eCampus Academy
News and Notes - November 2022
Innovative Online, Blended and Real-World Learning
eCampus Staff Spotlight
Where are you from and where did you grow up?
I was born in Chicago. We moved to Appleton, WI where I went to high school. I went to college at UW-LaCrosse and have lived in Platteville, Pound and Watertown.
When did you realize you wanted to become a teacher?
I am the WHS Digital Learning Liaison and follow some eCampus students as they navigate their online courses. For most of my working years, I was a medical social worker at various facilities in the state. My children had a great experience in the Watertown School District and, when the opportunity to become part of eCampus was presented, I jumped at the chance to be part of a new learning option for students.
What do you find most rewarding about your job?
I enjoy working with students and with their families. It is rewarding to see students set goals and work toward them one lesson or one day at a time! Each student is unique and has a special learning style and it is a privilege to support them as they learn. The students, teachers and staff members at eCampus work together and create a positive environment for learning and working. I love coming to work!
What is the last book you read?
I just read The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. I was supposed to read it as part of a book club years ago, but we moved before I started the book. I found it in a box in our basement when looking for another book!
What is your favorite thing to do?
As some of you know, I have been the costume coordinator and designer for the WHS musicals for almost 20 years. Before that, I worked with professional and semi-professional troupes as a make-up artist. Theater gives me a chance to use the creative side of my brain. Please mark your calendars to come see Legally Blonde The Musical at the high school in March!
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Upcoming eCampus Dates to Remember
- November 21-25, 2022: No School, Thanksgiving Break
- December 2, 2022: Last day of Trimester 1 for Grades 9-12
- December 22, 2022: Early Dismissal, 11:30 a.m.
- December 23, 2022-January 2, 2023: Winter Break
eCampus Academy Facebook Page and Instagram
eCampus High School Student Spotlight
Alpine Ski Racing Student
eCampus Midde School Happenings
Rocket Unit
eCampus students in grades 6-8 participated in a rocket unit during the month of October with Mr. Burd. They ended their unit by launching the rockets they built. Check out one of their many successful launches.
Student Art
Elementary Classroom Updates from Mrs. Hail and Mrs. Retzlaff
Elementary Student Spotlight
A Timberdoodle family, the Kowalske’s, created an earth tube to circulate heat using the soil below the frost line. Lucas and Connor are going to test their hypothesis later this winter!
Online learner, Dakota, drew the four parts of the life cycle of a frog for one of his Science assignments.
Elementary Ornament Project
We are so excited to offer an opportunity for elementary eCampus students to design an ornament this holiday season! eCampus recently purchased a laser engraver called a GlowForge. Students are able to make up to 2 different designs that will be laser printed on a slice of wood. One would make a great gift for a loved one this holiday season, and the other can join your family collection. If your student is interested in making their own ornament, please fill out the survey by Friday Nov. 11th. Click Here Ornaments will be ready for pick up by December 14th.
Elementary October Field Trips
This past month we took a virtual trip to Africa to make Krobo Bead Bracelets with a live instructor. We learned all about the meaning of our bracelets and what life is like in Ghana.
We also took a virtual trip to the Linskens family farm and learned about harvesting wheat, corn and soybeans.
November Elementary Events
- November 11th: Shedd Aquarium-Animals of the Amazon at 1:00pm CST Link Here - NO RSVP required
- November 15th: Holiday Craft at 11:00am Link Here - RSVP REQUIRED, see email from 10/31
- November 18th: Scholastic Book Orders Due (link sent to individuals who were interested)
- November 21st: November 25th- NO SCHOOL
- November 28th: Reading Logs Due for Pizza Hut Coupon
Updates from Mrs. Houchin
Soon a new offering called Discover Something New will be available to our eCampus students. We will look at creative online websites geared towards the arts. Thursday, November 10th, we will start with an online 3D potter's wheel and will make an urn. Other weeks, we will look at other music and art sites.
Apps Available for Students and Families
As many of you know, you have access to a handful of fun and engaging independent applications as part of eCampus. These voluntary programs offer support in math, reading/writing, science, language acquisition and more. We are working on some additional family-friendly courses that we'll be introducing soon, so stay tuned. For a quick review of what's currently available, please see the list below. Contact your child's teacher to learn how to get access if you don't already have it. The page that hosts the login for these applications is located here, but can also be found on the eCampus Student Page. Click on the Clever link. Students login with their school email and password.
- Epic - 40,000+ popular, high-quality digital books from 250+ of the world's best publishers
- Achieve 3000 - Differentiated instruction for non-fiction reading and writing
- Dreambox - Interactive, adaptive, self-paced math program that provides engaging practice activities
- Rosetta Stone - Learn a new language or reinforce your skills
- Discovery Education - Digital textbooks and education resources
- Freckle - Adapts at the “just-right” level, with student-friendly incentives in English and math
- BrainPop - Animated educational site covering science, social studies, English, math, arts & music, health, and technology
- Brilliant - Interactive problem-solving in math and science
WHS Parking Permits for Grades 9-12
eCampus students in Grades 9-12 who attend WHS for any face to face classes or go to the digital learning classroom will need a parking pass. All parking information is collected online via the Skyward Registration Process. After online registration closes, WHS Parking Permit forms can be found in the Online Forms link in Skyward Family Access.
The following information is requested in the online form: student driver’s license number, car make, model, year, color, current insurance vendor, and policy number. Parents will need to add the parking fee of $50 (which is specific to eCampus students) to the checkout process when completing the registration. The parking fee must be paid in full. After the parking permit form is submitted and paid for, tags can be picked up at the WHS bookkeeper's office.
2022-23 Yearbook Orders for Grades 9-12
2022-2023 yearbooks for grades 9-12 can be purchased online through the Herff-Jones website at http://bit.ly/2WFzrGD or by finding the link located on the WHS webpage. The WHS order number is 3818 (if needed). This year, the yearbook fee will be $50. This is the only way to purchase a yearbook for this school year. Please plan accordingly as no extra yearbooks will be ordered.
Senior Graduation Information
Senior yearbook photos will need to be uploaded directly to the Herff-Jones website: www.hjeshare.com. The school code is 825. Senior photos should be a headshot with no hands in the photo. The deadline to upload your senior picture is Friday, November 4, 2022. Hard copy photos and emailed senior photos will not be accepted.
Parents are reminded to double check their senior’s name in Skyward, as that name will be used for the
yearbook and their diploma. If you want a middle name on your student’s diploma, please make sure it is updated in Skyward before the school year begins.
We Want to Hear From You!
Helpful tips and reminders for accessing Schools PLP
Because we continue to have new families each month, we'll continue to share videos and information that might be useful at anytime throughout the year. Returning students are familiar with the SchoolsPLP learning platform, but we encourage everyone to watch these short videos created by our own lead teacher, Tracy Poches, as a refresher. Who knows, you might learn something new.
Welcome to eCampus
Understanding SchoolsPLP Overview
Navigating an online course in SchoolsPLP
Parents are able to login to SchoolsPLP to check grades and see if their student is on pace. The short video below will show you how to do this. You will need your student's ID and school password to login. If you need login information, please call or email Keisha Logan.
Career and Accelerated Degree Pathways
The eCampus Academy Pathways Program saves students time and money while accessing high quality, future-ready learning experiences and professional programs. We're really excited about this opportunity for students. Contact Dave Vitale with questions and/or visit our pathways page.
Contact Information
Email: info@ecampusacademy.org
Website: ecampusacademy.org
Location: 111 Dodge Street, Watertown, WI, USA
Phone: (920) 262-1420