NCVA Beacon Herald
Summer 2020
Our Mission
A Message from our Head of School
Dear NCVA Family,
As the school year comes to an end, our minds and hearts are filled to the brim. I would like to express how grateful I am to lead such an amazing community of students, parents, teachers, and staff members! Together we have learned much and shared experiences that will remain with us in the years to come. I am so proud of all the achievements and accomplishments that our students have experienced this year.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Learning Coaches who have contributed in unimaginable ways! Thank you for helping your kids in the learning process; the partnership between home and school is critical.
I would also like to thank our hard working and caring staff members who have made a huge difference in the lives of our students. Their commitment is outstanding, and our kids are the recipients. Thank you for providing rich and engaging, well-rounded experiences for our kids and knowing that education is about joy, wonder, and fostering curiosity, along with the development of social skills so needed to succeed. For these and a million other things, we are truly grateful.
And finally, to our students - Thank you for all your hard work throughout the school year. I am so honored to be your Head of School; you make me proud each and every day. I am grateful for your joy, astute insights, and amazing talents. I hope you all have a safe and happy summer break. I look forward to seeing you again in August!
Lauren Acome, Head of School
Important Dates
Re-Registration for SY 20-21 is closing soon!
~Access via your LC Account~
- June 3rd: Last day of school!
- June 4th: HS Virtual Graduation Ceremony
- June 5th: Re-Registration closes
- June 15th-June 19th: NCVA Summer Reading Adventures
1st Day of School SY 20-21: Monday, August 17th
NCVA Calendar SY 20-21
*The copy was removed pending calendar changes over the summer.*
June 3rd...Almost there!
June 3rd is the last day of school! Be sure to keep your attendance up to date.
1. Attend all required LIVE Class Connect Sessions.
2. Complete all lessons and assignments due for the day.
3. Make up any over-due lessons.
4. Manually log ALL attendance in the Learning Coach (LC) Account of the OLS under the Attendance Tab.
Re-Registration Closes June 5th!
If you have any questions about re-registering, follow along with the steps included in this short video https://share.vidyard.com/watch/MUaAsLXQDTBiZS3wYhGfGn? or on the re-registration flyer for returning families. We're looking forward to another great year!
UPDATE Your Contact Information
Please ensure your phone number and e-mail are up to date in the OLS under your LC Account.
- Change of Address: Proof of Residence (utility bill, lease, home owner's statement) is required to update your physical address. Please e-mail the information to the Registrar at lzuber@ncvacademy.org.
Returning Course Materials
Be on the look out for communication from K12 regarding what materials to return at the end of our school year (June 3rd). *Please do NOT return materials immediately if your student is attending summer school.
~From K12 Customer Support~
When your student receives a grade for a course and their course end date arrives, you will receive:
An email (within 24 hours) with instructions to return materials, a list of what to return, and a separate email from UPS with labels for you to print
A letter via USPS (within 7-10 business days) instructing you of what to do with each material item for that course or group of courses and a set of UPS labels.
You may also view the list of materials that need to be returned in your My Info account. See the Learn Which Course Materials Will Need to be Returned article for directions on how to locate this information.
Computer Equipment
ONLY return your K12 issued computer hardware if the student is withdrawing.
K12 Customer Support: 1-866-512-2273
Summer 2020 Activities
K12 Summer Camps 2020!
K12 Summer Camps begin June 1st-September 4th!
Students who sign-up for K12 Summer Camps will automatically gain access to ALL camps for their grade level. Summer Camps are optional, and students can attend any or all camp sessions.
Register HERE: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K12Camps
*Please fill out separate survey for each student that is registering for summer camps.
Student and Family questions about national clubs & other national programming may be directed to clubs@k12.com .
NCVA Summer Reading Adventures
K12 Brain Boost
A Fun Summer Program for Your Student
The last few months have been tough, and you have been amazing! Summer is just around the corner and we have some exciting courses that you can access to keep your joy of learning going even though we’re not together.
The Brain Boost courses give you a way to explore the Online School, play games, read books, and simply have fun. Don't forget to log in starting on June 15th to relax a bit and explore the Brain Boost summer program with your student.
