Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News
The WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL Edition! Sunday, August 28, 2022
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A Note from the Dean's Desk
Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!
Welcome to the first week of school for the 2022-2023 school year! We are so excited to welcome you and your children to what is sure to be a great second year in the Montgomery Virtual Academy!
We hope you have had a wonderful summer! As we set sail on our second year voyage, I am so excited by what this year has in store! We had an incredible year last year on our maiden voyage and we have spent the summer preparing and upgrading so that the year ahead is even more amazing! We look forward to the connections we will make, the relationships we will build, and the learning & fun we will share!
Some exciting upgrades I am pleased to share:
- A fully synchronous day with live, teacher led instruction for all subject areas
- Expanded extracurricular opportunities for students
- Reduced teacher to student ratios
- Increased time and opportunities for small group instruction and targeted student support
- Expanded access to enrichment opportunities
In the coming days and weeks, there will be a number of opportunities to connect with you and share even more details on these and other exciting developments. Please be sure to take some time to become familiar with the information below so that you and your child are ready for a successful start to the school year!
Please see below for:
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
- TECH SUPPORT INFO
- MCPS RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL ACADEMY FAMILIES
- MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY PARENT TEACHER COUNCIL (MVAPTC) INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS
- MANY USEFUL VIRTUAL ACADEMY LINKS & RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Finally, please stay on the lookout in your email for additional messages and updates over the next few weeks as we send out more information. Check your spam regularly and add my email address to your contacts to ensure you see my newsletters and other messages I send out through our mass communication system.
I am confident that this is going to be a great year as we build upon the success of last year. I want to thank all of you in advance for your support! I am so glad you are joining us on our voyage!
Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz
Dean
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Monday, August 29- 1st Day of School; Tech Support 8:30-10:00 AM; 12:30-1:15 PM
- Tuesday, August 30 - Tech Support 8:30-9:30 AM
- Wednesday, August 31 - Tech Support 8:30-9:30 AM
- Monday, September 5 - No School for Labor Day Holiday
- Tuesday, September 6-Friday, September 9- SPIRIT WEEK!
- Thursday, September 8- MVA Parent Teacher Council Meeting
- Saturday, September 10- MVAPTC Fundraiser & Social at Filicori Zecchini
- Tuesday, September 13 - Back to School Night
- Friday, September 30- Picture Make-up Day
FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOOL TECH SUPPORT SESSIONS
- Monday, August 29- 8:30-10:00 AM and 12:25-1:15 PM
- Tuesday, August 30 - 8:30-9:30 AM
- Wednesday, August 31 - 8:30-9:30 AM
MVA K-5 Family & Tech Support Room
Join Zoom:
https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/88469906493?pwd=MldpcDNKZk53RlFXNWF2amY4Y3VCZz09
Meeting ID: 884 6990 6493
Passcode: mva
WELCOMING ALL VIRTUAL VOYAGERS!
MVA K-5 Administration Team
Because the Virtual Academy has students from all across MCPS, the titles of the administrators are different from schools. Our administrative team works closely with one another, so please feel free to contact any of the four administrators with your questions. We look forward to supporting the students, families, and staff of the MVA!
Mrs. Jackie DeLucia, Supervisor - jackie.r.delucia@mcpsmd.net
Mrs. Marjorie Cohen, Coordinator - marjorie.s.cohen@mcpsmd.net
Mrs. Kim Haden, Coordinator - kimberly.d.haden@mcpsmd.net
Student Supplies and Materials
This year, all MVA K-5 students can expect to receive the following:
- grade-level specific curriculum materials
- basic school supplies
- a touchscreen Lenovo Chromebook (if the student does not yet have one.) More details below.
Families may wish to provide some additional organizational tools and personal supplies. To see what items are provided by the MVA and which items are optional for families, please review this year's Student Supply List K- 5 2022 - 2023 (in English and Spanish).
Families are asked to plan to pick up their child's supplies and materials from 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor as soon as possible.
Supply Pick-Up
Directions for pick-up
- Come to the MVA Office between 8 AM- 4 PM, Monday-Friday
- Write your child’s name, ID number, and grade on a paper.
- Students do not need to be present, but all students who come on August 19 can also have their school picture taken! (see below)
- Students who have an Acer Chromebook, should exchange it for a Lenovo Chromebook. Please bring the charger. The Lenovo Chromebook uses a different type of charger.
If you are unable to come M-F between 8 AM and 4PM, you may send a friend or family member or call our office at 240-740-6060 to make special arrangements.
August 24 MVA K-5 New Family Information Meeting
We held a New Family Welcome and Information Meeting on Wednesday, August 24 from 6:30-7:30 PM on Zoom.
Please click here to view the slideshow.
Please click here to view the recording. The meeting was presented in English and Spanish.
August 26 MVA K-5 Orientation Zoom Recording
Click here to view the slideshow.
Click here to view the recording. The presentation is delivered in English and Spanish.
Contact your child's teacher to view the recording from the teacher sessions.
Chromebook Updates
MCPS wants to make sure all Virtual Academy students have a touchscreen Lenovo chromebook, which is more current and will support system updates.
Any Virtual Academy student who has an Acer Chromebook, should bring it to 15 W. Gude, to exchange it for a Lenovo chromebook during Materials Distribution days.
When returning any Acer device, be sure to bring the charging cable. The Lenovo uses a different type of charging cable.
School Schedule and Attendance
The Montgomery Virtual Academy follows the traditional MCPS School Year calendar (see link below). Monday, August 29 is the first day of school for all students!
Zooms will open at 8:50 a.m. daily and hours of instruction are 9:00-11:35 AM and 12:35-3:25 PM. There is a daily wellness break from 11:35 AM -12:35 PM. Students should login at 8:50 a.m.to ensure they are prepared when instruction begins.
