Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News

Week of 1/29/23

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A Note from the Dean's Desk

A Note from the Dean's Desk

Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!


Welcome to Semester 2! This week's newsletter is full of announcements about Black History Month, Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, 5th Grade Parent Information Night, a new meeting time for our Kids for Equity Club, and much more! Thank you for taking a few minutes to read through and please reach out with questions!


I want to thank all of you all for your support & partnership! We are so happy to have you on our voyage!


Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz

Dean

Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net

A Note from the Dean's Desk
UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Monday, January 30 - Marking Period 3 (Semester 2) begins
  • Wednesday, February 1- Media Center Lunch Bunch Read Aloud with Mrs. Jeffcott
  • Wednesday, February 1- 5th Grade Parent Information Night
  • Thursday, February 2- Black History Month Read Aloud w/Mrs. Cohen
  • Friday, February 3 - Report cards available to view on ParentVUE
  • Monday, February 6 - Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action Kickoff Parent Information Meeting at 7:00 PM
  • Monday, February 6-Friday, February 10- Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action
  • Tuesday, February 7 - K-2 Rainbow Club - 5:00-5:45 PM
  • Thursday, February 9- MVAPTC Meeting at 6:30 PM

  • Tuesday, February 14- Gr 3-5 Rainbow Club - 5:00-5:45 PM

  • Thursday, February 16 - MVAPTC Special Education Committee Meeting at 6:30 PM

  • Tuesday, February 21-- K-2 Rainbow Club - 5:00-5:45 PM

  • Monday, February 27- Kids for Equity Club 11:35 AM- 12:05 AM (see updated club flyer below)

  • Tuesday, February 28 - Gr 3-5 Rainbow Club - 5:00-5:45 PM

UPCOMING EVENTS

MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS

5th Grade Parent Information Night- Feb. 1

The Virtual Academy Upper School invites parents of current Grade 5 students to attend the 5th Grade Parent Information Night to learn more about our Upper School program, scheduling, and elective course selections for the 2023-2024 school year.


Date: Wednesday, Feb. 1

Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Zoom Information:

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/87816117696?pwd=WXBzY0dYcFZjbkwrVStXeGppdVdoZz09

Meeting ID: 878 1611 7696

Passcode: 731307


Click here view the event flyer.

Black History Month Celebrations Begin February 1

Black History Month Celebrations Begin February 1

We are so excited to begin our celebration of Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, the students will celebrate black history, culture, and heritage. We have many engaging activities planned for our learners including Virtual Field Trips, Morning Announcements, Daily Read Alouds, Guest Speakers, and a Black History Showcase at the end of the month where students will have a chance to share what they connected to and what they learned.


Students will receive announcements on myMCPS Classroom with the lunch bunch read aloud login information each day.


This year we are also participating in a National event called Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. If you are interested in being a guest speaker, doing a read aloud, or morning announcement we would love your help. It can be done live on Zoom, or you can submit a recording. Additionally, if you know of anyone that would be interested in inspiring our students, please let them know we would welcome them. Please contact Marjorie Cohen, at marjorie.s.cohen@mcpsmd.net if you are able to help.

Black History Month Celebrations Begin February 1

Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action - February 6-10

Black Lives Matter at School is a national coalition organizing for racial justice in education. The Black Lives Matter at School movement first started in Seattle during the fall of 2016 and has since spread across the country.


This year in the elementary MVA, we are proud to stand with schools and educators in the Washington D.C region and across country as we work for racial justice in all spaces, including schools. To honor this week, our staff and students will engage in age-appropriate learning under the theme, "Children and Youth as Changemakers."


Each day during the week, students will engage in a brief lesson and class discussion tailored to the grade level of the class. Below is a brief summary of the lesson focus for each day.


Monday, Feb. 6- Using your Voice for a Cause

  • What is a cause?
  • What does it mean to use your voice for a cause?
  • Why is it important to stand up for what we believe in?
  • What is Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action?


Tuesday, Feb. 7-Youth and Activism: Past and Present

  • What does it mean to be an activist or changemaker?
  • How have children and youth fought for change in their communities in the past?
  • How are children and youth fighting for change in their communities in the present?

Wednesday, Feb. 8-React and Resist: Creating Change
  • What are different ways that people can create positive change in our different communities (neighborhood, school, friends/family, etc.) world?

  • How is allyship a form of activism?


Thursday, Feb. 9- Bringing it Home: Issues in our Community

  • What different communities do we belong to?

  • What are some challenges that our communities face?

  • What are the things we would want to change or improve in our community?

  • How do the Black Lives Matter principles of empathy, loving engagement, and restorative justice help communities?


Friday, Feb 10- Taking Action: Project Day

  • I can create positive change by...
  • I can improve our community by…

Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action Kickoff Parent Meeting


To kickoff our week of learning about Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, parents are invited to an information meeting and discussion on Monday, February 6 from 7- 8 PM on Zoom.


Join us to hear more about our grade level lessons and discuss with other parents and school staff about what racial justice in schools and in the MVA looks like and means to you and your family!



