Odyssey Academy of Virtual Learning
February 11th, 2020
Kudos to YOU!!!
Thank you for all that you do, day in and day out for your children. You have chosen virtual education because you feel that it is the best educational option to meet the needs of your child(ren) and ensure their success. We thank you for the dedication and support that you give to your child(ren), it is such important and rewarding work. At Odyssey, we will work equally as hard to deliver the best education and learning opportunities to your child(ren). It truly is an honor to be part of this amazing school community.
Important Dates
February 14 & 17- NO SCHOOL (Teacher Inservice)
March 3- ACT Test for Juniors
March 5- Discovery World Field Trip
April 23- Marsh Haven Field Trip
All-Star Virtual Field Trip
https://www.discoveryeducation.com/learn/nba-partnership/
On February 13, at 12PM (1PM EST), join Discovery Education and the Jr. NBA for an exclusive NBA Storytellers All-Star Virtual Field Trip and meet the people who are sharing professional basketball’s most compelling narratives—from its powerful history, to its exciting present, to its inspiring future.
Student Outcomes
This VFT will help students:
- Explore exciting career pathways related to professional basketball and learn how NBA professionals use communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity every day.
- Examine how the art of storytelling—visual, oral, digital, and data-driven—plays an important role in these careers.
- Learn how technology and new media have impacted the way in which we tell stories in the modern era.
- Learn about the past, present, and future of the NBA’s story.
Thursday, Feb 13, 2020, 12:00 PM
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Phy Ed- Independent Study Class
Calling all ARTISTS!
We are excited to offer art classes by a professionally licensed art teacher for elementary, middle and high school students. This spring semester, she will be offering 4 classes for each level of students in the Ripon area. All are welcome! Watch for further details in the next newsletter.
WIAA Legislation
The most recent communication that I shared, notified you of the hearing that took place this past Thursday, February 6th. On behalf of Odyssey, I am thrilled to announce that one of our own Odyssey students, Aliyah, wrote a speech in favor of the bill. On Thursday, they traveled to Madison and she gave her speech to the committee members; what an amazing educational opportunity that they took advantage of and spoke on the behalf of many virtual school students and families. Aliyah was able to work on persuasive writing, public speaking skills and gain an understanding of the legislative system. Additionally, her mom also spoke at the hearing addressing her background in public education and explained why they chose virtual education for their children. They support this bill because of the opportunities it would afford all virtual school students.
Thank you Aliyah and Pam for speaking on behalf of many public virtual school students across the state of Wisconsin. I commend your courage and efforts.
If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to get involved and contact your local representative. Here is a MAP that displays your local representatives. Here are two that are in the Ripon area:
Senator Luther S. Olsen (608) 266-0751 Sen.Olsen@legis.wisconsin.gov and
Representative Joan Ballweg (608) 266-8077 or (888) 534-0041 Rep.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov
Student Government Opportunity
The Fond du Lac County Council American Legion and Auxiliary has made plans for Fond du Lac County Student Government Day to take place Wednesday, April 22, 2020. The committee has been working with the Fond du Lac County staff to update the agenda to make the day
interesting and informative. There will be an overview of the Sheriff’s Office with a tour of the
Communication Center (Dispatch). The sessions in the Legislative Chambers are alternated with the tours to keep “sitting time” to a minimum. We are hoping to be able to have a plea and sentencing hearing.
The students will get the opportunity to vote on pertinent issues surrounding education. A ballot will focus on the following topics:
- mandated silent reflection at the beginning of the school day ?
- should teachers be allowed to collect cell phones at the beginning of class ?
- should the state of WI allow illegal immigrants to apply for a driver's license ?
- should the state of WI legalize the use of recreational marijuana ?
Odyssey Academy can send up to 4 interested students. If you are interested, please let Rebecca Miller know by February 29th.
Open Enrollment for 2020-2021
Many questions have arisen regarding Open Enrollment from current Odyssey families and interested families. Please read through the following information carefully. Open Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year begins February 3rd. The application will be available starting February 3rd, the link is provided below.
Enrollment Process for 2020-2021
Current Resident Families: In July, information will be sent out to families on how to complete the online registration process. This is the process where you verify and make any updates to your contact information. Please know that you do not have to partake in open enrollment.
Current Open Enrolled Families: Please do not complete the open enrollment process again to our district. The best part about open enrollment is that you only have to complete it one year. If you do complete the open enrollment process again for Odyssey we will ask that you please log back in to DPI and remove your application to help prevent duplication. In July, you will get information on how to complete the online registration process. This is the process where you verify and make any updates to your contact information.
New Interested Open Enrolled Families: Please complete the open enrollment process between February 3 and April 30. Once the open enrollment window is complete we will contact you with the next steps.
We will continue to accept new students for THIS school year (2019-2020), that is done through the 'Alternate Open Enrollment' form. If there are any questions, please contact us.
Wisconsin Standardized State Testing
ACT Aspire- Grades 9 & 10 and FORWARD EXAM- Grades 3-8 and 10 (S.S. Only)
- April 7 & 8- Brookfield
- April 13 & 14- Ripon & Merrill
A sign-up for testing locations will be shared out soon.