NCVA Family Directory
We are excited to announce our first NCVA Family Directory! It will remain open over the summer. Many of you have asked about additional ways to connect with other families in your area. If you choose to opt-in to the Family Directory, you can connect with other families in your area with students of the same age. Only families who opt-in will have access to the Directory.
You will only include your name, email address, and city, as well as the grade level(s) of your student(s). If you choose to do so, you can then email to connect with other families. We are so excited to be able to offer this, and we hope you take advantage of the opportunity. Please remember, this is NOT mandatory. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Advisor.
Family Directory Registration Link (Optional):
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeD8fXlGbE9x6yLjkToaMwK0vk7LsUupHsZycVJ63ztOAs0A/viewform?usp=sf_linkSocial Media
Please take advantage of opportunities to connect with the K12 and NCVA communities online and social media, via:
If you have not already, take a few moments to check out our NCVA Facebook page. This is a great way to make friends and connect with other NCVA families.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncva_k12
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncva_k12/
K12 National News
K12 Project Elevate
Do you have a great story to tell about your student(s) and the role that online and blended school has played in their lives?
Are you interested in sharing your story with local reporters and media outlets?
If so, please submit it to Project Elevate, our story-collection tool, and we’ll contact you for possible media opportunities. You can submit your story online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu6TsXDsH0351u99Aw--heTds3mUJdmNbOx1w86lnUn-Gslg/viewform or via the free K12 Elevate app for iOS and Android devices.
Class Connect Powered by Newrow
Starting in school year 2020-2021, you may start to see some changes in Class Connect! Your teachers may begin to use our new collaboration platform, Newrow, for some Class Connect sessions to provide an even more engaging live class session experience. Check out these videos to learn more about Class Connect powered by Newrow, coming in Fall 2020!
- Elementary School Student- https://youtu.be/zTZ_s9XQCm0
- Middle/High School Student-https://youtu.be/tDhJvSVVINo
K12 National LC Support Sessions
RSVP is required using the links in the attached pdf.
K12 Job Shadow Week 7/13-7/17
K12’s 2nd Annual Job Shadow Week is Open for Registration
Job Shadow Week is a national career readiness education initiative that exposes high school students to the world of work, and invites business professionals to share what they and their colleagues do, show students what their workplaces look like, and explain the training or education required to enter their field or company.
During the week of July 13-17th students will shadow companies, businesses, and industries through live sessions, recorded sessions, and additional content – all from the safety of their homes. Job Shadow Week is available at no cost and is open to all students of public, private, charter, and virtual high schools.
Students can chat with industry experts from NASA, Motion Pictures Association, YouTube, Google, and many more! For more information and to register, visit http://www.jobshadowweek.com .
K12 Learning Liftoff Newsletter
Register here: http://www.learningliftoff.com/
Elementary School Updates
Thank You!
Wrapping up the 2019-2020 School Year
End of Year Feedback
Summer Work Suggestions
- IXL
- Freckle
- Math Fluency Practice/Games
- Daily Reading
- Journaling
- Pen-Pals
- Science Websites
- Science Experiments
- Cursive Practice
- Typing Practice
- Flashcards
Middle School Updates
End of Year Wrap-Up!
Thank you all for an amazing 2019-2020 school year! It has been rewarding to see how each student has grown and succeeded in their academics over the course of this year. Middle School is a memorable time, and we hope that this year has been a great year for each student and Learning Coach, too!
Over the summer, please continue your learning through IXL, Freckle, Big Universe, home science experiments, reading new novels and articles, virtual museum tours, and more! We look forward to seeing you back in August for a start to another successful year!
Have a great summer!
~Mrs. O’Shea, Mrs. Mac, & The Middle School Teachers
Important Dates and EOY Success
- June 3rd: Last Day of School & Last day to submit any graded assignments.
- Mid-June: Report Cards will be sent.
Please keep in mind that report cards will be different this quarter due to the COIVD19 guidelines set by the State Board of Education. Report cards emailed to the Learning Coach will feature feedback from each teacher as well as the “PC19” or “WC19” indicator to indicate the student’s overall performance in each subject area.
