WAVE Newsletter
December 2023
Principal's Note
Amidst the hustle and bustle of holidays, shoveling, and the end of a semester, please remember to take time to appreciate the wonderful moments in each day. While we know holidays can be challenging at times with added pressures and grieving losses and changes we endured through the year, there are often simple things we can stop and be thankful for.
When was the last time you looked at a snowflake on your mitten and thought about how beautiful and intricate they are, or looked at the stars in the night crisp night sky? Whatever it might be, take a minute today to stop and breathe in the cool winter air knowing that you matter, you make a difference in this world and we are so glad you are part of our WAVE family.
Wishing you all a magical December,
Dr. Young and the WAVE Team
Winter Social
Our winter social will be held on Thursday, December 7th from 11:00-1:00 at Marathon Park indoor skating rink. Costs are listed below. Skates are available to rent. If you would like more information, feel free to visit THIS WEBSITE, scroll down to 'Ice Skating and Hockey'. All WAVE students in grades K-12 are invited to attend. Students must have an adult stay with them for the entirety of the event. You do not need to reserve your spot and you do not need to pay ahead. Just show up!
Adult admission $4.00
Child admission $3.00
Skate rental $3.00
Grades 6-12 Holiday Party
Time for some holiday fun at WAVE!
Students grade 6-12 come join us on Tuesday, December 12th from 12-3 at the WAVE Center for a fun filled afternoon of holiday activities! There will be ornament painting, holiday Jeopardy, a movie, and snacks. Eat lunch before you come. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Please reply by Tuesday, December 5th.
The WAVE School Apparel store is available through MS Graphics again this year.
These items would make great Christmas gifts. (Embroidery items will not be ready till after Christmas)
https://msgraphicsllc.com/shop/ols/categories/wave-school-store
Growth Mindset
Students engage in grade level standards based curriculum and interact with teachers both synchronously and asynchronously weekly. Students are working online, completing project based learning, and using old fashioned paper, pencils, and scissors to demonstrate learning.
Additionally, students have the opportunities to interact socially in clubs and during field trips.
The WAVE model is focused on providing flexibility to families, while maintaining rigorous academic outcomes. WAVE thrives when the community of learners work together: students, families, and teachers/staff.
In Person/ Blended Learning For WAVE Students
WHEN: Tuesdays and Wednesdays / 8:30am-3:30pm
WHERE: WAVE Learning Center (Door #4) 415 Seymour Street
Mrs. Treu- School Counselor
Youth Apprenticeships
Youth Apprenticeship is a rigorous one or two year statewide program that combines academic instruction offered through Wausau Area Virtual Education (WAVE) with mentored, paid, on-the-job learning that creates real world connections for students. Youth Apprenticeship students work a minimum of 450 hours at their YA worksite each year of the program to earn 2 credits per school year. Students need to have a 2.5 GPA and have good attendance. Students can participate starting junior year.
Students may use their existing employment and enroll in the program, or enroll and work with coordinators to seek out new employment opportunities. Students need to be enrolled in a class each semester that is connected to the career path area of their YA program. Career areas available are: Manufacturing, Architecture & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Marketing, Hospitality & Tourism, Audio Visual & Communications, Information Technology, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics, Health Sciences, Finance, and STEM.
For more information about the program contact Jena Treu, WAVE School Counselor and YA Coordinator jtreu@wausauschools.org
SENIORS
Early College & Start College Now Programs
Early College Credit Program/Start College Now Sign Up Deadline
Interested in taking classes at (ECCP) UW Stevens Point at Wausau or (SCN) NTC while still a high school student? Please visit the WAVE website for the appropriate application and eligibility information. Contact Mrs. Treu, for more information or clarification. Students must be in strong academic standing, and on track with graduation requirements. Both programs have strict application deadlines.
DEADLINES:
No later than March 1 for a course taken in fall semester.
No later than October 1 for a course taken in the spring semester.
Juniors Mark Your Calendars for the ACT Test
To prepare, juniors should be working in Method Test Prep, a free ACT prep service that can be accessed within a student's Xello account. Or using Tutor.com ACT Prep available through the link in student courses.
Final Exams & Semester End Date
COURSE EXTENSIONS:
Up to a two week course extension may be provided to students if a written request is submitted to the WAVE principal before the course end date.
Any extension beyond two weeks will be considered if there are extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical reasons, family emergency, etc.). This request must be initiated by the student or parent/guardian and submitted to the WAVE principal for consideration. The principal, and if necessary, guidance counselor and the student’s teachers, will decide on an appropriate end date based on the circumstances.
