FAQ

Q: What is LOA?

A: Lafayette Online Academy is a tuition–free, K–12 online school that is offered by the Lafayette Parish School System. Due to the increased demand for online learning options for the 20-21 school year, LOA enrollment is being offered to students at all schools throughout the district. Students enrolled at LOA will remain closely connected and associated with their base school, where they will have access to support services and extracurricular activities. LOA students receive daily instruction via Edgenuity’s video-based lectures and quizzes, with tutoring support provided virtually (video conference, phone, email). LPSS teachers do not provide daily instruction to LOA students; they do provide learning support via phone, email and video conference. LOA follows the same calendar as the rest of the district.

Q: How can parents confirm LOA enrollment status?

A: Parents of students who applied and re-committed to Lafayette Online Academy by the deadline of August 3, 2020 should have received welcome letters from LPSS via email on August 17, 2020.

If you did not receive an email, please check the Parent Portal. Students enrolled in LOA are identified as Team V (for virtual LOA). As a reminder, Lafayette Online Academy begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 – the same day as the rest of the district.

Q: Is LOA affiliated with Fuel Education or any other online charter schools?

A: The Lafayette Parish School System and Lafayette Online Academy are not affiliated with K-12 Fuel Education or any online charter school (Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy, Connections Academy, or University View Academy).

Q: Do LOA students receive daily meals?

A: Yes, meals will be available for pre-ordering and pick-up from LPSS school sites. Please visit https://www.lpssonline.com/childnutrition to learn about the Meals-to-Go program and place orders. LOA students’ eligibility for Meal Benefits is based on their base school, which can be confirmed in the Parent Portal.

Q: Are LOA students considered full-time students?

A: Students must be enrolled full time, taking four full credit classes if enrolled in LOA.

Q: Are LOA students tested for Kindergarten?

A: No, there is no testing for Kindergarten.

Q: Are student assessments performed upon entering LOA?

A: No, assessments are not given. Students are placed in their appropriate grade-level classes for learning at LOA.

Q: How do I know if LOA is right for my student?

A: (Update: As of 8/26, all LOA enrollees new to the district must provide their own device and internet access.) Parents are encouraged to contact a counselor at the student’s current base school to learn more. Becoming the parent of an online student involves a serious commitment. Parents should expect to closely monitor student progress and performance and ensure the child is meeting expectations. Parents are kept informed by viewing weekly progress reports or visiting the Edgenuity Family Portal. These resources offer critical student course performance information and must be reviewed frequently.

Students who tend to thrive at LOA are self-motivated, independent learners with good time-management and note-taking skills. They should have basic computer skills to enable navigation of the Edgenuity courseware and platform.

NOTE: It is recommended that Kindergarten – 6th grade students have an adult physically present to guide them through daily course activities.

Q: Who can help me with other questions about LOA?

A: The LOA website is continuously being updated to reflect this year’s (2020-2021) expanded enrollment; therefore, we encourage families to visit often. Frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be updated regularly and will provide answers to common questions 24 hours a day. We encourage families to submit their questions via the FAQs form located here.

• Director of Special Education - Holly Ortego hcortego@lpssonline.com

• Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Health - Nic Jeffers npjeffers@lpssonline.com

• Director of Career and Technical Education & Magnet Academies - Larry Alexander lwalexander@lpssonline.com

• Gifted & Talented Program Manager - Samantha Simmons Webre sswebre@lpssonline.com

• World Language/Immersion - Tia LeBrun, M.Ed. tmlebrun@lpssonline.com

• Student Services: Placement and Counseling - Tonya Hebert tjhebert@lpssonline.com or Sonia Hartley sshartley@lpssonline.com

Q: What is the deadline to apply for LOA?

A: Enrollment is now closed. The original deadline for enrollment with LOA was August 3, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. An additional enrollment period reopened for grades K-5 only and ended on August 25, 2020.

Q: How can current LPSS students switch enrollment to LOA from another LPSS school?

