Can you believe summer break is over already? That means its time to shift our focus back to learning! We have so many exciting things coming this year for you! I can't wait to get into your classrooms and see all the amazing things that you will do! Remember to turn your cameras on and unmute your mics when asked to do so. I want to see your bright faces and hear your voices.

Learning Coaches, this issue of the Principal's Desk has lots of important information, so be sure to read it carefully and refer back to it when necessary. In every issue I will include a learning coach tip/resource please be sure to check it out! Also, In this issue there is information about Progress Learning expectations, as well as Attendance and Truancy. Please familiarize your self with the attendance policy and make sure your scholar has a structured home schedule that will help them to stay on track.

Join me for Learning Coaches Orientation! I want to help you support your scholar! We can not increase outcomes for our students without your partnership! Please meet me via zoom on August 13th. I will hold the same orientation at two different times 10:00 AM & 4:00 PM.

Click here to join!

Please be sure your student logs into Progress Learning Daily for at least 30 minutes. Progress learning is required, but is not meant to replace the live teacher or the class connect sessions.

It is a supplemental online program designed to meet your learner exactly where they are whether they are on target, below, or above grade level. It is aligned 100% to the Oklahoma Academic Standards and provides a variety of effective online activities, diagnostics and assessments designed to help students prepare for state test!

Attendance

As a public-school program, the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (“OVCA”) is required to monitor student progress and attendance in accordance with all applicable statutes. Students are expected to complete 72 instructional activities per quarter, or about 2 instructional activities per day. For the purposes of attendance, instructional activities are defined as:

• Completion of course assignments that are used to record a grade for a student that is factored into the student’s grade for the term in which the assignment is completed;

• Instructional meetings with a teacher;

• Testing;

• School-sanctioned field trips; and

• Orientation.

Students who fall behind the required instructional activities at any point in the school year will be contacted by OVCA staff – CFAs, paraprofessionals, counselors, truancy specialist, and/or administration – to see what support is needed to re-engage the student in daily schooling. Prolonged periods of insufficient attendance may result in the student being withdrawn from OVCA.

Truancy

Any student who has not completed any instructional activities for a fifteen-day-period is considered truant and shall be withdrawn for truancy. However, if the student is on pace for on-time completion for coursework and the legal guardian has informed OVCA as to the reason(s) the student has not completed an instructional activity, or the student is experiencing a significant medical condition, then OVCA may determine the student should not be withdrawn for truancy based on the totality of the circumstances involved. Legal guardians are expected to remain in communication with their Community Family Advisor (CFA) if there is a reason why the student is unable to school for a prolonged period of time.

Once a student has gone five consecutive days without schooling, OVCA staff will begin attempting to reach the legal guardian to find out what issue(s) is hindering the student from schooling daily and work to resolve the issue. If the student has not resumed schooling within 15 days, the student will be withdrawn for truancy.

August 8th: Virtual Meet the Teacher

August 9th: Back to School Bash

August 12th: First Day of School

August 13th Learning Coach Orientation with Principal Cooks 10:00 AM or 4:00 PM (Click the link to join)

August 19th-23rd: Progress Learning Diagnostics

August 26th-30th: STAR Beginning of the Year Assessments

September 2nd: Labor Day-No School

A Learning Coach is the designated adult who will have the primary responsibility of being actively involved in all school related work and activities. Learning Coaches are the primary point of contact for all teachers and school staff. A parent may designate himself/herself as the Learning Coach or may find another trusted adult to serve in this role. In all cases, the parent is ultimately responsible for ensuring adherence to school policies. The Learning Coach will:

• actively monitor, assist, and motivate the student daily

• communicate regularly with the student’s Community Family Advisor (CFA) and teachers and

• ensure the student is engaged and follows a weekly schedule that includes attending live class and completing weekly assignments per program requirements

In Elementary School, a Learning Coach will work side-by-side daily with the student. Each week, the Learning Coach will review upcoming lessons to ensure any advanced preparation is completed and attend Learning Coach training/support meetings. Learning Coaches will check school communications at least once daily to stay up-to-date with academic requirements. They will also check their online school account to find exact times for classes and online meeting links. A Learning Coach of an elementary student can expect to spend 3-6 hours a day supporting the student’s education.

Learning Coach involvement is directly connected to student success. OLCA will offer a variety of opportunities throughout the year to improve Learning Coach practices. Learning Coach Orientation/Bootcamp reviews expectations, connects parents to other parents, and introduces local clubs and events. It outlines the parent responsibilities, important parent meetings, method of communication, how to support student academic expectations and learning goals, resources available, and how to provide feedback and become more involved in our school. The OLCA program is supported and led by the Student Support Services Team.

This student handbook sets forth some general guidance for parents, Learning Coaches, and students enrolled in the Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (OVCA). The intent is to answer the most frequently asked questions. OVCA staff are willing clarify any items in the handbook or answer additional questions. Your main point of contact is your Community Family Advisor (CFA). A list of phone extensions is located on the school website. You may also use the dial by name directory by calling the main number 405.259.9478 and pressing the pound (#) key.

OVCA is a statewide charter school. OVCA is a public school and is subject to the rules and regulations of the Oklahoma State Department of Education Public School policies and mandates.

All students in one family are assigned to a single Community Family Advisor (CFA) who serves as the first point of contact. The CFA provides information about important dates and school events. The CFA helps families set up schedules, teaches families how to navigate the online school and monitors progress/attendance. The CFA helps students build connections at the school by organizing local in-person community events, hosting online social or study sessions or service learning projects.

As an OVCA student, youth are expected to be active learners by logging into school daily and participating in online class activities. Students will be contacted through email, text, phone or during online classes. Each student will have access to online and offline curriculum materials. Students may reach out at any time to OVCA Staff for assistance. Staff will respond within 24 hours during school hours.

Elementary will offer live class sessions for grade level content as well as targeted sessions to focus on specific skills gaps based on the student’s academic needs and progress.

OVCA teachers and students are encouraged to use webcams during online sessions. This Face to Face interaction can increase relationships and strengthen the learning process. The webcam environment must be sterile and appropriate for schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring a home learning environment that complies with OVCA’s requirements for webcam usage. This includes, but is not limited to, a visual or audible learning environment viewable during class connect sessions that is free of any signs, flags, symbols, words, or pictures that may be considered obscene, discriminatory, or profane.

To verify student engagement, students may be required to turn on webcam and interact with OVCA staff. OVCA may move forward with student safety protocols if staff are unable to connect with students in a face to face setting (Webcam, Zoom, Engageli,, etc).

Ashley Cooks

Email: acooks@okvirtual.org
Phone: 405-659-3912 ext. 3443 ( call or text)

OVCA Office:

1117 S. Douglas Blvd. Suite F

Midwest City, OK 73130

School Phone: 405.259.9478

School Fax: 405.259.8332

k12 help: help.k12.com