Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News
Week of November 15, 2021
A Note from the Dean's Desk
Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!
Tuesday, November 16 marks the United Nation's International Day for Tolerance. The purpose of this day is to promote mutual understanding and respect among people of all cultures. In my months as a Dean of the Virtual Academy, I have been awed and amazed by the wonderful diversity of our students, staff, and families. Although we do not have any formal observance for the International Day of Tolerance in MCPS, I invite our community to engage our young people in developing a deep understanding of the many ways to demonstrate respect for others. I believe that our children can be leaders in the world by showing tolerance and understanding for those from different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences.
- Learn more about the International Day for Tolerance at https://www.un.org/en/observances/tolerance-day
- Check out this brief article from The Children's Trust on "10 Ways to Raise a Tolerant Child": https://www.thechildrenstrust.org/content/10-ways-raise-tolerant-child
Also, Marking Period 1 report cards are now available on ParentVUE. Please see below for directions to access your child's report card. Need to activate ParentVUE? Directions are also below. As a reminder, you should also have received information on how to sign-up for a conference with one of the teachers that teaches your child.
Finally, we know that some families may be interested in returning to in-person learning for Marking Period 3 once their child is vaccinated. We will be communicating details regarding this process soon. While we hope to continue to serve you and your child all year, we understand that this option may be preferred by some families.
Thank you for your ongoing support on this amazing voyage! Let's make it great week of learning and a great week on purpose!
Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz
Dean
UPCOMING EVENTS
- November 15-19: Semester 1 Materials pick-up from 8 AM- 3:30 PM daily- No appointment needed
- November 15: Holiday assistance request deadline (See Counselor's Corner for details)
- November 19: Meal Distribution at select sites for pre-registered families
- November 22-23: Early Release Days for Family-Teacher Conferences
- November 24: NEW! No School for Staff and Students -Schools and Offices closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
- November 25-26: Schools and Offices closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
- November 30: Deadline for Grade 3 and up to change password
- December 7: Save the date! Parent Information & Update Meeting
MARKING PERIOD 1 REPORT CARDS
How to locate a Report Card/Interim or MAP report in ParentVUE
https://www.loom.com/share/0b268815b7f844c9bcc3d235f5fab85d
Parents/Guardians - Getting Started with ParentVUE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ukuv45XQeE3h0LWv8I5rRee5Eo_e7dmlkifpwPZdvy0/edit?usp=sharing
Family-Teacher Conferences
Families should have received an invitation to sign-up for a conference on Sign-up Genius the week of November 8.
ACTION NEEDED: November 30 is the New Deadline to Change Passwords for Grade 3 and Up
To minimize potential disruption, the deadline for students to change their password in Grade 3 and above has been extended to November 30.
Starting this school year, students in Grades 3 and above are responsible for annually changing their passwords. For students who do not update by Nov. 30, passwords will be automatically changed by the system. To prevent disruptions we would like to get all Virtual Academy students to reset their password before this deadline. Students will not be able to login or access Zoom if they do not reset their password. The single password change will update students’ mcpsmd.org and mcpsmd.net accounts.
Here’s how students can change their password:
- Navigate to SPM.mcpsmd.org
- Log in to SPM with their current user ID and password
- Enter a new password
For technical support, the Community Help Desk mailbox at communitytechsupport@mcpsmd.org.
Student passwords must be changed at least once every year. Students will receive several notices to do so through their Google.net accounts.
The support guide for students is here and linked from the button below.
MEALS
Families can now pre-order meals using the same link each week. (Please see below.) The link will open on Mondays and will close temporarily over the weekend so that the data can be accessed by our Food Services partners. Please note the form is not managed or maintained by the Virtual Academy.
These kits will provide 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 7 Suppers and 7 Snacks. These kits will be distributed every Friday from 11:00am - 1:00pm at most locations (see the form for details).
The kits need to be reserved by Friday 12:00 p.m. one week in advance to ensure availability.
Confirmation of order will be sent via email.
Questions regarding meal kits can be sent to the meals drop box:
DFNSMealKitOrders@mcpsmd.orgWe are so grateful to our partners in Food Services!
ACTION ITEMS
Student Materials Pick-up
If you still need to pick up your child's materials for Semester 1, we invite families to come between 8 AM and 3:30 PM to 15 West Gude Drive. No appointment needed. Please note, Semester 2 materials are not yet available for distribution.
Parent/Guardian & Emergency Contact Information
It is very important that we have current contact information for each parent/guardian. This includes email, phone numbers, and mailing address. After activating your Synergy ParentVUE account, please be sure to review and update this information.
Should you need assistance with accessing your ParentVUE information, please call our office at 240-740-6060 for assistance.
