Odyssey Academy of Virtual Learning
March 11th, 2021
Spring Break- March 15-19
Note: Rebecca Miller will be available the week of Spring Break, March 15-19, but will not be available the week of March 29. Please plan accordingly with pertinent communication. Thank you!
Final Call- Intent to Return- 2021-2022 School Plans
ODYSSEY INTENT TO RETURN FORM- 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR
Complete one form PER CHILD
Confirmation of State Testing Sign-Ups
If you have not submitted your testing sign-up form, please do so by Friday, March 12th. We will not be able to guarantee choice of location if submitted late.
You will be receiving a confirmation of your child(ren)'s testing location and date(s) via email in the near future. Please be sure to confirm the location, date and read through the important information for the day of testing. We want to ensure that everyone knows what to expect, knows where to go, knows what to bring and feels prepared. ;).
If you've already submitted your testing sign-up, plan on attending the location and date(s) that you have selected. ;)
Curriculum & Supplies Orders
Thank you for your patience as we worked through hundreds of orders that were submitted last week. Just a reminder that all requested items should have a direct connection to the child's learning plan. With just a few months left in the school year, there is not much time for these items to be used. Please remember to use most funds for curriculum and supplies early on in the school year; those items can then be used for the entire school year. Items on the orders in March may more likely to be denied due to just a few remaining months of the school year. When we get audited, DPI likes to see those dollars used to educate the child for the entire school year. Due to the auditing, we need to ensure that the public tax dollars are being spent very wisely and have direct correlation to a student's learning plan. The dollars available for curriculum and supplies are the maximum that can be spent on a child's learning. Any remaining dollars are used to educate students school-wide through access to educational subscriptions, resources and materials.
Deadlines for orders and lesson providers will be changing next year to allow for maximized benefit to student learning.
Curriculum Options- 2021/2022 School Year
ACT- 11 Test for Juniors- MARCH 23
All Odyssey Juniors, will take the ACT Test on March 23. Testing details will be emailed out soon to all Juniors with location, time and other important information.
Students should already have their MyACT account set up. Mrs. Johannes and Mrs. Miller met with 11th graders last week to walk through the process of setting this up. Information was shared to students and parents who missed the meeting. If you have any questions or difficulty setting up the MyACT, please reach out to us.
ACT 11 - Practice Materials
Below are numerous resources to help your child to prepare for the ACT test. The first link is a very helpful booklet that explains to students how to prepare for the ACT test. Many practice tests are available through the below links as well.
- Preparing for the ACT - student informational booklet
- Sample Test Questions
- Test Preparation
REMINDER- State Testing Dates & Locations & SIGN-UP
- March 23- ALL 11th grade Juniors at Odyssey--> Fond du Lac (except students with accommodations through IEP/504)
- April 6th - 9th- Forward Exam and Aspire Exam--> Fond du Lac
- April 13th - 16th --> Pewaukee
- April 19- 23 --> Merrill
Complete THIS sign-up to choose the location and date. You will need to complete ONE FORM PER CHILD that you have in grades 3-10. If you child has an IEP for special education or a 504 plan, please indicate that on the sign up. You will be receiving further information on your child's testing dates and locations in the near future.
**NOTE: ALL mitigation and social distancing requirements will apply. Students will be spread out at least 6 feet apart and masks will be worn.**
Aspire Test- Grades 9 & 10
April 6-9- Aspire & Forward Testing- Fond du Lac
April 13-16- Aspire & Forward Testing- Pewaukee (SE Wisconsin)
April 19- 23- Aspire & Forward Testing- Merrill
see sign-up and email for more information
FORWARD EXAM- Grades 3-8 and 10
April 6-9- Aspire & Forward Testing- Fond du Lac
April 13-16- Aspire & Forward Testing- Pewaukee (SE Wisconsin)
April 19- 23- Aspire & Forward Testing- Merrill
Helpful Parent Information:
- 2021 Test Times Schedule from DPI
- DPI Forward Exam Practice (online tools & sample test questions)
- Covid Forward Testing Updates
Important Dates
Spring Break- March 15-19
March 12- Coloring Club- 2:00pm
March 23 - ACT for ALL Juniors- Grade 11
April 2- Lego Club- 10:00 am
April 6-9- Aspire & Forward Testing- Fond du Lac
April 13-16- Aspire & Forward Testing- Pewaukee (SE Wisconsin)
April 19- 23- Aspire & Forward Testing- Merrill
May- Civics Exam for Juniors & Seniors (who may still need to take), more info to come
Attention Artists and Builders.... Upcoming Clubs
COLORING CLUB- FRIDAY, MARCH 12th at 2:00p.m.
