Katy Virtual Academy
KVA Update: Sunday, August 30, 2020
KVA Opt In & Out Dates for Second Grading Period
*Updated*
The secondary window to opt-in or opt-out of KVA at the beginning of the second six week grading period opens on Monday, August 31 and has been extended through Friday, September 18. There will be no exceptions to the deadline after September 18 as secondary campuses will need time to finalize schedule changes and balance classes prior to the start of the second six week grading period.
The elementary window to opt-in or opt-out of KVA at the beginning of the second nine week grading period opens on Monday, September 21 and closes on Friday, October 2. There will be no exceptions to the deadline after October 2 as elementary campuses will need time to finalize student schedule and balance classes prior to the start of the second nine week grading period.
The opt-in commitment link will be available on your child's campus home page and will open at 8*00 am. All opt-in changes are in effect at the beginning of the second six week (secondary) and nine week (elementary) grading period. We appreciate your support, as campuses are working extremely hard to schedule and balance in–person and virtual learning classes for each grading period. If you have any questions regarding the next opportunity to change your child’s learning option for the second grading period, please email KVA@katyisd.org.
Weather Events and Virtual Learning
*NEW*
Katy ISD closely monitors impending weather events. During a weather event, the District provides families and staff with regular updates. In the case that a weather event affects families’ internet access during virtual learning, campuses will work with students to ensure they are not negatively impacted by attendance nor academically, due to an inability to connect to a virtual class or online assignment.
Update to Student Mask/Face Covering/Face Shield Requirements
*UPDATED*
Katy ISD asks all students and staff to provide their own face covering from home. Katy ISD will make every effort to provide a face covering to those unable to provide their own or should an individual’s face covering become ineffective during school hours. Katy ISD safety protocols for student masks/face coverings/face shields have been updated to ensure consistency and to maximum safety protocols and protections across all buildings and grade levels.
- All staff are required to wear a mask, face covering, or face shield when in a Katy ISD facility
- Students, grades 4-12 are required to wear a mask, face covering, or face shield upon arrival to school and dismissal, when riding buses, in hallways, common areas, and in classrooms.
- Students in grades PK-3 are required to wear a mask, face covering, or face shield upon arrival and dismissal, in the hallways, common areas, on the school bus and, when developmentally appropriate, in the classrooms.
- Katy ISD recognizes our younger students and their range of abilities, including the wearing of a facial covering during classroom instruction, may vary due to the child’s stage of development. Alternative measures of safety are available for our younger students who may not be able to wear a facial covering at all times when inside the classroom. Parents of PK-3 grade students are encouraged to contact their child’s campus principal or campus nurse with questions regarding the wearing of a facial covering within the classroom.
Face coverings include non-medical and medical grade disposable face masks and cloth face coverings (over the nose and mouth), and face shields. Full-face shields may be used in place of a mask to protect eyes, nose, and mouth and must cover one’s face, extending below the chin.
Non-Compliance with Mask Requirement
Katy ISD is offering parents the option of virtual or in-person instruction. Students who do not comply with safety protocols in place for in-person instruction will be transitioned to Katy Virtual Academy for the duration of the grading period. KVA students participating in in-person school related activities before and after the start of the instructional day must also follow the same safety protocols. Students who do not wear masks/face coverings as required by District safety protocols will not be allowed to participate in school related activities. Should a student have a medical condition that would preclude him/her from wearing a mask, the parent is requested to provide the campus nurse documentation from their medical provider.
Curbside “Grab and Go” Meals - beginning Monday, September 7
*NEW* Students enrolled in Katy Virtual Academy (KVA) will be able to pick up breakfast and lunch meals, curbside from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, September 7. Pick up is available at these four sites: Morton Ranch HS, Mayde Creek HS, Cinco Ranch HS, or Seven Lakes HS. Meals are packaged to be heated and eaten at home. Meals are to be picked up a day prior to the intended use. A breakfast and lunch picked up on Tuesday evening, for example, would be consumed Wednesday morning/ afternoon. Meals are charged based on the student’s eligibility (free, reduced, or full pay).
Breakfast: $1.25 ($.30 reduced) Elementary Lunch: $2.25 ($.40) Secondary Lunch: $2.75 ($.40 reduced)
Parents/students may pick up meals at any of the four sites. Student ID or current proof of enrollment is needed for meal service.