State Testing.... How it benefits YOU!
How does it impact Odyssey if my child does not take the state test?
As a public school, Odyssey is required to participate in the state testing. For each student who does not participate in the state testing, a zero is recorded as a score. Each student score recorded as a zero on the state tests has devastating effects on the overall school performance on the report card. Parents and families want the best education for their children. The report cards help parents make decisions about what school they may choose for their children.
How does state testing directly benefit my child and for me as a parent?
These tests provide a measure to parents of students' knowledge and skills required to be college- and career- ready. The test results provide parents with information on how their child and their child’s school is performing relative to other students and schools in Wisconsin.
Why does the state of Wisconsin require students to take standardized tests?
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires states to test all students in English/language arts and mathematics to hold schools accountable to provide high quality instruction to students. Each public school in the state of Wisconsin is issued a report card noting a school’s proficiency in five categories: student achievement, district growth, student engagement, postsecondary readiness and achievement gaps.
Field Trip- Marsh Haven Nature Center
A huge THANK YOU to one of our own Odyssey parents for offering this enriching opportunity to Odyssey families!
Located on the north end of the world famous Horicon Marsh, our non-profit, volunteer-supported nature center is a place to appreciate the wonders and beauty of nature. Visitors often see numerous bird species, including a well-established Purple Martin colony. Wildlife may be seen while wandering through the woodland, prairie, or wetland trails on our 46-acres.
There is no charge for admission or programming for this field trip. There is a gift shop and snack area in the nature center for individual purchases if families so choose.
Visit www.marshhaven.org for more information.
10:00 – Arrival
10:00 – 10:30am – Explore indoor museum exhibits and play Marsh Haven BINGO to learn more about the history and wildlife of the Horicon Marsh area. Displays include Glacier, Native American, Pioneer, Bird Gallery, Wetland, and Woodland. The Nature Nook Children’s Area offers young visitors a hands-on area to learn and explore.
10:45 – 11:45am – Guided nature hike along the Nest Box Trail
This easy hike will include frequent stops to monitor a few of the 40+ nest boxes at Marsh Haven. We will record our discoveries and learn more about what birds are building nests and raising their young at the nature center.
12:00 – 12:30 – Lunch (Families bring their own bag lunch) Eat under picnic shelter or in classroom.
12:30 – 1:30pm – Wild Birds of Prey program in the Respect Our Earth theater - Have you ever wanted to see a hawk or owl close up? This program will introduce some of Wisconsin’s raptors through a photo presentation, mounted specimens, and LIVE birds. These are educational birds and cannot be returned to the wild due to a variety of permanent injuries. The particular live birds may vary by program, but may include a Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Eastern Screech Owl, Great Horned Owl or Barred Owl.
The nature center is open until 4 pm that day and families are welcome to stay longer to do more hiking or exploring in the museum.
Thursday, Apr 23, 2020, 10:00 AM
W10145 Wisconsin 49, Waupun, WI 53963, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
REMINDER: "What gets measured, gets improved." - Odyssey Parent Survey
"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning. ~Benjamin Franklin
We are committed at Odyssey Academy to creating a school that best meets the needs of our students and families, that holds high expectations and maintains academic excellence. Together as a school community, your input is valuable in helping us to achieve our mission and goals.
Odyssey's Mission: "empower learners through a customized and flexible pathway that fosters forward thinking". Please help us to achieve our mission through this parent survey. (link below) Thank you for your time and commitment to Odyssey.
(above quote by Peter Drucker)
THANK YOU to all families that have already submitted your survey!
Want to learn more about Odyssey Academy?
Virtual Meetings:
Monday, February 3rd- 6:00 pm
Thursday, February 20th- 6:00 pm
Monday, March 9th- 6:00 pm
Wednesday, April 1st- 6:00 pm
Connection Link to meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9419279498
REMINDER- Discovery World Field Trip- All Odyssey Students
Participation Form- complete by February 1st
Thursday, Mar 5, 2020, 10:15 AM
Discovery World, North Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, WI, USA
ACT- Practice Materials
Below are numerous resources to help your child to prepare for the ACT test. The first link is a very helpful booklet that explains to students how to prepare for the ACT test. Many practice tests are available through the below links as well. It is not too early to start preparing for this important test for juniors.
- Preparing for the ACT - student informational booklet
- ACT Academy
- Sample Test Questions
- Online Practice Tests
- Test Preparation
ACT Test- 11th Graders- SAVE THE DATE!!!
Locations- Ripon High School & Green Bay
Watch for further details..
or dropped off at the Ripon School District Office: 1120 Metomen St., Ripon, WI
CONTACT US
Email: odyssey@ripon.k12.wi.us
Website: www.odysseyacademyofvirtuallearning.com
Location: 1120 Metomen Street, Ripon, WI, USA
Phone: 920-748-4625
Facebook: facebook.com/www.facebookodysseyacademyofvirtuallearning
Twitter: @AcademyOdyssey