Diamond Gazette
April 2017 ~ Re-registration ~ Celebration Issue!
This month's issue celebrates ARVA families!
Then, be sure to scroll all the way through to access the detailed goodies within, including:
- Congratulations to our longest-standing families!
- Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance from Quarter 3
- ARVA Diamonds (students) Shining Across Arkansas (pictures of YOU!)
- School Resources and Information
- Booster Club and Outing Information
- Community Resources, including Special Needs Activities in Your Community
- K12 Resources and Information
Congratulations and Thank You to our Longest-standing Families!
ARVA Proudly Recognizes our Honor Roll Recipients for 3rd Quarter!
Announcing Perfect Attendance for Quarter 3!
Re-registration is underway for next school year!
- Immunization forms are only required for rising 7th graders, otherwise ignore
- All families will fill out the online Family Income Form included in the Re-registration portal.
- If you are enrolling a NEW student, you'll need to so via arva.org during April.
ARVA DIAMONDS SHINE ACROSS THE STATE!
ARVA HS DECA Conference
ARVA HS DECA members attended the Arkansas DECA spring conference in Little Rock with Business/Marketing teacher Kimberley Wary, March 4-6, 2017. Three students received awards for their work in the national DECA Virtual Business Challenge competitions sponsored by Knowledge Matters, Inc. The theme for this year’s conference was “Own Your Future” and our students were enthusiastic participants!
Seth Turner placed 2nd in the state and 16th in the USA southern region (out of 369 competitors!) in the Retail Management challenge. Seth is a freshman and in Mrs. Wary’s Entrepreneurship class. Rose Keys placed 9th in the state in the Hotel Management challenge and Rose is also a freshman Entrepreneurship student. Gavin Scott (junior) and Justin Webb (sophomore) were conference attendees, participants in the Hotel Management challenge and are also Entrepreneurship students. Tate Cross is a sophomore student in Mrs. Wary’s Marketing class. He competed in the Accounting challenge and attended the conference. Not pictured is Ashley Estes (freshman Entrepreneurship student) who finished 8th in the state in the Personal Finance Virtual Business challenge. Prior to the conference on Sunday and Monday, students, parents and Mrs. Wary met for a fun pizza dinner downtown Little Rock on Saturday evening. We are looking forward to having many more high school DECA members and involved parents next year! For more information please contact Mrs. Wary kwary@arva.org and check out these websites! www.deca.org www.arkansasdeca.com
SCHOOL RESOURCES & INFORMATION
Testing Information - Important
Please see the testing dates below. **Note: Please remember that these tests will be given in person. You will be asked to bring your student to a designated location near your home.**
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th grade students will take ACT Aspire in person. This test will be given from Tuesday, April 18th through Friday, April 28th, 2017 (not including weekends). Each grade level will test two days only. Specific times and locations will be coming, but please mark these days on your calendar.
All questions regarding this information should be directed to your homeroom teacher.
High School Counselor Office Hours (including Office Hours for 8th Graders)
Attention: 8th Graders
Mrs. Amy Smith (9/10 Counselor) will be hosting an open office hour to answer your questions about 9th grade. This is optional and will occur Mondays from 3-4pm. Look for the link in your Class Connect Schedule.
Attention High School Students: Don’t quit now. Remember a “D” earns credit. If you are failing, there is still time to turn it around. Reach out to your teacher, make a plan of attack, and push to the end.
High School Seniors: Counselor office hours will be available every other week for Seniors from 7-8 am on Thursdays. The next session will be March 9. link to attend:
https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.5D5C056791CC9C331D0D65DA50B626&sid=559
All High School Students: An office hour with counselors will be available weekly for students from 8-9am on Wednesdays. If you have questions regarding credits, colleges, scholarships, etc, come on in and talk with your Counselors! link to attend:
https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.5D5C056791CC9C331D0D65DA50B626&sid=559
Please note that the times may be adjusted during testing season.
Seniors: Ms. Carol Heavin needs to know if you have been accepted to a college/university and any scholarships you have received and accepted. Also, if you are going into the military, she needs to know this as well.
If you have not applied for the Academic Challenge Scholarship it is not too late. You must have a 19 on the ACT. If you have applied you need to be checking your e-mail to see if you have been awarded the scholarship AND ACCEPT IT! If you do not accept it, you will not get it.
Also, multiple opportunities to apply for scholarships are compiled in a list by your counselor. New ones are added all the time, including the Essay Scholarship for Juniors and Seniors, the AXA Achiever's Scholarship, and more! See the full list here.