Tips for End of Year Success June 1st-June 3rd
1. Check your grades to look out for missing work!
· Need a refresher on how to do this? Check here: https://safeshare.tv/x/pBMMiiBluMs#
· Turn any missing work end by 4PM on June 3rd
2. Challenge yourself to finish at your best!
· Complete any remaining quiz retakes for a higher score. Need a refresher on how? Check here: https://safeyoutube.net/w/64iv
· Did your teacher offer extra credit? Complete this for an extra learning opportunity to impact your success!
Department of Exceptional Children
High School Counseling News
**Seniors**
Our virtual graduation is scheduled for Thursday, June 4th at 11:00 AM. We will send out final details soon. Please watch your email for this information and a link to sign up to attend.
**Juniors**
Counselors will be reaching out to you soon to plan for 2020-21. Start thinking about your post-graduation plans now and be ready with questions!
Katie Beck
Counselor for Students with Last Names A-F
Nicole Hairston
Counselor for Students with Last Names G-N
Erin Farmer
Counselor for Students with Last Names O-Z
High School Updates
We are all in this together.
Please remember Class Connects are REQUIRED– To be successful....you must come to classes… everyday! Class connects are a requirement as per the NCVA student handbook. In the rare event you cannot make it to class, you should notify your teacher in advance. Please remember that we are here to help you to be successful and in order to do that it is important for you to be in class as much as possible. Participating in class is also required DAILY – While we know that many students do not like to talk on the mic, it is still expected that you have a working mic and that you either use your polling tools or chat box on a DAILY and consistent basis. Please make sure to let your teacher know you are there and with them and trying to participate. Please do not hesitate to let us know when an issue arises so that we can work with you.
Also, make sure to have the tech support numbers on file and handy so that if a tech issue arises you are ready and able to handle it fast so that you can get back to the important things, like LEARNING! :) Also, remember, should you have to submit a ticket and a tech issue makes you miss class you MUST provide the ticket number to your teacher. If you don’t like to talk on the mic, please answer in the chat box or use your polling tools. Just let us know you are there and trying.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Graduation June 4th (Virtual)
HS Summer School will be June 10-25
NCVA Student Support Team
Have a great summer!
The Student Support Team would like to wish all of our families at NCVA a "strong finish" as you wrap up the final week of school. We have enjoyed working with you this year. Enjoy your summer break!
Meet your Student Support Team
Lea King, Student Support Administrator
Aimee Hanna, Student Attendance Specialist
Lisa Malkiewicz, K-5 Attendance Specialist
Paige Adams, Student Resource Coordinator
Jillian Davenport, Community Engagement Specialist
Whitney Cress, K-8 Counselor
Student Support Advisors :
K-5: Amy Baker, Rebekah Logan, Allison Mosley, Nkechi Orabuchi-Fluker, Katie Szostak, and Natalee West
6-8: Brittany Bonardi, Tiffany Carson, Kristen Herd, Danielle Smithers, and Karie Shuler
9-12: Marah Barrow, Debbie DeLoach, and Jennifer Triplett
K-8 Counselor: Whitney Cress
Hello all! My name is Whitney Cress, and I am the elementary and middle school counselor. Please never hesitate to reach out for support! Your kids will see me during our monthly Beacon Times, and may see me in a support or small group.
Also, take notice of our student services website packed with a tremendous amount of helpful community, academic, social and emotional resources! See it here: https://ncvastudentservices.wixsite.com/ncva
Whitney Cress
919-346-0121 ext 2113
COVID-19 RESOURCES
We're all in this together!
- COVID-19 Community Resources: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15Y1Do99yshaKL5d9yie6nFy8guToV4wbK7uJ5ahIdaw/edit?usp=sharing
Specific by region, including assistance with food, finances, utilities, etc.
- Fun! at Home Resources: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TO-o8aNvOtp9nOAp5cxByDto1ss85dDITyd-qKArCOo/edit?usp=sharing
This is a living document featuring regular updates.
Crisis Support:
· Text support: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis (including COVID19, self harm, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation) and get connected with a trained crisis counselor.
