ORVA Community Newsletter
November 2021
In This Issue
- Activities Coordinator Corner
- Learning Coach Corner
- Text Opt In
- Parent Connect
- Student Connect *New*
- Scholastic Books
- School Choice Week Video Submissions
- Vector Solutions
- Elementary Spotlight
- Middle School Spotlight
- High School Spotlight
- Special Programs Spotlight
- Tips and Tricks from our School Psychologist
- Community Resources
- School Calendar
- Contact Us
Activities Coordinator Corner
Learning Coach Corner
Special Learning Coach Academy Session - All are Invited!
We would like to invite all Learning Coaches to attend a special Learning Coach Academy session that will be held on Wednesday, November 10th. You do not have to be signed up for Learning Coach Academy to attend. The session for Elementary Learning Coaches will be at 3:00pm and the one for Middle/High School Learning Coaches will be at 4:00pm. We will have a guest speaker, our wonderful school Psychologist, December Tueller! She will be presenting on "Tips for Student Engagement." These sessions will be recorded and available to everyone, but we encourage as many as possible to attend live so that you will have the opportunity to engage and ask questions.
There will be a reminder session in the "my schedule" tab of your Learning Coach account. The Zoom links will be on the white board. You should also have received an email regarding this session that also contains the Zoom links as well. I hope to see you then!
Interested in joining the Learning Coach Academy?
Turkey Trot
Text Opt In
When filling out the opt-in form, please be sure to include all of your students' names and student ID numbers even if you select no for student texting. This allows us to mark your opt-in choices on each of their accounts in our system. Additionally, please be sure to include the phone numbers for each person you are opting in.
If you are opted in and would like to opt OUT out or make any other changes, please contact Tiffany Folsom at tfolsom@oregonva.org.
Parent Connect
Student Connect *New*
IMPORTANT:
- Form MUST be filled out by the student's Legal Guardian
- Please do not put gaming handles (Nintendo, Xbox, PS4, app games, etc.) on this form. Any gaming handles found on the form will be removed before info is added to the directory.
- What is shared between students over the phone or email is at the discretion of their Legal Guardians
- The Student Connect Directory will only be accessible to those who have filled out the Student Connect opt in form. Your student will receive a link to this form via their school email.
- To remove your student from the Student Connect Directory, you will need to contact Tiffany Folsom (tfolsom@oregonva.org)
If you have already filled out the form before 11/2/2021, please know that we have added an option for including an email address as another option for communication. If you would like to include an email address on the Student Connect Directory for your student, please fill out the form (completely) again. Thank you!
Scholastic Books
Orders for November are currently being accepted. Because of the pandemic, Scholastic is delivering books directly to homes, rather than shipping them to the teacher to hand out. Scholastic is currently experiencing a delay in shipping books. They will send you a confirmation email when your order has been shipped.
When you use the school’s code below with your order, ORVA earns points with Scholastic. The points will be used to purchase books as incentives and prizes throughout the year.
Website/ordering link: https://clubs.scholastic.com/home
Click on Connect to Teacher and enter the class code.
Class Code: XQ8XT
Be sure to choose the ship to home option when you’re ready to order.
Orders will be placed for this month on November 30, which means that orders will ship after that date.
ORVA teacher to contact if you have questions: Tina Lowen, (541) 751-5410, tlowen@oregonva.org
School Choice Week Video Submissions
They are looking for videos from schools & students celebrating what makes them unique and a great school choice.
Use your imagination and creativity to show off our school. You can spotlight your talents, share what is unique about ORVA, show off a special project or activity, or even learn and perform the 2022 National School Choice Week dance! Check out these examples of the types of content we are looking for:
Vector Solutions
VectorSolutions (previously SafeSchools Alert) is our online tip reporting system that allows students, staff and parents to confidentially report safety concerns to our administration 24/7/365 via:
1.Mobile App
2.Text
3.Phone
4.Email
5.Website
NOTE: Vector Alert is for
non-emergencies. For true emergencies, always call 911.
