ORVA Community Newsletter
January 2022
In This Issue
- Enrollment Open for Spring Semester
- Immunization Deadline
- ORVA Student Handbook
- Activities Coordinator Corner
- School Spelling Bee
- School Choice Week Challenge!
- January ORventure
- Learning Coach Corner
- Text Opt In
- Connect With ORVA Students/Families
- NHS and NJHS
- Box Tops
- Scholastic Books
- Amazon Smile
- Vector Solutions
- K12/Stride Spelling Bee
- Elementary Spotlight
- Middle School Spotlight
- High School Spotlight
- Special Programs Spotlight
- From our School Psychologist
- Community Resources
- School Calendar
- Contact Us
Enrollment Open for Spring Semester
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Do you know anyone who is interested in enrolling in ORVA for the Spring Semester? They can access the enrollment portal by visiting our website at https://oregonvirtual.org/ and clicking on "enroll now" or by dialing 866.529.0160.
Immunization Deadline
541-751-8060
ORVA Student Handbook
Activities Coordinator Corner
ORVA School Spelling Bee
School Choice Week Challenge!
January ORventure
Learning Coach Corner
Learning Coach Academy
We will begin live sessions again in the Spring Semester. If there is something you feel would be helpful to be included in the LCA sessions, please let me know and I will be happy to add it.
Learning Coach Lounge
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.
Connect with ORVA Students/Families
Parent Connect
Student Connect
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)
Please note: if you choose to add an email address to the directory, it must be a personal email address and not their school email as students are not able to email each other through their school (oregonva.org) email. Thank you!
NHS and NJHS
Applications are open for National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society!
Affiliated with the national organizations, ORVA currently has active chapters of National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society. Both organizations base membership based on the pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Below are the criteria for membership:
- Enrolled in ORVA for at least 1 semester and in good standing
- GPA 3.0-4.0
- Demonstrate commitment to the 4 pillars through the application process
- 2nd semester of grade 6-grade 8 (NJHS), grade 9-11 (NHS)
Some examples of service projects from the active chapter include school service projects (senior graduation video, teacher appreciation and buddy/mentor program), sewing masks, blankets and other needed items for non-profit organizations, volunteering at local food banks or other community-based organizations near you. Students participate in both individual and group service projects and there is not a requirement to attend in-person events. Completed applications should be submitted by Monday, February 7th. For more information, please contact:
NJHS Adviser Ranee Solmonsson rsolmonsson@oregonva.org
NHS Adviser Margie Paulson mpaulson@oregonva.org
Additional information is also available at:
Interested candidates can fill out information forms here:
NOTE: Copy and paste the links to a browser window. Enter your name and email to complete and sign the forms. You will need to retrieve a code to sign, so check your junk/other folders if you don’t see it in your inbox. Once completed and signed, chapter adviser will automatically be notified. Your email and name will not be shared elsewhere.
Box Tops
Please choose The Oregon Virtual Academy when signing up. Our school ID is 9671721. If you have questions, you can email Anne Farrell, Student Resource Coordinator, at anfarrell@oregonva.org
Scholastic Books
Orders for January are currently being accepted.
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. Our school account says MS, but it’s the account for K-12.
Website/ordering link: https://orders.scholastic.com/XQ8XT
If you’re asked for our school code, it’s XQ8XT.
Be sure to choose the ship to home option when you’re ready to order.
Orders will be placed for this month on January 28, 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
AmazonSmile
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.
K12/Stride Spelling Bee
You must register by January 28, 2022.
When asked for your school's name, please list: "K12/Learning Solutions: (Enter Your School's Name)"
Please be aware that this Bee is completely separate from the ORVA School Bee and is not run by ORVA.
Elementary Spotlight
Hello ORVA families!
The second grade team (Mrs. Terhaar, Mr. Baker, & Mrs. Krystle) would like to wish you a Happy New Year and a welcome back! We hope each of you had a restful and meaningful time with your family and friends during the winter break.
We have made it to the halfway mark of the year! It is always nice to come back to our routines after a long break. This can be tricky though! It is important to set those routines now so that we can maximize our learning in the classroom and during our independent studies.
