Raptor Report

It's hard to believe we are already well into September! Since we returned to school on August 6th, the passion students and staff have for learning has really shone through. Time has truly flown — routines are settling in, students are getting accustomed to their online curriculum, and they are already diving deep into learning and connection. The start of the school year has been a reminder of the vibrant community we're building together. We are looking at another great month with your student.

New Attendance Policy

As we continue to support student success across all learning platforms, we implemented a new attendance policy at the start of the school year to help families stay informed about their child's progress in Edmentum. Students who do not complete any work in Edmentum will be marked absent during 9th period. This absence will automatically trigger a phone call home, notifying parents that their student has not engaged with their online work. We deeply value our partnership with families, and this step will strengthen communication and ensure every student receives the support they need to thrive. The details of this policy are below.

✅Present Status Criteria

A student will not be marked absent if they meet either of the following conditions within the past 24 hours:

• They have worked in Edmentum for at least 2 hours AND completed at least one assignment,

OR

• They have no missing assignments and maintain a passing, on-target grade

❌Absent Status Criteria

If a student is missing assignments, they must work for at least 2 hours AND complete at least one assignment in the past 24 hours to avoid being marked absent.

📅Special Monday Attendance Window

To account for weekends, the attendance window for Monday will include activity from Friday after 3:30 PM through Monday at 3:30 PM.

When students are marked absent due to this new policy, families will receive a phone call reporting the absence. It will state that your student was absent from the 9th hour that day. Teachers will not take attendance on days students are on-site for blended learning. Since online students are not on-site and do not have all of their classes on one day, teachers will take attendance even if they have a class that day.

All students are expected to log approximately 1 hour per class each school day(this includes time in class), even with this new policy. Please call the school attendance line if your student will not be working in Edmentum on a school day(s).

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Our first parent-teacher conference night is approaching quickly. Conferences are an opportunity to check on your student's progress, share concerns, and collaborate with teachers on the best way to support your student. Parent-teacher conferences will be on September 25th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Electronic Registration

Each year, parents or guardians are required to update their information in ParentVue. Registration helps us ensure we have the most current information. Students are not officially registered with Grand River Academy until this process is complete. Attached to this newsletter is a visual guide to help you register your student in ParentVue. If you have any questions, you can contact the office at 970-254-6393.

Please note that there will be no school on Monday, September 1st, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We hope you enjoy the three-day weekend, and we look forward to welcoming your student back on September 2nd.

Warm Regards,

Steve States

Grand River Academy Principal

September 1st No school-- Labor Day.

September 11th No school for elementary student only.

September 23rd School Advisory Council Meeting- All parents/guardians invited to attend. The meeting will be virtual. Follow this link to join the meeting.

September 25th Parent-teacher conferences 4 PM to 8 PM.

September 29th No school.

October 9th and 10th No school or clubs.

October 13th No School.

Octrober 23rd Parent-teacher conferences 4 PM to 8 PM.

It is still very warm outside and we know students are trying to dress for comfort. However, we want to remind you about the board policy regarding dress code. Please make sure your student arrives at school in appropriate clothing each day. Students may not wear any “Inappropriately sheer, tight, or low-cut clothing (e.g., midriffs, halter tops, backless clothing, tube tops, garments made of fishnet, mesh, or similar material, muscle tops, etc.) that bare or expose traditionally private parts of the body including, but not limited to, the stomach, buttocks, back and chest.” Any clothing referencing weapons, drugs, alcohol or tobacco are not permitted. Students in violation of the dress code will be asked to change into clothing we have or to call for a change of clothing.

Here is the full district dress code policy.

Did you know that 80% of a student’s attendance is through their work and progress in their learning platforms? Make sure you are monitoring your students “attendance” in school by checking their progress in Edmentum or K-12. This way, you can be confident that your student is on-track and learning all they need to know to successfully complete their current grade level and will be ready to tackle next year’s content!

If you student will be absent from their virtual or in-person class, be sure to call the attendance line to report the absence. The number to the school is 970-254-6393.

Communication with families is a priority for our school. We use email, text messaging, and phone calls to make sure you stay informed. Make sure we have the correct email and phone number for you. Check for emails from the school daily. Opt into text messaging if you haven't already to receive timely updates about school closures and other important events by texting "Y" or "Yes" to 67587 from your cell phone (download directions below). Be sure to contact your teacher or the school with any questions.

Together, we make a difference for our students.

Check out our Parent Compact! It highlights the ways that we all work together to support student success!

Edmentum Parent Sensei is a family portal that allows parents/guardians to see their students progress in Edmentum. Follow this link for more information on setting up and using Parent Sensei. All families have received invitations to set up a Parent Sensei account. Please let your child's teacher know if you cannot find the email.