Table of Contents
About CVA
Mission and Vision
Introduction Letter
Contact Information
What to Expect
Keys to Success
Common Obstacles
Pacing
District Calendar
Academics
Student Responsibilities
Parent Responsibilities
Faculty Responsibilities
Add/Drop
No Contact (Auto-Withdrawal)
K-5
6-12
Grace Period
Homeroom/Attendance & Truancy
Concept Mastery
Grade Level Skills and Common Core
Rights of Students and Parents
Courses and Curriculum
Advanced and Honors
Grade Classification and Pupil Progression
Guidance
Conferences
Discussion Based Assessments
Semester Exams
Required Travel
Remote Proctor
Grade Book
Academic Integrity
Electronic Network
Bullying
Dress Code
Contact Directory
About CVA
Clay Virtual Academy is Clay County’s K-12 online public school. We serve public, private, and home-schooled students. We are an accredited, diploma-granting institution committed to flexible and creative learning options. Students can attend full-time from home, part-time in conjunction with another school, or as a part of their normal school day in a lab. Students have the benefit of still receiving 1 on1 help as needed with a local Clay County teacher committed to their success. We serve a wide range of students including academically advanced, and students with diverse needs who may have extenuating circumstances or need creative accommodations that cannot be met in a brick and mortar school. To register or find out more, please visit our website at www.cva.oneclay.net .
Mission and Vision
Introduction Letter
Contact Information
What to Expect
Students can expect to work according to their own schedule and in a way that best meets their individual needs as long as they maintain appropriate and designated pace in each course. They can also work ahead in courses to meet their own needs beyond school. Students can expect to turn in four to five assignments per week for each class they take. Students are expected to check emails, texts and phones daily. They are expected to send return communications within one work day. Students must learn to mastery in order to progress. Students will show mastery of Sunshine State Standards while working on essential critical thinking, writing, and communication skills central to Common Core grade level standards. Students can expect to have teachers that are creative, supportive, and highly qualified subject area experts to assist them in their success.
Keys to Success
Students who are successful at Clay Virtual often have the following processes in common:
○Print and use a pacing chart for each class and stick to it.
○Create a schedule and weekly to-do list to stay on track.
○Review objectives and assignments/rubrics prior to starting a module.
○Take notes based on objectives and assignments to assist in studying.
○Communicate with teachers by email, text, and phone often (Seek help when it is needed).
○Revise work whenever allowed to improve skills and grades.
○Attend live lessons and face to face tutoring with their teacher frequently.
Common Obstacles
There are common pitfalls or traps that students can fall into with virtual learning.
They include:
○Not following a consistent schedule or taking days off due to the flexibility.
○Not getting help when it is needed.
○Not taking thorough notes or actively learning.
○Failing to communicate needs with teachers and avoiding contact.
○Not completing your own work.
Pacing & Attendance
Students are expected to complete about 5% of each course per week. This amounts to roughly 5-8 hours of work per course. If a student does not complete 5% per week, they are considered absent based on percentage complete. This can impact attendance and future enrollment in the school. Students must stay on pace to attend virtual school. If students do not maintain pace, working consecutively on required assignments, they will be withdrawn in the first 21 days of a course, or withdrawn failing if after 21 days. Students are expected to log in daily and submit weekly according to pace. Even if a student is ahead of pace, weekly submission is required in each course. This is monitored closely by teachers and administration. If a student cannot independently succeed in the virtual setting, it is in the best interest of the student to attend a traditional school where daily monitoring and assistance in time management and task completion can occur.
Grace Period
If students are not successful in the first weeks of a course they are rarely successful in the course at all. Students must be on pace in each course in the first 21 days with passing grades or they will be withdrawn from their course(s)at that point.
Interims and Report Cards to Parents
CVA parents and student can monitor grades on-line in real-time in two ways. Grades and progress can be monitored as an overview in the Virtual School Administrator (VSA). Specific grades for assignments and feedback can be viewed in each course’s gradebook. Report Cards are all reported online.
Rights of Students and Parents
○Students and parents will be treated with courtesy, respect, and dignity by all faculty members.
○ Students and parents will be treated fairly regardless of race, creed, national origin economic status, gender, and age. Each child will be treated as an individual with unique needs and talents.
