SBUSD Virtual Academy
Rise and Shine~August 22, 2021
Greetings families
In this newsletter, you'll find information on our SSC voting ballot, how to support your child with ST Math, signing the Master Agreement electronically, and upcoming important dates. Please remember to join us this Friday for our first Student Shout Out Assembly. Details on how to join will be shared by the classroom teacher.
Happy learning,
Mrs. Syverson
SSC & ELAC Members
Dear Virtual Academy Families,
As you know, SSC is a group of parents, teachers and staff elected by their peers who meet together approximately once each month to help create, maintain and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) which establishes the goals and activities/strategies for each school year. This team works together to manage a budget provided by the district to enhance the school and improve student learning.
The overall purpose of the SSC is to improve instructional programs at the SBUSD Virtual Academy in order to meet the needs of all our students. It provides a framework for changes through which parents, teachers, and school administration can focus on the development of a high-quality educational program for all students. Each member is elected for a two-year term.
The Virtual Academy currently has one (1) parents/community members position available for the 2021-2022 school year.
The following parents/community members have indicated an interest in becoming a member of our School Site Council (SSC) Please vote for one (1) of the candidates to serve on the Virtual Academy School Site Council.
Thank you for your continuous support!
Signing Master Agreements electronically - while using a district issued device
From www.sbusd.org, select School, then SBUSD Virtual Academy
On the main page under our school, select documents then Master agreement in the blue box on the right-hand side. Click on either the English or Spanish version.
If you were using a district-issued device and the student is signed in, when you click on the VA Master agreement, you'll be given the option to use Kami. It is located in the upper right-hand corner, look for a purple box with the letter K.
When using Kami, use the text box to fill in the information located at the top of the document then when you get ready to do signatures use the signature feature
Once complete, you can either download the document or share.
If you download, save with annotations or markups.
If you share, save to google and share with msyverson@sbusd.org and morigel@sbusd.org
Ideas to support students while learning virtually.
Parents, we appreciate your support throughout the learning day. Below are some suggestions to assist in a successful year.
Learning the How & What - Please remind family members not to coach answers or complete work on behalf of a student. We provide wait time for students to process what they are learning. We are developing students so they understand the WHAT and HOW of their learning content. In giving students processing time (wait time), they develop critical thinking, learn how to communicate clearly and how to collaborate with others well.
- Reduce Distractions - consider a quiet, clutter-free workspace. If possible, have a space set up with the necessary materials to be ready for daily learning. Items might include a tech device, pencil/pen, highlighter, paper, whiteboard, and whiteboard pen.
- Brain Breaks - providing opportunities to move after working on a task.
Routines & Structures - consistent schedules help students with daily routines. Routines can vary but the one consistent is that class starts at 8:30 a.m. One example of a possible routine, 7:40 a.m. wake up, shower and dress, eat breakfast, brush teeth and I'm ready for 8:30 a.m. class to start. This is only one example, we understand routines will be different.
- Connect with teacher and students - an easy way to connect is to be online and in-class on time, make sure your camera is on, and encourage participation daily.
Chromebooks - black screen
1. hold the power button down for 10 seconds and let the device completely shut down. (power button is located on the left side of the device on the new model; right side of the keyboard on old models)
2. After it powers down, then power the device on and let it reset.
3. Chrome might ask for the students to sign back into the device.
Student Platforms
ST Math (Spatial Temporal Math)
This is a conceptual math program that provides individual learning journeys with JiJi the penguin. Children demonstrate how they can both visualize and communicate math concepts at a pictorial level. This strengthens their foundational math concepts.
Why is it important to start with a pictorial before using an equation?
- Pictorials help students make sense of the problem and learn how to analyze the relationships in the problem.
- While analyzing relationships they learn how to represent and manipulate quantities, which ultimately assists them in developing numeric fluency.
Optional forms to use with ST Math
Changes in Meal Distribution - Reminder
Thank you to all that completed the Google Form listed below. You will receive an automatic email confirming your pick-up date/time starting this week. If you have not had a chance to sign up for meals, please complete the form below.
Meals will be available for pick up at the Virtual Academy campus only, located at 525 3rd Street Imperial Beach, CA 91932. Meal service is a drive-through operation and we accept walk-ins. Please complete the Google form below to let us know your preferred day and time for pick up.
Google Form You only need to fill out the form once.
If you have any questions or concerns about the meal distribution, please contact either Michelle Syverson msyverson@sbusd.org or Mariel Origel at morigel@sbusd.org
additional information:
Update to Attendance - Reminder
Beginning July 2021, ALL attendance items should be directed to Mariel Origel.
We start class at 8:30 am, students are considered tardy if arriving (logging in) between 8:45 am and 9:00 am. We will begin calling families at 10:00 am if a student is not in class and/or if we haven't heard from families of the student that is absent.
To expedite reporting absences, we've created a Google Form located on our website under Our School - Contact Us - Attendance. and listed below.
Everyday Counts
Mariel Origel morigel@sbusd.org 619-628-8900
SBUSD Virtual Academy Location & Social Media
Email: msyverson@sbusd.org
Website: https://sbusdva.sbusd.org/
Location: 525 3rd Street, Imperial Beach, CA, USA
Phone: 619-207-8361
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAcademySbusd
Twitter: @VAcademySbusd
Upcoming Dates - New
August 26 - Board Meeting
August 27 - Student Celebration - Teachers will share the link 8:30 - 9:30 am (updated time)
September 2 - SSC meeting 2 pm
September 6 - Labor Day Holiday
September 9 - Board Meeting
September 20 - October 4 Fall Break
October 14 - Board Meeting
October 22 - Conference Day, No School for Students
October 29 - Report Cards go home