The Bison Bulletin
OVCA Middle School Newsletter ~ February 8, 2021
Having trouble reading this newsletter?
Click here for direct link: https://www.smore.com/nxyc1
FEBRUARY MINDSET OF THE MONTH:
"Passion First!"
From the Principal's Desk
It's hard to believe that our 3rd quarter is almost halfway over! Students have been working diligently to work through courses and attend required classes. It's been pretty much business as usual around here!
I'd love to take a moment to plug a wonderful FREE program we have that every student has access to at OVCA. It is called "Mindplay", and it is an optional course that each student can access through their course list that reinforces reading and comprehension skills. We have been following student progress very closely over the past several months of the students who have been using this program, and we are finding that students who use the program 2 hrs/week can show 1 year's growth over the course of just ONE SEMESTER! The program is also web-based, and can be accessed from any mobile device. The program is completely independent work, although some of our English teachers do use it to help supplement classes. If your child is struggling with reading, or wants to increase their reading words-per-minute, this is an incredible program. Students can self-track and set goals for themselves. I highly recommend it!
This semester, students will NOT be taking Interims in math or reading. Instead, we will be hosting an Exact Path Learning Contest--with PRIZES! We will have individual student prizes for the top 10 most time spent that week in Exact Path, and each teacher in Math and English will recommend 1 "grand prize" student who has shown growth, effort, and Skills mastery that week! Students will get some fun OVCA Swag as a thank you for their hard work! So get in there and start learning! :-) We love celebrating your students. See below for more details.
Have a wonderful week, and be well!
Sincerely,
Erin Goodridge
OVCA Middle School Principal
*********************
Important Upcoming Dates
February 10: OVCA Middle School Spelling Bee
February 12: Community Connection Class, 12pm; Live Help 1pm
February 15: President's Day, NO SCHOOL
February 16-20: Middle School Exact Path Learning Contest, ALL students
February 25/26: OVCA Staff Professional Days, NO SCHOOL
March 8-12: Parent-Teacher Conferences week
March: 12: Last Day of First Quarter
Exact Path Learning Contest!
February 15-19th
Skills Master Award: Each Math and ELA teacher will nominate one outstanding student for a grand prize for mastery in Math or Reading Skills mastery excellence and effort in their learning path. Prizes will be mailed to students!
Time Warriors Award: The top 10 students in the middle school with the highest Exact Path time logged on their individual learning pathway during this week will receive a prize in the mail!
Hard Worker Award Drawing: 20 students who met the weekly 1hr time requirement in Exact Path that week will be drawn at random for some fun prizes to be sent in the mail!
Possible Prizes!
*****************************
Need to Contact someone at OVCA Middle School?
******************************
ALL FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE SURVEY BELOW
WEBCAM PERMISSION FORM
OVCA is focused on providing a safe virtual learning environment. With this in mind, we ask that a legal guardian complete the below survey for each student enrolled with OVCA. The media release form includes two sections: Photograph, Testimonial and Interview Release, and Face to Face Platform (webcam) Usage School-Guardian-Student Compact. You will be given the choice to accept or decline each opportunity.
Together we can help students reach their full potential through personalized learning this year! Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.
If you want your student to be able to use their webcam when we are in the whole group setting, be sure to fill out the permission form below!
Newrow Tips and Tricks
- Turn your computer off each night or restart in the morning.
- Clear your cache and cookies daily.
- Refresh is your friend! If something is glitchy, hit CTRL+R for a hard refresh, and that fixes lots of issues.
- Google Chrome is KING...if you don't use chrome, Newrow will not work.
- 3 or less tabs open on your browser when you are in a Newrow class session.
- Webcams are optional for students. Students who wish to use webcams in class must have a webcam permission slip on file. You can access using the link HERE.
- Remember: It is not perfect now--but our feedback is helping developers tailor-fit this product to our needs. It will only get better from here! :-)
Project Elevate!
Check out Project Elevate stories about OVCA students and staff on our OVCA Facebook Page!
Project Elevate is a Stride initiative to share stories of successful students and staff, as well as school activities, events and more. These stories have allowed us to share this impact on a larger stage through media coverage, social media spotlights, and more! So far this school year, Stride has placed more than 1,000 positive stories about Stride-powered schools in all 50 states! We are proud to showcase the solution our schools provide to their communities in helping students unlock their full potential.
