Shark Bytes
An update from the Virtual Academy
Week of January 22, 2024
Student Spotlight
Each week we share a reason to celebrate a Virtual Academy classmate. Do you have something great to share? Do you have something you'd like to share about another Virtual Academy student? Please fill out this form.
Teacher Nomination!
This week's student shout out goes to Soledad Belanger (LHS '24), who has been nominated by her teachers for this week's focus. This is Soledad's first year at the Virtual Academy and has shown steadfast dedication to her academics. Keep up the amazing work, Soledad! The Shark Squad Staff can't wait to see what your future holds!
Top Five in Five
The top five things you need to know for this week!
1. No School Friday
Due to the end of Marking Period 2, students do not have school on Friday, January 26, 2024. No Google Meets will be held. Students should make sure they have completed ALL make up work and recovery assignments. Marking Period 1 recovery through Edgenuity will no longer be available.
2. Let's talk about credits
Every High School course offered (with minimal exceptions) has credits attached to them. Current Seniors (those that started high school in August 2020 as Freshman) need a total of 21.5 credits. All underclassmen, beginning with those who were Freshman in 2021 or after must have a total of 22 credits (Health 2 is required now for juniors and below).
If you do not accumulate enough credits each year, your path to graduation gets harder and harder. You will have to retake the full year's class during summer school (if offered) or next year in ADDITION to your normal full schedule of classes.
NOW is the time to ensure you are gaining the grades to get the credits!
How are grades and credits related? You must earn at minimum of 240 percentage points out of 400 possible percentage points over the course of the year. That breaks down to at least 60% out of every 100% available each marking period.
Here's are a few examples:
Student A; English Course
- Marking Period 1 = 58% (recovery options are available)
- Marking Period 2 = 64%
- Marking Period 3 = 45% (recovery options available)
- Marking Period 4 = 55% (recovery options available)
- Final Grade( 58 + 64 + 45 + 55 = 222) - F, no credit (by a just 18% or 18 percentage points); Must repeat the entire course!
Student B; English Course
- Marking Period 1 = 61%
- Marking Period 2 = 64%
- Marking Period 3 = 60%
- Marking Period 4 = 65%
- Final Grade( 61 + 64 + 60 + 65 = 250) - D, credit earned.
If you would like to discuss your grades and how to ensure you are going to "level up" to the next grade by collecting your credits, please reach out to Mr. Ross (ssross@smcps.org) your school counselor.
If you are unsure of what credits are needed or how many credits each course is, please check out our program of students by clicking the link here: https://www.smcps.org/offices/curriculum-instruction/program-of-studies (or talk to Mr. Ross!)
3. Tutoring Update
Due to a conflict for our staff, tutoring has been moved to Wednesday this week.
As a reminder, tutoring is available every week from 3 - 4 for all students using the Google Meet code: TutoringVA.
4. Testing and Maryland Survey
Additionally, students who are currently taking
- Algebra 1
- Biology or Biology Honors
- Government
- World Lit
will need to come into test for 2 days for each course. These tests are state required and not taking them makes you ineligible to graduate (tests are required in addition to the credits discussed earlier).
Both the testing and the survey will take place on Wednesday mornings. Please be sure to secure a ride if needed.
5. Tech Tip of the Week
Bookmarks
Are you visiting different pages on a regular basis and are getting frustrated with going from place to place with a bunch of steps and clicks to get there? Consider using Chrome bookmarks where you can bookmark things like Google Meet, Clever and Schoology. If you have a lot of webpages you want to bookmark (for say a research paper) consider creating a folder of bookmarks. Want learn how? Click HERE.
Upcoming dates
- Friday, January 26, 2024 - NO School for Students, End of MP 2
- Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Report cards available in HAC
- Friday, February 9, 2024 - 2- hour early release
- Monday, February 19, - President's Day - No school, all offices and schools closed.
TECH HELP!
Having trouble getting to Google Meets, Schoology, using your camera, mic or other tech problem? If so, reach out to Ms. Barker for help! Contact her at ajbarker@smcps.org or call the Virtual Academy at 301-863-4090 and dial 16122 to talk to her directly.
Ms. Barker is also reaching out to student whom the teachers have reported are having difficulty.
Support VA
Support the Virtual Academy!
To help fund our MTSS events and purchase small rewards for our students, we will be hosting a few fundraisers this year.
The first one is our SquadLocker Spirit Wear sale. You can shop anytime day or night and 15% of the sale comes directly back to the Virtual Academy to support our students. Use this LINK to shop.
College and Career Counseling Corner
Did you miss the Tech Center Open House?
There's ONE LAST chance to attend a Tech Center Open House (which is required for all students who wish to apply) THIS FRIDAY from 1 - 3. See the graphic below for more information.