Shark Bytes
An update from the Virtual Academy
Week of March 11, 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.
Celebrate Tsychiais Beckett
This week we celebrate Tsychiais Beckett (GMHS '25). Tsychiais is doing amazing work each and every day, ensuring he is attending all Google Meets and crushing assignment deadlines!. We are so excited to see Tsychiais do great things for the rest of this year and watch how he grows into his SENIOR year next year!
Top Five in Five
The top five things you need to know for this week!
1. PLEASE RSVP!
Students are invited to join the staff of the Virtual Academy from 8:30 - 10:30 on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 for donuts as we celebrate ALL of our Virtual Academy students during International Day of Happiness. Come by the Virtual Academy (20833 Great Mills Road) for donuts, games, chat, and to hang out with each other and the teachers of the Virtual Academy. RSVP required. Please use the RSVP in the event below.
๐๐ RSVP Below๐๐
Please let us know if you will be joining us!
Donut Day of Happiness
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024, 08:30 AM
20833 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
2. Recovery closes Friday!
If you have any active MPR classes in Edgenuity, you have just two weeks to finish them! Courses will be closed at the end of the day, Friday, March 15, 2024. Remember you must get at least a 60% relative grade to pass the marking period.
3. Summer Sports Academies
4. Summer Learning
SMCPS students can sign up for the following summer courses for original credit: Health 2, Foundations of Computer Science, Geometry, Spanish 1 and Spanish 2. This FLYER includes all of the details on how to register and course dates and time. Please share with your school community. Any questions can be directed to Heather Wysokinski (hmwysokinski@smcps.org)
5. Tech Tip of the Week
With Varsity Tutors for Schools, students have unlimited access to hundreds of Live Group Classes covering every academic subject. Led by an expert instructor, students can collaborate and learn like never before.
Remember, you have access to this program for FREE through Clever
Check out the flyer linked below.
Upcoming dates
- Friday, March 15, 2024 - Marking Period recovery for MP2 is due
- Wednesday, March 20, 2024 - Onsite MTSS student celebration
- Friday, March 22, 2024 - Two hour early dismissal
- Monday, March 25 - Monday, April 1st - Spring Break - no school for students
Reminder::::::::State Testing is Coming Up
- Algebra 1
- Government
- Biology
- Biology Honors
- World Literature
If so, you will be expected to be on site at the Virtual Academy on two different Wednesdays in April or May for each course you're enrolled in.
More information will be forth coming, with direct emails to students and their families.
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
Scholarships and Financial Incentives for College & Career!
William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship
The William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship is awarded every other year in even years to two selected applicants who are legally blind and are studying for a career in the field of services to persons who are blind or visually impaired. The two scholarship recipients will be awarded $1,000 each, and the winners will be announced in the late Spring of 2024. Due 4/18. Learn more and access the William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship application.
2024 AER Scholarship
2024 AER Scholarship: The 2024 AER Scholarship is awarded annually to three selected grad student applicants studying for a career in the field of Orientation & Mobility or Teachers of the Visually Impaired. The three scholarship recipients will be awarded $2,000 each, and the winners will be announced in the late Spring of 2024. Due 4/18. Learn more and access the 2024 AER Scholarship application.
Legislative Scholarship - Senator Jack Bailey
January 2024 Dear District 29 Resident: I am excited to share the following information regarding the application process for my Senatorial Scholarship. Please read the instructions carefully and file your application by the April 1, 2024 deadline.