DESTINATIONS CAREER ACADEMY

Welcome to Destinations Career Academy (DCA)!

DCA is committed to providing students with a comprehensive high school experience that integrates peer collaboration, work-based learning, career and technical student organizations, project-based learning, industry-recognized certifications, internships, job shadowing, and more, within six distinct career pathways. These experiences, in conjunction with our course content, aim to prepare students for college/university enrollment, career placement, and military enlistment.

We are delighted to have you as part of Destinations Career Academy and look forward to an enriching year together.

This is the first newsletter of the year, with more to follow. Each month, you will receive a DCA newsletter containing vital information such as upcoming events, noteworthy news, reminders, and useful tips.

In the coming days, you will receive a parent packet and a student packet by mail, containing valuable information and documents to support student success. Please ensure these resources are readily accessible.

We are excited to roll out some new platforms for our students! Review the newsletter for more information!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out!

Jen Wegner

Principal
dcawi@wivcs,org

You are required to carefully review and acknowledge the DCA Student/Parent Handbook. The handbook is accessible via the following link.

Furthermore, 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. Should your children attend schools other than DCA, please complete the form for each child in their respective school.

Wednesday, September 10th from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

The meeting will be held in Engagli (our student-based platform for all face-to-face meetings).

This year, our first two weeks of school will look a bit different. Please pay attention to the schedule below and when each session will be held.

After the first two weeks, you can expect a typical school week schedule as follows: Students are required to attend school each day of the week.

**Note:** Live sessions and Homeroom will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and it is important for all students to attend. However, additional Homeroom sessions may be scheduled on other days throughout the year.

Want to know your schedule? Your student's schedule will be available in Canvas (our new learning platform) starting September 2nd, which is the first day of school.

*The first day of school, all students will start in their homeroom classroom at 8:30 a.m.

It is important to ensure you set up BOTH student and LC accounts. Students must use their student account to attend classes, complete lessons and assignments, and track their attendance.

These accounts are completely different than the account you used to apply for enrollment at DCAWI. Here is a video from K12 to show you exactly how to set up the LC and Student Account. You will need the registration@k12.com email that was sent to you upon your student's acceptance, which includes your registration ID number. If you do not have this email, please email us at dcawi@wivcs.org

Link to set up your Learning Coach account - https://registration.k12.com/account-setup/register-id

Steps to set up your Learning Coach account - https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-to-Set-Up-Your-Learning-Coach-Student-Account-for-SY25-26

Adding the Student Account to your Learning Coach Account:

If you were not prompted to set up your student's account after you made your Learning Coach account, please follow the steps at this link to create the student's account -https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-to-Set-Up-Your-Learning-Coach-Student-Account-for-SY25-26

Once you create both accounts, make sure to log in to the online school. This is helpful to save your passwords. It might be helpful to use one browser for the LC login information and a different browser for the student login information to ensure the student isn't accidentally logging into the LC account.

Login Link: https://learn1.K12.com

Oh no, my password didn't work. What do I do?

Please click on "Need help logging in?" below the login button to click on Forgot password.

You can follow a step-by-step guide here - https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/OLS-Account-User-Name-or-Password-Retrieval

It is imperative that students engage with their coursework and communicate with teachers. When students start to get behind, work begins to pile up and can become very stressful for the student. We understand that life happens and sometimes a missed day is just necessary!

Students will access their coursework in the "OLS," our Online Learning System. Their live Class Connects (live classes) will happen in Engagli. It's important for students to stay involved in their coursework and participate in live classes. If a student can't make it to a live class, they should watch the recording to keep up with the material.

To report an absence for the current day, when missing 50% or more of the scheduled school day (3 or more hours), contact the Attendance Line by 9:00 am. You can reach us at 1-608-838-9482, Option 0.

For student safety, after 1 pm, we'll send courtesy engagement notifications to the Learning Coaches of students who haven't been actively participating in school without contacting the Attendance Line first.

The homeroom teacher will send a welcome email to you. In this email, they will share a little about themselves and give you information on your upcoming classes. They might schedule a phone call through that email or call you directly, depending on their schedule.

STAR reading and math tests are administered three times a year--at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. This allows our instructional staff to determine the baseline readiness for classes and what areas may need additional instructional support from the teachers. Our goal is that students grow at least one full academic year during the course of a school year. STAR testing will be administered in homeroom the first weeks of school.

