November 2017 Newsletter
For families of the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Change is in the air
See you next year Mr. Pauley!
Welcome Dr. Prince
With the transition of Scott Pauley to the High School, we would like to welcome Dr. Marian Prince to the Virtual Academy staff for the remainder of the 2017-2018 school year. Dr. Prince is more than qualified and we are excited to bring her experience and expertise to the students of the Virtual Academy!
Born in Delaware, Marian Prince, earned her BS at the University of Michigan in Mathematics and Physics. For 25 years she taught middle and high school math, science, and technology subjects in several districts across Michigan, mostly in the Benton Harbor area. After retiring in 2010, she completed her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Andrews and formed a nonprofit organization, Charitable Calculators, which receives donated graphing calculators and distributes them to qualifying schools around the world. She has five children and four grandchildren and loves to sing and play flute in the worship team at her church. For more information about Dr. Prince please visit her Andrew's University Biography page.
Working together to build the tallest tower
Breakout Edu - a fun, collaborative puzzle challenge
Working together to crack the code
Reminder: If you are enrolled in a "Test Prep" course - you need to study 2 hours per week
Those who are enrolled in Test Prep are required to use khanacademy 2 hours per week to earn credit. This course is NOT for a grade - you will earn CR or NC.
Important Upcoming Dates!
Calendar Items
- Wednesday, November 15 - half day, building closes at 11 am
- Wednesday, November 22 - half day, building closes at 11 am
- Thursday-Friday November 23-24 - no school - Thanksgiving
- Wednesday, December 13 - half day, building closes at 11 am
- Monday December 25 - Friday January 5 - no school Winter break
- Monday, January 15 - no school
- Thursday, January 25 - half day, building closes at 11 am
- Friday, January 26 - half day, building closes at 11 am **End of Semester 1**
English Class **Important**
Take note of your scheduled Writers Workshop dates - if two times are listed, choose one. Students who participate in workshops are much more successful with writing that those who do not.
- Alpha Worshop: ***Change***11/21 9:24 am ONLY. Students Need to have the book "Wonder" for two weeks beginning on November 20. Parents, please make appropriate arrangements.
- Beta Workshop: 12/12 9:24 am or 1:10 pm "Writing an Analysis of Literary Themes"
- Gamma Workshops: 11/14 9:24 am or 1:10 pm "Writing a definition essay"
- Gamma book talks weekly after Thanksgiving break, see schedule below
It's Elementary
Elementary News:
1. Connexus users - please remember to LOG attendance. This is important as the data is used to report student attendance. Re-watch the Parent Orientation video for instructions on recording attendance.
2. Stay on pace - one of the nice things about this program is that it is flexible; you don't have to do school at a set time or day. However, if your child misses a day or days of school, please plan to make them up to avoid falling too far behind. Please refer to the Percent Target Completion table that was emailed on 09/18/17 for completion targets for each week of school. Print it for easy reference.
3. Email communication - Parents, please use my bphelan@homeoftheshamrocks.org email rather than the messaging system embedded in your student's learning platform. Older students (4th and 5th grade) may use the platform messaging system to ask me questions about specific assignments or questions. Please reply to every email I send so that I know that you've received my message. A simple, "Got it," is all that is needed.
4. A Just-Right-Book - Your student should be reading daily. Be sure your student selects a Just-Right-Book. One way to find a Just-Right-Book is the 5 Finger Rule:
5. Six Flags Read to Succeed is an exciting program that encourages students in grades K through 6 to read for fun. BSVA students who complete six hours of recreational reading earn a free ticket to Six Flags!
It's easy to earn your FREE amusement park ticket!! Just READ and RECORD your times on the Six Flags Read to Succeed Reading Log that Mrs. Phelan sends to you via email by Friday, February 2, 2018 and you'll receive a FREE ticket to Six Flags Great America, Chicago! You may submit your reading log before the deadline if you reach your goal before that date.
Field Trips
THURSDAY - November 16 - ‘ Little Mermaid’ - Round Barn Theatre, Shipshewana, IN
Based on the Hans Christian Anderson, and Disney Film of the same name ... this 2008 Tony Award winning score finds a Mermaid Princess making a bargain with an unscrupulous Sea-Witch in order to meet a human Prince on land.
Field Trip Class Students: FREE Other kids age 4-11 - $6.95 / and age 12-17 - $10. Adults - $15. At location - 1:30pm - 4:30pm
BUS and DRIVE option available
FRIDAY - December 1 - Chicago Symphony + Christkindlmarket , Chicago, IL
Your child will be enriched through this one-of-a kind experience, hearing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform. This 1 hour education concert is entitled ‘Friends in Harmony’. It explores the ways that composers from across the world (though speaking different languages) communicate a spirit of friendship and unity through music.
Afterwards, we will journey a few streets over to the wonderful Christkindl Market for a few hours... to be filled with a plethora of smells, sounds, and vendors reminiscent of the renowned Christmas Markets in Germany; a truly festive & memorable experience!
Field Trip Class Students: FREE Other students & Adults - $7.
At location @ 9:30am CST - leave for home @ 2:30pm CST (Drivers may leave when they wish) BUS & DRIVE option available
FRIDAY - December 8 - ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet - Morris Performing AC, South Bend, IN
This timeless holiday event has become a tradition in the Field Trip line up. It will be performed at the beautiful Morris
Performing Arts Center in downtown South Bend and is a lovely way to bring in the holiday season!
Field Trip Class Students: FREE Other Students - $3.50 (lap children are free) Adults - $5. Arrive at location @ 9am / leave location @ 11:30am
DRIVE ONLY!!
December 1 is the day to sign up for Partnership Electives!
For those who are in good academic standing, and who need some assistance getting signed up for electives, please take the time to watch this how-to video: