The most recent message is at the top of the messages below.
Click the message's title or the down arrow to to the right of the message's title to expand the message.
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Headings for older messages whose content has been replaced by a more current message are in bold font that looks like this.
Hello UVA Learning Coaches!
I am growing weary of hurricanes. How about you? Enough is enough, but we are Louisiana Strong. We know many of you are without power and/or internet due to Zeta, and some have experienced property damage. Laura, Delta, and Zeta families, please keep us posted on your situation.
Please indulge me today. I am repeating a few items from last week due to #1 in the "Announcements" section below.
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Some of you are receiving a weekly message from me for the first time. We did an audit of Remind and made a few updates. If you are new to these weekly messages, please keep your eyes open for a follow up Remind message from me next week with a couple of instructions for you regarding your Remind account. And feel free to read the other October messages for information that you might have missed.
November 3rd is a school holiday due to Election Day. There will not be any assignments on the student's Calendar.
Mid-semester progress reports are available in the Student Progress Center as of Monday, October 26th. The instructions are located in your child's Canvas Student account: ACCOUNT > FILES > PARENT INFORMATION > "Parent Info....pdf".
Our monthly Learning Coach Info Session schedule is posted on the home page of your Learning Coach Communications Hub (i.e., the site that you are on right now). Thanks to the Learning Coach who suggested the idea of a posted schedule.
I am in the process of migrating the Learning Coach Corner Extension modules - "Technology Mart" and "Resource Emporium" - into Learning Coach Corner. I am updating Technology Mart in the process. Stay tuned...
The Contact List page on this site has been updated with changes and additions. Please check it and bookmark the page.
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(IMMINENT!) National Junior Honor Society (grades 7-9) applications are being accepted. The deadline is Saturday, 10/31/20. The announcement is re-posted on the School Announcements page of this Communications Hub for you. Click here to read the announcement and to access the application link.
K-8 Learning Coaches who were with us last year, please remember that a grade will be given at the end of the semester for all courses this year. All students in grades K-12 need to complete this semester's assignments by the end of the semester. Please take advantage of school holidays and weekends, and guide your child to get back on pace if he or she has fallen behind. (Suggestion -- Thanksgiving week is a school holiday week. Encourage your child to be caught up before then so that the entire week can be enjoyed.)
Multiple teachers can be messaged at one time in Canvas now. Watch this tutorial for details about this time-saving feature.
The deadline to order class rings from our chosen vendor, Jostens, is 12/19/2020. A payment plan is available. Please ensure your junior watches this video for more information about the different types of class rings and customization options offered by Jostens: NOTE: Class rings are optional, and so is Jostens. You may use any vendor you would like to.
Returning parents, if you enrolled additional children this semester, you need to add your new children to your existing Student Progress Center account. Follow the instructions in the Parent Info letter in your child's account. (See #2 above.) If you are a returning parent and cannot remember how to login to your existing account in the SPC, go here for a refresher.
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Are you receiving Canvas notifications from your child's teachers via your personal email account? Unless you adjusted the notification settings for Canvas, messages that teachers send via the Canvas Inbox are also being sent to your personal email account (but they might be in your Spam folder; please check there). You can adjust the frequency and type of Canvas notifications that you receive via email by logging into your Canvas Observer account and navigating as follows: Account >Notifications. Make adjustments as required.
Did you know that Remind messages are usually sent to your phone number (or Remind app) and to your email address? Believe it or not, Remind messages could also be sitting in your email account's Spam folder. Take a look. If you'd like to make adjustments to where you receive Remind messages, follow the instructions on the Remind Tips page of your Learning Coach Communications Hub.
The University View Academy Parents Facebook page is useful for networking with other UVA parents. It provides a valuable support system for you. However, please consider reaching out to me, to a teacher, or to Tech Support if you are struggling with a show-stopping item or have concerns. (Enrollment and contact information changes should be referred to Student Services.) Although we keep our eyes on Facebook, we rely heavily upon Canvas, phone calls, and Remind (definitely for me). Some teachers also accept incoming text messages. (Follow the teacher's lead there.) As for Facebook, I only have an opportunity to check the Parent page two or three times per week; oftentimes not until the weekend. When I check, some of you have tagged me for assistance days before. So, your issues are not getting the attention they deserve if you are limiting yourselves to social media. (My apologies for slow responses.) We are here to listen and to help. So, please consider reaching out to us directly for prompt assistance. Teachers tend to prefer Canvas messages and phone calls, and some are using Remind. (Please follow the teacher's lead here as well.) I respond most promptly via Remind and phone, but a direct e-mail is fine for me as well.
