February Messages

Hello, Learning Coaches!

Mardi Gras is week after next! When students return to school on March 7th, things will really feel as though they are moving quickly. Hold onto your hats and read below!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. School will be closed the entire week of February 28th for our Mardi Gras Break. Students will return to school on March 7th.

2. Our cyber safety partner, Linewize by Family Zone, is continuing their Safer Internet Day campaign for the remainder of the month. This week, their focus addresses an important question for parents and guardians -- "My child has had a problematic experience online, now what am I supposed to do?"

Go to your new Cyber Safety announcements page right here on the Learning Coach Communications Hub. This week's infographic and topic are waiting for you along with last week's resources from Linewize.

3. The state's DCFS page for the P-EBT program states, "The Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program was created in Spring 2020 to provide funds for families to buy food while schools were closed due to COVID-19." As a result, UVA is not eligible to participate in the program because we do not serve food to our students. A short term association with a brick and mortar school in north Louisiana allowed us to participate in 2020, but that affiliation no longer exists. (Refer to this link for details on the state's DCFS website.)

4. Our February Learning Coach Info Sessions were held yesterday. Those in attendance had an opportunity to review infrequently used, but valuable Canvas features and they shared practices that have worked (and not worked) to encourage meaningful student engagement. The discussions were good in both sessions. We also assisted a few Learning Coaches in creating or updating their Observer accounts.

The '21-'22 Learning Coach Info Session Recordings page has the link to the 5 pm recording. Carve out some time to view the recording. (If I am able to recover the 12 noon recording, I will add it to the recording page as well.)

5. Mr. Henderson is excited to announce the publication of "UVA Stories" -- a developing website from our department. The website includes very enlightening interviews with students and Learning Coaches about their UVA experiences. Mr. Henderson described UVA Stories in the Info Sessions, but the site is live as of today!

Pop over to UVA Stories and begin with First Thoughts...after you read the rest of the weekly message. :-) (We will let you know when new interviews have been uploaded to the site.)

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DEADLINES/REMINDERS/DATES

1. [High School] ACT testing begins when students return from the Mardi Gras break on March 7th. Test information is in the student's Canvas account. Navigate to Account > Files > Testing Information in your child's Canvas account for times, locations, and safety protocols for in-person testing.

2. Review the list of routine reminders below. These items are among the most requested resources:

   • The October '21 Testing Newsletter lists state and school-level test dates for the entire school year. Review the newsletter so you are aware of the dates in advance.

   • Tutoring Facts -- Learn how our tutoring program works and schedule a session here. Session confirmations and reminders are sent to the student's school email account. Send your questions to tutoring@uview.academy.

     • Family Cyber Safety Hub -- Review our cyber safety site and use its resources to set online expectations that will keep your child safe online.

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

   • Download or bookmark the Student Calendar. Our Mardi Gras break is coming up soon!

     • Instructions to change the student's password

   • UVA Help Desk -- Computer support. 225-286-1600, Toll-Free 833-286-9905 (7 am until 5 pm, Monday thru Friday)

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TIPS AND RESOURCES

1. We did a walkthrough of the features of the Modules page in yesterday's Learning Coach Info Session. If are not familiar with the page, please view one of the recordings so you will understand how it can assist you and your child in ensuring everything is learned.

2. Remember to do the following every day:

• Run a Missing Submissions report in your Observer account

• Review the Modules page (in your child's Canvas account) for every assignment for the day including activities tagged as "View " to ensure they are learning before Submitting a graded item.

• Redirect your child to complete un-viewed and un-submitted assignments

• Be consistent.

• Consider using an incentive plan to encourage engagement in school (Stickers or a point system to earn privileges might be just the ticket.)

3. [A Highlight from the Reminders Section] It's not too early to commit in-person test dates to memory. Review second semester in-person test dates in the October '21 Testing Newsletter on the School Announcements page of your Communications Hub.

4. Self-Check -- How often are you reading messages from your Canvas Inbox? Remind? Direct email? Text? Canvas Announcements on the Dashboard? Life can get busy, but make every effort to read school communications within 24 hours, and take action promptly.

