December Messages

Hello, Learning Coaches.

We made it! It's the last day before our Winter Break begins. Everything below is intended to guide you through the break and into the second semester. Check it out!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Today -- Friday the 17th -- is the last day before our Winter Break begins. UVA will be closed until employees return on January 3rd.

2. Oh my goodness! Our December Learning Coach Info Session was yesterday (Thursday, December 16th) at 5 pm, and it was great!

Teodora Pavkovic (Pav-KOV-vich) from Linewize, our cyber safety partner, was there for a Q&A follow-up to last month's recorded webinar "Social Media, Games & Cyber Safety." To our surprise, the session turned into a great review of our new Family Cyber Safety Hub that knocked our socks off!

We highly recommend watching the December Info Session Recording. Ms. Pavkovic recommended ways to use the site to prepare for meaningful discussions about cyber safety with your child during the Winter Break.

Learn how to:

• Locate key pages to start navigating our new Cyber Safety Hub. (You will be impressed!)

• Initiate supportive discussions with your child about cyber safety that will inspire your child to come to you -- unprompted -- when they have concerns or questions about an experience on the internet. (That's what you want.)

• Establish a digital contract with your child about internet usage. (You will not believe what's available!)

...and that's just the highlights.

I admit it -- I had not had a chance to explore the Cyber Safety Hub very much before the session but I will. Soon. The website will arm me with great information for discussions with my school-aged relatives when I see them during the break.

When the session was over, Mrs. Hollins, Mr. Henderson, and I agreed the session was fantastic!

We are very excited for you to have this powerful resource at your disposal, and you will be, too. Please carve out 45-50 minutes over the break and watch the December recording. Try to watch it before December 28th to have enough time to initiate discussions with your child before January. You'll be glad you did...we promise!

3. Did you check out our online store? We have fantastic UVA swag -- window stickers, pencils and pens, phone grips, cups, sports bottles, visors and caps, polos, sweatshirts, hoodies and jackets, duffel bags, backpacks, and a whole lot more. Prices range from $0.23 to $72.51.

Check out UVA's online store here. It's worth the visit!

DEADLINES/REMINDERS/DATES

1. Upcoming dates:

   • December 17th is the last day of school before the Winter Break.

   • UVA will be closed from December 18th until January 3rd when employees will return to work.

   • The 1st semester ends at 11:59pm on January 3rd.

   • Students return on January 4th.

   • The 2nd semester begins on January 5th.

2. Second-semester curriculum supplies and materials are scheduled for shipment by January 21. Everything should be in hand by the end of January barring unforeseen weather delays. (You know how we go from 80 degrees to ice in Louisiana.) Curriculum supplies are listed here.

3. Two pre-recorded videos are available for you on the '21-'22 Learning Coach Info Session page of this site. The recordings highlight a couple of Canvas features to use next semester. The recordings are less than 20 minutes each. Take a look during the break and use the features next semester.

4. The Student Handbook is updated to include "Appendix I: Respectable Language." The appendix explains our expectations for "respectful and appropriate language" from parents, guardians, and Designated Learning Coaches when communicating "with all teachers, administrators, staff, students, other parents, and others at the school." Please read the policy on page 33 of the Student Handbook, located here.

5. Laptop shipments are almost complete! If your child's laptop has not arrived yet, it will. Use the following resources to learn how to transfer files your child needs to save if you have not done that already.

• • How to transfer content from one device to another using Google Drive

  • Upload files and folders to google drive (support document)

-----

Routine Reminders:

5. • The October '21 Testing Newsletter lists state and school-level test dates for the entire school year. Please take a look.

   • Tutoring Facts -- Session confirmations and reminders are sent to the student's school email account. Questions go to tutoring@uview.academy.

   • Curriculum Supply Facts -- Questions go to curriculum@uview.academy.

   • (NEW!) UVA Help Desk -- Computer support.* 225-286-1600, Toll-Free 833-286-9905 (7 am until 6pm, Monday thru Friday)

*Open during UVA's Winter Break but call in advance to get their schedule just in case they reduce their hours on 12/24 and 12/31.

TIPS AND RESOURCES

1. [LAST CALL -- High school and interested middle school] ACT Bootcamp recordings from the November boot camps are still available. The recordings will be removed from the website on Dec. 20th at 11:45 pm.

• November 16th Recording (English and Reading)

• November 17th Recording (Math and Science)

2. As a reminder from last week's message:

• UVA closes at the end of the day today. Employees return on January 3rd.

• Remember to:

  • Review grade book comments for every course to ensure your child maximizes learning and "re-do" opportunities.

  • Ask teachers to clarify about comments in the grade book so assignment "re-dos" can be submitted for maximum credit. (Last chance today. Please contact them early.)

  • Run a Missing Submissions report in your Observer account to identify overdue assignments (as of the date of the run). Click this link to learn how.

  • Look for assignments in the grade book that received a temporary 50% score and verify those assignments are on the Missing Submissions report. If not, add those additional assignments to the list.

  • Speak with teachers about the best strategy for completing overdue assignments and "re-do" assignments before the semester ends after the Winter Break.

  • Generate a plan with your child that includes overdue assignments and "re-do" assignments based on teachers' input.

  • Be consistent and stick with the plan.

