Welcome Learning Coaches! This site is designed to help you have a successful year with your student and NCVA.
919-346-0121
WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA VIRTUAL ACADEMY
For more info about K12, please click on the below links:
NCVA ENROLLMENT & CUSTOMER SERVICE
Interested in NCVA?
*NCVA is currently at maximum capacity. If you want to enroll, you can submit applications online and utilize the Parent Portal to complete the process for waitlist consideration.
Current NCVA Students & LCs:
k12 Customer service is currently experiencing significant wait times due to the high call volume they are receiving. Please email your homeroom teacher for academic questions or your advisor for non-academic questions. You may also contact k12 at one of the below sites, but there may still be a delay with response time.
OCTOBER EVENTS
*See your Class Connect Schedule in the Online School for Virtual Sessions.
October 7: Beacon Time K-1st and 2nd-3rd
October 7: LC Speaker Event (RSVP Below)
October 8: NCVA Adventure Day/Outing Events *Details TBA via e-mail
October 8: HS Virtual Career Fair
October 11: Holiday (NCVA Closed)
October 12-14: Pre-ACT (10th Grade) *Details TBA via e-mail
October 15: Last Day of the Quarter
October 18: 1st Day of 2nd Quarter
October 19-22: Interims and NC Check-ins
October 18-22: NCVA Spirit Week
October 20: Unity Day (Wear Orange for Bullying Prevention)
October 21: Beacon Time 4th-5th
October 22: LC Speaker Event (RSVP Below)
October 25-27: Professional Development (Lessons assigned, No Live CCs)
October 31: Happy Halloween!
~Save the Dates~
November 5: NCVA Adventure Day/Outing Events
*In person events are pending the developing COVID regulations. Details will be e-mailed to families.*
SPIRIT WEEK
STRIDE K12 NATIONAL COMPETITIONS
Stride National Photography Competition
Students in grades K-12 are invited to submit a photograph to show what makes their community special, whether it be their school, their neighborhood, or their whole city. Registration is open until October 30 and you can find more details here.
Stride Innovation Challenge: “My Planet, My Neighborhood”
Students in grades 9–12 are asked to identify environmental challenges in their communities, nationally, or globally, and propose innovative solutions that consider implementation, creativity, and impact. Proposals can be submitted online through November 30, 2021 and more details can be found at stridelearning.com/innovation.
Stride competitions are an excellent opportunity for students to challenge themselves and showcase their skills—maybe even win a prize! I encourage you to spread the word to any student you know who might be interested.
For more information, questions can be sent to competitions@stridelearning.com.
NCVA SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR SY 2021-22
K12 STUDENT ID CARD
Have you ever wanted to own a physical Student Identification Card for community discounts? The K12 site for ordering these has launched. Order yours today for a minimal fee that includes shipping at http://studentid.k12.com .
K12 LEARNING LIFTOFF NEWSLETTER
For fun ideas for you and your children, subscribe to our Learning Liftoff newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Register here: http://www.learningliftoff.com/
NEWROW
This year we will no longer be using Blackboard Collaborate as our online classroom platform. It will be replaced by NewRow. Below is a little about how to use the platform.
ZOOM APP
Sometimes, staff will schedule sessions in Newrow, then re-direct students or Learning Coaches to a Zoom room for a more interactive experience. Never miss a Zoom session again! Be sure to download the Zoom app to your computer.
NCVA's Beacon Herald Monthly Newsletter
This is a monthly school newsletter created from our Family Engagement coordinator to help new and returning families get involved with NCVA. It contains tips/tricks for learning coaches, lists upcoming events, and a spotlight on all NCVA news.
LC VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Attention Learning Coaches
Want to get more involved? There are many exciting opportunities to participate and share your unique skills. Let us know more about your interests. Please complete the VOLUNTEER SURVEY to join our team.
*Background Checks are required for all school volunteers.
OCTOBER IS BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
"More than one out of every five students will be bullied this year. This is probably happening to someone you know and care about." ~Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center. This month, take the pledge to SUPPORT others who have been hurt or harmed, treat others with KINDNESS, before ACCEPTING of people's differences, and help INCLUDE those who are left out. Here are a few short videos from our friends at Cartoon Network to help you start the conversation at home!