Please view the recordings for any Learning Coach Info Sessions that you have missed so far this semester. The recordings are available right here on this Learning Coach Communications Hub website. The topics for each session are provided on the recording page. Recommendation: Pick a session recording and watch it in its entirety. Then advance the second recording to the minute marker that is identified with the recording link and watch the discussion segment. Discussions are different (and very good) in both recordings for each monthly session.
This article from Understood.com might be of interest to some of you. It explores how other conditions can co-exist with ADHD.
I hope the cooler weather allows you to make the most of your weekend. Have a good one!
-- Eugenia Cardozo
Your Learning Coach Partner
225-412-2837
Hello UVA Learning Coaches!
I hope you've had a good week. I am trying out a new layout for our weekly messages. I hope it works well for you. Take a look below.
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We just completed the first week of our new PBIS program. Is a $3 Amazon credit in your child's future? I hope so. $3.00 can add up! Integrate PBIS into your accountability/rewards program at home. (Learn more here.)
Multiple teachers can be messaged at one time in Canvas now. Watch this tutorial for details about this time-saving feature.
Mid-semester progress reports will be available in the Student Progress Center on Monday, October 26th. An announcement will be posted when the reports are ready to view/download. In the meantime, instructions to create your account (if you are new with UVA), instructions to access grades, and instructions to link multiple children in one progress center account are located in your child's Canvas Student account. Navigate to the instructions in your child's account as follows: ACCOUNT > FILES > PARENT INFORMATION > "Parent Info....pdf".
Returning parents, if you enrolled additional children this semester, you need to add your new children to your existing Student Progress Center account. Follow the instructions in the Parent Info letter in your child's account. (See #2 above.) If you are a returning parent and cannot remember how to login to your existing account in the SPC, go here for a refresher.
Our monthly Learning Coach Info Session schedule is posted on the home page of your Learning Coach Communications Hub (i.e., the site that you are on right now). Thanks to the Learning Coach who suggested the idea of a posted schedule.
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Today (Friday, 10/23) is the deadline for elementary students to sign up for clubs. An announcement about clubs was sent to you and your child via the Canvas Inbox. Please ensure your child signs up if interested in a club.
Delgado Community College is hosting a virtual Technical Skills Expo powered by Chevron to showcase high-wage, high-demand technical programs to high school students in the Greater NOLA area through Delgado's dual enrollment program. Careers include Barbering, Cosmetology, Carpentry, Commercial/Residential Electrician, Electric Line Technician, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Mechatronics, Precision Machining, and Welding. The expo is on October 27 & 28 for students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. Learn more and have your child register here!
National Junior Honor Society (grades 7-9) applications are being accepted. The deadline is 10/31/20. The announcement is re-posted on the School Announcements page of this Communications Hub for you. Click here to read the announcement and access the application link.
Central and North Louisiana colleges and universities are hosting a Virtual College Fair for Louisiana students on Tuesday, October 27 from 6pm-8pm. This flyer identifies the schools that are attending. The event will be hosted via Zoom. NOTE: The Zoom link on the flyer is for students to register for the fair. Once registered, participants will receive the Zoom link for the event.
The deadline to order class rings from our chosen vendor, Jostens, is 12/19/2020. A payment plan is available. Please ensure your junior watches this video for more information about the different types of class rings and customization options offered by Jostens: NOTE: Class rings are optional, and so is Jostens. You may use any vendor you would like to.
Please remember to use every opportunity to guide your child to get on pace if he or she has fallen behind.
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We held our October Info Sessions yesterday (Thursday) with nice attendance at both sessions. The agenda for each session was the same, but the discussion segments were very different. The recordings are available right here on this Learning Coach Communications Hub. The agenda is also shown on the recording page. Recommendation: Pick one recording and watch it in its entirety, then advance the second recording to the minute marker that is identified with the recording link and watch the discussion segment.