Some helpful tips:
· Set up a school schedule for a set amount of hours that your student must sit down and stay focused for.
· Have an established learning space clear of distractions for your student to work.
· Materials should be located at the learning space, ready to be used.
· Include wiggle breaks throughout your day! It will help refocus our brains and get some much needed exercise.
· Have healthy snacks nearby! Some examples: Water, (veggie/fruit) smoothies, 100% juice, apples, carrots, string cheese, whole wheat crackers, nut butter, and baby carrots.
We are so happy to have our students back in our classrooms after break. We missed your smiles!
Best,
The Second Grade Team
Middle School Spotlight
Dear ORVA Middle School Community,
Happy January to our ORVA Middle School Families!
We have had a productive and fun 2nd Quarter in Middle School. Thank you to all our awesome students, learning coaches and teachers! As we move towards the end of Semester 1, please stay connected to your student’s teachers and advisors and make sure healthy academic habits are incorporated into daily family life this new year. This can include keeping a planner of assignments, setting alarms for live CC times, and checking and replying to emails daily.
Academic Dates!
In middle school this month, students and teachers are working hard to prepare for the end of Semester 1 and the beginning of Semester 2. Please remind your student of these important academic dates:
- 1.17.22: No School (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
- 1.21.22: The last day for students to turn in Large Projects and Essays
- 1.26.22, The last day for students to turn in All Graded Assignments
- 1.27.22 and 1.28.22: No School (Teacher Grading Days)
- 1.28.22: The end of Semester 1 and Quarter 2: Progress Reports will be sent via email
- 1.31.22 to 2.4.22: Spirit week! See information below.
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!
Spirit Week!
At ORVA’s Middle School, we host a Spirit Week full of events for students during the week between Semester 1 and Semester 2. This year this week is Monday, 1.31.22 to Friday, 2.4.22. Each day your student will have the opportunity to connect with their teachers during two or more CC sessions. Attendance is required at two sessions per day, and more are optional but encouraged! During this week, students will also complete their second round of Star 360 Assessments and prep for the beginning of Semester 2. These sessions will be populated on their schedule and more times and details will be coming soon.
Second Semester Elective Classes
As we approach the second semester, Middle School is ready to forecast for elective courses. Please visit our Elective Forecasting Link and decide if there is a course your student would like to take. All electives are optional and will begin in early February. More information is linked to the forecasting sheet and the Learning Coach Information Padlet.
I hope everyone is enjoying a fantastic new year!
Warmly,
Caitlin Klenz
ORVA Middle School Principal
High School Spotlight
Important Dates and Info
Hello ORVA High School Families and Students:
January is a jam-packed month for ORVA HS. Below you’ll see important dates and events happening this month:
The end of the Semester 1 is just around the corner:
January 21st is the last day to turn in teacher graded work
January 26th is the last day to turn in all graded work
February 4th is the end of Semester 1 Quarter 2
January 31st- February 4th is our 3rd annual Future Week: a week where all of ORVA High School will focus on student’s future goals and opportunities. During this time, speakers from different universities and community colleges throughout Oregon, will be brought in to speak with students. We will have options to hear from AmeriCorps and military recruiters as well as parents and community members presenting different career paths they have taken. Teachers will also be presenting of a variety of topics about navigating life after high school.
Private Messaging: ORVA High School staff recognizes the need for students to talk together socially. We want students to be able to make friends and to interact with others on a personal and academic level. To that end, we will be turning on private messaging for all social lunch times through each week. Students are being shown how to navigate any negative issues that could arise from this by being given access to our reporting tool; here students can report harassment, bullying, or any other concerns they have. All social lunches are optional. We will also be opening-up private messaging in some classes. Student will be made aware of it ahead of time. If you do not wish your child to be a part of the private messaging option, please fill out this form.
Star 360 testing is underway and will be completed by end of semester 1 with a heavier focus during January 31st-Februrary 4th.
We are excited for all our new opportunities to help students connect to each other and others in our community. Have a wonderful January!