**************************
******************
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES
Stride Website--SPANISH VERSION
DID YOU KNOW?
Stride has a Spanish version of their website:
Stride has a Spanish version of the Parent Portal:
https://es.k12.com/sdk12parentportal/dforce/portal_sitelogin
Safe and Healthy Schools Newlsetter
FREE TUTORING THROUGH OVCA!
We are excited to announce our school’s new Tutoring Initiative! OVCA will offer personalized academic tutoring based on your child’s needs with an emphasis in the subjects of English Language Arts (Reading/Writing) and Mathematics.
At this time, our new tutoring program will be completely virtual through an online service called TutorMe. Through this program, your child will be able to access a tutor at any time of the day to work on any subject. While the emphasis will be in math and reading, tutors for all subjects are available. The tutor will work with your child’s curriculum to help them improve their grades and gain confidence. The focus of tutoring is to equip your child with different methods of learning so they can have life-long skills in how to best solve problems for assignments, homework and projects.
Tutoring Sign-Up Link
Please contact Allison McCartney, our OVCA Tutoring Manager for more information.
Resources for College Readiness and Career Planning
8th Grade College Planning Check List:
https://www.ucango2.org/publications/student/8th_Grade_Checklist.pdf
Study Habits:
https://www.ucango2.org/publications/student/Perfect_10.pdf
Understanding School Types:
https://www.ucango2.org/publications/student/Understanding_School_Types1.pdf
7th Grade Planning:
https://www.ucango2.org/publications/student/7th_Grade_Checklist.pdf
6th Grade Planning:
https://www.ucango2.org/publications/student/6th_Grade_Checklist.pdf
Oklahoma Promise Link – applications start 8th grade year :
WHAT DO WE DO IF THE OMHS IS DOWN OR LAGGING?
- Take a deep breath and don't panic. It will be okay, and it won't last forever! If you're having trouble, most likely our staff is too, especially if the K12 software is lagging. We keep everyone up to date on social media with any known issues, and will keep the lines of communication open. Students are not penalized for software disruptions when the entire system is down.
- Find some hands-on, offline activities to accomplish! Many teachers have different suggested sites for their courses that students can go in and work. Offline activities are a fun break from a day in front of the computer!
- Your teachers will reach out with instructions via email if it is an extended outage, so always be checking your LC email for information, as this is the primary method of communication.
- Take a "snow" day if it's all just too overwhelming. You know we don't have those in virtual-land anyway, so take a break and catch up when you are fresh. Your teachers understand and if it's happened to you, it's happened to them! It will be okay, and you'll be back online eventually.
Most of all, remember to give yourself grace. Virtual learning isn't for the faint of heart. It's hard work! And sometimes, technology fails us. If and when that happens, you have a plan in place.
*******************
STRIDE NATIONAL NEWS
K12 Rebrands to Stride, Inc.
The parent company of OVCA has recently changed its corporate name from K12 to Stride, Inc. As a learning company, the Stride Mission is to help learners of all ages reach their full potential through inspired teaching and personalized learning.
Learning never stops. It’s the best means of growth throughout your life. But learning simply cannot be one-size-fits-all. Our company is leading enormous and necessary change in a sector that’s left far too many behind. And it’s required us to challenge long-accepted beliefs and practices. With insight and input from learners, parents, school districts, boards of education, and policymakers, we continue to provide more effective ways to learn — focusing on building the skills and confidence learners need to make their way forward in life.
Whether you are just starting with us or have been around for many years, please know that this corporate name change does not affect any of the education or support OVCA provides for your students. Our school will continue to provide the same great education, curriculum and materials you have received from us since your OVCA journey began. Our support of lifelong learning enhances the strength of our high school curriculum which prepares students for colleges and careers and provides opportunities for learning beyond high school.
For now, there is nothing you need to do. Eventually, the brand and logo you see, as well as our email address, may change. Rest assured that we will communicate those changes to you as they occur.
Please enjoy a quick video which highlights these exciting changes, or click here to learn more about Stride!
*********************
The Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access educational programs and activities. As required by Title IX, the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy does not discriminate on the basis of gender, in its educational programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the Title IX non-discrimination matters:
- Angie Foust, Title IX Coordinator, afoust@okvirtual.org, (405) 259-9478 ext 2069, 1160 S Douglas, Midwest City, OK 73130
- Additionally, you may contact the Office of Civil Rights by calling 1-800-421-3481.