The F6 key on the Lenovo keyboard disables the trackpad of the laptop. Simply hit the F6 key to re-enable the trackpad. (Thanks to the Learning Coach who shared this tip during the Info Session.)
One of our Learning Coaches recommended the Pomodoro Method in our Info Session as an effective time management method for school work. The method includes built-in breaks. Studies have shown this method can assist ADHD students who struggle with their attention spans. However, the Pomodoro Method will benefit any of our students who miss (or need) the structure that a schedule provides. You will discover in the 4pm Info Session recording that our Learning Coach has customized the method for her unique situation. You can do the same thing if you decide the method might help your child manage time more effectively. Check out the Pomodoro Method here and feel free to search for more information online.
Split screen tutorials for the Lenovo laptop and MacBook Air are located on the Computer Tips & Tricks page of this Learning Coach Communications Hub.
The Quick Links page of this Learning Coach Communications Hub has links to the following websites, pages, and information:
Learning Coach Corner (your in-depth Learning Coach training and resource website)
Learning Coach Corner Extension (for the Technology Mart and Resource Emporium sections of Learning Coach Corner)
The Live Session Room Link for weekly Office Hours at 11am and monthly Info Sessions
Instructions for accessing and/or setting up the Student Progress Center account
More...
Watch our October Learning Coach Info Session Recordings for more information about these tips and other topics to help you in your Learning Coach role. Our September recordings are posted on the same page.
Have a good weekend, everyone!
-- Eugenia Cardozo
Your Learning Coach Partner
225-412-2837
Hello everyone,
We've reached the end of a short week. I hope Delta recovery is well underway. I know quite a few of you experienced power and internet outages, and a few of you experienced more significant issues. And of course, we still have families who are trying to recover from Laura. Let's hope Louisiana is spared for the remainder of the hurricane season.
There are a few important reminders, announcements, and faculty tips below. Please read the entire message to ensure you don't miss anything.
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If you did not have an opportunity to read last week's weekly message "(10-9-20, Early Edition) ...", please read it after you read this message. Just scroll down this page and expand the message. A few items are still very relevant, especially regarding computer shipments.
I added a new sub-page to this Learning Coach Communications Hub for our Learning Coach Info Session Recordings. The sub-page is one of the pages in the "Messages for the '20-'21 School Year" section where these weekly messages are located. I encourage you to watch the recording if you were unable to attend the September info session. This recommendation is especially important for our newest Learning Coaches who came on board after September 24th. You will benefit from the presentation content and the discussion between Learning Coaches. (Consider bookmarking the page for quick access.)
Please remember that every student is expected to have an active and engaged Learning Coach. If you have designated someone else to function in that capacity for you, that's fine. Please just ensure we have a signed Designated Learning Coach Agreement form or a signed Family Designated Learning Coach Agreement form on file with Student Services so that we are authorized to communicate with your designate and have his or her contact information. The link to access the forms is on the Quick Links page of this Learning Coach Communications Hub.
Every student is required to have an Observer in Canvas. Please read below. We have quite a few unobserved new students in Canvas. You might not even realize you fall into one of the categories below.
a. If you are new to UVA this year, you must create your Canvas Observer account and pair your account with your child(ren). Click here.
b. If you enrolled a new student with us after already having an Observer account, you must pair your additional child(ren) with your Observer account. UVA is not pairing new students with their observers this year. Please click here for the instructions.
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By now, we hope you have had an opportunity to download and read about the exciting new PBIS program that is being implemented at UVA effective next Monday, October 19th! We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to our students earn Amazon credits for engaging in school at levels that will also pay off academically. If you missed the announcement, you can go to the Canvas Dashboard, or you can read the flyer on the School Announcements page here in the communications hub.
ACT testing is scheduled for seniors this month. Details about the ACT test date and location have been communicated to our seniors in their student accounts. Go to Account > Files > Testing Information to locate the letter about the ACT test. Please ensure that your high school senior has transportation to the test site if he or she is taking the ACT. (NOTE: Other high school students are eligible to receive a free voucher to take the ACT. Check with your child's high school grade level counselor for more information.)