• Students will have orientation sessions, content/class sessions, and other class connect sessions on their schedule. Please attend all sessions as you get acclimated to the online school and DCAWI.
• Always ensure students use their student username and password to access classes and complete lessons.
• Class Connect Sessions will be viewable on the K12 School (OLS).
• Tech Issues with webcam or microphone: Here are the steps to fix that issue - https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Engageli-Class-Connect-Microphone-Camera-Permission-Denied-Message-Windows

Students do not gain access to their classes, courses, or lessons until their first day of school. Once a student has access to their classes, courses, and lessons, you might notice overdue assignments. Your student's teachers can skip lessons that occurred before your student's first day of school. Please start with the lessons that are on your plan or schedule on your first day of school. If you have questions about overdue lessons, please email your student's teachers.

At DCAWI, you will hear us refer to your student's schedule. Students' schedules are in relation to their live class sessions and not the courses they are enrolled in. Students can find their schedule (or live classes) on their online school. To view your lessons and classes, please click on the calendar.

This short video explores tips from seasoned Learning Coaches regarding how to set up an effective learning environment: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/snk89Cm5SwanRwqT9QBUrX

In this video, you will learn about setting effective schedules and routines for students in K12-powered schools, including tips from seasoned Learning Coaches. Learning Coach University: Schedules and Routines

See our school website for more information: https://dcawi.k12.com/academics/flex-program/

If you haven't received a Stride computer, please email dcawi@wivcs.org.

We recommend all students request a Stride computer as many of our courses and certifications require specific software that is only available on Stride computers.

If you would like to know if your student's materials have been shipped, you can find the information on your LC account soon.

If you are not using a K12/DCAWI-provided computer, please visit this link to follow the steps to set up Office 365 Suite - https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/Download-and-Installation-for-Office-365-Suite-Mac-10-10-and-above-OS

The Learning Coach supports the student at home. The LC is responsible for making sure the student is attending their live classes, completing their online course lessons, and completing their online assignments. The LC communicates regularly with their student's teachers via email, phone calls, and text messages. The amount of assistance depends on the student's grade level and their ability to successfully complete work on their own.

More about the role of the Learning Coach - https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/What-is-the-Role-of-the-Learning-Coach

*Please note that our Learning Coaches do not log attendance as this link states.

The High School Learning Coach may spend less time assisting their student based on the student's ability to work independently. The average amount of time spent by the Learning Coach with a high school student is 1-2 hours a day. During a typical week, the Learning Coach will:

• Assist with some lessons, varies based on the student's independence.

• Verifies lesson completion to ensure the student is on track.

• Supports student independence.

• Check students' grades weekly.

• Communicate with teachers.

We know it is important to build connections with others that are on this new journey. Please join our LC Community to ask questions, share experiences, and learn about events happening at ALVA and K12. To join the LC Community, you can click on 'Community' on your Learning Coach account or log in at https://community.k12.com/

One of the best ways to socialize, make friends, and show off your leadership skills is to join a club or organization. More information coming soon!

Join DCA staff and fellow students and families at various locations around the state to socialize and build community!

More information coming soon!

K12 has a ton of great resources for learning coaches and students. You can search for multiple step- by-step guides and videos for assistance with situations.

Site Link - https://www.help.k12.com/s/

Wednesday, August 27th: DCA Open House (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)

Monday, September 1st: No School - Labor Day

Tuesday, September 2nd: First Day of School

Tuesday, September 2nd: Semester 1 Begins

Friday, September 19th: First Attendance Count Date

Friday, September 26th: Back to School Bash

Thursday, September 16th: What's Your Destination Day - Careers

Thursday, September 23rd: What's Your Destination Day - Education and Training

Monday, September 27th: Student Council Spirit Week

Monday, November 3rd: End of Quarter One

Wednesday, November 26-28th: No School

Notification of Language Assistance Services: Any parent who is limited in speaking, writing, or reading English may request the school to provide access to services such as interpreters and/or translated documents. To request services please email Miriam Mueller-Owens at mmowens@wivcs.org. Prompt access to the appropriate services and/or translator will be coordinated.

Asistencia de idioma: Cualquier padre que se limita al hablar, escribir o leer Inglés podrá solicitar a la escuela para proporcionar acceso a servicios tales como intérprete y / o documentos traducidos. Para solicitar los servicios envíe un correo electrónico o llamar al Coordinador de ELL. Se coordinará el pronto acceso a los servicios apropiados y / o al traductor.