ARVA Summer School for High School Students
ARVA will be offering Summer School for students in need of credit recovery who intend to attend ARVA during the 17-18 school year. Fees for summer school are based on economic status. Students are allowed to take a total of 2 full credits each summer which would equal 4 courses as each semester is considered a separate course.
You'll receive more information very soon!
Middle School Parents ~ Take Note
The MS Town Hall on Suicide Prevention/Dealing with Anxiety and Depression, hosted by Amanda Weaver, will be April 14th, 1pm. Look for the link in your Class Connect.
Past Town Hall Meeting Recordings:
Preparing for High School, hosted by HS Counselor Amy Smith
Internet Safety for Families, hosted by Hollie Gumm, MS Principal.
Ready to Drive? Check here first!
- High School students must contact their counselor. Students not yet in high school should contact Hollie Gumm, K-8 Principal: hgumm@arva.org
- Counselor or Principal will check the last semesters’ GPA to see if it is a 2.0 or higher.
- Counselor or Principal will send request to ARVA's registrar to send form to the student if the student is eligible.
Please note: Student must complete one semester with ARVA before ARVA will grant eligibility for a driver's license.
Forms will be sent via US Mail only. Please request 2-3 weeks prior to driver’s test.
2016-2017 ARVA Student/Parent Handbook
It is important to read and understand the handbook, whether you are a student or a learning coach. Once you have read the handbook, please sign the online form here, if you haven't already: surveymonkey.com/r/16-17_ARVA_Student-Parent_Handbook
BOOSTER CLUB & OUTING INFORMATION
BOOSTER: NW AR: Community Picnic, Atalanta Park, Rogers
TEACHER-LED: Conway: Planetarium and Nature Preserve
April: Arkansas: Virtual Reality Experiences
Wish there were more outings near you?
Booster Meetings
Click here to access the Feb. meeting recording. Our next meeting is March 16 at 8pm.
Facebook Pages for ARVA Learning Coaches
- This Facebook page is for ALL ARVA learning coaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ARVALearningCoaches/
- The North West AR ARVA family Facebook page is available for NW AR ARVA families to enjoy visiting both online and offline. If you are a NW AR family, consider joining the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWA.ARVA.Community.Group/
- There is a North Central AR ARVA family Facebook page for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/twinlakes.arva.community/ Log in to see what's happening in your area and meet other ARVA families.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN YOUR AREA
UALR's College of Engineering & Information Technology is hosting a number of free residential summer STEM-based camps.
Middle School (rising 6th through 8th grade)
Exxon Mobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp from July 9-21. Minimum B average in math and science required and be enrolled in an Arkansas school. Applications must be postmarked by May 2. Additional info and applications available here: http://theharrisfoundation.org/sitecontent/565/summer-science-camp/category/457/education.aspx
High School (rising 9th through 12th grade)
Geology Camp from June 11-17. One week program that introduces students to geology through classroom instruction, labs, and field work. Applications must be postmarked by April 17. Additional information and applications available here: http://ualr.edu/eit/additional-info/outreach/#geo
Engineering Scholars Program: Two one-week sessions. June 18-24 and June 25 - July 1. Open to any student in US. Applications must be postmarked by April 17. Additional info and applications here: http://ualr.edu/eit/additional-info/outreach/#esp
High School Research Program: Three-week research program from July 9 - 28. Minimum 3.0 grade point average preferred. Applications must be postmarked by April 17. Additional information and online applications available here: http://ualr.edu/eit/additional-info/outreach/#hrsp
National Summer Transportation Institute: Two-week program exploring civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering as they pertain to transportation related careers. Program is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration and the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. Applicants must be residents of Arkansas or Memphis, TN. Applications must be postmarked by April 17. Additional information and applications available here: http://ualr.edu/eit/additional-info/outreach/#nsti
Middle and High School (rising 8th and 9th grade)
Girl: CODE One-week female coding camp from July 23-28. Applications must be postmarked by April 17. Info and applications available here: http://ualr.edu/eit/additonal-info/outreach/#gcc
Henderson State University ~ Reddies Near You
http://www.hsu.edu/ProspectiveStudents/events.html
Calling all Artists, ages 13-18! Check out all the contests you can enter!
http://www.studentartguide.com/resources/high-school-art-competitions-list
Summer Camps for Rising Sophomores at ASMSA
Summer at ASMSA offers exciting camps where rising sophomores can participate in fun and challenging programs focusing on art, music and acoustics, mathematics, computer programming, and robotics. Camps are tuition free and space is limited. Click here for individual camp information.
