Wolfpack Howler
Volume 19 Issue 2 - July 31, 2020
Learn to work and think for life.
We are Preparing for Whatever the Future Holds...
As the school year approaches, we want you to know that we are preparing for whatever may come our way. We are here to support you in however we can and know that we want to do whatever we can to best meet your student's and family's needs during these stressful times. We are here to answer questions and help you navigate the information and choices available to you.
Below there is information on the differences between the three model options available that includes links to the district webpage if you need additional information. There is a survey after the learning options descriptions to try and capture what you're currently considering and if you choose in-person, it also covers:
- If you are in need of a district device for remote learning
- If you have reliable internet at your home
- If you need to be in the same cohort as another family
Whatever the future holds, we want you to know how much we miss seeing our students and will be doing our very best to make connections and develop relationships with them during this historic time. Last week I said our unity is our strength, and that continues to be so true. We are all here together to support one another as a part of this community. Call of email if you have any questions or concerns.
Take care,
Sarah Gillam
Principal, West Valley HS
907-479-4221
What are my options?
Blended (Hybrid) Learning: I want my child to have a combination of in-school and remote learning from a West Valley teacher depending on state guidelines
- Blended learning (also sometimes call the hybrid model) involves some in-person instruction at your student's school, supplemented with digital tools and content. The "Blended Model" uses our curriculum delivered by West Valley teachers in both a traditional classroom setting combined with independent online coursework. The shift between fully remote and in-person blended will be based on current health risk levels as defined by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
- If a school moves into the high risk category, blended learning makes the shift to fully remote learning easier, as students and families have already practiced the online components and content within the blended environment.
eLearning: I want my child to stay home even if schools are open and learn from a district teacher
- With the new eLearning program, your student will stay enrolled in their home school and receive instruction remotely from a district teacher.
The FNSBSD eLearning program will:
- Provide consistent and reliable plan for students and families
- Offer courses aligned to learning standards
- Ensure secondary courses meet NCAA and graduation requirements
- Provide resources to support parents as learning coaches for their students
- Ensure virtual teachers have been trained to engage students and support online learners
The virtual program is still connected to a student's neighborhood/choice school. Parents and students will continue to:
- Receive school communications
- Have opportunities to participate in activities, clubs, and athletics
- Access academic planning and graduation support
Homeschool: I want my child to stay home and I will guide their instruction
- Fairbanks BEST Homeschool is the existing correspondence option families can access within the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. In homeschooling, parents design and deliver instruction and students are not enrolled in their home school. Students do have access to classes, clubs, activities and sports at their home school.
- Students who are enrolled in a homeschool program other than the BEST program are not part of the District. To enroll in these programs, your child is unenrolled from FNSBSD.
This survey is also included at the end of this newsletter.
School Schedules:
As soon as schedules are available, we will let students and parents know.
Students requested 12 courses last year, so those requests will still be how we are building our schedule, however, their schedule will spread them out differently. However, we will still be keeping first semester classes in the first two quarters, and second semester classes in the third and fourth quarters. Below is a sample 10th grade schedule.
Fall 2020 Activity Information
**All this information is current as of today, but subject to change**
Click here for the full district's COVID-19 Mitigation Plan and updated Protocols
Guidance and information is changing daily regarding fall activities, to be prepared for seasons starting, please be sure your information is current and accurate in Planet HS - instructions and information below.
Planet HS/Arbiter
This must be completed before participation is allowed.
Physicals are good for 18 months.
Volleyball
Informational Player/Parent Meeting - Friday, August 7th @ 12-2pm
Tryouts - August 10, 5-7pm
Coach - Dave Cox dave.cox@k12northstar.org
**Swim/Dive
**Season Shift: Sept 3 = first practice / Sept 18 = first competition / Dec 4-5 = State
Coach - Kris Haggland kris.haggland@k12northstar.org
Sports Currently Practicing:
Football | Coach - Dave DeVaughn david.devaughn@k12northstar.org
Flag Football | Coach - Travis Walker travis.walker@k12northstar.org
Tennis | Coach - Sean Sullivan spsullivan222@gmail.com
XC Running | Coach - Hannibal Grubis hannibal.grubis@k12northstar.org
Football Cheer | Coach - Diana Burgess dianabak32@gmail.com
Click here for the full district's COVID-19 Mitigation Plan and updated Protocols
West Valley High School
Email: contact-wvh@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/westvalley
Location: 3800 Geist Road, Fairbanks, AK, USA
Phone: (907)479-4221
Facebook: facebook.com/wvhWolfpack/
Twitter: @wvhWolfpack