Ways to Get Involved:
Attend school functions in October. Beacon Times and our LC Speaker Event will discuss Bullying, Self-Confidence, and healthy friendships!
Add your ideas to our NCVA Padlets (see below).
Take the pledge against bullying.
Wear ORANGE on October 20th to raise awareness!
NCVA Students with Solutions Padlets:
Acceptance, password: Acceptance21
Kindness, password: Kindness21
Inclusion password: Inclusion21
TRACK your service hours here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K12Cares
SHARE: Use the hashtag #StrideServes when making any posts. You can also upload any images or videos here: https://www.tintup.com/t/strideserves
*NEW* NCVA LEARNING COACH EVENTS
NCVA offers monthly workshops for Learning Coaches to attend. If you've missed any, check out the below link to view recordings from past events.
NCVA FAMILY DIRECTORY SY2021-22
Many of you have asked about additional ways to connect with other families in your area. If you choose to opt into the family directory, you can connect with other families in your area with students of the same age. You will include your name, email address, county, phone number (optional) as well as the grade level(s) of your student(s). You can then call or email to connect with other families! We are excited to offer this, and we hope you take advantage of the opportunity. Please remember, this is NOT mandatory. If you have any questions, please reach out to your advisor. Happy Connecting!
NCVA CLUBS FOR 2021-22
NCVA teachers and staff will be hosting a small number of Clubs for students in grades K-12 starting in September. Activities are based on staffing availability. Check-out our school-based activities for 21-22. Additional opportunities will be available throughout the year from the Stride K12 National team as well. Have fun!
REGISTER HERE [*CLUB POCs still sending in final info]
*Please contact the appropriate Club Organizer with additional questions regarding a specific Club or actiity.
K12/STRIDE CLUBS FOR 2021-22
The national team sponsors Clubs and Challenges for students attending Stride K-12 Powered schools. New activities typically run from September-May. Check out the Stride K12 Clubs Smore HERE!
Student and Family questions about Stride K12 National Clubs & other National Programming may be directed to clubs@k12.com .
BEACON TIME
Monthly Beacon Times are offered to further develop students' social and emotional skills. These assemblies will be offered each month during the school year by our school counselors and Student Resource Coordinator. Watch for more information to come! We look forward to seeing you there!
ELEMENTARY Beacon Times aka Counselor Corner:
Grades K-1 Thursday Oct 7 @ 2:00: Strategies for Getting Along with Others
Grades 2-3 Thursday Oct 7 @ 2:30: Strategies for When Someone is Rude, Mean, or a Bully
Grades 4-5 Thursday Oct 21 @ 2:00: Putting a Stop to Bullying
MIDDLE SCHOOL: Coming soon!
HIGH SCHOOL: Coming soon!
MINDSET BY THE MONTH
This year our school will focus on the 7 Growth Mindsets. Each month we will focus on one of the mindsets. Students will see these mindset lessons through activities planned monthly by their advisors, teachers, counselors, and newsletters.
Schedule:
September: Everything is Possible
October: Passion First
November: We are Connected
January: 100% Accountable
February: Attitude of Gratitude
March: Live to Give
April: The Time is Now
WEEK OF WELCOME
Welcome to NCVA! As students get accepted into NCVA, each student is given a start date. That first week is an introduction to the online platform. The student and learning coach will have orientations and other sessions to attend on their Daily Plan. Please attend them all as it gives you valuable information about the OLS, OMS, Newrow, NCVA, etc...
*Students will also take a diagnostic assessment with a teacher that first week to ensure student gets the proper instruction.
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Complete "Online Learning Course" on your student's plan by Friday of the first week.
Set-up your work space and organize course materials.
Make contact with your Student Support Advisor.
Complete NWEA Beginning of Year Assessments/
New Students: All sessions will be listed as "REQUIRED."
