The Howl
IDVA January Newsletter
Newsletter Table of Contents
ALL SCHOOL:
- February Statewide Event Information
- December Month of Giving Food Drive Results
- January Month of Goals
- How to Make Sure Your Math Anxiety Doesn't Make Your Kids Hate Math
- Protecting Your Kids Online
- Technical Tips Library
- Past Issues of The Howl
K-5 SCHOOL:
- Message from K-5 Principal Keri Brown
- Learning Coach Tip: Set Expectations
- Upcoming Non-School Days for Students
- Reading Tips
6-12 SCHOOL:
- Calling Talented Seniors to Perform at Graduation
- IDVA Scholarships
- Counselor Connect
- Yearbook
- 2019 Senior Graduation Slideshow
- IDVA Ski and Snowboard Days
- U.S. Selective Service System
ALL SCHOOL
STATEWIDE EVENT DAY
Friday, February 8th, 2019
IMPORTANT EVENT REMINDERS
- All are welcome. Remember, per IDVA policy, all students must have a parent/guardian with them at all times during school events.
- Please bring exact cash for admission.
- There are no classes scheduled on event days.
- All events are optional.
- Photo Disclaimer: Please understand that photos may be taken and could be used by K12 and/or Idaho Virtual Academy. If you would not like yours or your child’s picture taken, please let an IDVA staff member know at the event.
We want all students to have the opportunity to join an event. If cost is keeping you from being able to join, please email Lisa Stein lstein@idahova.org.
Treasure Valley
Where: Meridian Lanes Bowling
Address: 324 S. Meridian Rd., Meridian
Cost: $5.00 per bowler. Shoes included.
Check-in: 9:00 am MT
Start Time: 9:30 am MT
End Time: 11:30 am MT
RSVP: Click here to sign up.
*Advanced Pay Option* - Click here to pay by credit card.
*****
Magic Valley
Where: Bowladrome
Address: 220 Eastland Dr., Twin Falls
Cost: $6.50 per person. Shoes included.
Check-in: 10:00 am MT
Start Time: 10:30 am MT
End Time: 12:30 pm MT
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Northern Idaho
Where: Triple Play
Address: 175 W. Orchard Ave., Hayden
Cost: $12.00 per person - Bring exact change.
Check-in: 10:00 am PT
Start Time: 10:30 am PT
End Time: 2:30 pm PT
Note: The following attractions are available - Bowling, Laser Tag, Climbing Wall,
Ropes Course, Mini Golf, Bumper Cars
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*Advanced Pay Option* - Click here to pay by credit card.
*****
Moscow/Lewiston
Where: Orchard Lanes
Address: 244 Thain Rd., Lewiston
Cost: $6.00 per bowler. Shoes included.
Check-in: 11:45 am PT
Start Time: 12:15 am PT
End Time: 2:15 pm PT
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Eastern Idaho
Where: Tough Guy Lanes
Address: 403 E. Lewis St., Pocatello
Cost: $4.50 per bowler. Shoes included.
Check-in: 10:30 am MT
Start Time: 11:00 am MT
End Time: 1:00 pm MT
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
Preston
Where: Pop'n Pins Bowling
Address: 411 US-91, Preston
Cost: $5.00 per bowler. Shoes included.
Check-in: 11:00 am MT
Start Time: 11:15 am MT
End Time: 1:00 pm MT
RSVP: Click here to sign-up.
*****
December Month of Giving: A big THANK YOU to all who were able to participate!
As a reminder, December’s theme was Month of Giving, and during that month IDVA participated in a school-wide food drive. Students and families brought food to our statewide events on December 14, and many students and families also donated items directly to their local food banks. Our combined total for all donations was 187 pounds! That is amazing!
Thank you all for your generosity.
January Month of Goals: What do you want to achieve?
As many of you know, January is typically a month to think about things we want to do differently or better and a month to think about things we really want to achieve. Have you ever heard your mom, dad, teacher, friend’s parent, or other adult talk about goals or resolutions for the New Year? Maybe they said something like, “My goal or New Year’s resolution is to exercise 3 times per week!” Sound familiar?
