Back-to-School News You Can't Miss!

Back-to-school season is one of my favorite times of the year. For educators it's a time to start fresh again. Our teachers, support staff, and administrators across our state are busy learning new names, planning engaging lessons and getting ready to serve children no matter where they are in Wisconsin.

I know it takes extraordinary work to teach, and all of our teachers are part of Wisconsin Virtual Academies where teaching online was cool before it was cool everywhere. As the Executive Director of all of our five schools: WIVA Elementary, WIVA Middle School, WIVA High School, Destinations Academy HS and Insight School of Wisconsin, I want to express my sincerest gratitude for the service of our staff and the incredible dedication of our families to their child's learning.

Nationally, each year, more families recognize the value of an alternative education. Recent studies indicate that over the past 12 months, more than 70% of parents considered changing schools, and an increasing number of students opted for a skills-based education over a traditional college path. We are an example of this trend.

This past year, collectively, we achieved the highest enrollment level in our schools' history. Each year we finish the year with more enrollments than we began with because families find a better fit for their children.

We believe in our mission and promise: To support students in personalized learning no matter where they are, who they are or what they need. We believe that all students deserve an equitable education, and every child in the state of Wisconsin is welcome.

At Wisconsin Virtual Academies, we are leading the way in education and you are a part of it!

This year we are beginning a campaign to show the rest of the state what schooling CAN look like. We are centering on our Vision of a Graduate. All schools will highlight these skills in classrooms. We believe that being a strong student and future graduate means more than grades, but also encompassing the skills of a 21st century employee.

WISCONSIN VIRTUAL ACADEMIES VISION OF A GRADUATE

With our schools, your child is empowered to take control of the learning with the highest levels of curriculum and instruction.

Please talk to your teachers about these skills and how your student's Personalized Learning Plan supports their mode of education. Our job isn't to prepare students for something. It's to prepare them for anything!

We can't wait to see what the school year brings!

Remember:

Have fun and love the learning

Enjoy this time in your life: You'll never be in 4th Grade or a Senior in High School again

Reach out to your teachers when you need help

Don't give up when learning feels hard! That means your brain is growing!

Have a great school year!

Dr. Cutler

Attendance

If your student will be absent for a partial day, please let your teacher know and make sure to view recordings and complete missing work when your student returns. If your student will be out an entire day, call the Attendance Line (608-838-9482 Extension 0), or email (wiattendance@wivcs.org) to advise of absence. When students are absent 3 or more consecutive days, a Doctor's Note is required. If you are planning a vacation, please complete the Pre-planned Absence Form linked in the Attendance Guide below.

Attendance Line: 608-838-9482 ext 0

Email: Wiattendance@wivcs.org

Attendance Guide

Attendance

WIVA Elementary

WIVA Middle School

WIVA High School

NEW LEADERSHIP ROLES AT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL!

Wisconsin Virtual Academies is pleased to announce Carrie Cherney as the new Lead Principal for Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) MS and HS, grades 6-12! Carrie has worked at our schools for 16 years, and has successfully served in the role of Assistant Principal at WIVA High School and Principal at WIVA Middle School. She has proven to be a strong leader connected to the mission, vision, and purpose of Wisconsin Virtual Academies.

Casey Twanow will continue serving WIVA HS but in a new role as Assistant Principal. For the past two years, Ms. Twanow has worked hard to co-develop strong Multi-Leveled Systems of Support at WIVA HS. She has proven to be a strategic thinker and knows WIVA from an instructional standpoint as well as from a student intervention perspective.

Jen Wegner, Academic Administrator of Destinations Career Academy, is also the new Principal for Insight School of Wisconsin (ISWI)! Jen is excited to share her expertise and jump into this role and support our students, families, and staff! Mrs. Wegner has been in education for over 30 years and an administrator for over 20, and has been with Wisconsin Virtual Academies for over three years!

Additionally, Matt VanEffen is the new Assistant Principal at WIVA Middle School! Mr. VanEffen is a dedicated educational leader with a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Notre Dame. Matt has over 15 years of experience as both teacher and principal and is returning to us after a few years away! Matt taught at WIVA in 2020 and his students loved him! We Are excited to bring him on board as a school leader.

Learning Coach Corner

FACEBOOK:

WIVA

DCA

ELEMENTARY LITERACY/MATH and STAR TESTING

When your student takes their beginning-of-the-year tests, our staff receives a baseline of readiness for the classes we offer. For students who need more support, we can help, and for students who need advancement, we can push them on. Our goal is that every student grows every year. Please make sure your child takes these assessments seriously so we can do our best to teach and support you and your student!

HANDBOOK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Every LC and student is required to carefully review and sign our Student/Parent Handbooks.

Your confirmation of having thoroughly reviewed the document independently and with your student is mandatory. The acknowledgement form can be found here.

In the event that you have multiple students, kindly ensure completion of a separate form for each student. Please complete the form for each child in their respective school.

Join us at the Back-To-School Bash!

Let's connect with each other at our Back-to-School Gatherings held all over the state on

Friday, September 27th!

Please watch for the link to the Virtual Back-to-School Bash in the coming days.

This is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the start of the year together.

Bring your own picnic lunch and meet teachers and other families!

Family Advisory

Join us at our monthly Family Advisory Sessions - Held every third Wednesday at 5:00.

Each 1-hour session will be designed in collaboration with our Family Advisory Council around your feedback, questions, and needs. We value the voice of the families and look forward to connecting within the Family Advisory Session.

Satisfaction Surveys

Please complete!

Four times a year we send out Student First Check-In Surveys. The first survey is out now! These surveys help us identify additional support needed during student onboarding as well as helping us measure satisfaction rates from your point-of-view. Your voice informs us and helps us create the most relevant programming possible. Please look for the Stride Ignite Check In sent on Mondays throughout the year!

Student and LC Tech Support

For issues or questions related to computers, logins, or books/supplies, call K12 Customer Service Support: 1-866-512-2273 and choose the appropriate option

We believe all students deserve an equitable education.

We promise to support students in personalized learning, no matter where they are, who they are or what they need.

At our Wisconsin Virtual Academies we create the type of schooling that ALL students deserve. Our goal is to provide equitable opportunities for education to students across the state of Wisconsin. Let us know how we can best support you.

Let us know how we are doing by emailing hos@wivcs.org