IVSA Newsletter
March 2024 Edition
March Updates
- REGISTRATION for the March Cohort and Summer School Programs is available.
- ONBOARDING MEETINGS for all new Full-Time Academy Students take place on Tuesdays (9am) and Thursdays (1pm). Please reach out to Mr. Grimes or Mrs. Elvers for an invitation.
IVSA Summer School PROGRAMS
IVSA Middle School & High School Summer School
Dates: June 4 - August 2, 2024
Offering: Core Courses, World Languages, PE/Health, Fine Arts, Business, CTE courses and more
Registration: Available beginning February 19 in Maestro.
Cost: $190/Credit Recovery and $300/Original Credit
IVSA Summer i-Ready Bootcamp for K-8 Students
Dates: June 11 - July 25, 2024
Offering: Skill development in Math and Reading with Live Sessions guided by IVSA teachers
Registration: Click below to sign up!
Cost: $300 total for Math and Reading Bootcamps
🙌 Monthly Shout-Outs
Let us "shout out" your student. IVSA students are successful in so many activities outside of the classroom including Hockey, Gymnastics, Tennis, Figure Skating, Music, Acting, Theater, Ballet. If you would like to share a success story that we can use to "shout out" your students, please send a picture or video and short description and we can highlight these students in March!
Click the picture to enjoy the music by one of our current IVSA students.
Meet the IVSA Staff
OPERATIONS TEAM
MEET Maria Gottschalk:
Maria is the DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS for Illinois Virtual Schools and Academy. While employed at the Illinois State Board of Education, she was a founding staff member (along with her late husband, Jim Kinsella) of the virtual program in Illinois when the first students were enrolled in 2001. Maria was “hooked”. She has experience in almost every operational aspect of the program and is just as passionate today about serving the students, schools, and teachers as she was then. Over the years, the people in the program have become friends and family, and Maria treasures all of them. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, playing with her cat, attending musicals where her niece sings, and crocheting.
MEET Ed Cook:
Ed is the OPERATIONS COORDINATOR for Illinois Virtual Schools and Academy. He started his career in student services as the Program Coordinator for the Upward Bound Math and Science program at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He joined Illinois’ virtual program as the Customer Service Lead in 2015, and later took on the role of Credit Recovery Coordinator. Ed also brings experience as a Client Success Manager for education technology companies, and tech startups. Prior to taking a ‘real job’, Ed spent several years travelling with his wife working as river guides throughout the world. In his free time, Ed is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys fly fishing, hunting, backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, whitewater kayaking and rafting. Most of all, he enjoys being able to share these experiences with his children.
Student Interest Groups & Clubs
eGaming Club
Art Club
Book & Look Club
We have a BOOK & LOOK club in for IVSA students. Students will meet to discuss the book of the month that they watched and read.. If you would like to register your student, please fill out the registration form.
IVSA IMPACT sessions on Wednesdays
Join Mrs. Elvers and Mr. Grimes for IVSA Impact Meetings on Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30am. Students will get the opportunity to interact with their School Counselor and Student Success Coach, as well as work through our Social Emotional Learning Curriculum. All FTA students have been sent calendar invitations to join these sessions.
Sown to Grow
Your student has received emails to register for their Sown to Grow account. IVSA is using this resource for our Social Emotional Learning units. The students will find a lesson each week in their homeroom to complement the work that they are doing at IVSA. The IMPACT sessions on Wednesdays is another time to follow up with the Student Success Team on their units. Please be sure to encourage the students to log in to activate their Sown to Grow accounts.
POSSIP CORNER
Next POSSIP survey: Wednesday, March 13, 2024
"Parents, your voice matters! We need to hear what's working for you and what your family needs. This semester we will send routine text messages and emails with a few simple questions asking for feedback on your experience with IVSA. You will receive these messages from Possip, an organization we have partnered with to learn your needs. Thank you!”
IVSA Important Dates
Upcoming Dates
March 5: Last Cohort Start date for the IVSA Spring Semester
March 25-29: Spring Break
May 10 or 24: Last day of school depending on the cohort your student is in
June 4 - August 2: IVSA Summer School for Middle and High School Students
June 11 - July 25: IVSA i-Ready Summer Bootcamp for Elementary and Middle School Students
Varsity Tutors
Complementary Tutoring is provided by Varsity Tutors. If your student has not begun tutoring and would like to utilize this, please reach out to Mr. Grimes.
HELPme App
Students have access to this app that can assist them when they have a need, are in crisis, or want to report something to their school.
Sown to Grow
IVSA utilizes the Sown to Grow Social Emotional Learning Curriculum.
Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy
The mission of IVSA is to provide a supportive and engaging online learning community for students that is based on highest-quality instruction, rigorous curricula and courses, and connected learning experiences. We are committed to partnering with local schools and districts to deliver virtual and hybrid learning options that meet the needs of each individual learner.
Website: https://ivsaschool.org/
Support Phone Number: 224-433-7148
Enrollment Phone Number: 866-890-4872
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illinoisvirtual