OVCA High School Bison Blast
March 2017
In this edition...
Upcoming Events
Important Testing Reminder
Community Service Project for Military
Spring Break Fun!
COLLEGE CORNER: Find Infomation on preparing for college prep and available scholarships! Graduation details at the end of newsletter. Keep scrolling!
Fun Learning Activities
Wednesday Workshop details and Learning Coach Resources
Getting Connected with OVCA families & Booster Club
Teacher Shout Outs
Box Tops for Education
Here is what's coming up!
March 9-10- Parent Teacher conferences – no school on Friday 3/10
March 13-17 – Spring Break – no school
March 23 - Re-registration open for 2017-18 school year
April – State Testing- Look below for details on how to check your schedule
May 6 - Prom at Wes Watkins Center International Exhibit Hall, Stillwater, OK ***DETAILS BELOW
May 20 - Graduation
May 23 - Re-registration ends for 2017-18 school year
May 25 – Last Day of School!
Parent Teacher Conferences are coming!
OVCA is hosting Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, March 9th - Friday, March 10th
Check your email for all the details and plan to log in!Order your OVCA Merchandise! Sale ends March 20th!
Testing! Testing! Are you ready?
You will receive a State Testing reminder email after Spring Break. We will include your student’s testing schedule and information about the testing site. Be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t forget! You can check your testing schedule at any time by going back into Testing Nirvana at www.testingnirvana.com/login
You can also join us on Wednesday, March 29th at 4:0 pm for Wednesday Workshop and we will review what you can expect at testing. Session link is in your OLS. Hope to see you there!
2017 OVCA Prom will be held on Saturday, May 6th in Stillwater, OK.
We are excited to announce that the Prom will be hosted at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade on the OSU Campus.
Our 2017 OVCA Prom is inspired by the YULE BALL from HARRY POTTER
New this year, ticket sales will be available through Eventbrite.com. However, please note that our Prom Event is a PRIVATE EVENT and cannot be located using the search feature on the website. To access the prom ticket and information page, you must use this LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oklahoma-virtual-charter-academy-2017-prom-early-bird-ticket-sales-tickets-31757537650
The passcode for access to this site is: ovcaprom2017
You will want to purchase your tickets early and SAVE MONEY. Early bird tickets are on sale NOW for $25/ person. But the cost will increase after March 20th to $30/person. Tickets will be sold online thought Eventbrite through 04/21/2017. After this only CASH PURCHASE TICKETS at the door of the event will be available for $40/person. Door sales tickets will only have the roasted chicken option for dinner and there will only be a limited number of door sales dinners available on a first come first served basis.
Attached to this email is a detailed explanation of prom dress code guidelines. These guidelines were compiled from student, faculty, and staff collaboration in our Student Council Meetings. Please note that dress code infractions will not warrant a refund of ticket price. It is the responsibility of all OVCA students and LC’s to be familiar with the dress code policies when selecting attire for the evening.
Prom is open to ALL OVCA students in grades 9-12, who are in Good Standing both behaviorally and academically by 05/01/2017. Good standing means students are earning a MINIMUM of 60% in all courses and do not have any attendance issues that would warrant things like truancy. Please refer to the student handbook for OVCA attendance guidelines.
A student may elect to bring a non-OVCA guest to prom. However, this guest cannot be over the age of 18, unless currently enrolled in a high school program. All guests must have a completed letter from their home school stating that they are in good standing both academically and behaviorally in order to attend OVCA Prom(*letter is attached to this email). All guest letters must be received by OVCA prior to 04/21/2017. Letters may be electronically submitted or mailed to the OVCA office (Attention Jaime Gilleland). All students wishing to bring a non-OVCA guest, must purchase an advanced ticket. NO DOOR SALES WILL BE ALLOWED TO NON-OVCA STUDENTS!!!!! – Guest application is attached to this email
Dinner is included with the cost of prom tickets this year!!!!
Freddie Paul’s Steak House in Stillwater will be catering the plated sit-down dinner which will take place at the beginning of the evening.
We will also have wizard’s chess, quidditch, selfie photo stations throughout the venue and of course, LOTS OF DANCING!!
To Help Raise money to such an AMAZING PROM, we have created a student store. Please use the following link to purchase some amazing OVCA items. You will be able to proudly show off our wonderful school AND support an amazing prom experience. This fundraiser will close on March 20th. Here is the link for the OVCA PROM Fundraiser:
Help us help others!
Our Military Co-Op students have been working on a community service project to bring in donations to be sent to Oklahoma soldiers away from their families. If you were not at the recent art outings, but would like to still donate, please email our coordinator at chnichols@okvirtual.org
Have a Spring Break Adventure!