Check out this short video that showcases some students and their goals: http://safeYouTube.net/w/HWvg
If you haven’t already responded to our school survey about goals, we’d like to hear from you. Are you planning to set a goal for the new year? If you have thought about this—great! If you haven’t, that’s okay, too. We want to hear from you, either way!
GOALS SURVEY: https://goo.gl/forms/8hx81QKolKjNdz3F2
For inspiration, here are some goals that students from IDVA have already shared in the survey, and by the way, over 190 students have shared their goals already!
We Want Learning Coach Feedback on the Upcoming K12 Survey!
There are 7 surveys over the school year, and the 5th one will hit most of your email boxes next Monday, January 21. At IDVA, your feedback is important to us, and completing each survey is vital. We hope you take a moment next week to answer these few questions in an honest and constructive manner. Even if you completed a previous survey, we want to hear from you again. This being said, you do not have to wait until the survey to give feedback. You can find a full list of our staff at this LINK.
All IDVA administrators review your comments and reflect on how we can increase the educational experience of your student(s). As usual, in the spirit of transparency and growth, we will provide a high level overview of the survey results in next month’s newsletter.
How to Make Sure Your Math Anxiety Doesn't Make Your Kids Hate Math
Protecting Your Kids Online
Raising children in the digital age can be challenging for parents. There are number of steps you can take to monitor your kids' activity online in order to ensure their safety.
- Set Ground Rules: Establish clear guidelines like what sites kids can visit, apps they can download, and when they can have access to electronics.
- Go Beyond Safeguards: Installing monitoring software or blocking sites doesn't guarantee your child will be safe online. Time, attention, and active conversation are the best tools to protect them.
- Know the Platforms: Online enticement happens across all platforms so be aware of the sites, games, and apps your children frequent. Ask them to show you how they use them.
- Talk about it!: Your kids might not tell you everything, but ask anyway. Regular conversations about safety can go a long way in increasing trust and communication.
- Get Involved: If you have kids who like to play online games, ask if you can play, too. When you respect their interests, they're more likely to respect your rules.
- Consider "blackout" periods that require disconnection. It's healthy for all of us to take a break from our screens!
For more information about internet safety: https://www.netsmartz.org/HOME
- Brought to you by the IDVA Safety Committee - Stay Safe!
NCAA and IDVA
If your student is interested in pursuing college athletics, please, be aware that the NCAA has all K12 schools on “extended review” status. IDVA is a K12 school so is on extended review status with the NCAA. Students graduating from a K12 school applying for NCAA eligibility will be denied currently. After they are denied, they can work with the college Athletic Director to gain a waiver. K12 has helped students through this process and has noted that about 75% of these students do get the waivers.
If you have questions or would like to talk further, please, contact your school counselor.
Technical Tips Library
Past Issues of the IDVA School Newsletter, THE HOWL
K-5 SCHOOL
A Note from the K-5 Principal
Happy New Year!
I hope you and your family enjoyed the holiday break and are feeling refreshed and revitalized to be back in school. As we approach the end of the 1st semester, I want to simply say thank you for your commitment to partnering with us in the education process. We see so many great things happening with our students that include wonderful academic interaction in live classes, high engagement in the online school courses, and fun peer interaction at our regional outings.
As we embark on the second half of the school year, please know we are here to support you and your student in anyway needed. Do not hesitate to reach out to your teachers or myself at any time. In the meantime, keep up the great work!
Here is to a wonderful 2019!
Mrs. Brown
IDVA K5 Principal
Set Expectations
At the start of each day, set realistic expectations for your student. Students relate well to routines, so many families find that a regular schedule works best. If you have multiple children, a regular schedule can help you organize their activities to give you time with the children who need it most, when they need it most.
Upcoming Non-School Days for Students
There are several days to note during the next two weeks of school:
- January 14-16: No live classes for K-5 students - School is in session
- January 17-18: Teacher Work Days – No School
- January 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School
- January 22: Teacher Work Day – No School
- January 23: School Resumes
K-5 Reading Tips
Reading Strategies to Improve Comprehension of Informational Text
As students prepare to read for meaning, it is helpful to offer strategies to train the mind to focus on what is being read. Try incorporating a method such as the following to aide your student in increasing their overall comprehension of text.