A: The deadline for LOA enrollment in 2020-2021 has passed for current LPSS students.

Q: Can students who are new to the district this year still enroll in LOA? If so, how?

A: Yes, parents of students who are new to the district for this school year can submit an application for LOA. However, parents must affirm in writing that they can provide the device and internet access their student will need, as the district cannot provide them at this time. This is a mandatory requirement; students without devices or internet will be assigned to a zoned school.

Families who have been displaced as a result of Hurricane Laura can review the list of enrollment documents required on the LPSS website. If you are missing documents, please visit the Vermilion Conference Center for further assistance. More info for new student enrollment is available here: https://www.lpssonline.com/registration.

Q: How can parents confirm LOA enrollment status?

A: Parents of students who applied and re-committed to Lafayette Online Academy by the deadline of August 3, 2020 should have received welcome letters from LPSS via email on August 17, 2020. If you did not receive an email, please check the Parent Portal. Students enrolled in LOA are identified as Team V (for virtual). As a reminder, Lafayette Online Academy begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 – the same day as the rest of the district.

Q: Can my student withdraw from LOA before September 8, 2020?

A: Yes. Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 2 pm is the deadline for LOA students to return to their base school. In order to return, families must contact their base school directly. The school will complete the necessary changes and the student will report to that school on either September 8 & September 9 (B day & A day respectively).

Q: Can my student transfer out of LOA during the school year?

A: Students enrolled in LOA are expected to remain with LOA through at least the first half of the school year, at which point they may opt to continue with LOA or return to in-classroom instruction. Please be advised that this expectation applies even if the district moves to a distance-only learning phase.

Please note: LOA student progress will be carefully monitored to ensure that those who are enrolled are staying on track. If a student is struggling, he or she may need to transfer back to their base school during the semester. That determination will be made on a case-by-case basis, and every effort will be made to ensure each student is in the appropriate learning environment for his or her needs. Any student who fails to engage in online learning for an extended period of time may be considered truant and required to return to his or her base school.

Please contact LOA administration with any questions regarding your child's performance or progress and academic standing. Due to COVID-19 bus capacity requirements, students who are allowed to return to their base school may have to provide their own transportation.

Q: When will classes start for students enrolled in Lafayette Online Academy (LOA)?

A: Beginning September 8, 2020, LOA students will go through an orientation and onboarding process. This will entail verifying internet connectivity and access to devices, welcoming students, introducing Edgenuity (grades 6-12) and Pathblazer (grades 3-5) platforms, and providing online expectations. K-2 students will be provided with ELA and Math academic activities and videos for their online learning, along with more details about their program. By September 14, it is expected that students start to login and complete activities for credit. If a student does not start on time and stay on schedule they will fall behind and jeopardize completion of online courses. More information will be sent to parents soon.

Reminder: It is highly recommended that K – 6th grade students have an adult physically present to guide them through daily course activities. While students have flexibility in their daily learning schedules, all students are expected to have logged in and begun completing coursework for credit by September 14, 2020.

Q: What school supplies, device or internet do students need?

A: Students need daily access to an electronic device (smart phone, tablet computer, laptop or desktop computer) along with reliable internet service. In addition to a device and connected internet, students only need basic supplies, like notebooks or writing instruments for taking notes. There is no required list of school supplies. All activity is conducted online; if student workbooks are needed they will be provided.

Q: Does my student need a device starting September 8?

A: Students must have devices for online learning. Due to the pandemic creating a backlogged order of devices:

• New Students to LPSS School District (after 8/26): must provide their own devices for learning.

• Enrolled K-2 students: need to provide their own device for learning to begin the school year (until devices arrive). (See next question for LPSS-issued devices.)

• Enrolled 3-12 students: families that own a device or can provide a device are strongly encouraged to do so. (See next question for LPSS-issued devices.)

Q: When and how will students pick up devices such as Chromebooks when they are available?

• Grades K-2 parents: will receive information from LOA/LPSS when devices have arrived with instructions on pickup procedure. (Students must provide their own device until then.)