Parents/Guardians - Getting Started with ParentVUE https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ukuv45XQeE3h0LWv8I5rRee5Eo_e7dmlkifpwPZdvy0/edit?usp=sharing
FARMS Applications
All families are encouraged to complete an updated application for Free and Reduced Meals status. Complete it online here! https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
Parent Volunteers
There are a few steps to complete before beginning your service as a volunteer in the Virtual Academy.
- Complete the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom form. This form serves as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools. (Please note that only volunteers who complete fingerprinting can work with or support students in breakout rooms without a teacher present. See page 3 of the form for details.)
- Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.
- Contact an administrator, counselor, or your child's teacher and provide the following:
- Your completed MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom Form and
- Your online course grade sheet that will show 100% for completing the online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training and an 83.3% for submission of the vaccine attestation (a total of 183.33%).
More details and support guides are available at: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/volunteer.aspx
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.
If your question or issue is not adequately addressed when the ticket is closed, you can click a link right in the “Case Closed” email to reopen the case and provide more information or additional questions. We are dedicated to serving all families promptly and thoroughly; if you experience problems with this process, or haven’t gotten a response within 24 hours, please call us at 240-740-6060 to request further assistance.
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
ATTENDANCE
Please note that MCPS only permits elementary schools to take attendance once per day. In the Virtual Academy, attendance is taken during morning meeting. Students who miss morning meeting are marked absent. Should your child miss morning meeting due to an appointment or other reason, please email the homeroom teacher and Ms. Hikeyya Falden, attendance secretary, (or complete the absence form) so that the absence can be adjusted to Tardy. In schools, this process would happen whenever a student signs into the main office after doors close. In the Virtual Academy, we do need to take this additional step at this time.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
MCPS INFORMATION and RESOURCES
Saturday School
Saturday School provides academic tutoring and instruction with certified teachers in a nurturing and supportive virtual environment. The program is aligned with the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) curriculum. MCPS students Grades K through 12 may attend after registering for Saturday School for $85 per year ($40 for students who receive FARMS).
- Grades K through 8 focus on reading, language arts and math
- Grades 9 through 12 focus on core subjects (English and math); support for High School Assessment; SAT/ACT support
- College and career readiness is emphasized
Also Offered:
- Robotics
- Coding
- Crash Course to College
- SAT/ACT Prep
Learn more or register at: https://saturdayschool.org/
MCPS Parent Academy To Go Virtual Workshops
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/parentacademy/workshops.aspx
Reporting Bullying or Harassment
Bullying, harassment (including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment), intimidation, hazing, incidents of hate-bias, and concerning issues involving student gender identity are not tolerated in MCPS. We are committed to ensuring our students feel safe, valued, and respected in our schools. Please see the linked flyer for information on how to report an incident or seek help. https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/compliance/Ways%20To%20Report_School%20Flyer(1).pdf
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Counselor Classroom Lessons Have Started
Holiday Giving Project of Montgomery County- Deadline is November 15
The Holiday Giving Project (HGP) of Montgomery County has provided Thanksgiving meal and December holiday assistance to families in need for over 30 years. A network of social workers, school counselors, and other human service professionals refer families and individuals in need of assistance. Local non-profits, faith-based organizations, service organizations and other government agencies serve Holiday Giving recipients, as donations are available.
If you and your family are in need and would like to be referred to possibly receive assistance for the Thanksgiving or Winter holiday season, please complete the following Google referral form. The information is required to make a referral to The Holiday Giving Project. The application is still open to apply for the Winter Holidays.
Forms need to be submitted by November 15th, 2021 to be considered for the Winter Holidays. Please understand that referrals are not guaranteed to receive assistance.
Holiday Giving Referral Request links
ENGLISH: https://forms.gle/2ihPdCeKWVvdAdkr5
ESPAÑOL: https://forms.gle/5Rb1xcfttufSZSV8A
Please contact your child´s counselor at the emails listed below regarding any questions with the referral process.
Grades K - 2 please contact Nicole Bamberger at nicole_m_bamberger@mcpsmd.org
Grades 3 - 5 please contact Corinne Whited at corinne_e_whited@mcpsmd.org
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Food Giveaway Events this week:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get- help/food.html#events
Family And Friends Mental Health Support:
http://namimd.org/family__friend_support
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?
Child Tax Credit Information (English): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHEKdyK16Bhy3xJtpa18dwQb5amTEd7x/view?usp=sharing
Child Tax Credit Information (Spanish):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LLObvYjnLCAQIvRHISSRC6dzEZdBYRsz/view?usp=sharing
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Find us at...
Email: Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/
Location: 15 West Gude Drive, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6060
Twitter: @MVA_DeanHeifetz