WIVA Elementary Monthly News

Dear K5 Families,

What an exciting first week it has been! We were thrilled to see so many of you and your students at our Open House in the K12 Zone. This space will continue to grow as a place where students can connect, socialize, and enjoy fun opportunities beyond the classroom.

We also want to thank you—and our amazing staff—for jumping into our new online learning system, Canvas. As with any transition, there may be a few bumps along the way, but with patience and grace, we’ll navigate this together. Over the next few weeks, our main focus will be helping students get comfortable with the new format while also beginning reading and math assessments to guide their future small-group instruction.

Remember, for families who prefer a more flexible schedule without live instruction, our FLEX program is always available. We are filled with enthusiasm for the year of learning ahead and so grateful to partner with you in supporting your child’s growth!

In partnership,

Britta Hanson

Principal WIVA Elementary School

bhanson@k12.com

This information is for any student who begins after September7th. Your student's textbooks and materials will arrive the week after they are assigned their Math and English courses. Please know all textbooks and workbook pages are online embedded in the courses, so even though your student will not have physical textbooks to start the courses they will have access to everything they need.

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.

Also this Smore can be translated into 120 different languages by clicking the translate button at the top of the page.

• Schedules are tentative due to ongoing beginning of the year assessments and placements in small skill groups.
• Plan on most live classes occurring prior to lunch at 11:45. There will be learning labs at 12:45 for any student seeking additional help.

• K12 Welcome Site is Live!

  The updated K12 Welcome Site is now available to help new and returning families feel confident for the school year.

  📌 Access: welcome.k12.com (LCs and students must log in)

• First day of school resources from K12: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/First-Day-of-School-Resources-2025

At our virtual school, Learning Coaches (LCs)—the caring adults at home—are not just supporters of learning, they are active partners with the teacher. We refer to them as PALS: Partners Active in Learning Support because their role is essential to student success.

In this model, the Learning Coach is the teacher at home. That means we expect LCs to be present and actively engaged during their student’s learning time each day. This partnership allows students to stay on track, build independence, and get the immediate support they need to be successful in a virtual setting.

To help Learning Coaches feel confident in their role, teachers will send out short weekly written or video updates that explain:

• What the student will be learning

• What materials are needed

• How LCs can best support their learner during the week

We are here to support our Learning Coaches just as much as our students—because when we work together, students thrive.

Due to the overwhelming interest, we’re excited to extend the sessions, running now through September 18th. These additional dates have been added to the schedule:

• Thursday, September 4, 2025

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

• Tuesday, September 9, 2025
  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
• Thursday, September 18, 2025
  5:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

Families can register using the link on the flyer below and attached and join us to get hands-on with the basics of the K12 School (OLS). With guidance from the Talent Development team, they will gain the confidence needed to ensure your student is ready for takeoff this school year!

🚀 Launch-Into-Learning.pdf

• K12 Community Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1M7LzRgRyX/

• Want to start learning about our new school platform? Watch this video: https://stride.widen.net/s/bggrw6vzqm/launch-into-learning

• First day of school resources from K12: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/First-Day-of-School-Resources-2025

• Want to track your student's computer or materials? Read these instructions: https://www.help.k12.com/s/article/How-To-Track-Your-Course-Materials-and-Hardware-Shipments

• Stride National Newsletter: Here is the link

• Interested in national competitions? Check them out here: https://enrichment.k12.com/

Our Learning Coach Advisory meetings are a monthly opportunity for elementary Learning Coaches to come together around a focused topic, learn more about our school systems, and share valuable input and feedback. These sessions are designed to help Learning Coaches stay informed, get involved, and have a voice in shaping the learning experience. Our first meeting will be held on September 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a focus on exploring our new learning platform, Canvas, and our student information system, PowerSchool.

Can be found on our website www.wiva.k12.com Find them under LC Information then LC Resources.

We’re excited to offer a FLEX option for families looking for a more flexible learning experience. FLEX allows students to access their curriculum asynchronously, working at their own pace while still meeting all grade-level expectations.

Students in the FLEX program will still be assigned a dedicated teacher who will check in regularly to support progress. While there are no required live sessions, students will still need to complete all state and district assessments to ensure they are on track.

This option is ideal for families who prefer a flexible daily schedule or want a learning experience that can adapt to their needs.

If you’re interested in learning more or would like to opt into the FLEX program, please contact Erin Wermeling at ewermeling@wivcs.org.

We are excited to share a unique opportunity to families located in Northeast Wisconsin. Beginning this fall, the Northeast Wisconsin Kinect Collaborative Hub, located at 2571 S Hemlock, will welcome a new identity: Kinected Communities Network. Kinected Communities is committed to creating collaborative, cross-generational spaces where schools, employers, community organizations, and families can come together. As one of the tenants in the NE WI Kinect Collaborative Hub, Kinected Communities will serve as a gathering place where members can build meaningful connections and find purpose in community.

Here are a few examples of what this might look like:

• Youth and adults can use the Hub’s spaces as co-working environments—working independently or alongside others—encouraging collaboration, networking, and the discovery of shared interests and expertise.
• Business partners can share information about their businesses and opportunities while learning directly from potential employees about the types of workplaces they value.

We believe this transition will create new opportunities for connection and growth across our community. We look forward to welcoming you into this next chapter with Kinected Communities Network. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Sara Cutler, WVAs Executive Director.

Stride/K12 Customer & Technical Support

Phone: (866) 512-2273

Website: https://www.help.k12.com/s/

Submit a Ticket: https://www.help.k12.com/s/submit-a-case

9/19/25 11:00 AM Elementary Learning Coach Advisory - found on your LC schedule in Engageli

9/26 4K-12 Back to School Bash at a park near you! More info and locations coming soon.

10/24 - WIVA Pumpkin Patch Field Trip & Day Away - more details to come