The Howl
IDVA Newsletter - March 2020
Newsletter Table of Contents
ALL SCHOOL:
- State Testing Cancelled
- IDVA COVID-19 Response & Support
- Counselor Connection Sessions - All Grades
- IDVA Board Meetings
- Thank a Learning Coach Tribute Opportunity
- 2020 Aviation Art Contest
- Human Rights Art Contest
- K12 App
- Feeling Overwhelmed? IDVA Help Request
- K12 National Clubs
- NCAA and IDVA
- Past Issues of the The HOWL, School Year 2019-20
- Technical Tips Library
K-5 SCHOOL:
- Message from K-5 Team
- Learning Coach Tip
- K-5 Reading Tips
6-12 SCHOOL:
- Message from 6-12 Team
- 8th Graders & Guardians 4-Year Plan Meeting Invitation
- Idaho State University Virtual Tour
- Meet Your School Counselors
- Human Rights Poetry Contest
- D.L. Evans Education Pays Program
- Friday Fast Facts
- IDVA and ISID Scholarships
- Invitation New Counselor Series - Social Emotional Learning
- IDVA College and Career Website
- U.S. Selective Service System
ALL SCHOOL
ISAT Testing is Cancelled
The Idaho State Board of Education has cancelled ISAT for this spring, and the waiver the State submitted to the U.S. Department of Education for federal accountability related to the state assessment was approved. Therefore, there will be no face to face ISAT this spring. Cancellations for ISAT appointments will be sent if your student was scheduled.
Counselor Connection Sessions - All Grades
IDVA school counselors are offering safe, nonjudgmental connection sessions to provide students an opportunity to discuss their thoughts around the recent happenings related to social distancing, quarantine, or isolation during the infectious disease outbreak. You will see the sessions in your Class Connect schedule.
All are welcome!
Grades K-5
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 1-2 pm MT/12-1 pm PT
Where: Class Connect
Grades 6-8
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 2-3 pm MT/1-2 PT
Where: Class Connect
Grades 9-12
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Time: 1-2 pm MT/12-1 pm MT
Where: Class Connect
IDVA Board Meetings
The Idaho Virtual Academy Board of Directors holds a meeting the second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm Mountain Time August through June. The public is welcome to join these meetings.
IDVA Board Meeting BBC link: http://tinyurl.com/IDVABoard
Thank a Learning Coach Tribute Opportunity
K12's second annual Learning Coach Appreciation extravaganza is our way of thanking Learning Coaches for everything they do for their families.
To help celebrate, all students in grades K–12 are encouraged to write a note of appreciation or create a piece of artwork, a poem, a song, or use any other imaginative means they'd like to thank their Learning Coach.
Tributes must be posted by Friday, April 3, 2020, and will be displayed in our online gallery for all to see. All are welcome to participate, including students, family, and staff!
2020 Aviation Art Contest
Theme: Flying Through History
Entry Deadline: April 1, 2020
Winners Notified: April 30, 2020
The 2020 Aviation Art Contest is open to students ages 5-18 years old. Please click here for the age categories, specifications, prizes, and where to mail your entry.
Human Rights Art Contest (Grades K-12)
“Human rights and the arts go together because of the expressive nature of both subjects.” - The University of Alabama – Institute for Human Rights
Encourage your children or students to enter an original art piece in the Center's 20th annual Human Rights Art Contest (K-12). To participate, students must reflect on any or all aspects of the Spiral of Injustice and explore these concepts in an original work of art. Students might consider how one of the following quotes etched in the stone of the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial relates to interrupting the Spiral of Injustice.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Entries must be submitted online or onsite no later than Friday, April 24.
For more detail, visit the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.
K12 App
It’s time to start thinking about next school year, and the K12 app can help!
The K12 app is a great resource for parents and legal guardians of IDVA students. The K12 app gives you the power to track your student's progress,* view their schedule,* and access relevant and up-to-date information.
This year the K12 app also allows you to choose your student’s registration status, making it simpler than ever to let us know your plans for next year! Download the K12 app today!
*This feature is currently available for all MS and HS families, and many elementary families as well. We are working to make this feature available to all families during the 2019–2020 school year.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Are you or your student struggling to keep up with school, have questions, or need help?
Please click HERE to submit your name and contact information. We will call you right away!
K12 National Clubs
School is in session! We've been busy lining up our list of K12 National Clubs and can't wait for you to sign up for the ones that interest you.
IMPORTANT things to keep in mind as you choose your club(s):
- Clubs meet from late September through early May.
- Club meetings are one hour long, and meeting times vary depending on the club and your time zone.
- Please select no more than four clubs.
- Allow two to three weeks for your sign-up details to be processed.
- Once your club registration has been processed, you'll receive an email from your club teacher, and club meetings will appear on your Class Connect schedule.
- Email reminders will be sent one week prior to club meetings.
- Email clubs@k12.com with questions regarding K12 National Clubs.
To join a club or attend a meeting, first choose a category below.
Clubs offered for Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
Clubs offered for 4th – 5th Grade
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 more information, please contact your school counselor.
Past Issues of The HOWL
Technical Tips Library
K-5 SCHOOL
Message from Your K-5 Team
Hello elementary families and welcome back from spring break!
We hope you found rest, relaxation and time to spend doing the things you enjoy the most. There is no doubt you have been affected in some way by the COVID-19 outbreak. We understand you are likely working to establish a new normal, just as our staff is doing.
One thing we can be grateful for is how special our school is and the opportunities it offers our students. IDVA provides a consistent and rigorous education during these uncertain times. As you started back to school this past week, our hope is you are feeling a sense of normalcy. We know maintaining consistency at home will help you and your child in many ways. We are grateful this can be found by returning to a school routine. Please reach out to your teachers or administrator with any questions you have during this time.