The high school club sign-up deadline is this Sunday, Oct 18th at 11:59 pm. An announcement with a sign-up link is on the Dashboard and at the top of the Advisory card homepage as well.
Understood.com has a podcast called "In It", which focuses on the ups and downs of raising children who learn differently. Many of you are seeing your child(ren) learn "close up" for the first time, and you might be experiencing a bit of shell shock. In addition to the support that you receive from your child's academic counselor, our SEL counselor, and our teachers, "In It" might just be for you. Season 2 has addressed a variety of topics so far ranging from "Tantrum...or Meltdown" to "ADHD in Girls: Overlooked?" and "ADHD in Black Children...". Season 1 included "When Gifted Kids Need Accommodations, Too" and "How We Deal With 'Is ADHD Real?'". There are 14 podcasts so far, and a new one is coming up soon. You can check out Understood.com's "In It" podcast here.
Our October Learning Coach Info Session will be next Thursday, October 22nd. I will offer two sessions -- 11am and 4pm. The sessions will be the same. Just pick a time that works for you. Topics will include a few Canvas and Computer Tips, Student - Teacher Communication Tips, and Navigating the Fine Line Between Coaching and Tutoring. We should also have time for another Learning Coach Discussion/Sharing period at the end. I will send a reminder next week, but please put a reminder in your phones for 11am or 4pm. I will open the room 10 minutes beforehand, and we will start promptly on the hour. Here's the link to my Live Session room. I hope to see you there.
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Please remember that our core teachers have standing Office Hours during which they are available for students to request assistance. Their hours are posted on the course's homepage. Although students are not limited to those set times to request help, they can be certain their teachers will be available (i.e., not in a meeting, etc.) during their posted office hours. Please encourage your child(ren) to take advantage of their teachers' Office Hours.
Many teachers have Small Group times. Some teachers announce the small group topic in their Live Sessions so that their students can plan to attend. Small group times are also posted on the course's homepage.
All teachers are available to provide instructional assistance by appointment.
It is recommended that the student reads the teacher's feedback before reattempting an assignment. That allows the student time to consider the feedback, study or revisit a particular skill, etc., before rushing to resubmit the assignment. Please encourage re-attempts but only after allowing time to understand where improvements can be made. (If you play games on your phone or other device, you know you might hurriedly repeat a game to get a better score or to beat the clock before time runs out. That's not what we're going for with an assignment reattempt, but that might be what's happening in some cases.)
We will discuss additional tips in next week's Learning Coach Info Session.
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-- Eugenia Cardozo
Your Learning Coach Partner
Contact Info: 225-421-2837, ecardozo@uview.academy, and Remind
Well, it seems that we are bracing for yet another hurricane. As a result, I am sending this message early with the hope that you will have time to read it before the storm potentially comes through your area. UVA will remain open. Please keep your child's teachers posted if your family is impacted negatively by the storm. You may contact me via Remind or by phone (225-421-2837) if you are new and do not know how to contact your child's teachers yet.
In addition to the weekly recap and a look at the coming week, a Canvas Tips section has been included below.
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Computer shipments are running behind, but Tech Support is actively configuring and shipping computers all day, every day of the week. Shipments are occurring approximately 2 to 2.5 weeks after the enrollment date. The laptop arrives within three days of being shipped. Please keep your eyes open for FedEx shipping notifications.
Personal computers and mobile devices can be used to access Canvas as I described in last week's message. However, if you are limited to one device for multiple children or your child has access to a device but cannot use it five-six hours per day, that is a bit more challenging. Please reach out to your children's teachers to let them know about your device situation. Please notify me about your situation as well. (TIP: Don't skip the "Canvas Tips" section below. There's a tip for logging multiple users into Canvas with one computer.)
A week or so ago, seniors were advised to reach out to their Advisory teachers if they have any questions about the upcoming makeup ACT test that is occurring this month. There are letters in the student's Canvas account with details about the date, time, and test location, as well as safety precautions for a face-to-face test event. Please ensure that your ACT-tester goes to Account > Files > Testing Information to access the "ACT_Testing_Fall.." letter. (This letter is not in your Observer account.)
