Odyssey Academy of Virtual Learning
August 25th, 2020
Looking forward to seeing YOU in one week!
Students Enrolled in August.... Timeline
ILP Meetings
If you have not scheduled your child's ILP, please communicate with the teacher as soon as possible. Some teachers are waiting to hear back from families to schedule these. Thank you for your prompt attention with this.
Student Enrollment
Technology and Curriculum Orders
Curriculum- Many vendors are also communicating shipping delays. Our office staff is working overtime to get all of the orders placed. It is our hope that you have all materials by the start of school, but please be aware of delays. Additionally, with the large influx in enrollment, the later you enroll your child, the later you may receive your curriculum and supplies. Again, we will do our very best to have things to you by the start of school. We appreciate your patience.
MS/HS Online Course Schedule- Fall 2020
Here is the schedule for our Middle and High School PBL/Seminar courses. Please note that this is subject to change based upon student enrollment and course availability.
Odyssey Parent Facebook Group
Community, community, community!!! We want you to all feel connected to our school, students and other families who are all part of the Odyssey community. A Facebook group has been developed for Odyssey families to connect with one another to ask questions, share resources and ideas, provide support and connect with other families in your grade level or location. We hope that you will take advantage of this group to connect with other Odyssey families.
Music- Independent Study- MS/HS Level
IMPORTANT DATES
September 1st- First Day of School
Mandatory Parent Information Nights-
TWO sessions will be offered for each grade level. You only need to attend ONE session.
- Grades 4K-2--> 9/2 at 1:00pm or 9/3 at 6:00pm
- Grades 3-6 --> 9/1 at 1:00pm or 9/2 at 7:00pm
- PBL Mtg. for Grades 7-12--> 9/9 at 8:00am or 9/9 at 7:00 pm
- Hybrid Mtg. for Grades 7-12--> 9/10 at 8:00am or 9/10 at 7:00pm
Meetings will be held via Zoom. Links to join the meetings will be communicated soon.
New Student Enrollment- What are the next steps?
1) Student is accepted at Odyssey and an acceptance letter is sent to the family
2) A parent MUST notify Odyssey that your child(ren) will be attending Odyssey in the fall. You can email Britnie Meyer at: meyerb@ripon.k12.wi.us
3) Complete the Online District Registration on the Ripon website- 'New Student Registration'
**Note, you are not enrolled as a student until this step is complete. It will prevent and enrollment process from continuing until that is complete.**
4) You will receive an email from Odyssey Academy with more information about the new student process. This email will include your login and password for the Academic Planning section on the Odyssey website. You will login to the Academic Planning section on the website
- Review Grade Level Expectations on the website
- Review curriculum options and courses
- Learn how to create the ILP- Individualized Learning Plan
- Wait for your child's teacher to contact you to schedule the ILP Meeting (done virtually through Zoom)
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Brooke Knoll at: knollb@ripon.k12.wi.uis
Middle and High School Online Course Options
These are 16-week classes with the course content built into learning modules. Students work at their own pace. Students who are self-motivated are the most successful in these classes.
WELCOME NEW TEACHERS!!!- Part 2
Mrs. Carrie Kastanek- 4K-2
Hello, my name is Carrie Kastanek. It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I join the teaching
staff at Odyssey Academy of Virtual Learning! I am an elementary educator with more than
twelve years of classroom experience. I am committed to providing engaging, meaningful, and
individualized learning for all. I nurture growth and success by forging strong relationships with
my students and families.
I have Bachelor’s Degree in Early/Middle Childhood Education from Saint Norbert College
(2007), a Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership & Student Learning from Cardinal Stritch
University (2013), and have completed some coursework towards my Administration License.
The majority of my classroom experience has been at the kindergarten level, but I have also
taught 4th and 5th Grade.
I live in Kewaskum with my husband Ryan, and twin toddler daughters Ruby and Penelope.
We have a black lab named Olive and a cat named Dug. Together we enjoy hiking, fishing and
spending time in Northern Wisconsin. My favorite hobbies include gardening, cooking healthy
meals for my family, interior decorating, and weightlifting.
Email: kastenekc@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Kristie Webb- 4K-2
My name is Kristie Webb and I have been in education since 2005. I have taught K-1 Reading, 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade. I live in Plymouth with my husband Jim and my two boys who are 8 and 3 and we also have a 10 year old golden retriever named Yadi. We are St. Louis Cardinal fans and that’s where our dog got his name from. I enjoy traveling, watching movies, going to sporting events, running, and spending time with my family. I am super excited to be teaching at the virtual academy this year!
Email: webbk@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Melissa Christ- Grades 3-6
Mrs. Christ is thrilled to join the Odyssey Academy team as a grades 3-6 teacher. She is a passionate and enthusiastic educator with 12 years of experience working with K-5 students as a classroom teacher and reading specialist. Mrs. Christ and her family are excited to put their roots down in Wisconsin where they will be closer to family. She enjoys empowering students and their families to utilize their strengths, giving them access to the appropriate tools for success, and developing a collaborative plan for their student to reach their full potential.
Mrs. Christ graduated from Ripon College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and Child Behavior Psychology. She taught 2nd grade at Barlow Park Elementary School in Ripon, WI from 2004-2008. After getting married, she and her husband moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where she taught for 5 years as a looping third to fourth-grade teacher. Subsequently, her love of teaching literacy led her to the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she completed her Master’s degree in Language and Literacy in 2017. Most recently, she served as a Reading Specialist working with K-5 students in New York.