Meals may also be pre-ordered through SchoolCafe.com. Parents/students who pre-order will need to pick up their meals at the site they select during the online pre-ordering process.
Menus and nutritional information are available on SchoolCafe.com.
Cashless payment is encouraged using Pay N’ Go.
FAQs - Secondary Assessments in KVA
Will my secondary student take proctored assessments?
Yes, junior high and high school students will take proctored online assessments. The software (Proctorio) will monitor students just as if they were in the classroom with the teacher.
What type of device is needed for an assessment?
The student will need to use a Chromebook, Windows or Mac laptop or desktop.
Will a smartphone, tablet, or iPad work?
No. These types of devices will not work and must not be used.
Will my student need to enable the camera on their computer?
Yes, your student will need to enable the camera on the computer just as if he/she was on a video conference call with their teacher.
Will my student receive instructions on how to take an assessment?
Yes, your student will receive instructions on how to take an assessment and have an opportunity to take a practice assessment.
Where will the assessments be administered?
Assessments will be online using the computer. Assessments will be given in Canvas.
Who and when can view the Proctorio information and video?
If the teacher believes there are suspicious activities during the exam, the teacher of the course and the Katy ISD Proctorio Admin can have access to view the information and video.
Gifted and Talented Screening Information
Katy ISD Announces Secondary
Gifted and Talented Screening
KATY [September 2, 2020] – Gifted and talented (GT) screenings for incoming secondary students are now taking place at Katy Independent School District. Katy ISD encourages all parents who have a child who is gifted and talented and headed to junior high school to sign up for a secondary GT screening. Students currently in fifth grade who are not identified as part of the elementary Challenge Program have the opportunity to be screened for GT program services, which would begin in the fall of the student’s sixth-grade year.
If parents would like to refer their child for secondary GT screening they must complete a Secondary Parent Checklist in English or Spanish and return it to their child’s elementary campus by September 23, 2020.
“Gifted and talented education programs provide a variety of academic and social options for students who are advanced learners,” said Katy ISD Director of Gifted, Talented and Advanced Academic Studies Joan Otten.
Secondary gifted program options are available in English, reading, mathematics, science and social studies. Students may be screened at their current campus in October and November in any or all of these content areas. Parents will be notified of the placement decision by U.S. mail in January 2021. Students who qualify for the GT program will begin the program in the fall of their sixth-grade year.
Contact the Challenge teacher at your child’s elementary school if you have additional questions.
Katy ISD Kindergarten Gifted and Talented Screening Deadline
KATY [September 09, 2020] – Now through October 2, parents of kindergarten students in Katy Independent School District who would like their child to be part of the Challenge (Gifted and Talented, GT) program may refer them for screening. This week, kindergarten parents will receive information detailing how to refer a student. Referral information can also be found in the Katy ISD GT and Advanced Academics website and is due on October 2, 2020.
“The State of Texas defines a gifted and talented student as a child or youth who performs or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience or environment,” said Katy ISD Director of Gifted, Talented and Advanced Academic Studies Joan Otten. “The Katy ISD Kindergarten Program emphasizes the development of critical and creative thinking skills,” added Otten.
Kindergarten services will begin by March 1, 2021 and will include students attending a Challenge classroom for 60 minutes a week. Students identified in kindergarten move into the elementary pullout program in first grade. Parents with questions can contact the counselor at their child’s campus or the campus Challenge teacher.
Parents of students who are referred and screened will receive placement notification during the last week of February 2021. Kindergarten GT Parent Information presentation will be available on our website by September 29, 2020.
Secondary Students - Advanced Placement Exams
Katy ISD Announces Advanced Placement (AP) Exams Available to Students
KATY [September 6, 2020] – Registration for Advanced Placement (AP) exams is now taking place for all Katy Independent School District high school students. September 28, 2020 through October 25, 2020 enrolled students and homeschooled students can receive details and register at their designated campus. Late registration takes place on November 15, with a $40 late fee per exam.
“Students who participate in AP courses experience college-level instruction, as well as the opportunity to possibly earn college credit,” said Joan Otten, Katy ISD Director of Gifted, Talented and Advanced Academics Studies. “Katy ISD students are encouraged to participate in AP exams, even though they are not required and have no bearing on the high school course grade,” added Otten.