Dual Credit Options
Special Programs Spotlight
IEP and Progress Reports
The new year is underway and while navigating your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) you may be wondering about progress in their IEP goals. Each student with an IEP has specific goals to accomplish that address a variety of their individual needs. The IEP progress report provides information about their progress toward the individualized goals designed for them in the IEP. IEP progress reports are the data source needed to get specific information about your child’s progress toward their individualized IEP goals. Reviewing this information along with their report card will let you know if your child is on track to meet their IEP goals in addition to classroom academic performance. IEP progress reports will be emailed to students and families the last week of January. If you have questions, don't receive a progress report, or would like more information, feel free to reach out to your child's special education case manager.
We would like to give a warm welcome to Stacy Knuth our newly hired English Learner Coordinator! She is able to or is learning to speak, read, write Spanish, Somali and Arabic. Stacy has experience as an ELD teacher and Migrant education teacher. She has experience in speech, debate, journalism, and general academic advising. We are so excited to have her on our team!
TAG
ACADEMIC ACCELERATION
ORVA is excited to share our Academic Acceleration options with families. For complete information, please refer to page 65-67 of the new Student Handbook.
Acceleration is a research-based practice that has been shown to benefit many students in providing opportunities to work in curriculum that meet assessed rate and level. Acceleration is an academic intervention and approach through which students move more quickly through curriculum or have access to curriculum at a higher level than typical of age. There are many types of acceleration, but these types can be grouped into two broad categories: subject-based acceleration and grade-based acceleration. Acceleration opportunities are open to all ORVA students and are based upon each student’s academic needs.
Grade Based Acceleration
This category includes early entrance to kindergarten or college or whole grade acceleration (also known as grade skipping). Early entrance to college is available through ORVA’s dual enrollment program. Students shall work with academic counselors for participation in this program or to complete a plan for early graduation.
Whole grade/grade-based acceleration (also known as grade-skipping) is an option for students who wish to seek advancement to the next academic grade level. In order to be considered for whole grade acceleration, the following process is utilized at ORVA:
Referral: Consideration for whole grade acceleration may be initiated by parent, guardian, learning coach, student or any school staff member who is familiar with the student’s academic performance.
Screening: The Talented and Gifted Coordinator receives the student referral and completes a file review. This includes a parent interview, input from classroom and/or content teachers and student input.
Assessment: Based upon input in the screening process, students are referred to specific areas of testing, which includes the use of an unbiased academic acceleration scale, a cognitive abilities test, as well as nationally or state normed academic achievement tests.
Decision Making: The child study team convenes to review the collection of objective data, to include academic, social-emotional, developmental, and input from learning coach and/or parent/guardian and student.
Planning: A written acceleration plan is completed with input from the child study team outcomes. The plan shall include specific monitoring activities, who shall complete them and specify timelines for completion. The acceleration plan shall address which statewide assessments students will take, social-emotional supports (if applicable), plans for filling any short-term gaps and guidance to support continued grade-level standing. Extracurricular activities are not withheld from students who are recommended for whole grade acceleration.
Transition Period: During the transition period (30 school days), the TAG Coordinator shall follow up with parent/guardian and seek input from members of the child study team to monitor student progress and support. The decision for whole grade acceleration may be reversed during this transition period if there is compelling evidence supporting the reversal of the decision.
Content Based Acceleration
Single subject acceleration is an option available for students whose assessed rate and level show the need for material and/or curriculum that is above grade level. This type of acceleration may be done either within the classroom, via small groups or by working in a classroom above grade level for specific curricular areas. In addition to ORVA’s core content area curriculum, students may be assigned supplemental or alternative curriculum.
From our School Psychologist
Community Resources
School Calendar
Contact Us
Instagram: @oregonvirtualacademy
TikTok: @oregonvirtualacad
Email: oregonvirtual@oregonva.org
Website: oregonvirtual.org
Location: 400 Virginia Avenue, North Bend, OR, USA
Phone: 541-751-8060
Facebook: http://facebook.com/OregonVirtual
Twitter: @AcademyOregon