Topic: Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action- MVA Parent Meeting

Time: Monday, Feb 6, 2023 7:00- 8:00 PM


Join Zoom Meeting

https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/84851857540?pwd=K2N1NDlYQUp3SjY0eFRFVi9ZRUNuQT09


Meeting ID: 848 5185 7540

Passcode: mva

MP2 Report Cards Coming Soon to ParentVUE!

MP2 Report cards should be viewable on ParentVUE on 2/3/23.


How to Access Report Cards via ParentVUE

The Accessing Report Cards with the ParentVUE Mobile App tech short video provides a quick tutorial on how parents can access their child's report card using the ParentVUE mobile app.


Click here to view the 2-minute Tech Short Video: Accessing Report Cards with the ParentVUE Mobile App


Click here to access all MCPS Tech Shorts videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MCPSTechShorts

K-5 Semester 2 Materials Still Available for Pick-Up

All K-5 students will need a new set of curriculum materials for Semester 2. Families who did not come to materials pick-up on Jan 25-27 should come to the MVA office between 8 AM and 4:30 PM to pick-up the materials as soon as possible. Families unable to come to the office can contact Ms. DeLucia at jackie.r.delucia@mcpsmd.net to make alternative arrangements.

MVA K-12 Yearbook Sales Start Soon!

We are very excited to announce the first ever MVA K-12 yearbook will be produced and sold this year!

Students who had a photo taken with Barksdale this year will automatically have their photo included in the yearbook. Students who did not get school photos taken will be able to submit a photo to be added to the book.


Soft cover books will be $30 and hard cover books will be $35. Sales will start on Feb 6. Stay tuned for details on how to order!

MVA Application for 2023-2024

On Thursday, January 5, 2023, MCPS released the Montgomery Virtual Academy application for the 2023-2024 school year.


  • Families who previously completed the Notice of Intent form and indicated a request to remain in the Virtual Academy next school year do not need to apply again.
  • Families who did not complete the form, or who had indicated a desired to return to the home school, but now wish to remain in the Virtual Academy, must apply on ParentVUE using the new application.

The open application period will begin on January 5, 2023 and run through February 2, 2023. You can read the full announcement from MCPS on our website at this link: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/news-index/fy24-application-announcement/
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WIDA ACCESS Testing for ELL Learns

The WIDA ACCESS test window is January 9 - February 17. All ELD students are required to take the test in-person at their home school. Please check your email and remind your child to check their email for communication from your home school. Home schools will begin contacting families after December 16th with information regarding test dates and times. The test usually takes two half days. Student’s attendance will be recorded at the home school and reconciled at the MVA to be marked present.

More information will be shared when we return after Winter Break. If you have any questions please contact the MVA ESOL Resource Teacher- Jill Schuck at Jill_L_Schuck@mcpsmd.org

Weekly Meal Kits for MVA Students- Reserve Now for Pick-up on *Friday, February 10, 2023*

MCPS and the Division of Food & Nutrition Services will be providing bulk meal kits to MCPS students enrolled in MCPS Virtual Academy. The boxes will be distributed at the designated locations listed below. The location selected will be your assigned location to pick up your pre-ordered meal kit.


Please utilize this form to place an order for our Bulk Meal Kits.

Meal Kits will provide 5 Breakfasts and 5 Lunches.


***Distribution & Distribution Sites***

Meal kits will be distributed at each site listed below every Friday (unless otherwise noted) from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.


  • Seneca Valley High School
  • A. Mario Loiederman Middle School
  • Richard Montgomery High School
  • Department of Food & Nutrition Services (DNFS) at Turkey Thicket


***Ordering***

All orders for meal kits should be placed a week in advance for distribution the following week.

Meal kit orders must be placed using the google link each week.

The ordering link closes every Friday at noon and reopens Friday at 3:00 pm for the following distribution.

Parents must provide the first and last name & I.D. number of each student if they are requesting a meal kit.


Link to Meal Request form:

https://forms.gle/bPyzKsc9F3My7zad9


***Questions & More Information***

Questions regarding meal kits can be sent to the meals dropbox:

DFNSMealKitOrders@mcpsmd.org (The email dropbox is having technical challenges. Please email Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net with meal questions to pass along to food services until the dropbox is repaired.)

Weekly Meal Kit Request Form

Use this same link each week. The ordering link closes every Friday at noon and reopens Friday at 3:00 pm for the following distribution.

10 Tech Topics in the MVA

Technology Challenges

We are aware that some of our students have been experiencing challenges with accessing instruction in the recent weeks. We have been in close contact with our partners in the technology office to try to identify what might be causing some of the specific issues. To support this work, we have been gathering data from our staff to try to identify any patterns. As we work to find a more comprehensive solution, we shared some tips at the MVAPTC meeting this past week. The tips that were shared address obstacles that we typically see, as well as the current issues with the password resets and Zoom functionality issues. These tips have helped some of our students, but not all. In most cases, the issue is not with the device itself and does not require a device swap. Please continue to reach out to our main office at 240-740-6060 and email the Community Help Desk mailbox at communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org . We thank you for your continued patience and willingness to help problem-solve.
10 Tech Topics in the MVA

Extracurricular Clubs and Activities

In an effort to create more social opportunities for students this year, we are working to expand our after-school clubs. Two clubs currently offered are the Rainbow Club and the Kids for Equity Club. Both clubs are run by MCPS central office staff and high school students in partnership with MVA staff.


