ISOK High School
7/31/2020
From the Principal's Desk
Hello ISOK High School families and welcome to a new school year!
There is a lot of information in this first From the Principal's Desk, so please read the whole page carefully!
My name is Karl Safe, and it is a pleasure to be able to serve you as the ISOK High School Principal. I love our school and the families we serve. I have a passion for growing and improving every facet of our school to continue to make ISOK the best virtual school in the state of Oklahoma.
School begins for students on August 12th, and we are so excited to see your students’ faces in Orientation sessions that day! We have several new programs this year, including our NewRow platform in which live classes will take place, equipped with new interactive features and web cam abilities! We are also implementing a night school option at the high school this year to provide students who may need additional time in the day to either supplement or replace the traditional time with teachers. Additionally, we have strengthened our Student Support Programs with Engagement Specialists and Career Counselors, joining them with ISOK-specific Academic Counselors, a Family Resource Coordinator, and their Manager, Ms. Ginger Allison! We will be extending the Social Engagement activities that we provided at the end of last year so that students can have fun and build relationships in and out of the classroom! All this and so much more is in the works for this year so that we can help students, families, and staff who choose ISOK to become the best versions of themselves.
Within our mission of helping students earn credits and graduate, we also have a desire to grow all students we serve at least one academic year. This academic growth is tracked on our Star360 assessments given in August, December, and May. Additional information is outlined below on how students can access these assessments. We look forward to fostering the partnership between staff, learning coach, and student to provide quality instruction, attention, and support.
What to expect week 1:
School will be in session starting August 12th. Your first day or two will be a slow start. You will only be attending orientations, completing any orientation assignment required in their courses, and completing math and reading Star360 assessments (more info below). Once you have completed your Strong Start requirements, you will be invited to more frequent CCs. Students can see their CC invitations in their CC schedule.
Required Assessments Star360:
All students in 9th-12th grades will take Star360 assessments this year for math and reading. These will be taken in August, December, and May. Additionally, all students will be taking a USA Test Prep assessment in October and March to ensure students are meeting their grade level standards and to simulate state testing. These assessments are required and help our teachers target instruction to meet students’ needs and ensure growth. It is important that students complete these assessments on their own, without assistance from learning coaches or other sources.
Your teachers will also send out information to complete Star360 assessments, but students may begin now to complete them. They must be completed by Friday August 14th.
· Log in website: https://global-zone08.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/7139830
• Username: Your Student ID (ex: 123456)
• Password: Your first name in lowercase and last 3 numbers of your Student ID (ex: phillip456)
• Everyone will take a Star Reading test and a Star Math test (do not take Early Literacy).
• Honest efforts rewarded – Do your best (how much time you take on it is monitored), complete it, and receive points upon completion.
In conclusion:
I know this year will be a year of growth, challenge, and joy. We thank you for choosing our school to serve your family. This is a decision we do not take lightly as a staff. We are dedicated to growing all our students at least one full year academically and helping them be successful both in high school and after. My personal mission is to help all who choose ISOK become the best versions of themselves.
Please reach out to your CFA (community family advisor and first point of contact), your course teachers, or any of the administrative staff at any time with questions or concerns you may have. We have an open-door policy and value your thoughts and time.
Sincerely,
Karl Safe
ISOK HS Principal
Have You Completed Your Pathway Survey Yet?
If you have already completed the survey, you do not need to resubmit it, unless you have changed your mind.
For the 2020-2021 school year, ISOK will be offering multiple pathways to personalize your student's learning.
Please complete this survey to choose your student's preference 2020-2021 school year. This survey is to help ISOK begin to plan your student’s learning path. This survey will begin the partnership to provide the best learning environment for your student next year.
Below are the options: (Remember: ISOK will contact you about your choice and how it will impact your child’s growth.)
Pathway 1-Targeted Instruction: This type of session will allow students to attend up to 4 days per week of required class connect sessions. Class size will be limited. It may include additional optional class connect sessions. Additional sessions will be added if student growth requires more LIVE instruction with teachers. Instruction in these sessions will be focused on state standards and student data. These sessions are targeted on skills to increase mastery. (Students who are struggling to master state standards and/or grade level expectations may be required to attend.)
Pathway 2-Focused Phoenix Program: Focused Phoenix is a self-paced program for students looking to earn credits more quickly than normal. There are no live classes or teachers. The Focused Phoenix director monitors each student’s progress through the content and stays in active communication with each student to ensure mastery of course content within 4-5 weeks. Students in the Focused Phoenix program can earn at least 2 half credits through the program in a given block, on top of regular enrolled courses, and there is no limit as to how many credits students may earn in the block.
Pathway 3-Credit Recovery Program: Similar to Focused Phoenix, the ISOK Credit Recovery program is a self-paced program for students looking to earn credits more quickly than normal, but for courses students have previously attempted. There are no live classes or teachers. The Credit Recovery director monitors each student’s progress through the content and stays in active communication with each student to ensure mastery of course content within 4-5 weeks. Students in the Credit Recovery program can earn at least 2 half credits through the program in a given block, on top of regular enrolled courses, and there is no limit as to how many credits students may earn in the block.
Pathway 4-Night School Options: ISOK will be offering the opportunity to receive live instruction and tutoring from the hours of 5pm-8pm next school year. We would like to gain feedback on how many families would make use of this opportunity. This would be good for any students who work during the day, or those who simply prefer to get their schoolwork done in the evenings; however, all students are welcomed to this option, if desired. Students may choose night school in addition to, or in replacement of, targeted instruction.
Pathway 5-Embedded Course Options: ISOK will be offering the opportunity for students to embed courses with similar standards into each other. This involves students being enrolled in two courses at the same time, while only completing work and attending classes for one overall course. This way, students will earn credits for both courses in the time it takes for one course.
NewRow Announcement for Families
We are excited to announce Newrow as our Class Connect collaboration platform for SY20-21. Students and Learning Coaches can look forward to more engaging Class Connect sessions with robust webcam, media, and engagement tools. No downloads or launchers are needed, and you can even attend sessions on your mobile and tablet devices!
The Class Connect scheduler will launch each session directly in Newrow with no need to download an external launcher application prior to accessing any live sessions. Students will be able to interact more regularly on webcam in a more modern interface for a more engaging and collaborative classroom experience.
There is no action needed from you to make this transition. Any classes or office hours on your student’s daily plans will automatically launch into the new platform.
Highlights:
• Use your webcam and see multiple webcams on screen
• No installers or downloads needed – sessions launch directly in your web browser
• Modern and intuitive class connect experience
• Ability to ask questions privately in the Q&A chat channel
• Participate from anywhere you have an internet connection – computer, tablet, or mobile devices
Karl Safe
Email: kasafe@insightok.org
Website: isokvirtual.net
Location: 1156 South Douglas Boulevard, Midwest City, OK, USA
Phone: 405-835-2133 2159
Facebook: facebook.com/InsightOklahoma