KCSD Virtual Academy
March 2024 Newsletter
Message From the Principal
It is hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner! Soon it will be light out into the evening hours and I hope that you find time to enjoy your favorite outdoor activity. Be sure that you are keeping on pace with your classes. Remember, our pacing is based on school days, if you use the Recommended Pacing provided in Genius it is based on enrollment weeks and does not account for any days off. As a reminder, your attendance is based upon weekly assignment completion. If you have any questions in regards to pacing please reach out to Mr.Walizer or Mrs.Spedding. I hope you are having a great Spring Semester, keep up the hard work!
Mr.Evey
Meet the Team
Justin Evey - KCSD Virtual Academy Principal
570-893-4900 ext.4506
Jessica Neff - Administrative Assistant
570-893-4900 ext.2113
Biff Walizer - Academic Advisor Grades 10-12 and K-12 Special Education
570-893-4900 ext.4572
Michelle Spedding - Academic Advisor Grades K-9
570-893-4900 ext.2990
Scott Bair - Online Physical Education
570-893-4900 ext.4563
Enter your information here.
Upcoming Activities
March 11 - In-Service Day (AM Senior Projects/Parent Conferences) - No school for students
March 28 - 3 hr. Early Dismissal (PM In-Service)
March 29 - April 1 - Spring Break
Tips for online learning
Understanding how to be successful in online classes is key to getting your education! That’s where our tips for online classes come in.
1. Limit Your Time on Social Media
Social media is another temptation when taking online classes since it’s right there in your web browser. However, social posts can make you feel bad in addition to distracting you. If you need to, use an app that manages your internet options and locks you out of social media apps until certain times of the day.
2. Develop Strong Time Management Skills
This is a learned skill, so you’ll get better at it over time. If time management isn’t a strong suit, then be very intentional. Sit down and look at your calendar, then block out every part of your day (including non-school activities) and assign half-hour increments to each. Remember, online learning takes place of your full school day.
3. Stay Active
Physical activity is one of the best stress management techniques around. Whether you play a sport, hit the gym, or focus on getting your steps in, don’t let that lapse because you’re in school.
4. Learn How to Problem-Solve on Your Own
When you learn remotely, you have to do more for yourself. That includes gathering materials, understanding technical requirements, and reaching out to others. Decide upfront to be proactive and problem-solve on your own.
5. Set a Schedule for Completing and Reviewing Assignments
It’s easy to fall behind if you don’t schedule your tasks ahead of time. If you can, leave yourself an extra day to read through assignments before you submit them.
Need to know how many weekly assignments to do?
- From your dashboard take the total number of assignments and divide it by the weeks of enrollment or school days available
Example: Math=45 assignments, English=45, Science=45, History=45, Spanish=45 - 45+45+45+45+45=225 total assignments
Enrollment is 9 weeks (1 MP) 225/9=25 assignments per week or 5 per day
In this case, we would look for 25 assignments per week to be considered full attendance
Missing assignments would equal absences - ex. 20/25 (5 missing= 1 full day)
- Attendance is calculated based upon assignment completion in order to stay on pace NOT by days logged on
Student Spotlight
We would like to recognize the following Virtual Academy students for their hard work and dedication to online learning by naming them the Wildcats of the Month.
The Wildcat of the Month is highlighted for working hard with their pacing, attendance and doing well academically, with an 85% or higher in their classes. The Wildcat of the Month goes above and beyond what is expected and Consistently demonstrates the core values of a Wildcat. (Be Kind, present, respectful and responsible).
Emily Rhine
Grade: 6
Home School: CMMS
How long have you been doing online learning with the Virtual Academy? 6 years
What is your favorite thing about the virtual learning program through KCSD?
Working at my own pace is less stressful and decreases my anxiety, so the atmosphere is perfect for me.
Hobbies and Activities you are involved in: I enjoy arts and crafts. Baking is fun. I love to create things.
Favorite Food: Hoagies
Messages and Updates through Class Dojo
KCSD has moved back to ClassDojo as our messaging app. Please be sure to connect (or reconnect) so you don't miss any important information from your child's school or teachers.
Stay informed about:
- School events and activities
- Important deadlines and assignments
- Emergency alerts and school delays/dismissals/closures
Federal Programs
Winter Federal Programs Updates
On February 8, 2024 we held a Stakeholder Committee meeting to review the following information:
Federal fund usage requires transparency and stakeholder input
We shared-
How we monitor important aspects of our staffing and use of funds
How we use data to determine needs and how the funds are used to address needs
How we are preparing to write the 2024-2025 grants and are seeking your input
We are always looking for community members who want to be involved in reviewing our data and our plans and want to have input. If you are interested in joining our team, please complete this form to help us maintain a communication list of willing Stakeholders to turn to when we need input.