Elementary Spotlight
First graders are busy critters! Between tying shoes and losing teeth, a typical first grader is starting to show more independence. Vocabulary and reading skills are exploding, and there’s an increase in problem solving. This is the time to plan out family projects that provide the opportunity to showcase these growing skills.
Our First-grade team consists of three teachers: Ms. Corcoran, Ms. Crowley, and Mrs. Boom. We work together each week to include age-appropriate family projects in our newsletters. Here are tips to create an easy family gratitude project for November:
- Home gratitude jar: Write/draw what you are grateful for and place in the jar. Empty and read at the end of the month.
- Gratitude leaves: Write what you are grateful for on leaves and use to decorate.
- Gratitude stones: Write positive, uplifting words on rocks and place around your neighborhood.
- Alphabet gratitude: Can you find one gratitude for each letter?
- Gratitude chain: Create a classic paper chain listing things you are thankful for on each paper loop.
- Random acts of kindness: Spread cheer by complimenting a friend in class. Send a positive note. Let someone cut in line.
Middle School Spotlight
Dear ORVA Middle School Community,
We have had a productive and fun 1st Quarter in Middle School. Thank you to all our awesome students, learning coaches and teachers! As we move into Quarter 2, please stay connected to your student’s teachers and advisors. This is a time of year filled with family, food and traditions-- please make sure healthy academic habits are incorporated into daily family life. This can include keeping a planner of assignments, setting alarms for live CC times, and checking and replying to emails daily. For learning coaches, it is also a wonderful time to stay connected with your adolescent. Making time to connect away from screens can also be very productive. Some suggestions are to play board games once a week as a family, share your “highs and lows” of the day, or get outside and move together.
Academic Dates!
In middle school this month, teachers are finishing up grades for Quarter 1. Please remind your student of these important academic dates:
- 11/3/21: Last day for students to submit Quarter 1 work for a grade.
- 11/5/21: End of Quarter 1, Progress reports sent via email
As a reminder, many students may have saved work for the last minute and this can be very challenging for the adolescent mind (and the learning coach too!). Please reach out to myself, teachers and advisors for support. We are here for you!
Live CC Attendance:
Did you know that Middle School students who regularly attend CC sessions for their classes typically achieve higher levels of learning than students who do not? It’s true! Please encourage your students to attend all sessions to increase their learning and understanding of material. Additionally, please note that in Middle School, Learning Coaches should not independently log into CC sessions, comment or unmute in CC sessions. Due to school policy, these sessions are for students only.
Communication:
Please keep checking the ORVA Middle School Padlet Information Page for Learning Coaches to access important links in a one-stop-shop format. Please check out our Learning Coach Information Padlet linked here or visit https://tinyurl.com/ORVAMS
I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to connecting more this holiday season.
Warmly,
Caitlin Klenz
ORVA Middle School Principal
High School Spotlight
Hello HS Students and families,
What a wonderful end to the first quarter of 2021-2022 school year. Thank you to teachers, staff, students, and LCs for your continued hard work. On Monday, November 8th, we officially begin our new quarter. Remember Veteran’s Day is November 11th, and we will not be holding classes that day. Most Freshmen will begin using ALEKS math app which will give students the ability to receive guidance anytime. An email went out with all the information for logging in. If you are having issues with your log-in, talk to your advisor, Student Success teacher, or Math teacher. We are here to help you.
Career Programs
ORVA Students - Participate in Career Related Events!
Learn something new about a career you're considering.
There are many events related to construction, the arts, medical careers, and more!
Check it out and sign up today https://sites.google.com/view/orvacte/career-experiences
Email Jaimie Brady for more info jbrady@oregonva.org
The ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program of Oregon is hosting Virtual Mentorship/Internships this year!
Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply. Deadline to apply is November 23rd - 5:00PM.
More info: https://www.acementoroforegon.com/students.html
Seniors - If you are accepted into this program, it will count for your Service Learning - Career Hours (even though the start date is Semester 2)
Juniors - If you are accepted into this program this year, it will count for your Service Learning - Career Hours required as a Senior.