As always, thank you for your commitment to learning and partnering with us.
Here’s to a great start to the final two months of school!
K-5 IDVA Staff
Learning Coach Tip of The Week
Praise Your Child Every Day
Comments such as "I really like that you fed the dog without being asked," or "You did a fine job of selecting matching clothes today," go a long way in boosting self-esteem.
Children with high self-esteem do better in school. You can boost your child's ego by giving legitimate praise and compliments. Kids do many things right every day. So, get into the habit of looking for the goodness in your child and practice giving "high fives" often.
K-5 Reading Tips
Read Books Online!
There are many fun and interactive websites for literacy. Here are a few FREE online resources:
https://justbooksreadaloud.com/
http://interactivesites.weebly.com
6-12 SCHOOL
Message from Your 6-12 Team
Hello IDVA 6-12 Families –
Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope the warmth of the sunshine and days to relax will get you off to a great start for these last two months of school! No doubt, in some way, you have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. During these times, we are reminded of how special our school is and the opportunities it offers our students by giving them a consistent and rigorous education. We recognize that many families will need to adjust to a new “normal” and hope you stay healthy and safe!
We know that routines can yield many positive outcomes for our students.
- Everyone knows exactly what to expect.
- Teens will be more cooperative
- One has a sense of security and confidence.
- Everyone experiences less stress.
The impact that COVID-19 has on our community is changing daily. One of the best things we can do for our students is to maintain structure and routine as much as possible. Please reach out to your administrator with any questions you have during this time.
We appreciate your continued partnership and collaboration to make IDVA a wonderful place to learn.
Thank you!
Go Wolves!
6-12 IDVA Staff
Student/Guardian Meeting for all 8th Graders
It’s hard to believe but it’s time to start looking ahead to 4-year planning for high school for all IDVA 8th graders. A 4-Year Plan is simply a list of the classes a student plans on taking during his or her 4 years in high school.
The plan that is created will be a working document. In other words, students can make changes to the document as they progress through high school. As they get older, their interests, likes, dislikes, and choices will change. The career path a student is considering today may look completely different next week, in a month, or a year from now. Because of that, the document that is created is meant to be a guide on their journey and is not set in stone.
When a child has a plan of action, that usually means that goals have been set. When kids set goals, they are more apt to strive to reach them and thus intrinsic motivation spurs them forward, and they are more likely to be successful at the things they choose to do. So, let’s get together and talk about planning for high school and beyond!
For more information on the 4-year planning process, please join the school counselors for a special class connect session on Monday, March 30th at 3:30 pm MT/2:30 pm PT. You will find the link to the session in your class schedule. The session will also be recorded, so if you can’t make it at that time, please take time to watch the recording.
Thank you,
Jesse Altsuler, ISID Counselor
Mark Rodel, VHS Counselor, A-K
Jessica Lecertua, VHS Counselor, L-Z
Loretta Poxleitner, Middle School Counselor
Idaho State University Virtual Tour
Have you been on a campus visit?
All students should check out the Idaho State University Virtual Tour for a peek at college life.
For those students who can't make a trip to Idaho State University which is located in Pocatello, Idaho, you might want to check out their 360° virtual tour. From Swanson Arch to the Dental Hygiene Clinic to Holt Arena, and every building in between, students can explore rooms and learn more about the ISU campus and programs of study. Included in the online experience are science experiments, musical concerts, football plays, code-blue nursing scenarios, classrooms full of stuffed animals, classrooms full of robots, and even an ice-blocking party.
If you’ve never been on a college visit, this is a great opportunity to see what a college campus looks like and experience a little taste of college life. All ages are encouraged to check out what ISU has to offer!
IDVA School Counselors
Human Rights Poetry Contest (Grades 6-12)
Encourage your children or students to enter an original poem in the Center's annual Human Rights Poetry Contest (Grades 6-12). To participate, students must reflect on any or all aspects of the Spiral of Injustice and explore these concepts in an original work of poetry. Students might consider how one of the following quotes etched in the stone of the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial relates to interrupting the Spiral of Injustice.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Entries must be submitted online or onsite no later than Friday, April 3.
For more detail, visit the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights.
D.L. Evans Education Pays Program (Grades 6-12)
D.L. Evans Bank is very proud to support the education of today’s youth. We recognize and reward extraordinary students for their efforts. Every July, D.L. Evans Bank's Education Pays program rewards seven students with laptops for excelling in their core classes. All students must meet the same criteria to enter into the drawing.
Students, grades 6th-12th, can submit an entry form for each "A" they receive in a core class each semester or trimester. To enter, simply bring your report card to the closest D.L. Evans Bank branch and receive an entry for each "A" in a core class.
This is just one way D.L. Evans Bank shows our commitment and support to youth and their education!
Please contact us for further details.
Friday Fast Facts
Please check out the library of helpful Friday Fast Facts videos by Mrs. Wells, High School Master Teacher.
Friday Fast Fact Episodes:
Dismissing and Restoring Announcements
IDVA and ISID Scholarships
IDVA High Achievement Scholarship:
- One award at $2,500
IDVA Academic Excellence Scholarship:
- One award at $2,100
IDVA Janet Aikele Excellence in Online Learning Scholarship:
- Four awards at $1,000
IDVA Odyssey Scholarship :
- Five awards at $1,500
IDVA First Generation Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
IDVA Career and Technical Education Scholarship:
- One award at $1,200
Insight of Idaho School Scholarship:
- One award at $1,500
Only one scholarship will be awarded to an individual student.
Application Deadline: April 24, 2020
New Counselor Series - You are invited!
IDVA College and Career Website
Please check out IDVA's College and Career website for great resources about advanced opportunities, college, careers, military, and much more!
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.