Heron Herald
Cyber Academy of South Carolina
September 25, 2015
September Outings turned virtual
Please check out these resources for National Parks while you're stuck inside today:
NASA Science News
Constitution Day at CASC
As a celebration of Constitution Day, our students gathered to discuss the origin and contemporary practices of the Constitution. As a part of our assembly, students revisited the historical intentions of the founding fathers, then spent time brainstorming ideas with their classmates on important rights they have as students at the Cyber Academy of SC. They shared their ideas, discussed the relevance and importance of those ideas for being a successful student at CASC, then practiced the ratification process by approving the document to create a CASC Student Bill of Rights. The students did an excellent job of celebrating our Constitution, our rights as American citizens, and our privileges as CASC students.
Cyber Academy Jr. and Sr. Beta Club
In addition to the Sr. Beta Club, that was founded last school year, CASC has a new Junior Beta Club for Middle School Students. Junior Beta club invitations are based on State Test scores as well as final Report Card grades. Thanks to our Sponsor, Stephanie Kramer and co-sponsor Betsey Chieffi, we already have 15 members in our first year.
The National Beta Club induction ceremonies for both Jr. and Sr. will be held in October in Greenville, SC.
The National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. For more than 80 years, it has prepared today's students to be tomorrow's leaders. Beta club promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. Beta club recognizes and honors high academic achievement, prepares young people for life and empowers them to be successful, and develops the leaders of tomorrow.
Georgia's Grammar
I or Me?
This week I will be explaining when to use ‘I’ or ‘me’ in a sentence.
Example #1: Me and my friend went to the store. Here is why that is wrong; Me did not go to the store. I went to the store. So, you would change me to I.
Example #2: Michael took Brandon and I to the library. Here is why that is wrong; Michael didn’t take I to the library. Michael took me to the library. So, you would change I to me.
The more you know :)
K12 Art Contest
Have you picked your decade yet?
K12 is calling all artists to step up to the drawing board and enter our 10th Annual Art Contest!
Create and submit a piece of art using the theme DECADES, and show off your artistic talents! http://stories.k12.com/
What do the different decades look like to you? Do you envision Model Ts in the early 1900s? Flappers dancing in the roaring 20s? Discos in the 70s? Flying cars in the future? Show us in whatever medium you prefer along with a story of what decade you chose and why.
The K12 Art Competition is open to all K12 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists in each grade level, and finalists for each decade. There will also be an overall Best in Show for the entry that blows our judges away!
For a chance to win, submit your piece of art on our What’s Your Story page along with a story of what decade you chose and why.
Check Facebook for more information.
Reading Season has Begun!
If you want a chance to win four tickets, sideline passes, and pregame activities to a Clemson / USC game in the Palmetto Bowl, then get ready to read. All you have to do is go to visit http://www.eoc.sc.gov/ and fill out the entry card. From there you pick one team (Clemson or Carolina). You have to read six reading level appropriate books and complete the book list. Book list must be turned in no later than November 11, 2015. No later entries will be able to be accepted. Participation is limited to students in elementary or public middle schools. Remember there are two winners, one for each team, so be prepared to read.
Set yourself up for Success with Learning Labs!
How can you ensure that you are successful at our learning labs? Make sure that you bring any necessary materials that you will need while you are at the lab. Many students feel more comfortable bringing their own laptops. That is wonderful! We do have computers that you are able to use at the labs, if needed. Make sure to bring any books or notebooks so that you can use those while at the lab. This will help teachers direct you to the correct information and be able to help you achieve success.
Do you want to check out one of our labs? Click here to sign up for a location near you. We hope you are able to join us at a location near you soon.
Please remember that these are weekly appointments. This allows students to work closely with the facilitating teacher throughout the year. Attendance is important for the success of this program. We do have a wait list for each location and will contact you as soon as a space becomes available if your location is full.
In the best interest of students and learning teams we are requesting that Learning Coaches stay with Kindergarten through Second grade students during learning lab time. This will allow the teacher to support both learning coach and student with the system and strategies for the teams to use at home.
Please reach out to your homeroom teacher if you have any questions.
Virtual learning labs are a wonderful opportunity for students to get support with their subjects when they need it. We have teachers standing by to support students from 10:00am-11:30am and 12:00-1:30pm Monday through Thursday. Check for the link to join the session in your announcements on the left hand side of the login page. Make sure to log in using your grade level, subject, first name, and last name.
Example- 8th math Taylor Swift
Please reach out to your homeroom teacher if you have any questions.
Heron Academy
The Heron Academy is very excited about adding two new students from the Greenville area. The students have had a wonderful time working together with Mrs. Ballinger to complete their classes and projects.
Are you located in the Greenville area? We have a few openings for students into the Academy. Let us know if you or someone you know might be interested in joining the Heron Academy.
Teacher of the Week
Mr. Brilliandt- CASC HS English Teacher
A young Mr. Brilliandt probably wouldn't have been able to tell you that he would have been an English teacher, as his passion was in in filmmaking. Eventually he realized that his true desire was to learn new things, and to help others learn too. When he was told about a Masters in Arts of Teaching at Converse, he applied. At first, he was declined, but with a little luck, he was invited. He would probably really enjoy to know that me being assigned this article and having to “interview” him, I have learned a lot. This is why he chose teaching, he wants to help teach of the future of humanity, his students. I’ve learned why many teachers chose to be what they are, they enjoy helping others learn, especially Mr. Brilliandt.