Other clubs are also in development and will be shared as information becomes available.


Please click here or on the picture to view the flyer for Rainbow Club (in English & Spanish).

Please click here or on the picture below to view the flyer for the Kids for Equity Club! (in English & Spanish)


Please note- the Kids for Equity Club now meets at lunch time!


Students in the MVA are also permitted to participate in extracurriculars at their home school. Parents interested in an after-school activity at their child's school should contact the school for information and details.

Counselor's Corner

During the month of December, all K-5 Virtual Academy students received a lesson on the topic of Internet Safety. We use the website https://www.netsmartzkids.org/ for many of our lesson materials and resources. This website was created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It has sites for parents and children to view. If you have time, take a look!


Please view the provided Parent tips on Internet Safety linked below.


If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

K-2 grades: Nicole Bamberger - nicole.m.bamberger@mcpsmd.org

3-5 grades: Corinne Whited - corinne.e.whited@mcpsmd.org


We have also provided parent tips on internet safety linked here.


Protecting your Kids Online:

English Protecting Your Kids Online 2.0.pdf

español Protecting Your Kids Online 2.0 ES.pdf

Cyberbullying unplugged:

English Cyberbullying_Unplugged.pdf

español Cyberbullying_Unplugged_ES.pdf


Being a Trusted Adult:

English being-a-trusted-adult.pdf

español being-a-trusted-adult-es.pdf

Gaming Online:

English gaming-safely.pdf

español gaming-safely-es.pdf


Cellphone Safety:

English Parents' Guide to Smartphone Safety.pdf

español Parents' Guide to Smartphone Safety ES.pdf

Report an Absence Form

Please use this form to report a student absence for any Montgomery Virtual Academy student in Grades Kindergarten - Grade 12.

MCPS RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL ACADEMY FAMILIES

Technology Support for Virtual Academy Families

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: https://montgomery.service-now.com/csm.


Community Tech Support Portal Support Guide: 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

https://classroom.mcpsmd.org/


Having trouble logging in? Please review the support guide

Technology Support for Virtual Academy Families

MCPS Parent Academy

Families and students can stay engaged throughout the school year with Parent Academy TO GO, a series of webinars for families to watch at home. The webinars are available on the Parent Academy website. Registration is available here.

MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY PARENT TEACHER COUNCIL (MVAPTC) INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS

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The following MVA Parent Council Announcements are being shared as a public information courtesy. The MVAPTC is the MVA parent-teacher organization with non-profit status and insurance.


MVAPTC (Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council) Announcements:




Seeking donations & volunteers for the MVAPTC Spring Auction to be held in March. Please contact Jessica, MVAPTC President, at presidentmvaptc@gmail.com to express your interest.


Request: Shirt Donations for Staff Appreciation: https://smile.amazon.com/hz/charitylist/ls/2AYECVMZIHTZ3/ref=smi_ext_lnk_lcl_cl Thank you to all who donated!

Shirts, Necklaces, and Earrings are available for purchase at the MVA office.



Next MVAPTC Meeting: Thursday, February 9th at 6:30 PM.

Special Presentation on Restorative Justice in the MVA

Meeting slides, meeting minutes and other documents are available for review on the MVAPTC website located at http://www.mvaptc.org.
Zoom Link: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/83004264203?pwd=M09hQzNtbVgyWVB6SGF3UE1sU2Fodz09
Meeting ID: 830 0426 4203 & Passcode: mvaptc




Next MVAPTC Special Education Committee Meeting: Thursday, February 16th at 6:30 PM.

Special Presentation on general services & how to access them for your student.

Please contact Andrea Levy, Chair at andreallevy@gmail.com for additional information.

Meeting notes are available for review on the MVAPTC website located at http://www.mvaptc.org.


Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82628815806?pwd=dkxkQTdpaGxMczFVbjlMUG9TdHUwdz09
Meeting ID: 826 2881 5806 & Passcode: 570626


Amazon Smile: Go to: smile.amazon.com (web browser and activate in the Amazon Shopping app) - Set your Charity to MVAPTC (Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council, Inc), Rockville, MD, Parent-Teacher Group)


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.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

FREE Online Adult Computer Classes for Winter 2023!

The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is offering free online basic computing classes for adults. Classes are taught using the Zoom platform. There is very limited space. It is first come, first served. So, please do not delay!

To apply, click here!

Note - The form must be completed only by the person taking the class.


Eligibility:
Must have access to a computer. Cell phones cannot be used to take the class.
Classes are open to ages 18 years and older.
For Montgomery County Residents only.

Application:
Space is LIMITED - Availability is on a first come, first served basis, until classes have been filled.

Questions: Call: 240-777-4940 or Email: Bellinda.Olympio@montgomerycountymd.gov

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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?

usp=sharing


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

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Find us at...

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

Find us at...
Montgomery Virtual Academy Website

Check out our website to access the staff directory and other resources!