Spring Break ideas from Travel OK
http://www.travelok.com/article_page/springbreakideas
http://www.tulsakids.com/Spring-Break-Camps-and-Activities/
2017 Spring Break Activities for OKC
http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Spring-Break-Activities-in-OKC/
10 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Oklahoma
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28957-Activities-c48-Oklahoma.html
Oklahoma Museum Newtwork
http://omn.sciencemuseumok.com/home
Wondertorium in Stillwater
http://www.okwondertorium.org/
Oklahoma State Parks
Student Contests - Check these out!
Newspapers in Education is offering every Oklahoma student the opportunity to participate in five different student contests for a chance to win $250.00. TEACHERS, if your student wins, YOU WIN $500.00! All student contests listed below are ending at midnight on April 30th, 2017. Every student submission equals an entry into the drawing!
History Day 2017
The 2017 Oklahoma National History Day contest will be May 3–4, 2017 at the Oklahoma History Center. Once you have chosen a historical topic related to the annual theme you will conduct primary and secondary research. ENTRIES ARE DUE APRIL 30, 2017
STUDENTS: Share your History Day Idea with us and both you AND your teacher will be entered to WIN! Click here to share your ideas!
Soaring Oklahoma: Aerospace & Defense
There are over 108,000 jobs currently available in the state of Oklahoma in Aerospace and Defense, it is clear that the industry is growing at a rapid rate! ENTRIES ARE DUE APRIL 30, 2017
STUDENTS: Share your career summary or scavenger hunt results with us and both you AND your teacher will be entered to WIN! Click here to share your summary or results!
Oklahoma Rocks!
Fossils Come Alive!
Becoming a Geodetective—Solving Earth's Mysteries ENTRIES ARE DUE APRIL 30, 2017
STUDENTS: Answer the questions on Activity #1 or Activity #2, submit them and both you AND your teacher will be entered to WIN! Click here to submit your answers!
Fire Prevention 2016
Have some fun while learning about fire safety! ENTRIES ARE DUE APRIL 30, 2017
STUDENTS: Share your comic, news story or video with us and both you AND your teacher will be entered to WIN! Click here to share!
Lung Health 2017
Learn more about lung health and share what you learned!
Mail your entry by April 30, 2017
STUDENTS: Share your comic, poem or rap with us and both you AND your teacher will be entered to WIN! Click here to submit your comic, poem or rap!
COLLEGE CORNER!
Click here: College Corner
Wondering about graduation?
Our 2017 graduation ceremony will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, May 20th, 2017 at the Choctaw High School Performing Arts Center. The Performing Arts Center is located at 14300 NE 10th Street, Choctaw, OK 73020. The building labeled Choctaw High School Performing Arts Center is a separate building from the high school and is located toward the back of the school property.
All graduating seniors need to arrive at 11:00 am in preparation for our 1:00pm ceremony.
>>>> Facility will be closed to student’s/guests until 11:00 am. This will allow for OVCA staff to set up and prepare for your arrival.
More info below! Keep scrolling!
How to Earn Credits for High School Graduation
Grade level promotion is based solely on credits earned.
Credit is NOT awarded if a student’s final grade is below 60% (F). Student has to pass the class each semester to earn the .5 credit that semester.
If student failed course the 1st semester, student will be assigned a Credit Recovery course in that same course the 2nd semester. IE: Student failed 9th grade English Fall semester of 2016-will be assigned a CR course for Spring semester 2017.
All CR courses HAVE to be completed within 6 weeks (February 17th is 1st CR course deadline) and have a passing grade to earn the .5 credit for that course.
Usually, just Unit tests and specific TGAs or labs in Science are due. Follow your teacher’s specifics as outlined in the Course Announcements on your CR Course home page.
Oklahoma High School students have to earn 23 credits to graduate:
0 – 3.5 credits 9th grade
4 – 9.5 credits 10th grade
10 – 16.5 credits 11th grade
17 – 23 credits 12th grade
OVCA High School - Who to contact
OVCA HS – Who to contact – 405.259.9478
9th grade – Lori Egnor ext. 2062
legnor@okvirtual.org
10th grade – Raedean Rafferty ext. 2055
11th grade – Deb Mackey ext. 2056
12th grade – Ms. Mackey or Ms. Rafferty
Learning is fun!
Oklahoma City Ballet's ArtsReach program still has plenty of spots available for your student! The program is FREE and serves as a great introduction to ballet and the performing arts. This year boasts an ALL NEW CURRICULUM, with a specific curriculum geared towards elementary and middle school students and a separate one for high school students
For more information and to access the required forms please visit www.okcballet.com/artsreach.
If you have any questions, please contact me at Stephanie@okcballet.com or
(405)208-8881.