Email: christm@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Erin Gelhausen- 4K-2
Hello! My name is Erin Gelhausen. I live in McFarland with my husband Jeff and our 2 kids, Ella and Bret. Ella is 7 and will be going into 2nd grade. Bret is 5 and will be starting kindergarten. We enjoy going on family bike rides, being outdoors, and tending to the pumpkins in our small garden.
I am originally from Port Edwards, WI. I moved to the Madison area when I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to pursue my bachelor's degree in elementary education. I was a 5 year member of the University Marching Band during my time at the UW as well. I also have a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from National-Louis University.
This will be my 14th year teaching elementary students. Most recently, I taught kindergarten in the Monona Grove School District for 9 years. Prior to that, I taught kindergarten for 4 years in the School District of Janesville. I am delighted to join Odyssey Academy and to connect with students and families from all over the state! I am thrilled to begin this exciting new adventure!
Email: gelhausene@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Anissa Kramer- 3-6 Grade
Hello! My name is Anissa Kramer and I live in Berlin with my husband, children, and Golden Retriever. We have a 8 year old daughter, Audra and a 6 year old son, Avery who keep us busy and laughing every day. We also have a 1 year old Golden Retriever, Copper, who enjoys chasing squirrels and barking at turtles in our backyard.
I cherish spending time with my family. We like being active outdoors hiking, fishing, and boating. I love to travel near or far. Some of my favorite travel memories have been from South Africa and Japan but I also embrace the peacefulness of the Wisconsin northwoods.
I have been teaching for 12 years, most being in second grade. I am excited to meet and build positive relationships with the students and families I will serve. I am looking forward to building individualized and well rounded learning experiences based on trust and teamwork with Odyssey Virtual Academy of Learning families.
Email: kramera@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Wendy Toutant- Grades 3-6
Hello! My name is Wendy Toutant and I will be part of the elementary teaching staff for Odyssey next year. Throughout my career as an educator I have taught preschool, kindergarten and first grade. I have also been an adult GED educator, the director of a preschool and a 4K-8th grade general music teacher. Most recently, I was the RASD Barlow Park/Journey music teacher.
I graduated from J.I. Case High School in Racine, Wisconsin. I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois where I majored in Elementary Education and minored in Music. I earned a Master’s Degree in the field of Teacher Leadership from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
My husband, Scott, and I have 3 amazing children. They are 17, 15 and 9. We live between Green Lake and Princeton. We moved to this area from Racine in 2001 and we absolutely love it here. As a family we love to spend time in the great outdoors camping, hiking, biking, and boating.
Email: toutantw@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Stephanie Hicks- Middle/High School English/Language Arts
Hello! My name is Stephanie Hicks, and I'm excited to join Odyssey Academy as an ELA teacher. I grew up in Kiel, Wisconsin (Shelly Schueller is a childhood friend of mine), but currently live in Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee. Previously to joining the team, I taught 6,7 & 8th grade ELA in the traditional brick and mortar classroom for three years, working on my master's degree and coaching middle school forensics. After the birth of my first daughter in 2008, I took a year off of teaching, and then joined Wisconsin Virtual School, teaching Middle School ELA and High School English. I just finished up my eleventh school year as an online teacher!
I'm passionate about online learning because it offers students a more flexible and customized approach to their learning. I love getting to know students and their families, learning more about their personalities and interests, and working with them to achieve the goals they set for themselves.
In my free time, I love hiking the Ice Age Trail and camping with my husband and two daughters, Lila (12) and Olivia (9). I am also an avid triathlete and have completed over 30 triathlons and have qualified for age group national and world championships. Outside of my family and two cats, Marble and Todd, triathlon really is my passion in life, allowing me to travel and complete in and out of the United States. As much as I love the outdoors, I also love snuggling up with a good book, watching TV or practicing yoga (I'm also a registered yoga teacher and teach one class a week).
Email: hickss@ripon.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Cary Johansen- Guidance Counselor
Hello! My name is Cary Johannes and I am the new counselor at Odyssey Academy of Virtual
Learning. I am excited to support our students, families, and staff to create a dynamic, caring
community. I advocate for students to help them connect with others, with their learning, and
with their future.
I am a licensed psychologist and retreat leader for PEACE Journeys. I live near Kiel with my
husband, Tony, our two daughters, Addy and Elise, and our dog, Finley. I enjoy taking family
walks, jumping on our trampoline, doing yoga, and reading. I look forward to working with you!
Email: johansenc@ripon.k12.wi.us
Elementary Program Options (Kindergarten through 6th Grade)
1) Odyssey Elementary 4K-6 (same as last year) - through chosen curriculum, high level of parent support
2) ONLINE Elementary- grades K-5- curriculum in online, self-paced
Students can take all core classes through this option or just one. These classes include:
- Language Arts/Reading
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Art
- Physical Education
- Music
- Foreign Language
- Technology
Please click HERE for an explanation of both options. A brief google slide show will explain each option and provide a 'look inside' the online elementary curriculum.
If you would like to sign up for the online curriculum for your child(ren), please complete one form per child.
ENROLL in ONLINE Elementary- Grades K-5
If you wish to remain in our traditional Odyssey Elementary program in which parents chose the curriculum from the approved list, you do not need to do anything. The form is ONLY to enroll your child in the online curriculum program.
CONTACT US
Email: odyssey@ripon.k12.wi.us
Website: www.odysseyacademyofvirtuallearning.com
Location: 1120 Metomen Street, Ripon, WI, USA
Phone: 920-748-4625
Facebook: facebook.com/www.facebookodysseyacademyofvirtuallearning
Twitter: @AcademyOdyssey