EXAMS: Students, make sure you are on pace with your assignments, so that you are prepared for the exams at the end of the semester. Teachers may provide exam study sessions or tips for their individual courses; read your teachers' feedback, newsletters, and emails, and attend office hours.
PASSWORDS: Contact your teacher for exam passwords, if your test is password protected. Your teacher may provide the password to you or a trusted adult in your household. If you are asked to contact your coach for the password, reach out to Mrs. Lannigan klanningan@wausauschools.org or 715-261-0527.
TEST TAKING EXPECTATIONS: Follow your teachers' guidance and expectations. In most instances, you will be able to take the tests at home with a parent or other trusted adult serving as the test proctor.
FINAL GRADES: Any assignments not completed by the close of a course are calculated into the final grade as a zero. This will have a significant impact on a student's final course grade if there are many outstanding assignments. The "what if" calculator in the Buzz gradebook can help students calculate final grades. Semester grades will be entered on a student's transcript once the grade is finalized and reported by the classroom teacher.
TUTOR. COM- The 24/7 tutoring service is available to you in your courses. They can help you with exam prep. Give it a try!
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY REMINDER: Please remember the importance of Academic Integrity and review WAVE's Policy: Click Here
Art Work by Lillian Lambrecht - Solid Objects
Holidays and the WAVE Calendar
This means that there will not be due dates during this window, however, students still have access to their coursework and can continue working. This is a great opportunity for any student who may be behind pace to catch up before the semester ends.
Teachers will communicate their holiday availability with their students.
Course Registration: Check Your Emails
Grades and the "What if" Calculator
The most up to date view of your grades will be on your grades page in Buzz. Here you can see the "Due Date" which is the target due date for each assignment/quiz/test (based on your course start and end date) for all graded work in the course. All learners at WAVE have until the end of the course to submit work without loss of points. However, do understand that submitting large quantities of work late might not leave time for you to review feedback and make use of retries to improve your knowledge and skills.
Your progress reports show a "Work In Grade" for all the items you submitted to date that have been graded. The reports also include a "Final Grade," which factors in zeros for all work not completed/attempted.
From your Grades page in Buzz, you can click on the "What If" tab. On this screen, you can enter scores to calculate possible grade outcomes for past due assignments or ones you have not completed. Then, click Re-calculate at the top. This support document walks you through how to use that feature.
Whole School & General Announcements
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Thursday, December 7th 12-2:00 PM
If you want your students school picture redone or if you didn't get to have your picture taken in October the Lifetouch photographer will be at the Longfellow Building (door #1) from noon till 2:00 pm for any one wanting their picture taken. No need to register in advance.
mylifetouch.com Picture Day ID: EVTK9G8MV
Gaming Club
Interested in Gaming contact Mr. Dalsky
Items you can Check out from WAVE
Hybrid Scheduling Options: Think Win-Win
Also, WAVE students can participate in clubs, sports, and activities at a brick and mortar Wausau Campus.
If this is something that is of interest to you, contact the school office to explore your options and a hybrid schedule.
Teacher's Office Hours
Check your course Landing Page and/or Welcome Folder in your courses for days/ times and Google Meet codes. You can also email your teacher and schedule individual 1:1 time.
Tutor.com
Maybe your teacher's open office hours don't meet your schedule, and you are looking for support right now versus sending an email or placing a phone call. This is the perfect opportunity for you to use the "Homework Help Tutor.com" link in your online course to connect in the moment. Here you can meet with a tutor 24/7 (except major holidays). Tutors are available for the core content areas (Math, Science, Social Studies, English-Language Arts); German; Spanish; French; some business and technology courses; and writing support. There is also support for Study Skills and ACT Prep.
Keep in mind the tutor will not have access to your course and will ask you to provide specific questions and details. They are there to help, but will not give the answers or provide support for tests and quizzes.
Take Care of your Technology
This is just a friendly reminder that technology devices do not like being left in the cold, the heat or damp areas.
Leaving them in the cold will cause them to have different errors and issues. The battery will begin to die and the screens will begin to have issues as well. Bringing them into a warm room quickly after they are in the cold may cause condensation inside and also long term damage.
In general - you will want to avoid leaving any technology devices in extreme temperatures (cold or heat) as much as possible.
WAVE Spring Semester Application Window Opens December 1
The WAVE Spring Enrollment window opens December 1, 2023. Students interested in joining the WAVE virtual learning community starting with spring semester 2024 should complete the online application linked below. WAVE is a virtual charter school in the Wausau School District, and we are open to students in grades K-12.
Spring semester starts January 22, 2024.
*Currently enrolled students do not need to reapply. Your enrollment carries over each semester. Only new students to WAVE need to complete the Application.