Families that joined us this week still have a few more days to complete the UVA On-Boarding Course. Please ensure that your orientation and training is underway in the on-boarding course, which you were given access to earlier this week. Click the link to access the UVA On-Boarding Course if you have not begun yet. This course is for the student and the Learning Coach.
A new page has been added to this Learning Coach Communications Hub for our Learning Coach Info Session Recordings. If you did not have an opportunity to attend one of our September information sessions, click the previous link to view a session. Both sessions contained very fruitful discussions between Learning Coaches near the end. Take a look.
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Last week I provided a quick tip about the bell icon, which is located on the Dashboard when in List View in the student's account. When you click the bell, it generates a list of missing assignments. This feature is comparable to the Missing Submissions feature that is only available in the Observer account. We recommend that you encourage your child to "click the bell" before ending every school day so that unfinished or un-submitted assignments can be completed. Please note that List View is not recommended as the student's default Dashboard view. Toggle Dashboard views by clicking the three-dot menu to the far right of the Dashboard title row.
If multiple users need to log into Canvas on the same computer while waiting on our school laptops, clearing the computer's cache will allow multiple Canvas users an opportunity to login successfully from the school website. (Guest Mode is useful as well, but if three or more Canvas users need to login, you will want to clear cache.) One of our Learning Coaches has three new UVA students and only one computer. Each student has been able to login to his or her account by clearing cache when switching users. As a result of this Learning Coach's repeated success, the Computer Tips & Tricks page of this Learning Coach Communications Hub has been updated to include the instructions to clear the laptop's cache. Thanks for verifying that clearing cache works, PJ.
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Next Monday and Tuesday (10/12 and 10/13) are our Fall Break. UVA will be closed on those days. We hope our students will be able to enjoy a couple of days off. Just keep in mind that no-lesson days provide a perfect opportunity for a student to make a dent in an overdue lesson list. Using these upcoming Fall Break days to get back on pace could make the Thanksgiving Break a true week off. (That's a nice incentive, isn't it?) Please verify your child's lesson completion status using "the bell" as described in Canvas Tip #1 above or with the Missing Submissions report from your Observer account, and devise a recovery plan that whittles down the list during the Fall Break.
Learning Coaches of students who are taking the ACT test this month will want to ensure the schedule is known and that your child has transportation to the ACT test site. Again, please log in to your child's Canvas account to retrieve the ACT testing letter. Go to Account > Files > Testing Information and select the "ACT_Testing_Fall..." letter.
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In closing, as a reminder, UVA will be open tomorrow (Friday, 10/9/20). If your family is impacted by the storm, please follow Dr. Clayton's instructions (sent via multiple platforms earlier today, Thursday 10/8), which said, "...we are 100% dedicated to working with any students and families impacted by the storm. Please contact your child's teacher(s) if you happen to lose power, internet connection, or experience other hardships due to the storm and need to request extensions and/or excuses from work." Please read Dr. Clayton's communication on the Dashboard, via email, or via Remind.
Please be safe. Enjoy the Fall Break next Monday and Tuesday.
Your Learning Coach Partner
225-421-2837
(10-2-20) Weekly Message From Your Learning Coach Partner
We managed to get quite a few new families into an accelerated on-boarding cycle due to Count Day, and many of your children are positioned to begin their lessons much sooner than the typical one- to two-week period that is allotted. Please read carefully below when I outline a few recommendations for proceeding safely and in concert with your child's teachers.
There are some exciting announcements and tips for everyone. So, please read everything below to get in the loop.
