Sunday Message
July 12, 2020
Principal's Message
WCPSS Virtual Academy
As you know, we are currently in the application period for the brand new WCPSS Virtual Academy. We have received several questions about Virtual Academy and wanted to provide the information below to families.
Important Information Regarding Virtual Academy
- Students will remain enrolled at their current school as assigned by WCPSS Student Assignment.
- Work completed in Virtual Academy will be graded. As you recall this spring, grades were not assigned for online work.
- Students and families will have support from a Student Help Desk for technology assistance.
- Families who choose Virtual Academy for the 2020-2021 school year can return to their previous track assignment for face to face instruction the following school year.
- Instruction that takes place in Virtual Academy will include live teaching, pre-recorded lessons, small group instruction, and independent practice. Students and teachers will virtually interact on a more frequent basis than they did in the spring.
- All K-5 core classes will be a part of the Virtual Academy curriculum.
- Students will have AIG, 504, and IEP supports in Virtual Academy.
This program will provide access to an additional instructional option for students where health concerns exist with returning to the school building. Or families could select this option based on a preference for the flexibility of the remote learning model. Additionally, this will offer a personalized learning environment that provides students with rigorous, standards aligned learning opportunities in an online setting. Lessons will be engaging, innovative, and exciting for students. Families must commit to at least one semester, with a recommendation of a one-year commitment. To the degree possible, Pleasant Union students who elect to participate in the Virtual Academy will be taught by Pleasant Union teachers.
Families can apply for Virtual Academy through July 20.
More information will is available at www.wcpss.net/Virtual-Academy. The application for Virtual Academy is linked here for your convenience.
Please note that Governor Cooper is supposed to make decisions about which plan schools should follow later this week. Next week's message will include even more details related to the opening of school for students and families.
Announcements
Class Lists/Teacher Assignments
Teacher Assignments and class lists will not be finalized until late July or early August. A number of factors impact the release of this information. The number of students who enroll in the Virtual Academy will impact staffing and assignment of class rosters. Given the fact that some Pleasant Union teachers will staff the Virtual Academy, your child could have a different teacher than who you anticipated they would have. Additionally, Governor Cooper could decide that schools may open on Plan A. This could potentially change our school back to a multi-track year round calendar. Or, the Governor could decide that schools will open up on Plan C, which would be a fully online model. Please know we are working diligently to prepare for the upcoming school year.
Summer Hours for Parent Pick Up of Student Materials from the 2019-2020 School Year
7/14 - 12:00-4:00
7/16 - 8:00-12:00
7/21 - 12:00-4:00
7/23 - 8:00-12:00
7/28 - 12:00-4:00
7/30 - 8:00-12:00
This will be the last opportunity to pick up student materials from the previous year before they are discarded so that we can prepare for the upcoming school year.
WCPSS Return to School Guidelines
For additional updates on health, safety, and district expectations as we return to school, please visit this link for information from WCPSS. Specific information regarding face coverings, bus screening requirements, campus screening requirements, social emotional health, and much more.
2019-2020 Yearbooks
Lifetouch is still working to complete our yearbook orders for last school year. Operations have been impacted due to the number of employees who are able to work at the manufacturing facility due to COVID-19. We hope yearbooks will arrive in August.
Parent Teacher Association
If you are interested in serving in a leadership role on the PUE PTA, please contact Sarah Gupta at sarahgold2003@yahoo.com
Mark Your Calendar
Virtual Academy Application Opens
Monday, July 20
Virtual Academy Application Closes
Monday, August 17
School year begins for students