Students need to eat meals before school, during the wellness break, and after school. Please do not serve meals during the instructional blocks.
Students logging in after 9:00 a.m. will be reported tardy. Parents are asked to use this Google Form to report an absence, late arrival, early dismissal, and submit attendance notes.
Please see the Virtual Academy website or click below to see the Daily Schedules, including the early release schedule, and the late opening schedule.
Maximizing Student Engagement, Participation, and Attendance
Research indicates that meaningful personal engagement with their teachers and peers is one of the most important predictors of student learning and achievement.
As a result of a review of the research, the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) presents the following revisions to its policies and expectations around student engagement, participation, and attendance for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond.
- All students are expected to appear on camera for the majority of every class
- Students should actively demonstrate engagement throughout each lesson.
- Students who demonstrate no engagement for the entire class period may be marked “Absent” for that class period.
- The MVA continues to expand opportunities for students to engage meaningfully with teachers, staff, and each other outside of the classroom.
For more detailed information on these expectations, please see:
MCPS RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL ACADEMY FAMILIES
Free and Reduced Meals Application Now Open!
Only one application is needed for all students in a household. A new application must be completed for any family requesting assistance this school year. The online application is now open for families to submit applications.
At this time, due to changes in federal funding, weekly meal box distribution to Virtual Academy families is suspended. Families who need food assistance are asked to contact the counselors by emailing corinne.e.whited@mcpsmd.net or nicole.m.bamberger@mcpsmd.net or call the Montgomery County Food Access Call Center at 311
For more information and How-To videos visit the Food Services website: www.montgomeryschools.org/departments/food-and-nutrition/meal-payments/#FARMS
Technology Support for Virtual Academy Families
If you are having technology issues, please submit an e-ticket by emailing your question or issue to communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org or submit a ticket via the Community Tech Support portal This account is monitored daily and you will receive email notifications throughout the process.
For helpful support guides and screencasts in English and Spanish, please visit https://montgomery.service-now.com/csm.
A support guide for the Community Tech Support portal is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cczbhEXF7x3TBquSMQGUGsxIcqsm_BtG2KBBi_bA0_0/edit
To request tech support or submit a Chromebook Repair Request
communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org
Zoom Log in information & Troubleshooting
Zoom for Students /Zoom para estudiantes
myMCPS Classroom/Canvas Information & Troubleshooting
Having trouble logging in? Please review the support guide
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY PARENT TEACHER COUNCIL (MVAPTC) INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following MVA Parent Council Announcements are being shared as a public information courtesy.
Our first MVAPTC meeting will be held on Thursday, September 8th at 6:30 PM. The meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month. The 2021-2022 school year meeting slides and minutes are available for review on the MVAPTC website located at http://www.mvaptc.org The MVAPTC is a parent teacher organization with non-profit status and insurance.
Our first social-fundraiser will be held on Saturday, September 10th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on the patio of Filicori Zecchini located at 12430 Park Potomac Avenue, Potomac, MD. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Filicori Zecchini is providing 10% of the purchases back to the MVAPTC. If the weather is bad and the event has to be moved indoors, masking is requested. https://www.facebook.com/filicori.parkpotomac
Shirts are available for purchase at the MVA office. Shirts are self-service and after you select your shirts for purchase, please pay at https://mvaptc.square.site Shirts will also be available at the socials for purchase.
Dues/Membership for the 2022-2023 school year are $10 for individual/staff members and $15 for family or household. MVAPTC also has a pay what you can/want option with a $2 fee to cover square costs. Donations are also greatly appreciated. https://mvaptc.square.site Dues/membership are not required to attend meetings and participate in events/activities, but greatly appreciated to help pay for the yearly insurance, organization expenses, teacher appreciation, social events and school needs/wants.
MVAPTC is also seeking to replace fill the high school vice president board position. No experience necessary. Please contact Jessica at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com to volunteer.
Volunteers are needed to host socials, fundraise, teacher appreciation, translation, assist with the facebook page and website, run and participate in committees and much more. Please contact Jessica at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com to volunteer.
Teacher Wish Lists are located in the facebook discussion group. Lets support our teachers by helping them fill their wishlists. Facebook Discussion Group: MVAPTC Discussion Group - Montgomery Virtual Academy Families & Staff(MD)
Helpful Links:
- Website: http://www.mvaptc.org
- Facebook page: Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council
- Facebook Discussion Group: MVAPTC Discussion Group - Montgomery Virtual Academy Families & Staff(MD)
- Facebook Special Needs Discussion Group: MVAPTC - Children with SN - Montgomery VIrtual Academy (MD)
- Shirts, Dues & Donations: https://mvaptc.square.site
Please contact Jessica, MVAPTC President, at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com to volunteer, or with any questions or concerns.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Family And Friends Mental Health Support:
http://namimd.org/family__friend_support
Food Resources
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html
Food Giveaway Events this week:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html#events
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/
Health Care for the Uninsured (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FoOQWe-GVr6ljzHjIxYRcl5VxtdBQCHN/view?usp=sharing
Health Care for the Uninsured (Spanish):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Pss-kVuL1IDh7cG1o47PrF0ZWImn1GY/view?
Montgomery County Resources and Supports for Residents
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/
Montgomery County Public Library Programs:
https://mcpl.libnet.info/events?=undefined&r=thismonth&term=Virtual+Program
Utility Assistance from Montgomery County Government:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/Program.aspx?id=SNHS/SNHSUtilityA-p746.html
Find us at...
Email: Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/
Location: 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6060
Twitter: @MVA_DeanHeifetz