Parent Resources
Parent Apps Explained
Canvas Observer and Parent Connection Account Set Up
Parent Connection (Records)
Q Parent Connection is where we house the data/information on our parents/guardians such as any legal documents, mailing address, phone number, etc. It is hooked up to Q Student Connection that houses all student data such as grades, attendance, etc. You can change your contact information in Q Parent Connection and that information will be updated in our communications system (ParentSquare) nightly.
You may log into Q Parent Connection at https://venturausd.vcoe.org/.
Parent Square ( Communication)
ParentSquare is the platform the District and school sites use to communicate with our families. It allows for both general and targeted communications. All schools and the District are using this platform as our official form of communication with families. Teachers will begin to use it more and more for communications over the next two years.
To sign in, go to https://www.parentsquare.com/signin. If you are unable to sign in or if you are not receiving emails or text messages, please be sure that your information is correct in the Q Parent Connection portal (this houses all students and family data information). If that information is correct, please reach out to your school site to let them know there is an issue. We also encourage you to download the ParentSquare app.
Canvas (Teacher Tool)
Canvas is a platform for teachers to post assignments. Not all teachers use it. Parents can sign up as an observer in Canvas. Observers can link their Canvas account to their student's account so they can see assignment dues dates, announcements, and other course content. Observers can view the course content but cannot participate in the course.
Tutoring Resources
School Tutoring
School based counseling services are provided before school from 8:20am-8:50am Monday through Friday. Teachers take log of students who attend tutoring.
Subject: ELA
Room: 46
Subject: Math
Room: 12
Brain Fuse Online Tutoring (service provided by the CA State Library System)
Grief Counseling Services
Grief Counseling Services are provided to students on site at Balboa Middle School for students who have lost loved ones in the family through group counseling. All services are co-facilitated with a Livingston Memorial counselor. To inquire about services, please contact your child's school counselor.
Grief Counseling Services are also available for free for individual and family counseling at Livingston Memorial. If you are interested in individual or family counseling, use the link below and enter your information under the Contact Us Today Section.
Helpful Links:
Dougy Center
https://www.dougy.org/grief-support-resources/parents-caregivers
Guide: Helping Children Cope With Grief
English: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-with-grief/
Spanish: https://childmind.org/es/guia/guia-sobre-como-ayudar-a-los-ninos-a-enfrentar-el-duelo/
Coalition to Support Grieving Students
https://grievingstudents.org/modules/conversation-support/
Multilingual Student Services
Multilingual students are students on campus who speak more than one language. If a parent indicated during enrollment that a student had a different primary language other than English, those students are categorized as Multilingual students or English Learners. Services are provided for those student on campus to improve English Proficiency. The goal of every multilingual student is to become Reclassified.
Support Classes:
Placement for support classes is dependent on ELPAC Level, CAASPP Scores, Lexile Scores, District Assessments, etc. Student will either be placed in: Intensive Language Arts (ELPAC 1 or 2) or Language Arts Plus Support (ELPAC 3 & 4). Unfortunately, these courses take of student's elective. Once the students more to level 4, they begin choosing electives. Students can also inquire about 0 period sections to take 7 classes to take an elective.
English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)
The Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is an annual assessment to measure an English learner's progress toward English language proficiency (ELP). The Summative ELPAC Fact Sheet (PDF) Link to external site provides a summary of this information and more.
The purposes of the Summative ELPAC are to determine the level of ELP of EL students and to assess the progress of EL students in acquiring the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English.
*This test is only taken once a year in the Spring! Be sure to take the practice tests and use the previous ELPAC results to identify areas of weakness to improve for the following ELPAC.
Practice Tests:
https://www.elpac.org/resources/online-practice-and-training-test/
Reclassification:
Reclassification is when student have demonstrated mastery of the English language. Designation at the school changes from English Learner to Fluent English Proficient.
Reclassification procedures will use multiple criteria to determine whether a student should be reclassified as English Proficient, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
Assessment of linguistic competence. - THE ELPAC
Teacher evaluation, including, but not limited to, a review of the student's mastery of the curriculum.
Opinion and consultation of parents.
Comparison of a student's performance in basic skills against an empirically established range of performance in basic skills based on the performance of English proficient students of the same age, demonstrating whether the student is sufficiently proficient in English to participate effectively in a curriculum designed for students of the same age whose native language is English. - CAASPP and grades = on track to graduate
Reclassification in Special Education:
If a student's disability affects a student's ability to demonstrate English Proficiency in one or more areas, student may be reclassified through the special education team through an IEP meeting. Please contact your child's case manager to inquire about this alternative criteria. Consideration will be made in the IEP meeting and will be sent to the district for approval.
Foster Youth/ Homeless Resources
Additional service and resources are available for student who may be homeless or foster youth. Please contact your child's counselor to inquire about additional resources.
You may also contact our District Homeless and Foster Youth Family Liaison Laura De La Rosa
Email: laura.delarosa@venturausd.org
Phone: 805-641-5000 x1106
Student Residency Questionnaire
This form is required for all students and included in their enrollment packets in order to help identify the students who are homeless as required by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 11435. The information provided below will help us determine what services you and/or your child may be eligible to receive. This could include additional educational services through Title I, Part A and/or the federal McKinney-Vento Assistance Act. The information provided on this form will be kept confidential and only shared with appropriate School district and site staff.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZNumJ0fMsAZ5CewALEA5OT3Ushp7eFEBIMfKvweyjpU/edit?usp=sharing
Resources
Free/ Discounted Internet Services: Affordable Connectivity Program
The ACP is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a monthly internet service discount and a one-time connected device benefit from participating internet companies for qualifying low income consumers.
Lifeline Free Government Phone Program: Assurance Wireless
Assurance Wireless is a federal Lifeline Assistance Program. Lifeline is a government assistance program. The Assurance Wireless offer provides eligible low income customers free monthly data, unlimited texting, and free monthly minutes, plus a free phone.
Food Share Ventura County
There are lots of ways to obtain FREE food. Find the help you need, when and where you need it.
https://foodshare.com/find-help/
Free Vision Screenings
District SAP Counseling
SAP counseling is an additional tier of counseling that can be made in response to a suspension or can be made voluntarily. SAP services are typically utilized as a mandatory measure for suspensions and when additional counseling is needed.
Alternate Placement School: Homestead
Homestead is a K-8 Independent Study school that captures the flexibility of home school and combines it with the expertise of credentialed teachers and the rigor of high quality curricula. They offer the guidance, direction, and accountability of online schools and add to it the personal connections of in-person learning with peers and one-on-one regular sessions with teachers. Homestead partners with parents to provide flexible learning opportunities on-site and at home.
An application must be submitted by school counselor for consideration. Please contact school counselor to inquire about Homestead placement.
Learn more: https://homestead.venturausd.org/about
Gifted And Talented Education(GATE) Courses
Gate sections are only available for GATE identified students who tested and placed in elementary school. If spacing is available, we may consider adding additional non-gate students. Please speak to your child's counselor to express interest in next year's GATE sections.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about the GATE program, please visit the district site using the link below:
https://sites.google.com/venturaedu.org/vusd-gate/home
Exploring Mental Health: Understood
Understood is a nonprofit dedicated to shaping the world for difference. We provide resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive — in school, at work, and throughout life.