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Hello, Learning Coaches!

We are two weeks into February. Wow! Time is flying. Read below for the latest news and support tips.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Our Technology Department held their cyber security seminar this past Tuesday. Here is the link to the recording of the seminar in case you missed it.

2. Students can change their Canvas passwords by following the instructions here.

3. Our cyber safety partner, Linewize by Family Zone, is releasing resources throughout the month in conjunction with Safer Internet Day, which was on February 8th. This week, they provided a flyer that highlights the source of key online risks. Click to learn about that topic in the 4 Cs of Online Risks for Children.

4. [High School] ACT testing begins in a few weeks. Test information is in the student's Canvas account. Navigate to Account > Files > Testing Information in your child's Canvas account for times, locations, and safety protocols for in-person testing.

5. [A Highlight from the Reminders Section] It's not too early to commit upcoming in-person test dates to memory. Review those upcoming in-person test dates in the October '21 Testing Newsletter on the School Announcements page of your Communications Hub.

6. Our February Learning Coach Info Session will be as follows:

   • DATE: Thursday, 2/17/22

   • TIME(S): 12 noon and 5 pm (Attend the session that works for you)

   • TOPICS:

     • Good-to-Know Canvas Features & Tips

     • Tips for Encouraging Student Engagement (Mic & Chat Pod Discussion Between Learning Coaches)

     • Observer Account Setup Clinic (for Learning Coaches who need assistance)

   • WHERE: Live Session Room link (Room will open 10 minutes before each session)

We hope you will carve out 45-60 minutes to join us live for this session.

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DEADLINES/REMINDERS/DATES

1. The Student ID Badge form is still open for a limited time! If your child is new or if your child missed the window to order a badge last semester, complete the form today so you do not miss the February 16th deadline. They will start mailing IDs on February 21st. (It is very unlikely that all the badges will be mailed on that day. Please be patient with us.)

2. If you were with us last semester, please complete the Technology Survey so our Technology Department can consider your input for planning purposes.

3. Review the list of routine reminders below. These items are among the most requested resources:

   • The October '21 Testing Newsletter lists state and school-level test dates for the entire school year. Review the newsletter so you are aware of the dates in advance.

   • Tutoring Facts -- Learn how our tutoring program works and schedule a session here. Session confirmations and reminders are sent to the student's school email account. Send your questions to tutoring@uview.academy.

     • Family Cyber Safety Hub -- Review our cyber safety site and use its resources to set online expectations that will keep your child safe online.

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

   • Download or bookmark the Student Calendar. Our Mardi Gras break is coming up soon!

   • UVA Help Desk -- Computer support. 225-286-1600, Toll-Free 833-286-9905 (7 am until 5 pm, Monday thru Friday)

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TIPS AND RESOURCES

1. Does your child have school-approved accommodations for text-read-aloud, etc.? If so, read Accessibility Resources for Windows Devices to learn how to set up the accommodations on the student's Surface laptop. The article describes other tools that are useful for anyone (e.g., using the magnifying glass).

2. Remember to do the following every day:

• Run a Missing Submissions report in your Observer account

• Review the Modules page for every assigned for the day including activities tagged as "View " to ensure they are learning before Submitting a graded item.

• Redirect your child to complete un-viewed and un-submitted assignments

• Be consistent with the above.

• Consider using an incentive plan* to encourage engagement in school

3. Remind your child that the objective is to learn while completing assignments. Learning can get lost in their efforts to complete their assignments.

4. Does the start of your child's school day go as smoothly as you or your child would like? This article from Understood.com is written for parents whose children leave home for school, but it's pretty easy to apply the principles to at-home learners as well. Check it out.

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Hello, Learning Coaches!

Well, guess what? We added one more, truly final set of new Learning Coaches to the family on January 31st so we could fill all of our available openings before Count Day. Welcome, newcomers!

