Montgomery Virtual Academy K-5 News
Week of January 10, 2022
A Note from the Dean's Desk
Greetings Montgomery Virtual Academy Voyagers!
Wow, what a wintery week we had last week! The challenges from the weather were certainly a disruption and we are looking forward to a more consistent week of learning this week. We are grateful to everyone for their understanding!
This week's newsletter is chock full of information and updates including supply distribution, COVID-19 at home test kit information, recommitting the Virtual Academy for the 2022-2023 school year, and lots of information from the newly formed Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council!
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement on this amazing voyage! Let's make it great week of learning and a great week on purpose!
Mrs. Cassandra Heifetz
Dean
UPCOMING EVENTS
- January 3-January 28: Winter MAP Testing window
- January 10: Deadline to request a return to in-person learning on January 25
- January 12: Early Release Day
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday-Schools and Offices CLOSED
- January 17: MVA Parent Council Restaurant Night Fundraiser (Details below)
- January 18-28: Semester 2 Supply Distribution (Details below)
- January 24: Professional Day for Teachers- NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS
- January 24: Student Pictures for MVA Students (Details below)
- January 25: Marking Period 3/Semester 2 Begins
- February 3: Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council Meeting -6:30-8:00 PM
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS
JANUARY 10 Final Deadline for Requesting to Return to In-Person Learning from the Montgomery Virtual Academy for Marking Period 3
Families who wish to have their child return to in-person learning for the start of Marking Period 3 (January 25) may do so by January 10, 2022. While we hope families will choose to stay with us until the end of the year, we recognize there are many reasons you may want to have your child attend in-person learning.
To provide us notice of your intent to transfer, and to ensure we can provide a smooth transition for your child, please complete this survey by the deadlines indicated below so that we can coordinate with your childās school.
https://forms.gle/VfJb6X7KSojAJbvh6
- To return on January 25, 2022 complete the form by January 10, 2022
Following completion of the form, notification emails will be sent to the school and confirmation emails will be sent to you.
MVA Enrollment for the 2022-2023 School Year
Students who are currently enrolled in the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) and wish to continue in the MVA in the 2022-2023 school year are not required to re-apply. However, we are asking for current families to please complete the form linked below for each child. In the form, please indicate whether you wish your child to remain in the MVA for the 2022-2023 school year OR plan to have them return to their home school.
Enrollment in the MVA is intended to be a full year commitment. Please complete this form for each student currently enrolled in the MVA. Responses due by Monday, January 17, 2022.
Montgomery Virtual Academy 2022-2023 Enrollment Commitment
https://forms.gle/P1TvdtdzLXDuxafq8
Questions regarding continuation of enrollment may be sent to MoCoVirtual@mcpsmd.org. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
Semester 2 Supply Pick-up Sign-ups Now Open
NOTE: Materials for Semester Two include many items for all elementary school students and books for middle school students. High school students whose teachers have ordered materials will notify their students in class and on their Canvas pages; please have your children ask their teachers if there are materials they should pick up.
Please sign-up for a pick-up time using this Sign-up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094bafa92cabf94-mvastudent1
We are also seeking parent volunteers to assist with distribution. You can sign-up to volunteer here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e094bafa92cabf94-mvavolunteer3
MAP Testing in January- UPDATED SCHEDULE
School Pictures for MVA Students
On Monday, January 24 from 9 AM to 4 PM, there will be three (3) locations in Montgomery County that interested MVA families can select from to have their child's school portrait taken. This is a "no school for students" day, and MVA students will not be interacting with students from other schools.
- Down-county Location: Sligo Middle School,1401 Dennis Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
- Mid-County Location: MVA Main Office, 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD 20850
- Up-County Location: Roberto Clemente Middle School, 18808 Waring Station Rd, Germantown, MD 20874
We are also exploring offering evening hours at the Rockville location sometime after January 24, depending on demand. In the coming days, a sign-up form and details on picture packages will be provided.
At this time, the sign-up is not yet available and will be shared as soon it is live for sign-up.
Note: School pictures are not required and sign-up is optional.
MCPS RESOURCES FOR VIRTUAL ACADEMY FAMILIES
COVID-19 AT-HOME RAPID TEST KITS for STUDENTS
MCPS has made arrangements distribute home self-administered COVID-19 rapid tests to all students. Students attending the Montgomery Virtual Academy should contact the home school to make arrangements to retrieve your student kit.
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!
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.
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
MCPS INFORMATION FOR ALL FAMILIES
Stay Informed About School Cancellations, Delays, and Early Closings
- listen to area radio and television stations
- check MCPS TV (Comcast Channel 34/998, Verizon Channel 36, and RCN Channel 89)
- check the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
- check the myMCPS mobile app
- access a recorded telephone message at 301-279-3673
Emergency announcements are also available by signing up for Alert MCPS text and e-mail notifications and on the MCPS Outlook, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.
The Virtual Academy will follow all weather related school delays and cancellations.
When schools open on a 2-hour delay, elementary Virtual Academy students should plan to log in at 10:50 AM so that classes can start at 11:00 AM. The lunch/wellness break will still take place as scheduled from 11:35 AM-12:35 PM.
Parent Volunteers
Are you interested in volunteering during the student day to support your child's teachers and classrooms?
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.
- Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training.