Remember to incorporate an incentive component that rewards your child for (1) learning with intention while completing assignments, and (2) sticking with the plan that you devised. (Continue this practice during the 2nd semester.)

Hello, Learning Coaches!

One more week remains before we begin our Winter Break! This message is jam-packed. Read carefully.

____________

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Our December Learning Coach Info Session will be on Thursday, December 16th, at 5 pm. Teodora Pavkovic will answer your questions about "Social Media, Games & Cyber Safety" as a follow-up to her recorded webinar for last month's Info Session.

So, watch the November Info Session to see Ms. Pavkovic's webinar if you have not seen it already. Then explore our new Cyber Safety Hub -- announced by our Technology Department on Thursday.

The Q&A Info Session with Ms. Pavkovic is as follows:

• Date: Thursday, December 16th

• Time: 5 pm (I will admit attendees to the room at 4:50 pm)

• Live Session Room Link: https://uview.cosocloud.com/cardozo/

Joining the session by phone? Download the Adobe Connect app in advance. When you launch the app, select the Guest option and allow a few seconds for me to let you in the room.

We will only have one live Info Session that day.

2. In addition to our cyber safety Q&A Info Session next Thursday, you have access to two pre-recorded videos that highlight underused but useful Canvas features. The recordings are less than 20 minutes each.

Between now and January, take a few minutes to watch your December Canvas Bonus Tips Videos, and become familiar with the features. Then use the features as part of your 2nd semester monitoring efforts, and encourage your child to use the appropriate features as well.

3. The Student Handbook is updated to include "Appendix I: Respectable Language," which explains our new policy regarding the use of "respectful and appropriate language" by parents, guardians, and Designated Learning Coaches when communicating "with all teachers, administrators, staff, students, other parents, and others at the school." Please read the entire policy on page 33 of the Student Handbook, located here.

4. Did you know UVA has an online store with all kinds of UVA swag? We do! Items range from $0.23 to $72.51, with price points in between. We have window stickers, pencils and pens, phone grips, cups and sports bottles, visors and caps, polos, sweatshirts, hoodies, and jackets, duffel bags, backpacks, and a whole lot more!

Check out our online store here. It's worth the visit!

5. Second semester curriculum supplies and materials should ship by January 21 (barring unforeseen weather interruptions, etc.). Everything should be in hand by the end of January.

Curriculum supplies are listed here. Click on the appropriate grade level tab at the bottom of the Google Sheet to see what your child will receive next semester.

6. If your mailing address has changed, please notify Student Services before December 17th or as quickly after your move as possible. Proof of residency will be required (e.g., utility bill, the section of a lease or purchase agreement that shows your name and the address; etc.). You may also send an email with the relevant attachment to StudentServices@uview.academy.

DEADLINES/REMINDERS/DATES

1. Upcoming dates:

   • December 17th is the last day of school before the Winter Break.

   • UVA will be closed from December 18th until January 3rd when employees will return to work.

   • The 1st semester ends at 11:59pm on January 3rd.

   • Students return on January 4th.

   • The 2nd semester begins on January 5th.

2. Laptop shipments are continuing for our K-6 students. (7th and 8th grade laptops were shipped.) Consider using the following resources to learn how to transfer files that your child needs to save if you have not done that already.

• • How to transfer content from one device to another using Google Drive

  • Upload files and folders to google drive (support document)

NOTE:

If you are going to be out of town between now and January, please call the UVA Help Desk (225-286-1600) to let them know the dates you will be away so the laptop is not shipped during your absence. Laptops cannot be shipped out of state but the Help Desk will do their best to work with you. Call them soon!

Also mention if you address has changed.

2. Routine Reminders:

2. • The October '21 Testing Newsletter lists state and school level test dates for the entire school year. Please take a look.

   • Tutoring Facts -- Session confirmations and reminders are sent to the student's school email account. Questions go to tutoring@uview.academy.

   • Curriculum Supply Facts -- Questions go to curriculum@uview.academy.

TIPS AND RESOURCES

1. [High school and interested middle school] ACT Bootcamp recordings from the November boot camps are available through Dec. 20th at 11:45 pm if your child was unable to attend or wants to re-watch a session.

• November 16th Recording (English and Reading)

• November 17th Recording (Math and Science)

2. As a reminder from last week's message:

• School closes at the end of the day next Friday, the 17th. Teachers will be on break until employees return in January.

• If you have not done the following, please do so before Monday, the 13th if you can:

  • Review grade book comments for every course to ensure your child maximizes learning and "re-do" opportunities.

  • Ask teachers for clarification about comments in the grade book so assignment "re-dos" can be submitted for maximum credit.

  • Run a Missing Submissions report in your Observer account to identify overdue assignments (as of the date of the run).

  • Look for assignments that received a temporary 50% score in the grade book and verify those assignments are on the Missing Submissions report. If not, add those additional assignments to the list.

  • Speak with teachers about the best strategy for completing overdue assignments and "re-do" assignments before the semester ends after the Winter Break.

  • Generate a plan with your child that includes overdue assignments and "re-do" assignments based on teachers' input.

  • Be consistent and stick with the plan.

Remember to incorporate an accountability (e.g., incentive) component that rewards your child for: (1) learning with intention while completing assignments, and (2) sticking with the plan that you devised. (Continue this practice during the 2nd semester.)