New Learning Coaches, these messages are sent to all of our Learning Coaches every week, typically on Friday mornings. They keep you informed with announcements, reminders, and tips to assist you in your Learning Coach role. Some of the information does not apply to you immediately, but read the entire message so you are aware of what is being shared.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Our Technology Department released a time-sensitive announcement in Canvas and via Remind that addresses several things you want to be aware of:

   • The Student ID Badge form is open! If your child is new, please act now to complete the form. If your child missed the window to order a badge last semester, please submit the form now. The form will be open through February 16th. They will start mailing IDs on the 21st.

Note: "...[Y]ou must be signed into your UVA student email to access the form."

1. • The Technology Dept. is hosting a parent seminar on online safety at 5 pm next Tuesday, February 8th. Stay tuned for the link to the online meeting room.

   • If you were with us last semester, please complete the Technology Survey. They indicated, "This will help us plan how to best meet the needs of our families."

2. Our February Learning Coach Info Session will be as follows:

   • DATE: Thursday, 2/17/22

   • TIME(S): 12 noon and 5 pm (Attend the session that works for you)

   • TOPICS:

     • Good-to-Know Canvas Features & Tips

     • Tips for Encouraging Student Engagement (Mic & Chat Pod Discussion Between Learning Coaches)

     • Observer Account Setup Clinic (for Learning Coaches who need assistance)

The Live Session Room link will be provided next week.

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DEADLINES/REMINDERS/DATES

1. The recording of last month's Principal Town Hall is here.

2. Review the list of routine reminders below. They are provided each week because we receive comments throughout the week on these items:

   • The October '21 Testing Newsletter lists state and school-level test dates for the entire school year. Please take a look so you are aware of the dates in advance.

   • Tutoring Facts -- Learn how our tutoring program works and schedule a session here. Remember, session confirmations and reminders are sent to the student's school email account. Questions go to tutoring@uview.academy.

     • Family Cyber Safety Hub -- Review the site and use its resources to set expectations and keep your child safe online.

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

   • Download or bookmark the Student Calendar

   • UVA Help Desk -- Computer support. 225-286-1600, Toll-Free 833-286-9905 (7 am until 5 pm, Monday thru Friday)

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TIPS AND RESOURCES

1. [Grades K-7] UVA's tech support team recently discovered that uploaded images taken with the Surface Go laptop camera (e.g., workbook submissions) can be too faint if written in pencil that is not dark enough. Be aware of that, and stay tuned for suggestions from your child's teachers about options to ensure the uploaded document can be read.

2. Are you doing the following every day?

• Running a daily Missing Submissions report in your Observer account

• Reviewing the Modules page every day

• Redirecting your child to complete unread and un-submitted assignments

• Being consistent with the above.

• Using an incentive plan* to encourage engagement in school

3. *Speaking of incentives. Incentive plans are not "bribes." Teachers in brick and mortar schools use incentive plans routinely to encourage student engagement. Depending on the grade level, there might be:

• • Bulletin boards in teachers' classrooms with gold and silver stars or other reward indicators

  • Students' names highlighting that they met certain classroom expectations

  • An opportunity to earn exemptions from select assignments or free time during class while everyone else is still working

School-level recognition is also provided (e.g., perfect attendance, etc.).

These examples and other school and classroom models establish accountability guidelines for students. Understanding and adhering to those guidelines usually results in better outcomes for the student.

From KickboardForSchools.com:

Consistency is Key

Students are able to participate in learning more effectively when they have a clear understanding of classroom procedures and their importance. If students can name the expectations and receive consistent responses to their behavior they are in better control of their actions.

Portia Newman, Mar 18, 2019

Online students also have a better opportunity to thrive when they understand what is expected from them in their learning environments. And the great thing about selecting UVA as your child's school is that you can establish a custom accountability (i.e., incentive) plan with your child to make it more meaningful for your child. We're not talking about expensive gifts. Incentives could be as simple as:

• A later bedtime at the end of the week

• A favorite breakfast cereal Saturday morning.

• Extra game time or tv time

• Positive recognition from you in the form of a good hug and a little bragging to your friends

If you're struggling with the concept of an accountability plan, revisit your Learning Coach Corner for more information. The payoff can be huge for your child (and for you!), especially if you struggle to get your child engaged at a productive level.

Remember -- Positive rewards work more effectively than punitive outcomes any day. For adults, too! ;-)