- 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
Free English as Second Language Classes for Parents
See this flyer for details:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CWxRzof4pPS95Fi7SjEadPgf3_w39orL/view?usp=sharing
Parents can complete this Interest form to receive a placement test.
COUNSELOR'S CORNER
STRONG PARENTS STRONG CHILDREN PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Many of our students have experienced trauma over the last 2 years. Some are related to the Covid-19 pandemic and others may be due to another tragic event that happened in their lives.
Sheppard Pratt is offering 6-week Parent Groups meeting once per week to address and offer ideas to support your children. All sessions are held virtually.
Information shared will include:
- how trauma effects children's brains and bodies
- common reactions to stress & trauma and strategies to reduce stress
- new strategies on how to support your childĀ“s emotional well-being
- receive support from other parents experiencing the same with their children
Please see this linked flyer for details.
Ready to Sign Up for the sessions, click this link to register:
MONTGOMERY VIRTUAL ACADEMY PARENT TEACHER COUNCIL (MVAPTC) INFO & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following MVA Parent Council Announcements are being shared as a public information courtesy.
Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council Updates
A group of over 100 MVA community members met on Thursday, January 6 and officially launched the newly formed MVAPTC by voting on a name, mission, and bylaws, and Board. The next MVAPTC will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 6:30-8:00 PM. (Zoom Link TBA).
Helpful Links and Websites
(Please note: The following links are being shared as a public interest courtesy and are not run, developed, or moderated by MCPS, MVA, or MVA staff)
Approved MVAPTC Board:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rm0DhdxSd2d5RY3dU6IeYdYBoESyUZ3bDC8YMy-kDVg/edit?usp=sharing
Approved Mission Statement: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bpFlq9XK8fQBN5UJfMAuztsIskhLNXMMPf2UmkmINH8/edit?usp=sharing
Approved By-Laws: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YPDIT0J2wdJN2SDtZ2kmsCbBbSMchjLGPEeghzlJAN8/edit?usp=sharing
The GoFundMe account for donations to help pay for the filing fees and insurance is: https://gofund.me/e0d20815
Membership Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jlDCkzKl4bzIYFjM82qNsJWiUy5vQhguQJctHZwi-FE/edit?usp=sharing
Website (Under development): https://vaparentcouncil.godaddysites.com
Montgomery Virtual Academy Parent Teacher Council Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/Montgomery-Virtual-Academy-Parent-Teacher-Council-101502192428278/
If you would like to help, volunteer or be a board member, Ms. Sherman can be reached at: parentcouncil@cpjsweb.com
MVA Restaurant Night Fundraiser - Five Guys- January 17, 2022
There will be a Five Guys Dine Out Fundraiser for the start-up of the MVA Parent Council on Monday, January 17, 2022 from 5 PM to 9 PM.
The 4 Five Guys restaurants are:
- Kensington: 10510 Connecticut Ave, Kensington, MD 20895 (tel: 301-933-5400) (https://order.fiveguys.com/menu/five-guys-1694)
- Montrose Crossing: 12029 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852 (tel:301-230-1340) (https://order.fiveguys.com/menu/rockville-pike)
- Rockville Town Square: 130 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD 20850 (tel:301-762-3500) (https://order.fiveguys.com/menu/rockville-town-square)
- Firstfield: 507 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (tel: 240-912-6745) (https://order.fiveguys.com/menu/five-guys-1851)
Please be sure that MVA families and guests let the Five Guys team members know that you are with the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) when ordering and/or picking up food and beverages on January 17. If ordering online, at pick up, just tell the cashier and they will make note of the order as there is no special code to use.
Staff Appreciation Flower Bouquet Fundraiser
Please follow the attached link to add a message for your teachers, paraeducators, and other staff members. These messages will be added to a bouquet of unique handmade wood flowers to show each how unique and appreciated they are. We are asking for a donation of at least $2 per message to help us cover the costs of the bouquets. All additional proceeds will be donated to the MVA Parent Teacher Council.
MVAPTC Committee Sign-Up
- Grades K-2 Parent Committee (Social & Student Needs)
- Grades 3-5 Parent Committee (Social & Student Needs)
- Grades 6-8 Parent Committee (Social and Student Needs)
- Grades 9-12 Parent Committee (Social and Student Needs)
- Special Needs Committee
- Restaurant Night Fundraiser
- Auction Committee
- Parent Social Committee (Parent Get Togethers)
- Teacher Appreciation Committee
- Community Outreach Committee
- Cultural Arts Committee
- Student Recognition Committee
- NAACP Committee
- Hispanic/Latinx Family Community Committee
- Asian Family Committee
- Board Nominating Chair/Committee
- Volunteer Coordinators
- Grant Writing Committee
- Membership/Recruitment/Directory Committee
- Social Service Committee
- Teacher/Staff/Administrator Awards
Committee Sign-ups Available At:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P26ZtfaHo0NR9GSjc2xuzHg7G40AvbsiSfEqhBTJjRw/edit?usp=sharing
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Ages 5-11:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/vaccine/children.html
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/
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?
Find us at...
Email: Cassandra.Heifetz@mcpsmd.net
Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/virtualacademy/
Location: 15 West Gude Drive, 2nd Floor, Rockville, MD, USA
Phone: 240-740-6060
Twitter: @MVA_DeanHeifetz