Shark Bytes
An update from the Virtual Academy
Week of April 29, 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.
3rd Marking Period Honor Roll
Congratulations to the students who have achieved Merit Roll, Honor Roll, or Highest Honors!
David Vela May
Evalise Blazel
Jenna Wheeler
Taniyah McCaskill
Aniyah Philyaw
Danielle Heubel
Jayden Hughes
William Downs
Abigail McClintock
Joshua Philyaw
Takoda Jones
Amadi Bryant
DeLaneo Jones
Lillian Edmondson
Mikayla Cheseldine
Camryn Stone
Angelina Vela May
Skylah Smith
Stephanie Roberts
Colton Chanda
Michael Cullison
Hannah Paschal
Kemauri Blackwell
Taylor Boothe
Alexis Marshall
Keishawn Davis
Adam Craig
Gracie Welch
Kaelyn Clark-Middleton
Mason Blazel
Nathaniel May
Connor Tomasic
Demitry Simmons
Emily Quade
Hailey Kirkey
Ireland Webb
Top Five in Five
The top five things you need to know for this week!
1.REMINDER TO SENIORS
Please be sure to mark your calendars for the following drop off times:
- 📢 📢 📢 Friday, May 17 from 8 am - 3 pm (front office of the Virtual Academy) This is the same day as the home high school. 📢 📢 📢
- Monday, May 20 from 8 am to 2 pm (front office of the Virtual Academy)
- Tuesday, May 21 from 8 am to 11 am (front office of the Virtual Academy)
- Wednesday, May 22 from 1 pm to 3 pm (front office of the Virtual Academy).
If you cannot attend, you will need to email Ms. Cabanacan (eacabanacan@smcps.org) to make other arrangements.
You will receive an email from Ms. Cabanacan with the list of items checked out to you so you can be sure to bring it all at once when you come to the Virtual Academy. Look for an email from Ms. Cabanacan no later than Friday, May 3.
Info for underclassmen:
* all returning VA students will keep their SMCPS laptops
* all students returning to their home schools will exchange their devices the first week of June.
2. Health 2 for Original Credit
Health 2 for Original Credit
Asynchronous 80/20 Course Enrollment
Format: 80% of class time is asynchronous using MSDE’s Canvas platform and 20% of
class time is synchronous via Google Meet
Credit: 0.5
Cost: $125
No refunds will be given if the student exits the course after the session has started.
Who: 11th & 12th graders only; Seniors have priority upon registration.
Dates & Location:
Fall Semester (August 26, 2024 - January 17, 2025)
Spring Semester (January 27, 2025 - June 6, 2025)
Google Meet class times are selected in the registration form:
Mondays 7:30 pm - 8:15 pm;
Mondays 8:30 pm - 9:15 pm;
Tuesdays 8:00 pm - 8:45 pm; or
Wednesdays 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm.
Health II: (Students must have passed Health I) Students will use the introductory instruction from Health Education I to expand on the development of skills, attitudes, and behaviors that will enable them to make decisions that promote healthful behaviors. Students engage in inquiry and problem-solving approaches utilizing a developmentally appropriate progression of content related to health education concepts.
Course Prerequisites:
11th or 12th graders who have passed Health I.
Orientation information will be sent to the student's SMCPS email address at least one week before the start of the course.
Students must be aware that this course requires about 30 hours asynchronously and must be completed during the semester registered. No Extensions.
Registration:
Registration opened for both the Fall and Spring sessions on April 24, 2024, at 1:00 PM.
You will receive an email that your registration form has been submitted, once you register. Your registration is not confirmed until you receive an additional email with information on paying for the class and stating your registration is confirmed.
If you have any additional questions about this course, please contact
Dr. Wendy Zimmerman at wlzimmerman@smcps.org.
3.2024 -2025 Sports Try Outs
SEASONAL TRYOUT INFORMATION (linked)
School Year 2024-2025
Anyone wishing to compete for a place on a team is expected to be at all tryouts.
