WIVA LC Newsletter October

Hello WIVA Families,

We're off to a great start to the school year at WIVA! Students have completed our first round of required STAR testing and are settling into courses, building their skills, and connecting with staff and peers.

A key part of that success is Homeroom. Homerooms meet most Mondays & Tuesdays at 12:35pm, with support sessions by invite on Wednesdays. Students use Homeroom to develop Personalized Learning Plans, strengthen social-emotional skills, and connect with their Homeroom teacher and classmates. Monday homerooms focus on future readiness and planning, Tuesday homerooms build relationships, and Wednesday support sessions provide extra help with work completion and school success.

Please be sure your student attends all Homeroom sessions on their Launch Pad. It's a required class and one of the best ways for students to stay connected, supported and engaged at WIVA.

As we move into fall, we're excited to continue partnering with you in supporting your student's learning and growth!

Casey Twanow, WIVA High School Principal

Matt VanEffen, WIVA High School Associate Principal

Watch for course announcements, teacher emails, and school texts the week before each Late Due Date to support students who having missing or overdue work that is impacting their grades.

Looking for ways to get involved and connect with other WIVA High School students? Clubs and organizations are now open for sign-up! Students can explore a variety of opportunities to connect with peers, pursue their interests, build leadership skills, and be part of the WIVA HS community. Check out the club and organization information link below to learn more about what’s available, then use the sign-up button to join the clubs that interest you. We encourage all students to find a way to get involved this school year!

As an important part of our communication each school year, we ask that families have reviewed and discussed WIVA's Student and Learning Coach Handbook.

Please click the Handbook link to review and discuss important sections with your student(s), then click the required Form link to complete your acknowledgement.

📗Handbook Link

📝Acknowledgement Form Link

• Complete a new copy of the form for each student in your family.

• You will need your student’s ID number - Here's how to find it: Find Your Student ID Number

⭐ Family Troubleshooting Guide

⭐ Canvas Support Videos Playlist

⭐ How to Support as a LC

⭐ K12 Student FAQs

Join our High School Administrators on the 4th Friday of each month at 11:30am to discuss key topics, platforms, and opportunities for you and your WIVA student. We always wrap up with time for your questions. If you are unable to attend, don't worry! We always post the recordings here.

Monthly Focus:

September: Starting the School Year Strong: Fri 9/18 Recording

October: Gradebook to Graduation - Fri 10/23, 11:30am

November: Personalized Learning Plans

December: STAR Testing

January: Phone and Internet Safety with HS Independence

Try a "Daily Launch Pad Chat" at your student's laptop to have them walk you through their plan for the day and current grades!

Need help from your school counselor? They’re here to support your student throughout their high school journey! Use the counselor directory below to find the counselor assigned to your student based on their last name. Whether you have questions about academics, graduation planning, post-secondary options, or personal support, please reach out to your student’s counselor—they’re happy to help!

Phone Number: 866-512-2273

Hours of Operation: 6 AM - 12 AM ET, 7 days a week

Want to monitor your student's progress on your phone? There's an app for that! The Canvas Mobile app will let you view your students' grades. We do recommend logging into a browser regularly to check on student grades at least weekly. Click for directions to Login: Canvas Mobile App

If your student will be absent for a partial day, you can let the teacher know and then make sure to view recordings or complete missing work when your student returns. If your student will be out an entire day call the attendance line or email to let them know. When students are absent 3 or more consecutive days a doctor note is required. If you are planning a vacation, please complete the pre-planned absence form linked below.

Attendance Line: 608-838-9482 ext 0

Or Email: Wiattendance@wivcs.org

Attendance Guide

Pre-Planned Absence Form

Limited English Proficient Parents
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.

Click the link below to learn about student engagement activities, fun competitions, and great resources provided by K12 Stride.

• K12 Robotics Competition - registration deadline: November 6
• K12 Game On Competition - registration deadline: November 30
• Minecraft Challenge - Build the Ultimate Fall Festival - registration deadline: November 30
• Virtual Field Trips
• Inside Roxy's Farm: Meet the Animals | October 1 - 1pm
• Visit The Duke Lemur Forest | October 5 - 10am
• Meet Snakes & Legless Lizards | October 7 - 12pm
• Art & Identity with The Norton | October 16 - 2pm
• Explore Remarkable Reptiles | October 21 - 2:30pm
• Explore The National Marine Aquarium | October 27 - 11am
• Meet the Baby Animals at the Whipsnade Zoo | October 28 - 11am
• Meet the Capybaras at the Hertfordshire Zoo | October 29 - 11am

Academic Integrity Policy

Grades at WIVA reflect a student’s own mastery of content and skills. Our Academic Integrity Policy (in the handbook) ensures that grades reflect a student's own learning and understanding.

With AI tools now common, however, WIVA educators want to help students learn when and how to use them responsibly. Teachers will outline expectations using our AI categories:

• 🔴 Red – AI use not allowed (*ALL computer-scored elements, and many teacher-graded elements are in the red category)

• 🟡 Yellow – AI use partially allowed with citation or approval

• 🟢 Green – AI use allowed for practice or exploration

These expectations are covered in orientation, homeroom, and courses.

High School Assistant Principal, mvaneffen@k12.com

Quote of the Month: “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” — Walt Disney

What is Mr. VanEffen reading: Core Practices for Project-Based Learning

Explains key teaching strategies that help teachers create meaningful and engaging projects for students. The book focuses on helping students work together, solve problems, ask questions, and create high-quality work while learning important academic skills. It gives OUR teachers practical ideas for making project-based learning organized, manageable, and successful in your student's classroom!

High School Principal, ctwanow@wivcs.org

Quote of the Month: “The best portion of a good person’s life is ‘the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.' " - Allen Levi, Theo of Golden

What is Ms. Twanow reading? Theo of Golden, by Allen Levi

So many people have recommended this book to me, and it is really warming my heart! Theo of Golden highlights the power of everyday kindness and connection. I've enjoyed how the author introduces a series of nuanced characters and their personal stories throughout the novel to show us how community, compassion, and art are interwoven. I haven't finished yet and still have many unanswered questions about the protagonist Theo!