Google Classroom Join Code: xyvakid
Click on links below to print off the coloring sheets
LEGO CLUB- FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd AT 10:00a.m.
Google Classroom Code: wbz6nar
Click on Links below for resources- watch & learn more about Saguaro National Park in Arizona for background information for the story that will be shared that day, Cactus Hotel
PAG Newsletter
Art Calendars- Updated March Calendar & April Calendar
Open Enrollment Applications- April 30- Last Day to Submit
DPI Open Enrollment Information and Application
Current students in Odyssey do NOT need to complete the Open Enrollment Application again for next year.
Enrollment Process for 2021-2022
Current Resident Families: In July, information will be sent out to families on how to complete the online registration process. This is the process where you verify and make any updates to your contact information. Please know that you do not have to partake in open enrollment.
Current Open Enrolled Families: Please do not complete the open enrollment process again to our district. The best part about open enrollment is that you only have to complete it one year. If you do complete the open enrollment process again for Odyssey we will ask that you please log back in to DPI and remove your application to help prevent duplication. In July, you will get information on how to complete the online registration process. This is the process where you verify and make any updates to your contact information.
New Interested Open Enrolled Families: Please complete the open enrollment process between February 1 and April 30. Once the open enrollment window is complete we will contact you with the next steps.
We will accept enrollments for the number of spots that we have available at the grade levels. A lottery process and waitlist will be used if necessary.
PBL Mandatory Class Attendance
Students' attendance is critical to their success in these courses and is used to evaluate student engagement and participation which is reflected on their report cards.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
Elementary Odyssey Connect Group
Hello 4K-6 grade families!
Would you like to connect with other Odyssey students outside the classroom? Join Odyssey Connect. This is a group with Mrs. Johannes (Odyssey counselor) and other students for an informal time to connect with each other and to socialize and play games.
Students in 4K-2 grade will meet 1st/3rd Tuesdays, 1:30-2pm via 4k-2 Zoom
Students in 3-6 grade will meet 2nd/4th Tuesdays, 1:30-2pm via 3-6 Zoom
If you are interested please contact Mrs. J at johannesc@ripon.k12.wi.us or just drop in.
Odyssey 'Connect'- 7-12th Graders
Hello 7-12 graders!
Would you like to connect with other Odyssey students outside the classroom? Join Odyssey Connect . This is a group with Mrs. Johannes (Odyssey counselor) and other students to connect with each other and to socialize.
We will have one group for 9-12 graders which will meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 2pm via Zoom.
We will have another group for 7-8 graders which will meet every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 2pm via Zoom.
If you are interested please contact Mrs. J at johannesc@ripon.k12.wi.us or just drop in.
I look forward to connecting!
Mrs. Johannes
**Links will be provided to all 7-12 graders. **
State Testing- What's in it for YOU....
How does it impact Odyssey if my child does not take the state test?
As a public school, Odyssey is required to participate in the state testing. For each student who does not participate in the state testing, a zero is recorded as a score. Each student score recorded as a zero on the state tests has devastating effects on the overall school performance on the report card. Parents and families want the best education for their children. The report cards help parents make decisions about what school they may choose for their children.
How does state testing directly benefit my child and for me as a parent?
These tests provide a measure to parents of students' knowledge and skills required to be college- and career- ready. The test results provide parents with information on how their child and their child’s school is performing relative to other students and schools in Wisconsin.
Why does the state of Wisconsin require students to take standardized tests?
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to test all students in English/language arts and mathematics to hold schools accountable to provide high quality instruction to students. Each public school in the state of Wisconsin is issued a report card noting a school’s proficiency in five categories: student achievement, district growth, student engagement, postsecondary readiness and achievement gaps.
Show Us Your Odyssey Way!!!! WANTED: Student Pictures/Videos
How to share--> please complete this short Google Form to submit pictures/videos
Thank you for helping us to share all of the great learning that your students are engaging in!
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.
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