• Grades 3-12 parents: may pick up their student's devices at their base school on Sept. 2-3, 2020 (or makeup day on Sept. 11).

Please note: a $10 Chromebook insurance fee and signed device form is due upon pickup in order to receive an LPSS-issued device (cash and checks can be accepted, and in some schools “MySchoolBucks” can be accepted).

Q: What should students expect from online learning?

A: Below is a list of expectations:

• Students are expected to take detailed notes on all activities.

• Students work at their own pace to complete all daily assignments listed for each subject, but they must follow their course map/assignment calendar in Edgenuity.

• Any work missed during the week must be made up over the weekend to get back on target by the following Monday morning.

• All online activities and quizzes will be taken from home. Unit tests will also be taken from home and proctored virtually by a teacher at their base school.

• Once a student has been enrolled, parents will be assigned a point of contact at their base school (LOA Facilitator) to assist with any further questions or issues.

• Students must meet established benchmarks for academic performance and progress to remain enrolled at LOA.

• Attendance is tracked and truancy guidelines will be enforced.

• K-2 students need a higher level of engagement from parents and LOA facilitators, therefore weekly video conferences will be arranged for small groups. This will allow the LOA facilitator to determine student progress and development of foundational skills. K-2 students will also be provided with printed materials (like workbooks) as needed, and it is important that parents are closely engaged with these young students and the content covered by their videos and activities.

• 3-12 students use the Edgenuity/Pathblazer online learning platform, which includes ongoing assessments to monitor their progress. They can also participate in video conferences with their facilitator.

Q: How much parental involvement is needed for my child to be successful at LOA?

A: Parental involvement in education is necessary and especially so in an online environment. While LOA is open to students of all ages K-12, younger children (K-5) tend to require strong and consistent adult involvement in their home learning. K-2 students especially require substantial parent/guardian engagement to be successful. Routines are highly encouraged.

It is highly recommended that Kindergarten – 6th grade students have an adult physically present to guide them through daily course activities.

Q: Are students expected to log on at specified times each day?

A: No, not at specific times except for scheduled appointments/video chats with LOA/teachers. However, attendance is tracked via online log-in, so regular student online activity is expected in order to meet progress benchmarks. Please see the FAQ section regarding Parent/Student expectations for more information about online learning schedules.

Q: Is there a restriction on which email carrier I use for communications?

A: LOA/LPSS does not allow students/parents to use AOL email accounts for security reasons. There are a number of free email providers to choose from, including Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, Outlook.

Q: Are there any costs associated with LOA?

A: LOA is tuition-free. A Chromebook Insurance fee of $10 is required for the 20-21 school year for all LPSS students using a device provided by the district. Students using their own devices do not pay the Chromebook Insurance Fee.

Q: What device(s) does the LOA recommend for students at various grade levels?

A: Recommendations include internet or Wi-Fi enabled desktops or laptops with the Windows 10 operating system, Chromebooks, iPads, or other tablet devices. See Bring Your Own Device flyer here.

Q: Why is it important that parents have a working email address entered in the Parent Portal system?

A: Success in Lafayette Online Academy requires daily student and parent involvement and emails; therefore, parents are responsible for ensuring the district has a valid parent email address on each child's account. In addition, the Parent Portal contains valuable information regarding student enrollment. Both parents and students are expected to check emails daily. Please be sure when entering your email address that all letters and symbols are correct; errors in email addresses will cause emails to not be delivered.

Q: What is the dress code for LOA?

A: LOA students are expected to wear appropriate clothing. If a student does not comply, he or she will be required to wear a school uniform.

Please keep in mind district policy regarding appropriate attire: No clothing should contain anything that would be offensive in nature to any population of students. Any combination of clothing and jewelry that law enforcement agencies currently consider gang-related are not permitted. Discriminatory, obscene or drug/alcohol related emblems, insignia, jewelry, signs, speech or literature that is discriminatory, inflammatory or derogatory toward any sex, race, nationality, creed, political or philosophical group, is obscene or contains profanity, or makes reference to drugs, alcohol and/or tobacco are not permitted.