All Staff Members at CASC
Mrs. Hardalau's Hard Workers!
3rd grade: Logan H.
4th grade: Lee B. and Matthew N.
5th grade: Tristan B.
These students are always on time, prepared and ready to participate. They are very supportive, kind and ready to help their peers. It is a pleasure to have them in class!
Way to be amazing Herons!
Announcements
High School
Next week in homeroom, we will send out a survey regarding the 2016 prom. We will be asking if they would attend and would they like to be on the committee.
Please continue to send in pictures.
Take your I-Ready tests if you are in Algebra 1, Dev.Algebra, Geometry, ELA 1, ELA 2 and U.S. History.
Middle School
· Don’t forget HR meeting on Monday at 8:30 AM.
· The Middle School teachers are cooking up something for next week. Come to your Class Connect sessions to see what they are up to. It is going to be good!!! You don’t want to miss it!!!
· LCs and students, be sure to check your gradebook and make sure your grades are looking great! If you need help, reach out to your teachers.
Be sure to check Study Island daily! Learning Coaches: Click here for a video on how to help your student be successful with Study Island.
Elementary School
Please remember to complete your I Ready tests.
All students need to log into Study Island and complete their weekly assignments (remember Study Island is required and part of your grade.)
Keep up the good work and reach out to your teacher if you need help with anything.
Upcoming Testing Dates:
Kindergartners: DRA 2+ Kindergarten Assessment October 13-15th
Second Graders: CogAT/IOWA 2nd Grade Assessment October 21st and 22nd
Counseling
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Join us on 10.5.15 for Blue Shirt Day! We are Stomping out Bullying. Post your pictures Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with the hashtag #cascblueshirtday and #cascstompoutbullying!
From the Mouth's of Herons
Word of the Week
Vigorous
Origin : Middle English
Sentence : The doctor said she was very vigorous.
Reported by: Alexis
Would you like to be featured in our From the Mouth's of Herons? Talk with your homeroom teacher and submit an article for consideration.
Learning Coach University
Upcoming Sessions Include:
- Creating Schedules for Multiple Students: 10/6 @ 4pm
- Behavior Strategies for Learning Coaches, Part 2 10/7 @ 4pm
- Managing the Rest of Your Life While Schooling at Home: 10/12 @ 4pm
- Understanding and Preventing Bullying: 10/14 @ 3pm
- Online Meetup for Single Parents Schooling at Home 10/15 @ 7pm
- Behavior Strategies for Learning Coaches, 10/21/2015 Part 2 @ 4pm
- How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Giving Up 10/27 @ 4pm
- Best Apps for Productivity: 10/28 @ 4pm ET
Math and Writing Workshops- for Learning Coaches
Tuesdays at 12:30PM
- 10/6: Introduction to the Sentence, Pt. 1 The Subject
- 10/13: Fractions Part 1—Ordering, comparing, reducing, mixed numbers,
- 10/20: Introduction to the Sentence, Part 2—The Predicate
- 10/27 Fractions, Part 2—Operations with fractions
RSVP for all of them at once! They will send you reminders, too!
Are you interested in previous sessions?
Check them out on your own schedule- Recordings
Making Friends in a Virtual School, September 30 @ 4pm
Is it possible to attend a virtual school AND make friends? Yes! Join us to get ideas on how to help your children develop friendships through school and community activities as well as research-based tips to help kids make friends.
Presented by Laurel Barrette and Sonja Howerton, K12
Click here for more info and to RSVP.
From Classroom to Living Room
"What are some of the classroom strategies that teachers use to create a successful learning environment? Learn the techniques the teachers use, and how you can apply them to your home learning environment."
Presented by CAVA Family Support Coordinator, Cynthia Tkalec
RECORDING LINK:
Helpful Hints to being a successful Heron
Choosing a Novel: Does your student need to choose a novel for their literature class? The link above provides valuable information about how to make the section.
Learning Coach Video Support: Are you a visual learner? This will help you with many questions that you might have!
Computer Questions? This link has a ton of trouble shooting ideas for you!
Locating Student ID#: From the LC page, go to "My Info" and then "School" and you can locate it on the top right side.
Support for Learning Coaches: Lunch Help Hour with Family and Academic Support Team.
7 Strategies for Student Success
CASC Strong Start Website- This is a wonderful resource for new and returning families. It is full of resources and suggestions for both students and learning coaches.
Learning Liftoff is a great newsletter for K12 parents that provides games and other resources for virtual families.
Fire Drill- Did you get an error message when trying to access coursework or classes?
Check out the Fire Drill page for ideas of what to do when technology doesn't go our way.
Are you looking for South Carolina Standards? Here is a wonderful website that lists what students are supposed to know in each grade.
Please make sure that you check your announcements in the OLS and NOHS to stay up to date with the latest CASC information.
CASC is on Pinterest
Cyber Academy of South Carolina
The Cyber Academy of South Carlina is a full-time, tuition-free, online public charter school for South Carolina students in grades K-11. Learn more at casc.k12.com/
Email: help@cyberacademysc.org
Website: casc.k12.com
Phone: 864-236-4006
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CyberAcademyofSouthCarolina?fref=ts