1. Box in and read the title.
2. Trace and number the paragraphs.
3. Stop and think at the end of each paragraph to identify a key point.
4. Circle the key word or write the key point in the margin.
5. Read and label the key words in the questions.
6. Prove your answer. Locate the paragraph where the answer is found.
7. Mark or write your answer.
Complete steps 1-4 for the entire text or source. Complete steps 5-7 for questions that follow the text.
How to Help Your Reader Check for Understanding in Reading
Start the book by making predictions. What do you think will happen in this story?
- Ask questions and make comments during the reading process.
- After reading a book have your child tell you the events from the story in the correct order.
- What was the problem in this story?
- How did the character feel when…?
- Encourage your child to make connections. Does this story remind you of another book you read, an event in your life, a movie?
6-12 SCHOOL
IDVA Scholarships
IDVA High Achievement Scholarship:
- One award at $2,500
IDVA Academic Excellence Scholarship *(new)* :
- One award at at $2,100
IDVA Janet Aikele Excellence in Online Learning Scholarship:
- Three awards at $1,000
IDVA Odyssey Scholarship *(new)* :
- Three awards at $1,500
IDVA First Generation Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Career and Technical Education Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Idaho Vision High School Scholarship:
- One award at $1,500
Only one IDVA Scholarship will be awarded to a student.
Application Deadline: April 26, 2019
You are Invited to the Couselor Connect!
Class of 2019 Graduation Slideshow - Submissions Needed
Seniors, please submit your senior photo AND a baby/childhood photo of yourself to be included in the senior slideshow at graduation.
Due Date: March 1, 2019
Send photos and questions to:
2018-2019 Yearbook
Photos are a great way to capture memories, so what better way to remember your teen years than with a yearbook? The yearbook class is proud to announce that we will be releasing another yearbook this year, for grades 9-12!
Yearbooks start selling online in April 2019, and are shipped directly to you! Yearbooks come in softback and hardback covers, and include 4 pages for each student to add and customize for their own. Exact costs have not yet been decided, but are estimated to be around $20 for a softback and $30 for a hardback, with $8.99 shipping. We promise it’s worth it, as we work all year to make sure that your yearbook will be perfect!
However, we need your help! We need pictures for our yearbook, and would love to have you in it! You can submit photos for the following sections, which are due by the dates they are listed under.
Submit your photos using this link and make sure you select the correct section:
https://uploads.picaboo.com/8156372.
- Pictures Due Jan 27th
- Senior Projects
- Hobbies and Talents
- Winter Sports
- Prom (Pictures from spring 2018)
- Winter School projects
Important: When uploading your photos, please be sure the file name includes your first and last name so we know who is who.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Contact our yearbook advisor, Mrs. Dietz, at mdietz@idahova.org.
Join IDVA Ski and Snowboard Days!
Treasure Valley IDVA students in grades 7-12 are invited to participate in the Junior High and Senior High School Race Program at Bogus Basin. The race program offers students:
- Discounted lift prices
- Friendly competition with other students in the Treasure Valley
- Community of athletes who enjoy winter sports
Details:
- Racers can compete in Nordic, Freestyle, or Slalom events.
- Races are scheduled from January 12th until February 16th, 2019.
- Participants must participate in at least three of the Saturday races to qualify for the Dotty Clark Competition.
- Dotty Clark race qualifiers will compete against other racers in the Treasure Valley. Ribbons and trophies will be awarded!
Click here for more information or email Mrs. Moran at mmoran@idahova.org
U.S. Selective Service
Attention all 17 and 18 year old young men:
Remember that when you turn 18, the law says you must register for the Selective Service.
Those who fail to register may be denied student loans, government jobs, and a driver's license in most states. In addition, if you are a male immigrant seeking to become a citizen, you must also be registered, regardless of your immigration status.
Click here to visit the U.S. Selective Service website.
Have a Question?
Have questions about your classes or our Idaho Virtual Academy school? Ask your IDVA teacher or staff.
Have technology questions? Ask K12 Customer Support.