the NCAA. Students graduating from a K12 school applying for NCAA eligibility will be denied currently. After they are denied, they can work with the college Athletic Director to gain a waiver. K12 has helped students through this process and has noted that about 75% of these students do get the waivers.
If you have questions or would like to talk further, please, contact your school counselor.
The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) has specified that student Educational Records are confidential, with some exceptions. LEA #452 will provide Parents and Eligible Students annual notification of their rights under FERPA. The annual notice will contain information regarding the right to inspect their children’s Educational Records, the right to seek an amendment of an Educational Record, the right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information, with certain exceptions, and the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.
Click here for more Information about FERPA.
If you wish to opt your student out of IDVA’s Directory Information, please, click the following link, review the information, and fill out the survey.
Technical Tips Library
Past Issues of the IDVA School Newsletter, THE HOWL
K-5 SCHOOL
Don’t Forget About You!
Teaching your children is a wonderful opportunity, however, there can be stress associated with this responsibility which can lead to burnout. Typical signs of burnout include physical or emotional exhaustion, depression, a change in sleeping habits, loss or gain of weight, lingering or frequent colds, the loss of patience, and increased irritability.
Here are some steps you can take to avoid burnout:
- Schedule time for yourself for hobbies, exercise, or simple solitude while your children are having quiet time or working independently.
- Start a co-op with other parents in your area so that you can share teaching.
- Delegate some of your chores. The gifts you are giving your child - a first-class education and a love of learning - are far more important than any cooking and cleaning you may feel you’re neglecting.
Thank You for Participating in IDVA's Interim Assessments
Last week we completed our first Interim Assessments for students in Kindergarten – 5th grades. Thank you for participating in this school required assessment.
An Interim Assessment is a form of assessment that educators use to evaluate where students are in their learning progress and determine whether they are on track to performing well on future assessments, such as standardized tests or end-of-course exams. Your student’s participation in these assessments is a significant factor in their school success.
The next Interim Assessments will be given Jan. 7-11 and March 1-6.
K5 Data Week of November 12-16
This week, the K-5 teachers will be involved in a data week. This designated week consists of analyzing student assessment scores and collaborating as a team. The time spent on this allows us to make the best decisions to support your student.
During this data week, there will be no live classes. Live class will resume on Monday, November 19th.
How to Motivate Your Students to Learn
- Believe in them.
- Be extremely encouraging.
- Make sure your students are the ones who are are working.
- Use memory and recitation.
Click here to read more.
Choosing Reading Level Appropriate Books for your Child
- Use the five-finger rule. Open the book to any page and ask your child to read. Put up a finger every time your child does not know a word. If you have to put up more than five fingers before the end of the page, this book is too difficult for your child.
- Choose books that match your child’s likes and interests.
6-12 SCHOOL
IDVA Scholarships
IDVA High Achievement Scholarship:
- One award at $2,500
IDVA Academic Excellence Scholarship *(new)* :
- One award at at $2,100
IDVA Janet Aikele Excellence in Online Learning Scholarship:
- Three awards at $1,000
IDVA Odyssey Scholarship *(new)* :
- Three awards at $1,500
IDVA First Generation Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Career and Technical Education Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Idaho Vision High School Scholarship:
- One award at $1,500
Only one IDVA Scholarship will be awarded to a student.
Application Deadline: April 26, 2019
Counselors' Message: Five Steps of Problem Solving
Our goal at Idaho Virtual Academy is for you to have the tools to make good decisions. As such, IDVA wants to share with you the five steps of problem solving.
- Stop and think. It’s important to take a moment when considering how to respond to adversity and life choices.
- List your options. Be thorough and give yourself choices.
- Choose one of your options. Do not let indecision rule over your life.
- Follow through. Do it and put in good effort.
- Get feedback on your decision from a trusted adult. This is an opportunity to reflect and decide if you will make the same choice again.
This message is brought to you by your IDVA High School Counseling Department.
You are Invited to the Couselor Connect!
