DLA Newsletter 8

As your Principal, I want to emphasize that DLA is so much more than just an online school. We are intentionally designed to give you the flexibility to build a personalized learning pathway tailored specifically to your unique goals and learning style.

Navigating online education comes with a learning curve, and it is completely normal to need extra support along the way. Whether you need help building strong habits, mastering a tough topic, or finding a quiet space to focus, we have dedicated staff and resources ready to help you thrive.

Here are a few key ways we support our students:

• College and Career Counseling with Joe Stauffer: Mr. Stauffer meets virtually with students and families to help build crucial academic skills, develop pacing strategies, and navigate any challenges to ensure you stay on track for your future.

• On-Campus and Virtual Teacher Support with Mr. Pirrie: As our full-time DLA teacher and test proctor, Mr. Pirrie brings years of online experience. He hosts a safe, inviting classroom space at the High School on Mondays and Tuesdays, giving students a structured environment to get work done while maintaining close access to content teachers.

• Virtual Math Tutoring with Peter: Need quick help with a homework question or an extended review session? Connect directly with a professional math teacher to build confidence and keep your learning momentum strong.

• In-Person After-School Content Support (Starting in October): Join us from 3:00–4:00 PM at the NBAHS Media Center. This will be an ideal spot to sit down with content specialists for targeted help or to schedule end-of-unit tests. Stay tuned for more details!

Remember, asking for support isn't a sign of falling behind, it is the best strategy for taking ownership of your education. We are fully committed to walking alongside you every step of the way to ensure your personalized pathway leads to success. Please don't hesitate to reach out and leverage these resources whenever you need them.

Principal Treichel

IMPORTANT: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 IS OUR DISTRICT STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY. TEACHERS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE, BUT ACCESS TO YOUR COURSES REMAINS OPEN! HINT: THIS IS A GREAT DAY TO GET CAUGHT UP!

As students wrap up a unit, you will notice that the final post-test is locked. To ensure every student is supported, all post-tests must be proctored by Mr. Pirrie. You can unlock and take your test in one of two ways:

• Option 1 (In-Person): Visit Mr. Pirrie’s classroom at North Branch Area High School on Mondays or Tuesdays.

• Option 2 (Online): Schedule a live Google Meet session with Mr. Pirrie by following the booking steps below.

Plan Ahead for Success; Because setting up testing time requires coordination, please do not wait until the last minute!

1. Monitor Daily Progress: Keep an eye on your coursework so you know when a test is coming up.

2. Book Early: Schedule your Google Meet or plan your in-person visit 1 to 2 days in advance.

3. Complete & Unlock: Log into your scheduled Google Meet (or drop by in person) to take the test.

As soon as you finish the test with Mr. Pirrie, he will unlock your assignments for the next unit so you can keep moving forward. Thank you for your proactive effort!

To help families stay connected to their student's learning journey, progress reports will be sent out starting this evening. These reports are a wonderful tool to foster curiosity about your student's academic growth and check in on their habits.

As you review the report together, keep an eye on two key indicators of progress:

• On-Target Grade: This percentage reflects the assignments and assessments your student has completed and had graded by their teacher. It also measures pacing. If a student falls behind or misses a due date, our gradebook temporarily places a zero as a placeholder to reflect current standing until the work is submitted.

• Time on Task: This metric tracks active engagement time while your student is directly working within the learning content. It automatically excludes idle time (such as when a student steps away from their device).

The 2026-27 Student/Parent Handbook is available for download below. The handbook contains important information and clarity of processes and procedures that families need to know; Parents/guardians and students will be better set up for success by being familiar with its contents. For access to the handbook throughout the school year, information can be found on the Parent/Student Resources webpage. If you would like a paper copy of the Student/Parent Handbook please contact Pakou Lee at 651-674-1011 or plee@isd138.org.

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we want to partner with students, families, and staff to ensure that cell phone and personal electronic device use supports a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment across all North Branch Area Public School campuses.

1. Responsible Use and Care
Students are welcome to bring personal electronic devices (cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, etc.) to school. We encourage students to care for their devices and keep them secure, as the district cannot be responsible for loss, damage, or theft.

2. Supporting Learning During the School Day

• To help everyone stay engaged and distraction-free, devices should be turned off or set to airplane mode during instructional time.

• At North Branch Area High School, devices are placed in the secure classroom caddie upon entering the Media Center and or distance learning classroom, ensuring the focus remains on collaboration and academic success.

• Earbuds, headphones, and smartwatches follow the same expectations as cell phones to maintain consistency and fairness.

3. Respecting Privacy and Safety

• We value everyone’s right to privacy. Recording, photographing, or live-streaming others is only allowed with their express permission.

• These guidelines ensure our school remains a safe and welcoming place for all.

4. Supporting Individual Needs

• Students with documented medical needs that require device access may use them as outlined in their plan, while still honoring the overall expectations.

• Academic exceptions are made when devices enhance learning and are used under staff guidance.

By working together and using our devices thoughtfully, we create an environment where everyone can focus, feel respected, and succeed.

While on campus, it is important that you are aware of our district safety standard response protocols. Below is each protocol and then what is expected of the students and staff.

North Branch Area Public Schools App! Stay up-to-date with access to district and Distance Learning Academy events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/3phcIA7

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3p6NNPA