Inside Online
Deer Valley Online Learning Program | Fall 2019
Welcome to the Fall 2019 Program Newsletter!
This Fall, just over 900 high school and middle school students signed up for 1,300 courses! 146 of our online courses made, which is a huge offering! 6 full-time online teachers and 24 part-time addenda teachers provided courses for our DVUSD students from 22 campuses.
Students from all 5 high schools took advantage of our new blended 6-week fast track courses and fully took advantage of the weekly online learning labs open Tuesday-Thursday from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
We welcomed our new program school counselor, Ms. LaVecchia. She worked closely with our 58 full-time online students, our online middle school students, our students online for medical reasons, and our night school students.
This fully accredited (AdvancED and NCAA) Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) program is so successful because we provide fun, flexible, and interactive online courses for our learners led by #extraordinary DVUSD teachers.
The purpose of this Inside Online newsletter is to keep you up-to-date on some of the exciting things that are happening in the Deer Valley Online Learning Program. If you missed the last newsletter, click here.
A huge thank you to our fantastic online department chair, Mrs. Katie Parrott, for gathering content from our staff and students to make this newsletter possible.
Kindest Regards,
Kristy L. Hirschberg, Ph.D.
Director of Instructional Technology & Innovative Programs
Deer Valley Unified School District
@DrK_Hirschberg @DVOnlineProgram @DVUSD
Questions? Email online@dvusd.org or go to https://www.dvusd.org/online
What our online students say...
Kalie, BGHS and WestMec SENIOR
What does online mean to me? For starters, I'm enrolled into two schools as it is, West-MEC and Barry Goldwater. Being able to take an online class helps relieve some stress off my plate by giving me extra time for my other classes during the school day. Having the option to take a Fast Track class in 6 weeks is so helpful because I don't have to go into the classroom the whole semester. I get one-on-one help if I have a problem, unlike having 20 kids in a class and having to wait. I like that Fast Track has a lab to go to if I need a quiet place to study. I will definitely be doing a Fast Track class again!
Averie, SDOHS senior
Avree, a senior, writes to her online Art teacher "Thank you for such a great class and working with my time schedules! I loved taking this course online. The first semester I took in school and it was just terrible I was always comparing my drawings to others feeling like mine was terrible always erasing and starting over. But by taking it online I got to draw comfortably as well as getting to learn all these new techniques and ways to better my drawings. As well as getting to finish my work in a timely manner that worked with my schedule so I was never rushed."
Kyle, Full-time Online junior
Quinn, Deer Valley Nursing Program
Tara, SDOHS
Nichole, SDOHS
Barry, BCHS
Caden, Full-time Online
Kayla, BCHS
Vanessa, MRHS
Devin, SDOHS
Graham, BCHS
Brenson, DVHS
Makalynn, Full-time Online
Anna, MRHS
My favorite part of taking an online course was...
Check out these student projects
World History 1 Honors
Geometry
Psychology
Biology
English Language Arts
Pre and Post Testing for Fitness Center
Accounting
I would just like to say how much I enjoy taking accounting online! I got to learn many new things that take part in a business, but on a smaller scale. The new information will be helpful in my future career! Thank you very much!
Regards,
Tiffany
Our Accounting course is amazing! Learn more about Ms. Kereny here, as well as our CTE options.
CPR Certification in Online Health
Online Course Previews
Middle School Math
Highlights from the Online Learning Lab!
Fall 2019 Finals!
What our students say about their online teachers!
Mrs. Parrott on Teaching Full-time Online!
This is my 6th year teaching online, and my third year as a full-time online teacher. When I ask my students why they take an online course, they always say flexibility, or opportunity to work, or even to free up their schedule. And each of those responses resonate with me, the teacher. But, it is so much more. I am able to provide my students with current curriculum that is engaging- not just something that I photocopied the night before. I am able to dig deeper, and have conversations greater than just our community or our campus.
I meet with students regularly in the online learning lab, at their campus, and build these relationships where students know that I am there for them- to explain a difficult concept or provide examples of different types of problems. It is like a lightbulb lighting up each time they say they got it, or that they have never seen it explained that way before. It also sparks joy in my heart- each connection I am able to make is so meaningful, and I am able to continue to nurture that throughout the semester, or even the year.
From Algebra 3, to Financial Math, to 7th grade Walk up to Math, I am able to provide many more opportunities than I ever imagined while I was in a traditional classroom. Students can recover a credit, or take a class not offered on their home campus. They are able to participate in the West-Mec or Nursing programs, or pursue a band or sports passion on campus. Each story is unique and I am blessed to be able to be a part of it. I cannot wait for the next semester and meeting each of my students and welcoming back those returning. - Mrs. Katie Parrott, Department Chair
Parent testimonial
We moved to Cave Creek the last half of my daughter's junior year. When we moved, Averie then had to also change schools. As a family, we made the tough decision to have Averie stay with a friend while finishing out her junior year. Senior year, we discovered the Deer Valley Online Learning Program. Having the flexibility to take her courses online allowed her to come home and still complete her required coursework for graduation.
There was definitely an adjustment period to go from in school to online. However, online school is preparing Averie for the online classes in college. We also appreciate that she can go to the online learning lab multiple times a week and meet with most of her teachers in person. The online courses are challenging, but provide a quality education for my daughter. - April McKay, mother of Averie (Full-time online senior)