○Students have the right to know that they can approach staff members with any concerns, and staff will actively listen and do anything within reason to assist in addressing that issue
District Calendar (2015-2016)
August 10, 2015: First Day, Teachers
August 12, 2015: District In-service Day
August 17, 2015: First Day, Students
September 7, 2015: Labor Day, Student/Teacher Holiday
October 9, 2015: End First Grading Period (39 days)
October 12, 2015: Planning Day/Student Holiday
November 11, 2015 Veterans' Day, Student/Teacher Holiday
November 23 -27, 2015: Thanksgiving Break
December 18, 2015: End Second Grading Period (43 days)
December 21 thru Jan.1: Christmas/NewYear’s Break
January 4, 2016: Planning Day/Student Holiday
January 5, 2016: Inservice Day/Student Holiday
January 6, 2016: Students Return to School
January 18, 2016: Martin Luther King Day, Student/Teacher Holiday
February 15, 2016: Presidents' Day, Student/Teacher Holiday
March 14-18, 2016: Spring Break, Student/Teacher Holidays
March 21, 2016: Students Return to School from Spring Break
March 25, 2016: Good Friday, Student/Teacher Holiday
April 1, 2016: End Third Grading Period (55 days)
April 4, 2016: Planning Day/Fair Day, Student Holiday
May 30, 2016: Memorial Day, Student/Teacher Holiday
June 3, 2016: Last Day, Students (4th Grading Period – 43 days)
June 6, 2016 Last Day, Teachers – Planning Day
GRADUATION: May 27, 2016
EARLY DISMISSAL DAYS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS JUNIOR HIGH/HIGH SCHOOLS ONLY
Sept. 18, 2015, Oct. 30, 2015, Dec. 18, 2015, Dec. 16, 17, & 18, 2015
Feb. 26, 2016, May 13, 2016 & June 3, 2016 June 1, 2, & 3, 2016
INTERIM REPORT DATES REPORT CARD DATES
Available thru the Parent Portal Account Available thru the Parent Portal Account
www.focus/oneclay.net www.focus/oneclay.net
Wednesday……September 16, 2015 Thursday………….October 15, 2015
Monday...... November 16, 2015 Thursday………….January 7, 2016
Thursday ...... February 18, 2016 Thursday………….April 7, 2016
Friday ...... May 6, 2016 Friday……………...June 3, 2016
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Academics
Clay Virtual academy offers K-12 instruction in an online format that is taught by local teachers. Elementary Courses (K-5) are offered through the Connexus® education management system. Grades 6-12 utilize Florida Virtual School (FLVS) content. CVA also offers two alternative virtual options to local students in compliance with state law. Please ask your administrator or guidance counselor about these option if you are interested in alternative arrangements.
Advanced and Honors
Students have the option of enrolling in courses for honors or regular level coursework. Honors level courses register as different course codes and are reported as such to the state and on transcripts. Honors courses are weighted and impact GPA accordingly. Contact your guidance counselor to change course levels.
CVA also offers Advanced Placement Course and Dual Enrollment options for high school students. Please see your guidance counselor for more information.
High School Grade Classification & Student Progression Plan
Graduation requirements vary depending on year of entrance and expected graduation. Please visit our website at www.cva.oneclay.net for more information or contact your guidance counselor.
Student Responsibilities
○ Log in daily and submit assignments weekly at a minimum
○Create a schedule.
○Dedicate time for each subject. Create a schedule and stick to it.
○Have a dedicated work space that is removed from distractions.
○Have all materials and supplies needed including your computer.
○Some students need absolute silence while others can’t seem to concentrate without
noise in the background. Make sure it is a well-lit place free from distractions.
○Create a binder for each subject for your pacing guide and notes.
○Refer to your pacing guide daily to keep current with your assignments.
○Speak up and be an advocate for yourself. If there are too many distractions while you are trying to focus on your school work, make sure to let other people know.
○Get help whenever you are confused. Text or call your teachers. They want to help you.
○Keep in contact with your teachers. Schedule all Discussion Based Assessments in advance. Check email daily at least. Return all calls and emails within one school day. Schedule tutoring with your instructor(s) as needed.