Student Showcase
Special Programs Spotlight
IEP Placement Options
ORVA maintains a continuum of special education placement options for students designed to meet individual needs within the virtual classroom environment. All students at ORVA require adult support of a Learning Coach in the home to ensure success and access to their online learning. Consultation between teachers and Learning Coaches is provided across all placement options. In general, the following options are available:
General Education Classroom
In the virtual General Education classroom students receive instruction from their classroom teacher with consultation and support from the Special Education Teacher to monitor progress towards meeting IEP goals and objectives. In some cases, virtual classes may also include team teaching/push-in support. This is where the Special Education Teacher attends the General Education classroom specifically to support the students IEP goals.
Resource Room
Each of our grade bands have multiple Special Education Teachers who case manage and provide Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) to students with IEPs. Based on needs, students may receive SDI in a small group separate virtual classroom.
Functional Academics & Life Skills
This program is available at all levels for students with a range of disabilities who require intensive, individualized instruction in both life skills and functional academics. These students demonstrate a need for long term highly modified instruction and are serviced within a self-contained virtual classroom.
Tips and Tricks From Our School Psychologist
Hello ORVA families~
Welcome to November Tips & Tricks from the School Psych! Geeze, this year is moving so fast! I imagine that this month’s theme for many families is a time for being thankful and showing thankfulness. And whether you share in this holiday or not, it’s also a time in our culture that many in our communities do celebrate and while it’s also just a month, this time of year can present a variety of struggles. So, please take the time to read on, even if you don’t celebrate the holidays…
For some, we have lost loved ones very near and dear to us. For others, we may not be able to see our loved ones because they are far away or have other places they need to be. Inside the home, things may be difficult for various reasons (bills, jobs, relationships, health, disabilities, etc.), and I just wanted to take a moment this month and remind you all to pay attention to your mental health and the mental health of those around you. Signs and symptoms could include:
- Frequent worry about the future and/or feeing hopeless about the future
- Stomach aches and headaches can be a sign of depression and/or anxiety
- Struggling to sleep or sleeping too much
- Lack of interest in things that usually are of interest
- Frequent irritability/intolerance and/or easily upset
- Thoughts of suicide or wishing to be dead
Pay attention to these observations in your family and friends and remember that even though this may not be your area of expertise, you can be a helper person too:
- Please always take suicidal ideation seriously.
- Remember that supporting doesn’t always mean talking, it can mean that you just listen with the goal of “trying to understand”.
- Be aware not to minimize their personal concerns, just try to convey “understanding”.
- Know that discussing suicide does not give someone the idea to be suicidal.
- Regardless of your concern for someone else feeling down, give them resources for someone to call 24 hours a day so if they do decide they need help, they can get it, immediately!
What about our kids and what they hear and see?
Next month, schoolwide, we’re going to be providing lessons to the teachers to support our students in understanding mental health and how they can be supportive to their communities. The series is titled, “Healthy Me, Healthy We”. While we work with your students on understanding their own mental health and the health of others, know that what you say in your home, even in private, can easily be heard by your students. They also know stress and worry exist without actually hearing the words. It makes them stress and worry too. Check in with your student from time to time and support them by letting them know you “understand” their concerns too. Understanding goes a long way 😊
I’ve added some simple resources here to have on hand if you are concerned about yourself or others and need some support. Remember it is okay to give your student numbers to text/call if they ever feel they need support. Many students may not be ready to talk to their parents. Don’t take it personally. They’re still learning how to be a human! If you would like access to more resources, please ask. Our staff is one phone call or email away!
Thanks for taking the time to read this months Tips & Tricks.
December Tueller, School Psychologist
Community Resources
School Calendar
Contact Us
Instagram: @oregonvirtualacademy
TikTok: @oregonvirtualacad
Email: oregonvirtual@oregonva.org
Website: www.oregonvirtual.org
Location: 400 Virginia Avenue, North Bend, OR, USA
Phone: 541-751-8060
Facebook: http://facebook.com/OregonVirtual
Twitter: @AcademyOregon