Financial hardships should not be a barrier to take the exam. Fee waivers are available for students with economic needs. Contact the campus AP Administrator for full details. A partial refund of $54 per exam is available for seniors, who have been admitted to a college and have documentation, that the college will not accept AP exam scores for credit. These refunds must be requested in writing to the student’s campus counseling office by May 4, with documentation from the university’s AP exam policy.
AP exams are scheduled for the week of May 3-7 and May 10-14, 2020. Students who need special accommodations must adhere to the College Board timelines. To determine the exact date of a particular exam, visit www.collegeboard.com.
# # #
College and Career Night
A short video demonstrating how to access and navigate the virtual College and Career Night can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaOXWLzjviA&feature=youtu.be.
Students will be able to register for Katy ISD’s College and Career Night through GoToCollegeFairs.com beginning Tuesday, September 29, 2020.
Social and Emotional Wellness
*NEW* Deep Breathing Exercises to Reduce Feelings of Stress
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Virtual Learning Readiness!
Be virtual learning ready!
- Know your Katy ISD username and password. If you do not know this information, click here for help
- Go to the Home Access Center (HAC) and view your schedule
- PreK-4th grade students will need their parent/guardian to login to the HAC
- 5th –12th grade students can login to the HAC using their student credentials
- Launch the Google Chrome browser on your device
If using a personal device, make sure it is up to date, click here for help.
- Go to MyKaty Cloud: https://mykaty.katyisd.org
- Ensure you have Webpass enabled, click here for help
- Find Canvas (under the Elementary or Secondary tab on MyKaty Cloud):
- Click on the course that contains the name of your first class (refer to schedule in HAC).
- Be on time to each course throughout the day, as attendance will be taken. Your teacher will have instructions for you about content and an online meeting link.
Temporary Student IDs
How to Access Them
Elementary and secondary students can access a temporary ID badge via the Student ID App available on the MyKaty Cloud. Families received an email on Friday, August 14 with instructions on how to access and use the Student ID App.
Secondary campuses will soon communicate additional information about specific dates and times when secondary students will receive their permanent student ID.
Technology & Digital Support Information
Parent Tech FAQs
http://www.katyisd.org/dept/technology/PTH/Pages/Parent-Tech-FAQs.aspx
Parent and Student Knowledge Base
http://www.katyisd.org/dept/technology/PTH/Pages/Knowledge-Base-for-Students-and-Parents.aspx
Technology Help Desk Contacts for Parents/Students Support Inquiries
- Online: Katy ISD Tech Help
- Or, click “Help” in Canvas
- Or, call: 281.396.7400 (6:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
- Or, e-mail: parenttechsupport@katyisd.org
“How to Guide” for Parents on the Home Access Center (HAC)
Need to know how to view a report card, student grades, or other information?
Check out our “how to guides” on the Home Access Center, or click below.
COVID-19 Self-Reporting APP
COVID Notifications
The District has a COVID-19 Reporting System in place to allow staff, students and parents to self-report if they have received a COVID-19 positive test result. The self-reporting system enables the District’s Emergency Management team to conduct contact tracing, as well as call and notify individuals in Katy ISD buildings who may have been directly exposed to the infected person. A general email notification is also sent to campus staff and families whenever the district is informed of a potential “indirect” COVID-19 exposure in their building. Receipt of the general notification alone indicates that the recipient was not in close contact to the COVID-19 positive case reported for their building.
Many school personnel have begun returning to campuses for various trainings. Should there be a potential COVID-19 exposure on any campus, a general notification will be sent to staff at the work site impacted, by 5:00 p.m. on the day in which the self-report was submitted. Staff who may have been directly exposed because of failed COVID-19 safety protocol will be notified directly by a member of the Risk Management Department.
Parents will only begin to receive applicable campus-based general notifications when students return to schools for the in-person instructional option. Parents of students who may be involved in fine arts or athletic activities on campuses right now, may receive a general notification through Rank One (athletics) or Charms (fine arts), ahead of the September 8 reopening, if the District is informed of a potential exposure at their campus.
Students and staff may report positive COVID-19 results using the COVID-19 Self Reporting app on MyKaty Cloud.