Families starting after August 16th: The Student Support Team will continue hosting W.O.W. sessions for families that are enrolled throughout the year. Please attend the live sessions on your student's Class Connect schedule beginning at 8:30 a.m.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to a new school year. We know it's an exciting and overwhelming time of the year. Please reach out to your advisor or content teachers with questions.
Over the next few days, please put these tasks on your to-do list:
*Attend WOW sessions (Week of Welcome)
*Attend grade level orientation (required for all students)
*Attend new student orientation (required for new families to NCVA)
*Set up your work area
*Organize school materials
*Familiarize yourself with the course materials
*Talk with your Student Support Advisor on the phone for introductions
*Read and acknowledge the Parent Student Handbook (below under ‘Resources’)
*Check and read emails
*Check out this website and watch tutorial videos
*Complete 'Welcome to Online Learning' course
*Get some PE time in by doing some fun indoor or outdoor activities (see PE Resource Guide under the LC Resource tab)
All of the above items count towards daily attendance, so be sure to log in the time spent in each.
**FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO YOUR TEACHERS
STUDENT SERVICES WEBSITE
Please take note of our student services website packed with a tremendous amount of helpful community, academic, social and emotional resources! See it here: https://ncvastudentservices.wixsite.com/ncva
STRONG START FOR NEW FAMILIES
Strong Start, Strong Finish!
Introducing your Student Support Team (formerly known as the Family Academic Support Team F.A.S.T.) We have a new name, but our continued commitment to student success remains the same. The Student Support Team would like to wish all of our families at NCVA a "strong start and strong finish" for the upcoming school year!
Meet your Student Support Team
Lea King, Student Support Administrator
Amy Dulaney, Student Attendance Specialist (K-5th)
Laura Zuber, Student Attendance Specialist (8th-12th)
Paige Adams, Student Resource Coordinator
Shaina Whitener, Student Resource Coordinator
Jillian Davenport, Community Engagement Specialist
Whitney Cress, School Counselor (K-5th)
Becca Lynn, School Counselor (6th-8th)
Student Support Advisors :
K-5: Amy Baker, Brittany Carson, Lauren Hedrick, Rebekah Logan, Allison Mosley, Jevonda Perkins, and Katie Szostak
6-8: Brittany Bonardi, Tiffany Carson, Kristen Herd, Nkechi Orabuchi-Fluker, and Danielle Smithers.
9-12: Marah Barrow, Debbie DeLoach, Karie Shuler, and Jennifer Triplett
K12 "WALK TO CLASS: SESSIONS
Walk to Class: "Set Up for Success" is a 60 minute session designed for new families to help prepare for the school year. Topics include expectations, involvement, sample schedules, veteran learning coach tips and organization.
Registration Link for Elementary School: https://bit.ly/WTCSUS_Elem
Registration Link for Middle and High School: https://bit.ly/WTCSUS_MSHS
Walk to Class: "Online School" is a 60 minute session designed for new families to introduce them to the Online School. Topics include resources in the Online School, features of the K12 App, accessing Class Connects, and the Introduction to Online Learning course.
Registration Link for Elementary School: https://bit.ly/WTC_OLS_Elem
Registration Link for Middle and High School: https://bit.ly/WTC_OLS_MSHS
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE INTERNET OUTAGE
We know there will be times when your internet connection goes out. It happens to all of us from time to time. When it does here is the backup plan for you to follow:
Contact teacher by phone or email to let her know of the situation (school number-919-346-0121, type in teacher extension or ask for teacher by name)
Work off-line in their k12 materials (For example: completing at least one lesson in each course, catching up on lessons you know are overdue, reading a book, writing in a journal, getting PE and/or health hours in, portfolio assignment if during that time frame, etc…)
Complete a minimum of 6 hours per day of educational activities (K12 work, health/PE, extracurricular activity, reading, enrichment/review activity, educational video/song/activity….)