Title I funds follow the students. When our students attend a nonpublic school, our school funds are allocated on a per pupil basis to the nonpublic school to support any students who have an academic need who would have attended a KCSD school. We work with our nonpublic schools to help support our students, because no matter where they attend, students who reside within the boundaries of KCSD are our students.
Title II funds are designed to support the teachers. We use Title II funds for professional development in areas such as mathematics, English/Language Arts, and social-emotional learning.
At all school levels, we use Title IV federal funds to purchase incentives for PBIS (our positive school-wide behavior supports) rewards, and we emphasize the goal of following school rules in all schools.
Required documents for families:
Right to Request Qualifications of Teachers (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact rmurty@kcsd.k12.pa.us .
Note: If your child is taught for four or more weeks by a teacher who is instructing in a content area for which they are not currently certified, the district must notify you. Four-week notification letters will be added here if that becomes necessary.
Non-Discrimination Statement (see Annual Notices and Policy Review button above) - if you wish to request a paper copy, please contact rmurty@kcsd.k12.pa.us.
Title I District Parent Policy - Policy 918
Family Connections
ESL
Math: Learning Together at Home
Math is everywhere! When you measure an ingredient for a recipe, tell time, pay a bill, or look at the daily temperature, you are using math. These activities offer ideas on how to make math fun at home and start building some math skills that kids will use as they get older. Click to learn more!
Video (Spanish Only)
#KeystoneCares - Music in the schools
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Help us reach our Attendance Goal of 94.1%.
For the month of October, our students showed up 93.1% of the time.
Remember: Excuses need to be turned in within 3 days of an absence. Use your school's attendance email to make sure that the excuse notes get turned in on time.
Wildcats on the Prowl: AttendanceMatters Now!
Counseling Connection
SAP
If you are concerned about a student for any reason, you can make a SAP referral. The SAP referral can potentially lead to any needed services and/or supports the student may need to be successful.
Click on the picture to make a referral!
Healthy Mind, Healthy Home, Healthy YOU!
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
The link in the button above/QR Code should take you to our Volunteer Application.
You need to apply on-line at https://www.applitrack.com/kcsd/onlineapp/ instead of using a paper form.
Clearances and Mandated Reporter training are also required. Here are the links:
· Clearances
· (Act 34) PA State Policehttps://epatch.pa.gov/home
· (Act 151) PA Child Abuse https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
· (Act 114) FBI https://www.identogo.com/locations/pennsylvania
Use service code to receive the correct clearance: 1KG6XN
Mandated Report Training http://www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu/
Elizabeth Nace is our Personnel Secretary & Volunteer Specialist, you can use the information below to contact her, and she said she is happy to help you and answer questions!
570-893-4900 x 2319
https://www.kcsd.k12.pa.us/en-US/human-resources-32e72bfe
86 Administration Drive, Mill Hall, PA 17751
Translation Services
If your family speaks a language other than English, the district has access to translators and interpreters that can accompany you in meetings with teachers and school members. If you would like to be connected with a translator or interpreter please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school guidance counselor. The accessibility features in the top right corner of this Smore allow you to translate this page.
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
Check out our School websites for CMHS Athletics
Safety & Security
Safety & Security
Officer Scott VanGorder - Central Mountain High School
Officer Cory Beaver - Bucktail High School & Renovo Elementary
Officer Luke Motter - Central Mountain Middle School
Officer Mike Fetzer - Elementary district-wide and District Attendance Officer
Officer Todd Brian - District-wide
Keeping Up With Keystone
Take time to stay connected with your child's home school and learn about upcoming events, school photos, etc.
Keystone Central Career & Technical Center
Data & Performance
Upcoming Assessments
Save the Date for State Assessments!
Spring PSSA- All students in grades 3-8 ELA and Math, Science Grades 4 and 8
ELA: Window April 22-26
ELA District Testing April 22,23,24
Math/Science/Make ups: Window April 29-May 10
Math District Testing-April 29,30
Science District Testing- May 1,2
Spring Keystone Exams - All students enrolled in Algebra 1, Literature and Biology Keystone Trigger courses
May 13 – 24 - Spring Testing Window
May 13-14 - 10th grade Literature District Testing
May 15-16 - Biology District Testing
May 20-21 - Algebra 1 District Testing
Local District Assessments
All students in grades K-8 will be participating in our upcoming local district assessments which will be administered in the Fall, Winter and Spring. Students in K-2 will be tested using the Acadience assessment and students in grades 3-8 will be tested using NWEA MAP assessment. These assessments are administered in the Fall, Winter and Spring and will provide you as well as their teacher valuable information on academic growth. To learn more about our assessment please click the links below. The final Testing Window will be May 13-17.
Need to take the SAT, Click here for upcoming dates and registration