First Day of Fall Sports Tryouts - August 14, 2024
First Day of Winter Sports Tryouts - November 15, 2024
First Day of Spring Sports Tryouts - March 1, 2025
FamilyID
All interested athletes are expected to be present from day one and have all required documentation fully completed if they wish to compete for a place on the team. For online registration go to www.familyid.com and use "Find a program" to select your high school. Failure to submit all required electronic data entry/forms/cards by the deadline set by the high school will necessitate the exclusion of the student.
Preparticipation Physical Evaluation
Sports physicals are valid for 12 months. It is recommended you attain your sports physical during the months of June or July annually.
History Form - To be filled out prior to examination by the patient or parent/guardian and provided to the Physician.
Physical Examination Form - To be completed by the Physician and kept in their office in the patient’s medical file.
Medical Eligibility Form - This is the ONLY form that should be submitted to the school.
Corollary Sports Program
The Corollary Sports program is offered as an alternative program to the mainstream high school athletics program, with team rosters composed of both students with or without disabilities. For more information please visit the Corollary Sports Page.
Fall Season - Cycling
Winter Season - Bowling
Spring Season - Bocce
Assistance and Contacts
Please contact your child’s home high school or the appropriate individual on this list if you have questions or concerns.
4. Summer Sports Academies
5. Tech Tip of the Week
Did you know that Google has templates available to use? Need to do a mock resume? Need to write a letter as a class assignment? Check out these templates and many more!
You can find various resumes, project proposals, and other document-type templates in Google Docs’ vast collection. Switch to intelligent work and save time with the pre-made templates by Google Docs. These templates will help you focus more on the content side rather than formatting. The plus point is that all the templates can be easily edited per the user’s wish.
Start by opening Google Docs and selecting Template gallery in the top right
Upcoming dates
- Wednesday, May 1, 2024 - Algebra 1 & Geometry State Test sections 3 & 4 (graduation requirement)
- Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - Biology State Test sections 1 & 2 (graduation requirement)
- Friday, May 10, 2024 - Two hour early dismissal
- Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - No School for students (primary election day)
- Wednesday, May 15, 2024 - Biology State Test sections 3 & 4 (graduation requirement
- Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Government State Test sections 1 & 2 (graduation requirement)
- Monday, May 27, 2024 - No School for students, schools closed (Memorial Day)
- Wednesday, May 29, Government State Test sections 3 & 4 (graduation requirement)
- Wednesday May 29, 2024 - Chopticon Graduation
- Thursday, May 30, 2024 - Leonardtown Graduation
- Friday, May 31, 2024 - Great Mills Graduation
- Friday, June 7, 2024 - Last day of the 2023-2024 school year
State Testing Dates
State tests are required for graduation. Please plan on coming to the Virtual Academy for each scheduled day for each content you are currently taking. More information will be sent directly to each student and guardian involved. This section will remain in the S'More for easy reference during the testing weeks.
Spring Testing Information
ELA 10, Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology, and Government
Wednesdays in April and May
Drop Off - 8:45 a.m. Pick Up - 11:45 a.m.
Algebra 1
April 24: Sections 1 and 2
May 1: Sections 3 and 4
Geometry
April 24: Sections 1 and 2
May 1: Sections 3 and 4
Biology
May 8: Sections 1 and 2
May 15: Sections 3 and 4
Government
May 22: Sections 1 and 2
May 29: Sections 3 and 4
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.
College and Career Counseling Corner
Montgomery College
Montgomery College, established in 1946, educates nearly 60,000 students a year, through credit and noncredit programs, in Montgomery County. Widely recognized for the quality of its academic programs in humanities, arts, sciences, and business, Montgomery College also offers a wide range of career and technical programs, including nursing, biotechnology, automotive technology, and interior design. More than 100 degree and certificate programs prepare students to earn an associate's degree, transfer to four-year institutions, or enter the workforce. Among the college's signature academic programs are: Montgomery Scholars, a selective honors program that provides students with a summer study opportunity at the University of Cambridge in England; the Macklin Business Institute Scholars, an honors program for business students; and the Renaissance Scholars, an intensive honors program with classes offered in the evenings.
Type of Institution: Public 2-year
Degrees or Awards: Certificate, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching, Associate of Fine Arts
More info:
http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/
https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/academics/programs/index.html