Record on paper the lessons completed and hours worked (when wi-fi is back up, log-in to OLS and mark lessons complete and manually log in hours completed for that day)
**Student will have to make up any live class connect sessions they miss while their internet is down by watching the recordings. LC is to continue to stay in contact with the teacher of their situation status.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Students are required to log a minimum of 6 hours of attendance and lessons a day (30 hours a week)
Tip: set aside time each night to log in hours and mark lessons complete
*Work marked complete must match with hours logged
*See 'Attendance and Truancy' section of the Parent Handbook under the LC Resources tab
HELP CENTER
Who to contact and when
K12 TECH SUPPORT
866-512-2273
K12 Tech Support offers assistance when it comes to fixing equipment issues (laptop, audio headsets, printer, etc..), changing LC passwords, correcting errors or issues found in the OLS, and missing materials.
ADVISORS/TEACHERS
919-346-0121
First point of contact for all questions
Each student has an assigned advisor and content teachers who will answer specific grade level or school questions you may have. Please look under the appropriate grade level tab for their contact info.
NCVA REGISTRAR
To request student records:
To submit an account change:
When in doubt of who to contact, reach out to your homeroom teacher & they'll help direct you appropriately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS NCVA?
North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA) is a virtual, tuition-free public school chartered by the State Board of Education. NCVA uses the K12 curriculum to offer a competitive, rigorous, and data-driven program for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
The partner governing board exists of 6 members who meet monthly to oversee the school's financial, academic, and operational aspects. The board has 3 committees; finance, academic, and policy- that meet regularly to conduct business related to their areas of expertise on a regular basis.
NCVA has experienced vibrant demand from parents to gain entry to the school. During the state-mandated lottery in April 2017, nearly 2500 applications were submitted for only 360 open slots. We also have a current wait list larger than 700 children.
100% of NCVA's teachers are licensed and highly qualified in NC, with 90% residing in State.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF VIRTUAL SCHOOLS?
Virtual Schools exist to serve students who would better thrive outside the four walls of a traditional classroom. Specific reasons why families choose a virtual education for their child include: escaping bullying, traveling schedules for youth performers, undergoing medical treatment, or wanting to simply exercise public school choice. For many NC families, we are the only public option available to them in their area of residence.
NCVA offers a Family Academic Support Team (FAST) that works to ensure students are engaged in this virtual model. They work with families to ensure students are following Back on Track plans, and in extreme situations, work to identify local community resources to meet their needs (examples: fires in the home, flood damage, etc...).
WHAT ARE THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF OUR STUDENT POPULATION?
For the SY1718, NCVA drew students from 107 of the State's 115 LEAs and has served 97 of the State's 100 counties. Both figures are the highest in the short history of our virtual school.
*Last year enrollment was capped at 2160 across all grade levels (K-12).
*Our students primarily originate from public schools (69%) along with other venues: homeschool (17%), private school (3%), and not in school (10%).
*For student demographics, we have slightly more females (53%) than males (47%) at NCVA. Ethnically, the breakdown is as follows: Caucasian (63%), African-American (26%), Hispanic (6%), American-Indian (2%), and Asian (2%).
*14.3% of our students have disabilities and 65% of our students qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch. We also serve students through 504 plans, in McKinney-Veto Homeless situations, and English Language Learners.
HOW WILL MY CHILD MEET OTHER FAMILIES IN THE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT?
To help with socialization for families, quarterly outings are hosted in every region of the state and include a wide array of topics: historic tours, fall pumpkin patches, skating/bowling events, hikes at State parks, or just eating ice cream at local establishments. For students not able to attend, we host virtual outings to include them as well. Outings are a great way to connect with NCVA staff, learning coaches, and students in your area.
We also offer a variety of opportunities on-line for students and learning coaches to get connected with each other. For example: online K12 clubs, Friday Homeroom Hangouts with your teachers and classmates, and special online events.
HOW DO I ENROLL A STUDENT WITH NCVA?
You will contact the k12 Enrollment Department at K12.com to begin the process. Once on the site, click on 'Ready to Enroll', type in your zip code, choose NCVA as the school choice, and select 'Start Enrollment' or visit this link:
GET IN TOUCH
North Carolina Virtual Academy is committed to exceeding your needs. Questions, comments or special requests? We’d love to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to reach out today.
4220 NC Hwy 55 Suite 130 Durham, NC 27713
919-346-0121