Q: How can parents get help with accessing the Parent Portal?

A: It depends on the assistance needed. Please be aware that the PSN number required for log-in is the last five digits of the child’s social security number. If a child does not have a SSN, parents should contact the student’s base school for assistance. If a parent has forgotten their password, a reset option is available (click “Forgot Password.”) If parents are still unable to log-in, they can call their base school for further assistance.

Q: Who should parents contact for help with various issues?

A: Please contact your student’s base school for help with:

• Parent Portal-related questions including PSN numbers and Demographic information

• LOA login information or assignments (connect with LOA facilitator)

• Family Portal log-in issues for Edgenuity (connect with LOA facilitator)

• Resetting student passwords or credentials (on-site Tech Coach on each site can help)

• Course schedule/enrollment concerns

• Foreign language assistance

• Chromebook pickup/paying Insurance Fee

Please contact LPSS Help Desk for help with:

• Chromebook errors or network errors on Chromebook

• Clever login student errors or Clever page not working

• Parent Portal errors (after first seeking help from base school on log-in info)

Q: How can LOA students participate in extracurricular activities through their base school?

A: In general, LOA students can participate in most of the same extracurricular activities at their base school, as long as they occur outside of school hours. LOA students will not be allowed to participate in activities during school hours. However, the details on how students will engage will depend on the activity and the school. Please contact the person responsible for the activity in question at the base school to obtain more information.

Q: How can LOA students participate in sports?

A: In general, LOA students can participate in most of the same activities at their base school, including sports.

• Student athletes must not take a course in which they have already passed and earned credit for eligibility purposes.

• LHSAA athletes must meet the same/existing eligibility requirements.

• Students must complete and earn a minimum of three Carnegie credits for the first semester by the end of the grading period for the first semester for Spring 2021 eligibility. Unsuccessful completion or failing to meet requirements may jeopardize future eligibility.

• A full list of LHSAA eligibility requirements is located here.

• Because LHSAA guidelines could change and LPSS would not want any students’ eligibility compromised, LPSS would encourage student athletes to attend their base school.

Q: How are LOA students taught? How does it differ from the traditional classroom experience?

A: Lafayette Online Academy uses courseware provided by digital curriculum industry leader Edgenuity. Courses blend rigorous, standards-based instruction with lessons from expert, on-screen instructors and multimedia tools and resources. Real-world applications ensure students build content knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of relevant materials. While the Edgenuity curriculum is different from the curriculum used in LPSS classrooms; it is rigorous and meets all state requirements. Edgenuity’s primary curriculum serves grades 6-12, while its Pathblazer platform serves grades 3-5. K-2 students will be provided with ELA and Math academic activities and videos.

Through the Edgenuity platform, students receive real-time performance and progress grades to help keep them on track. To view a sample Edgenuity lesson, please visit https://www.edgenuity.com/video-library/.

Q: What is the difference between virtual learning at LOA and distance learning that is referred to in Phase 1 of the 20-21 Learn Lafayette Reopening Plan?

A: Click here for chart

Q: What courses do LOA students take? Is there a list?

• K – 2nd grade students will be enrolled in English and Math (social studies and science will be included as enrichment activities)

• 3rd – 5th grade students will be enrolled in their core courses (Math, Reading/Language, Science, Social Studies) and Physical Education.

• 6th – 8th grade students will be enrolled in their core courses (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies) and Physical Education.

A full list of courses available can be found here.

Q: Can LOA students take Advanced Placement (AP) courses?

A: Yes. LOA will offer the following AP courses for the 20-21 school year: Calculus AB, Human Geography, English Language Composition and Statistics.

Q: Are honors courses available to LOA students?

A: No, honors classes are not available for the current school year.

Q: What does an LOA schedule look like?