College and Career Advising
Career Spotlight: Critical Care Nurse
Amy Neglia is a Critical Care Flight Nurse for Air St. Luke’s in Idaho. In this interview, we learn about critical care nursing and how she got started in the field. In addition to her career as a Flight Nurse, Amy is also a nationally recognized speaker on Critical Care Nursing.
If you would like to see which careers will be featured in our upcoming Career Spotlight interviews, click the link below. You can also submit your questions and have them included in the interview. If your question is selected and used in the interview, you will win an IDVA backpack.
Link for the Career Spotlight Questions: https://goo.gl/forms/HIroV00dsF5wZj542
College and Career Advising: Resume Workshop
What: Resume Workshop
When: December 3, 12:00 pm MT/11:00 am PT
Where: Check your Class Connect schedule to join.
For questions, please contact College and Career Advisor, Jennifer Edwards, at jedwards@idahova.org
College and Career Newsletter
Check out the College and College and Career Newsletter for more information about:
- Career Survey
- College Fair Information
- Statewide College Events
- New Scholarship Updates
- FAFSA Updates
- Helpful Links
Class of 2019 Graduation Slideshow - Submissions Needed
Seniors, please submit your senior photo AND a baby/childhood photo of yourself to be included in the senior slideshow at graduation.
Due Date: March 1, 2019
Send photos and questions to:
2018-2019 Yearbook
Photos are a great way to capture memories, so what better way to remember your teen years than with a yearbook? The yearbook class is proud to announce that we will be releasing another yearbook this year, for grades 9-12!
Yearbooks start selling online in April 2019, and are shipped directly to you! Yearbooks come in softback and hardback covers, and include 4 pages for each student to add and customize for their own. Exact costs have not yet been decided, but are estimated to be around $20 for a softback and $30 for a hardback, with $8.99 shipping. We promise it’s worth it, as we work all year to make sure that your yearbook will be perfect!
However, we need your help! We need pictures for our yearbook, and would love to have you in it! You can submit photos for the following sections, which are due by the dates they are listed under.
Submit your photos using this link and make sure you select the correct section:
https://uploads.picaboo.com/8156372.
- Pictures Due on Nov 30th
- Music
- Fashion
- Animals (with student included)
- Travels/Trips
- Student Art/Photography
- Fall Sports
- The Great Outdoors
- Fall Projects
- Projects from last spring (2018)
- Pictures Due Jan 27th
- Senior Projects
- Hobbies and Talents
- Winter Sports
- Prom (Pictures from spring 2018)
- Winter School projects
Important: When uploading your photos, please be sure the file name includes your first and last name so we know who is who.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Contact our yearbook advisor, Mrs. Dietz, at mdietz@idahova.org.
Join IDVA Ski and Snowboard Days!
Treasure Valley IDVA students in grades 7-12 are invited to participate in the Junior High and Senior High School Race Program at Bogus Basin. The race program offers students:
- Discounted lift prices
- Friendly competition with other students in the Treasure Valley
- Community of athletes who enjoy winter sports
Details:
- Racers can compete in Nordic, Freestyle, or Slalom events.
- Races are scheduled from January 12th until February 16th, 2019.
- Participants must participate in at least three of the Saturday races to qualify for the Dotty Clark Competition.
- Dotty Clark race qualifiers will compete against other racers in the Treasure Valley. Ribbons and trophies will be awarded!
Click here for more information or email Mrs. Moran at mmoran@idahova.org
U.S. Selective Service
Attention all 17 and 18 year old young men:
Remember that when you turn 18, the law says you must register for the Selective Service.
Those who fail to register may be denied student loans, government jobs, and a driver's license in most states. In addition, if you are a male immigrant seeking to become a citizen, you must also be registered, regardless of your immigration status.
Click here to visit the U.S. Selective Service website.
Have a Question?
Have questions about your classes or our Idaho Virtual Academy school? Ask your IDVA teacher or staff.
Have technology questions? Ask K12 Customer Support.