I hope you can join us this year!
THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF:
- -FREE LIVE PERFORMANCE:
The culmination of ArtsReach will be a special professional
performance by OKC Ballet at the Civic Center Music Hall.
- -8 WEEK CURRICULUM:
Covering ballet history, terms,
and steps: Included in this are unique lesson plans with
interactive links to exciting ballet websites that create
a creative learning environment.
Monday, Apr. 24, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Monday, Apr. 24, 2016 at 11:30 AM
Performances last approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
and are filled on a first come first served basis.
For additional questions, please contact:
Stephanie Pitts at stephanie@okcballet.com
K12 Online 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!
Introducing Wednesday Workshops
Click HERE to watch a 2 minute video from Nicole Ellison explaining what Wednesday Workshops are!
Check out the calendar to see which topics will be offered this school year @ http://ovca.k12start.com/calendar/
Are you an expert at one of the topics being offered? Or do you have vast experience as an LC and you would love to share your knowledge with others? PLEASE email Nicole Ellison at nellison@k12.com She is always looking for LC’s to share the mic!
Wednesday, March 1st, 4pm
Avoid Burnout! Spring FEVER
Wednesday, March 8th , 4pm
So Much to Do…So Little Time. (How to Finish the Year STRONG)
Here to AttendWednesday, March 22nd, 4pm
Offline/Supplemental Work (Challenge Your Student Until the FinishLine)
Here to AttendWednesday, March 29th, 4pm
Elementary: What to Expect at State testing
MS/HS: Testing Prep and What to Expect at State Testing
Learning Coach University
K12 Learning Coach University™ was created to support the Learning Coaches who guide the schooling of their children at home. Online classes provide a clearer understanding of the developmental process of learning as well as effective strategies and resources to use at home to help every child succeed. Click here to view the upcoming sessions.
Motivate 2 Activate
K12 and School at Home Effectively are pleased to offer the Motivate 2 Activate Series for Learning Coaches. Click here to view the sessions.
UPCOMING SESSION IN THE SERIES
Objectives - Why They're So Important February 28th
Praise Versus Encouragement March 7th
Helping Student Self-Correct March 14th
Click on the topics below to watch previous session from Motivate 2 Activate!
#1 What Motivates Your Student click here for recording
#2 Your Role as a Learning Coach click here for recording
#3 Practice Make Progress click here for recording
#4 Game Plan for Chronic Issues click here for recording
#5 Arguing, Complaining, and Whining click here for recording
#6 Holding Students Accountable click here for recording
#7 Responsibility for School Work cick here for recording
K12 Customer Support
K12 Customer Support https://www.help.k12.com/s/
Wondering what browser you are using?
Click here to find out!
Watch this video on how to check grades and progress.
Click here
Keep your Computer Running Smoothly
Come Join the OVCA Booster Club!
Next Booster Club Meeting is March 20th at 4pm
Below is a recording link for the Booster Club meeting held on February 6th.
Would you like more information about OVCA Booster Club?
Sign up for our email list here
Thank you for supporting OVCA students and families!
Get Connected!
Want to meet other families in your area? Get connected with our Co-Op’s around the state. Click here to sign up for additional information on OVCA Co-Op’s.
OVCA Military CO-OP https://www.facebook.com/groups/385954058264501/
OVCA CO-OP South Central https://www.facebook.com/groups/1426537394234389/OVCA CO-OP Northeast https://www.facebook.com/groups/168538123342038/
OVCA CO-OP North Central https://www.facebook.com/groups/547015578702224/
OVCA CO-OP Tulsa https://www.facebook.com/groups/1396437950590840/
OVCA CO-OP OKC https://www.facebook.com/groups/ovcacoop/
OVCA CO-OP Southwest https://www.facebook.com/groups/678593742152182/
Students and families in the OVCA Military Co-Op were interviewed and photographed recently by the k12 marketing team! They will be featured in future advertising to military families nationwide! Join us today to be a part of what we are doing! Email OVCA's Military Base Site Coordinator at chnichols@okvirtual.org for more information!
Let's show our teachers some love!
Click on the link below and give your teachers a special shout out!
McDonalds Teacher of the Month contest - Make your submissions on Twitter!
McDonalds of Central Oklahoma is proud to announce their sponsorship of the “Teacher of the Month” program beginning Oct. 17.
Every month a teacher will be selected based off of a submission on why they are deserving of this recognition, submissions can be made by anyone.
Submission will be received via Twitter, @McDCentralOK using #McDTeacher.
Winners receive a $100 Gift Card, $25 McDonald’s Arch Card, School Supplies for their classroom and featured on our Twitter page.