· National Suicide Hotline number is 800-273-TALK (8255), there is also a chat option on their website, https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ .
· As always, call 911 with any life-threatening emergencies, including thoughts or plans of suicide and self-harm.
NCVA provides McKinney-Vento/Homeless support to qualifying students
You may be eligible for assistance through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Below is the definition of what qualifies a family to be considered eligible for supports and services.
According to section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)), the term “homeless children and youths”—
(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
(B) includes—
(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals.
(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
(iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
Children and youth are considered homeless if they fit both Part A and any one of the sub-parts of Part B of the definition above.
If you feel you may qualify or if you have any questions, please contact Paige Adams, Homeless Liaison & Family Resource Coordinator, at padams@ncvacademy.org or at 919-346-0121 ext. 2030.
STUDENT AND PARENT OPPORTUNITIES
Happy Summer from the RPG Teams!
How do I join? : E-mail the Regional Parent Group where you reside. Use the map below to find your Region by County. Include your name, county, student(s)' name(s), grade levels, and phone number.
Region 1 ncvaregion1@gmail.com
Region 2 ncvaregion2@gmail.com
Region 3 ncvaregion3@yahoo.com
Region 4 ncvaregion4@gmail.com *UPDATED*
Region 5 ncvaregion5@gmail.com
Region 6 ncvaregion6@gmail.com
Region 7 ncvaregion7@yahoo.com
Region 8 ncvaregion8@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: The Regional Parent Groups are comprised of Learning Coaches. They do NOT have access to student information. Please contact your student's Homeroom or Content Area Teacher(s) for academic questions.
Tallo: Digital Resume
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
K12 Customer Support Videos
https://www.help.k12.com/s/topic/0TO0B000000I2moWAC/technical-support-videos#?tabset-26361=2
- Audio Set-Up: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-to-Setup-a-Headset-Microphone-and-Configure-Audio-for-Class-Connect
- Time Zone Configuration: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-to-Update-the-Time-Zone-in-the-Online-School-and-on-Your-Computer
- Clear Cache and Cookies: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Internet-Browsers-Clear-Cache-and-Cookies
When to Clear Cache & Cookies
Having trouble logging in to the OLS? Try clearing your browser cache and cookies.
OLS continually loads or redirects – “Redirecting…Please wait”
OLS navigation between pages is slow
OLS pages load but missing information
Browser error messages
Getting booted out of the OLS or LMS
After a planned maintenance outage
After an unexpected outage
How To: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Internet-Browsers-Clear-Cache-and-Cookies
As of July 2019, the recommended browser when using the K12 Online School platforms, for all grade levels, is Google Chrome. https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Recommended-Browsers
Important Note for Chrome Users: In an effort to make the Chrome experience better for our users, the K12 team released an extension for Chrome that will allow the use of the latest version of the browser without having to enable Flash each time Chrome is opened.
If you are using a Chromebook or need to access your online classes using Chrome, we recommend installing the Flash Enabler Extension which will enable and save Flash settings for your classes. Please refer to Enabling Flash in Chrome for a step-by-step guide to enabling Flash in Chrome.
HELPING OUR SCHOOL
Box Tops for Education
As a public school, NCVA is able to participate in Box Tops for Education by General Mills. As you shop and purchase normal, everyday products such as food, storage, paper products, and cleaning supplies our school may now earn credit using Box Tops mobile app.
- Download the Box Tops App https://www.boxtops4education.com/bonusapp and type in "North Carolina Virtual Academy" for our school to receive credit.
- For a limited time, you may also bring physical box tops with you to an outing or mail them to the school address attention Carrie Daniel.
Please address any additional questions to our coordinator Carrie Daniel (cdaniel@ncvacademy.org). Thank you for your support!
"Together In Education Program"
Account # 3669
"Tools For Schools"
(Account # 31300)
Contact Information
North Carolina Virtual Academy
4220 NC HWY 55, Suite 130
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 919-346-0121
Fax: 919-324-6597
Website: http://ncva.k12.com
K12 Customer Support: 1-866-512-2273
K12 Support 1-866-512-2273
K12 Customer support is open 24/7 to provide assistance to our families.