A: High school students will have a block schedule (4 courses in the fall; 4 courses in the spring). If a student returns to their current school of enrollment in the spring, this may affect a student’s schedule or online coursework. Counselors will work with parents and students to adjust as needed.

Students should establish and stick to a regular schedule.

• K – 8th grade students can expect to work from 5–6 hours per day, on average, including short breaks.

• 9th – 12th grade students can expect to work from 7–8 hours per day, on average, including short breaks.

Q: If LOA students return to their normal classes in the spring, can they enroll in honors classes?

A: This will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on student academic progress and performance.

Q: What program will be used for K-2 instruction?

A: K-2 students will be provided with ELA and Math Academic activities and videos. LOA Facilitators at base schools will maintain a virtual Google Classroom for tracking attendance and sharing announcements. Students will be provided with printed classroom materials (like workbooks) to follow along with specific videos and activities for the week. Parents will be expected to help monitor students progress and assist with learning as students engage with virtual videos and work. The facilitator will also coordinate at least one small group video conference each week to monitor student work and completion.

Q: Can LOA students take Dual Enrollment courses?

A: No. LOA students cannot take Dual Enrollment classes.

Q: How does LOA accommodate diploma pathways for high school students?

A: For high school students, counselors at their current school of enrollment will work with them to create an online schedule that will align with their diploma pathway. High school students will have the opportunity to select the T.O.P.S./University Diploma Track or the Business Management Jump Start Pathway.

• Jump Start Pathway students will have the opportunity to complete coursework in the Business Management Pathway only. Other individual courses may be available to students pursuing other pathways.

Q: Are CTE courses available through LOA?

A: No, CTE courses at the Career Center can not be taken virtually.

Q: Can a LOA student take a class at a base school, such as an engineering class at DTSMA?

A: No, students in LOA cannot attend a base school for classes or activities during school hours. Extracurricular activities after school hours are allowed.

Q: Are there any forms or additional actions that graduating seniors need to sign?

A: It is always in the best interest of graduating seniors to review their IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) and transcript with a school counselor to ensure they have met all requirements and are on track to graduate on time.

Q: Will my student retain his/her spot at a Magnet Academy?

A: LPSS students will only be eligible via LOA at a school that they were already eligible at last year (eg. a Magnet Academy) or at a school in which they are zoned for. Any student currently enrolled at a Magnet Academy will be eligible to return to that school either at mid-term or next school year. Although the seat is reserved for the student, academy-specialized courses are not offered through LOA.

Please note: Students who leave the district to attend another school this year (eg. private school, charter school, homeschool, etc.) automatically give up their seat in the Magnet Academy when they depart from LPSS.

Q: How will the Magnet Academy language immersion programs work through LOA?

A: While our wonderful add-on programs, such as immersion, may not be best suited to virtual learning environments, please rest assured that you will be provided a list of resources for at-home support of language learning. However, make note that the language proficiency growth of students only enrolled in virtual programs will not mirror the growth of those children participating in the hybrid/traditional models.

Students who remain in LOA for the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year may have to pass a proficiency assessment before re-entering immersion programs.

Q: How does LOA accommodate various student needs? Gifted, Talented, Special Education, Schools of Choice/STEM, etc.?

A: The department of special education is currently conducting phone interviews with parents/ guardians of students with disabilities. An IEP team will be scheduled to discuss the individual needs of each student. At that time, the IEP team will discuss various options that LOA can provide.

• Gifted students will receive enrichment services as determined on an individual basis via an IEP team meeting

• An IEP meeting will be conducted to determine appropriate placement options for students with disabilities. The IEP committee will discuss various options LPSS can provide to ensure FAPE is being provided for the individual needs of the student.

Q: How will AR (Accelerated Reader) work for LOA students?

A: LOA students can participate in AR by taking AR tests from home. At the end of the year, qualifying students may also receive “million-word” reader recognition.

Q: How will students with disabilities receive services?

A: Students with disabilities will continue to receive services, including related services, as deemed appropriate by the IEP or SBLC team.