Got Box Tops?
OVCA Office
Box Tops- Attention: Sondra Callaway
1160 S. Douglas Blvd.
Midwest City, OK 73130
2017-2018 Academic Calendar will be in your email soon!
OVCA Graduation is May 20, 2017
Our 2017 graduation ceremony will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, May 20th, 2017 at the Choctaw High School Performing Arts Center. The Performing Arts Center is located at 14300 NE 10th Street, Choctaw, OK 73020. The building labeled Choctaw High School Performing Arts Center is a separate building from the high school and is located toward the back of the school property.
All graduating seniors need to arrive at 11:00 am in preparation for our 1:00pm ceremony.
>>>> Facility will be closed to student’s/guests until 11:00 am. This will allow for OVCA staff to set up and prepare for your arrival.
Students wishing to participate in the graduation ceremony are required to purchase the $33.25 Black cap and gown unit. The cap and gown unit may be ordered online any time now through Friday, January 20, 2017. If you wait to order the unit until February or later the price will increase and orders will have to be made through a representative in the Oklahoma City area. *It is not guaranteed that you will receive a cap/gown in time for the ceremony if you wait to purchase one. We encourage you to order early online. All other supplies located on the website are optional.
>>> Do not delay to order after deadline as your cap and gown may not make it to your home by the ceremony. ***You must have a cap/gown to participate in the Graduation Ceremony.
If you have a problem ordering online with Jostens please call them at: 1-800-JOSTENS (1-800-567-8367)
Please note – Students must continue to pass their courses and gain the necessary credits to be eligible for May graduation in addition to attending the required State Testing. Participating in a graduation ceremony does not mean you have officially graduated. All students will need to continue to meet these requirements in order to be eligible to participate in May.
Again, if you have questions regarding your status this should be discussed with your HS Counselor (Counselor's list provided above).
****Honors Graduates/ Valedictorians and Salutatorians: Cumulative grade point average through the fall semester of the senior year will be used to determine all graduation honors. If you have questions you should contact your HS Counselor.
Upon arrival seniors will need to:
1. Check in at the front table.
2. Use the restroom/put on cap and gown.
3. Be prepared to take an individual photo (if desired).
4. Be seated in the auditorium by 12:30 PM in designated section. We will complete a brief walkthrough explaining the ceremony and will need all seniors seated and present at 12:30 PM. It is imperative you remember to bring your cap and gown to the ceremony as they are required to participate.
5. You should remind those you invite to attend that the ceremony does not begin until 1:00 PM. >>>> Only YOU are required to be there early for pre-ceremony sign-in and walk-through. Again, the facility will not open until 11 AM for graduates.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. How do I order my cap and gown?
Information has been sent to you via e-mail and will be placed in Bison Tracks. Our vendor is Josten’s. You will order online from their website and it will be sent to the mailing address you provide when ordering. You need to order early to ensure you get it by graduation as it is required to participate in the ceremony. There will be a Josten’s cutoff date regarding ordering to receive by graduation date. >>> Ways to order: Online: www.jostens.com Phone: 1-800-JOSTENS (567-8367) Deadline to order: Friday, January 20, 2017 (Orders placed prior to the deadline will ship to the home by April 8,2017) Do not delay to order after deadline as your cap and gown may not make it to your home by the ceremony. ***You must have a cap/gown to participate in the Graduation Ceremony.
1. Can I decorate the top of my graduation cap?
No, students are not permitted to alter the appearance of their cap or gown.
1. How many people can I invite to the ceremony?
An RSVP survey will be sent to you via e-mail for you to complete around the end of February. Once we receive an estimated number of invites we will determine if a limit must be set. However, we ask that it be 10 or less.
1. May I bring food and/or drink (such as bottled water) to the ceremony or in the theater?
No, the Choctaw Performing Arts Theater has a strict no food/drink policy (including bottled water). You will not be permitted to enter the facility with these items.
1. Will there be a photographer at the ceremony?
Yes, students will be asked to take an individual picture prior to the ceremony.
1. Glitter is NOT allowed inside the PAC center. NO GLITTER!
1. Will students be permitted to throw their caps in the air at the close of the graduation ceremony?
No, the Choctaw Performing Arts Theater has a rule that will not allow us to do so as the caps may get caught in their lighting/ceiling.
Your teachers and families are excited to share in this special day with you. We look forward to seeing you there!
Want to check out previous newsletters?
Bison Blast – February Newsletter HS
Bison Blast – January Newsletter HS
Bison Blast – December Newsletter HS
Bison Blast – November Newsletter HS
Bison Blast – October Newsletter HS
OVCA High School - September Bison Blast 2016
OVCA High School - Back to School Newsletter 2016