Crystal Bridges, in NW AR, Offers a Wide Variety of Student & Family Activities
Free Symphony Orchestra Tickets
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents its newest outreach program to all children and parents in the entire state of Arkansas. This program offers every student, from Kindergarten to High School seniors—all 400,000 of them—the chance to experience live orchestra performances, some of them, perhaps for the first time in their lives. Free!!
Know of other community resources in your area?
Share them with us so that we can share them with the ARVA community.
Central AR Programs for Children with Special Needs
Community Connections is a non-profit organization in central Arkansas providing extra-curricular activities for children with special needs & support for their families. Programs include cheer, soccer, football, basketball, music, art, acting, golf, ceramics, etc. Most programs are FREE!
I Can Arts & Resource Center in Central Arkansas
Families from all over Central Arkansas come for the experience.
Jump!Zone in Bentonville offers Special Needs Family Days
Easterseals, Central AR
Camping and Recreation and Respite Services
As the largest provider of recreation and camping services for people with disabilities in the country, we're proud to offer residential and day camps for children and adults of all types and levels of ability. Our camps are barrier-free and designed to be accessible to everyone.
Chuck E. Cheese offers Sensitive Sundays in AR
Chuck E. Cheese now opens from 9:00 am – 11::00 am on the first Sunday of every month specifically for children with autism and other special needs.
1. Reduced lighting and noise
2. Trained and caring staff available to assist
3. Parents have to provide the tokens for children to play games and purchase their own food products.
Young Adults with Autism Group in Central AR!
Camp Aldersgate
Camp Aldersgate creates life-changing experiences for individuals with special needs, enabling them to expand their worlds and express their unique voices. Camp offers programs such as Summer Medical Camps, Weekend Camps, and Specialty Camps. These programs provide participants with one-of-a-kind camp experiences aimed to strengthen personal and social development, promote healthy lifestyles, enrich communities, and foster environmental awareness. More information can be found here: www.campaldersgate.net.
I CAN! of Arkansas
Special Needs Athletic Program, Inc. (SNAP)
If you know of other opportunities in your area for special needs students, please share them with us so that we can share them with the rest of the ARVA community.
K12 RESOURCES & OFFERINGS
Learning Coach Certification Course Now Available!
http://arva.k12start.com/for-parents/learning-coach-certification/
From K12 Tech Support:
Keeping your technology and equipment operating is vital for student success. Click here to learn about how to practice healthy habits when it comes to technology by following these tips to avoid computer viruses, spyware, and other malicious programs.
Learning Liftoff
Learning Liftoff partnered with knowledge experts and renowned authors in education, interviewed celebrities involved with online learning and education, celebrated the first annual National Online Learning Day, and featured students who have excelled and achieved remarkable accomplishments. Click here to read the most popular and well-received articles of 2016!
K12 Student Clubs
K12 offers a variety of student clubs where like-minded students can share their areas of interest. These clubs are offered typically two times a month, and last one hour. Browse our 2016–2017 club listings by clicking here, and register for your favorite clubs today!
K12 National College and Career Workshops
Have you thought about life after high school? Have you considered the careers that you might be interested in and whether or not you want, or will need, to attend college?
There is a lot to think about to get ready: where to go, what to study, how to apply, how to pay or it, and more. It’s never too early —or too late— to explore your options!
K12 will be hosting two live workshop sessions each month through the end of the 2016–2017 school year for students to talk about college and career prep topics.
Upcoming College & Career Workshop Sign Ups
April 21: College Social LifeApril 28: Learning to Live Like a College Student and Taking Charge of Finances
Recordings from past sessions:
Below is the latest list of K12 National College and Career Workshop recordings. Several of you have requested these.
PSAT, SAT, ACT Testing - Why They matter & Tips and Tricks
PSAT, SAT, ACT - Planning & Prep
Goal Planning
Finding Scholarships & A Parents Role in College Admissions
Insider Information to Financial Aid
FAFSA
GRIT - Giving Extra Effort and Determination
Choosing a Major & Finding the Right College
Applying for College
ARVA's Family Academic Support Team (FAST) and the Strong Start Site
- Jennifer Shelby for grades K-8: jshelby@arva.org
- Alyssa Gordon for grades 9-12: agordon@arva.org
Need resource information for a financial or emotional need or crisis? Contact ARVA's Family Resource Coordinator, Amanda Weaver: aweaver@arva.org
Website: http://arva.k12start.com/
Location: 4702 West Commercial, Suite B3, North Little Rock, AR 72116
Phone: 501-664-4225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasVirtualAcademy
Gina Moore, editor