○Have academic integrity. Be sure that all of your work is your own. Cite your sources. Be mindful of presentation in all work Write thoughtfully and in complete sentences with capitalization, appropriate grammar, and punctuation for your age and grade. Teachers reserve the right to reject submissions if not completed with care, effort, and integrity. If you aren’t sure your work is credible or acceptable contact your teacher to discuss and review.
○Monitor your own progress and be aware of the 21 day grace period (if applicable).
○Check grades and pace chart on a regular basis for each course. If you have any concerns or emergencies, contact your teacher to address them.
Parent Responsibilities
The parent is a vital partner and learning coach. Students with active and involved parents are more likely to exceed in their studies at CVA.
Parents should:
○Expect and promote academic honesty from your child at all times.
○Assist students in creating schedules and pace charts and maintaining accountability..
○Review their child’s notes and work, discuss their progress, and help them prepare for assessments.
○Take the time to navigate course modules with their children and guide them in finding objectives and expectations for assignments prior to beginning their work.
○Assist in creating a dedicated work space that is quite and well-lit.
○Check emails daily and return or respond to teacher communications to confirm receipt.
○Keep your contact information (including phone, email, and address) up to date with CVA.
○Maintain consistent contact with instructors (monthly at a minimum) and respond to all communications within 2 days.
○Establish a parent account for FLVS courses:
https://vsa.flvs.net/Registration/GuardianApplication.aspx?pageID=141&AID=273&fn=Apply-for-Parent-Guardian-Account
○Monitor and track student progress multiple times per week using the parent log-in option.
Faculty Responsibilities and Commitments
○Teachers will post a weekly schedule within each course that includes office/phone hours and a scheduler for Discussion Based Assessments.
○ Teachers will answer all emails and return phone calls within one school day.
○Teachers will make evening hours available during the week and post them on their course homepage for your convenience.
○Teachers will communicate to students and parents at least once a month and maintain records of communications for future reference.
○Teachers will grade/assess assignments within two school days of submission and provide specific feedback for improvement as needed (Parents can review this within the gradebook portion of each course).
○Teachers will conduct Discussion Based Assessments over the phone or in person by appointment. Students can expect teachers to review student work from the recent module, to openly discuss any challenging areas, assess the authenticity of the student’s work, and assist in helping the student review for upcoming projects or assessments.
○Teachers will contact parents if any concerns arise regarding student safety, performance, or integrity.
Guidance
CVA has full-time counselors on staff who are available to discuss educational, personal, and social concerns. Counselors provide confidential counseling as well as necessary referrals to outside agencies as needed. Counselors are excellent resources for career and post-secondary guidance for all students.
Parent and/or Student Initiated Add/Drop Policy
Students have a 21 day grace period starting from the course activation date to drop a course. Students who do this will be withdrawn without a grade (W). Students who withdraw after the 21 day period will be issued a W/P or W/F, and if over 50% complete, a C/F.
When students add courses, the educational suitability and availability of courses will be considered before an approval will be granted. Changes will only be considered in the first 21 days. If a student seeks to enter back into a class at their zoned school, class size caps established by the state may disallow that change. After the 21 day grace period, the student may have to complete the course online. Administrators and guidance counselors will interpret this.
Allowable Reasons for Schedule Changes
○Students are scheduled for classes they have already passed.
○Students are enrolled in a class with a prerequisite that has not been completed.
○Seniors need a class to graduate.
Auto-Withdrawal for Pace Issues, Non-Contact, and Inadequate Pupil Progression
CVA policies exist to serve the best interest of students and their successful progress in public education. Continuous communication, adequate pacing and quality work submissions are essential for virtual school success. If these requirements cannot be met, CVA reserves the right to withdraw students so their progress can be ensured in a traditional setting with daily oversight.
K-5
Each week, the teacher will outline the weekly work requirements. It is essential that parents, students, and teachers maintain regular contact and dialogue.
CVA has a three step policy for elementary students not meeting their learning commitments of pace, quality, and communication:
○If the expected number of assignments are not completed in a 7 day period, the student and parents will receive a communication notifying them that pace is not acceptable.
○If the student does not correct the lag by submitting all required assignments within a week of the initial communication, then the principal or guidance counselor will be notified and parents informed.