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If you have not logged into your Canvas Observer account or have not noticed on your child's Dashboard, UVA is kicking off our very first "movie-night" this weekend. We are very excited about this new offering. Students are able to access what they need for the movie night via their Canvas Calendar. Family and friends may participate. Your child will find the link to the movie (Disney Pixar's Inside Out) as well as other useful information about a community task and resources to learn more about social-emotional learning. There will also be a link to a Google Form for feedback. Our newest students should see these items appear on the Calendar some time over the weekend if it's not there now. Please keep checking over the weekend for the Calendar item. You will have access to the movie through Sunday evening. So, pop some popcorn and enjoy a movie on us! :D
Students (and their Learning Coaches) who enrolled with us this week (the week of September 28th) are in varying stages of the on-boarding period. Some of you were able to make great progress through the UVA On-Boarding Course. If you have not begun or have not completed the introductory pages of the on-boarding course as well as "Phase I - Orientation", please take some time this weekend to do that. Remember, the UVA On-Boarding Course is for our new students and their Learning Coaches.
New students might not have received their school computers yet, and they might not have access to a personal computer at home. In addition, some of our existing students might be without a computer while waiting for a replacement computer. The good news is that most people have a mobile device in the home. Canvas' apps can be useful tools for continuing on-boarding training. The Canvas Student app can also be useful for students whose lessons are underway if they find themselves limited to a mobile device. I prepared a Google Doc for you so that you can follow the instructions to install and guide your child to use the Canvas Student app on a mobile device. Although the document focuses on finding the Canvas training course in the app, experienced students will be able to navigate the app easily after logging in and seeing the Dashboard. I hope the new document "How to Use the Canvas Student App" will be a useful resource for our new families and for our existing families. Click the previous link to access the document. It can be downloaded or viewed on the Google Drive. I hope to develop a similar document for the Canvas Parent app in the coming weeks. (Keep your fingers crossed!)
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We are getting close to the season for UVA's clubs to be announced. So, keep your eyes open for information about our clubs. Teachers are still planning, but I think you might start seeing some information this month. Please wait patiently for teachers to release the information. This is simply a tease so that you will be on the lookout. They will kill me if you start inquiring before they are ready to release the information. Please don't get me in trouble with our teachers. ;-)
New Learning Coaches, please ensure that you return to the UVA On-Boarding Course after you and your child(ren) complete the Canvas training course in the Advisory card or via the direct link on the bottom of the page in the on-boarding course that guides you to the training while waiting for courses to appear on the Dashboard. You have additional Canvas activities and training related to your Observer account, followed by "Phase III -- Detailed Learning Coach Training". Please click the appropriate link to resume your part of the on-boarding training with a goal of completing it by next Tuesday (October 6th) at the latest. Thanks!
If your child has completed the on-boarding training all the way through the Canvas training component and he or she will have access to a computer prior to the end of the standard two-week on-boarding period (one week for high school students, please contact your child's teachers and let them know that your child can begin lessons more quickly than originally planned. The sooner your child can begin learning, the better. Teachers need a heads up, though, so that they can finish preparing their courses for your child. Course prep is a manual process, and an early start needs to be coordinated with the teacher.
All Learning Coaches are asked to have a Canvas Observer account so that teachers can communicate with you. Quite a few of our students do not have Observers in Canvas. Every student must have an Observer in Canvas. If you are new and you happened to skip the page to "Create the Learning Coach (Observer) Account" in the on-boarding course, please click the previous link to create your Observer account right away if your child has been able to login. There are instructions on that page to pair more than one child if you enrolled multiple children. If you are an existing parent who enrolled additional children this year that you have not paired with your Observer account, please follow the instructions from the Learning Coach Refresher course to "Update Your Account..." by clicking the previous link. Please ensure that your Observer account has been created or updated by next Monday morning (October 5th) at the very latest so that our teachers can communicate with you. They will appreciate it.
I promised to provide some additional tips for monitoring students' lesson completion, but the Canvas app document took priority today. However, I invite you to switch the Dashboard view to click "List View" in your child's account, and click the bell to the left of the three-dot menu. (You'll see it.). The bell lists your child's missing assignments. I hope to provide screenshots soon.
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Folks, once again, I thank you for your persistence and cooperation this week. It has been a very busy week at UVA, and we are happy that you are with us. Don't forget to enjoy the movie this weekend.
Please enjoy the beautiful fall weather that we are experiencing. Those of you in recovery from the storms, we hope this reprieve from the heat is making your efforts less of a struggle. Keep your child's teachers posted about your child's status for learning.
Until next week...
-- Eugenia Cardozo
Your Learning Coach Partner
225-421-2837