Fam. Engagement News for ARVA Staff

• Only Legal Guardians can re-register a student. They each received an email from K12 inviting them to log into the Parent Portal (where they originally enrolled their student) to re-register.
• When Learning Coaches log into the OLS via their LC account, they see a notice/link to re-register.
• If a LC is not the LG, they can notify the LG to re-register.
• The LG can call the re-reg dedicated number for re-reg help: 866.989.0716
• Rhonda Soule is marking the graduating seniors and early graduates as Not Registering.
• The re-reg lists that I send daily are a day behind, sadly. I can not give a parent a live answer if they want it. If one just re-registered and wants to know if it 'took', let them know that you can tell them tomorrow when the updated report is received.
• You can access the folder where the re-reg reports live HERE.

✍🏻Educational Outings—Educational and fun outings are planned throughout the school year and throughout the state. While these outings are optional for families to attend, they are a great way to meet other ARVA families and learn something new! For a schedule of outings and to RSVP, stay tuned to the RCC newsletters (linked above).
We typically host 3 each of 💎ARVA Adventure Days and 💎Academic Days, and 2 💎Assist Days throughout the school year and across the state, both online and face-to-face. These are optional opportunities for students to take learning outside of the home classroom and participate in collaborative learning and socialization with teachers and staff. These are the outings that teachers are generally required to attend. (Questions about whether you are required to attend or where you are required to attend should be directed to your supervisor.)

💎Adventure Days are similar to any fun field trip a student may enjoy and include activities such as bowling, skating, parks, etc. 💎Academic Days are led by you, the teachers, to engage the students in active learning projects and to provide collaborative learning opportunities. 💎Assist Days allow families to work together in service to their communities as well as provide an opportunity for high school students to earn their required Community Service hours for graduation. Click here for more information from Counselors on that requirement.

In coordination with our Booster Club, we also host 4 Barnes & Noble Book Fairs and several Winterland of Gingerbread events, all optional but lots of fun! Stay tuned to your email for more information and to RSVP for these exciting events. (Links to RSVP for any of these outings will also be linked below in the list, as the opportunity to RSVP arises.)

Regional outings will also be developed across the state for more frequent, localized connections. You can see all the outings we offer on our Student Enrichment Activities planning sheet here.

*Please do not share the Student Enrichment Activities planning sheet with families, but you may look at it to see what's upcoming near you.

✍🏻***The staff RSVP form for ARVA Day outings is linked here.***✍🏻

>> ? Don't remember where you signed up to attend? See that info HERE. <<

Save the Dates on these upcoming 25-26 SY outings with locations across the state:
Unless otherwise noted, *links below are the FAMILY RSVP links that you can share with families.*
✔️Aug. 15: Family Back-to-School Picnics

✔️Sept. 5: North Little Rock Barnes & Noble Book Fair

✔️Sept. 12: Academic Day & Little Rock Barnes & Noble Book Fair

✔️Sept. 19: Fayetteville Barnes & Noble Book Fair

✔️Sept. 26: Jonesboro Barnes & Noble Book Fair

✔️Oct. 10: Adventure Day @ Pumpkin Patches across the state
✔️Nov. 14: Assist Day (all students welcome but targeted audience: 6th-12th grade)
✔️Dec. 19: Adventure Day
✔️Jan. 16: Academic Day (Math focus)

✔️Feb. 20: Assist Day

✔️March 6: Academic Day ~ Science Fairs

April 29: Capitol Day w/PSO

May 8: ARVA HS Prom

May 9: ARVA HS Graduation

May 22: Adventure Day/End of Year Celebrations across AR

❓What's my (teacher) role at Academic Day❓ RCCs will organize the logistics like times and venues but, as the teacher, your role for Academic Day changes to being the one to develop and host the academic activities that you'll enjoy with the students. Don't arrive empty-handed! This is an opportunity to engage students hands-on and show them how much fun learning can be! Remember, they are ALL OUR students so be ready to enjoy any who attend the event.

Opportunities for virtual student engagement events via K12 can be found here on this family newsletter sent by K12/Stride. These include things like a Photography Contest, the Stride Minecraft Network, Virtual Field Trips, and more!

If students are seeking online (virtual) events, they receive this newsletter weekly for a range of options! Storytime, virtual field trips, hearing from a guest speaker at a museum, etc., etc.

Check it out! ONLINE outings

We are so excited to offer this FREE resource to ARVA families AND STAFF again this year! PLEASE encourage struggling families to participate in this FREE provision that ARVA is paying for!

Here is a 15 minute (STAFF ONLY) video to show what families can receive.

ARVA has partnered with the Cook Center for Human Connection to provide support for our hard-working parents, learning coaches, AND STAFF! The Cook Center understands the challenges of parenting in today’s world. This month, their newsletter focuses on child behavior problems and the mental health solutions that can help build better behaviors. In their November newsletter (English), you’ll find practical advice and strategies to address common behavioral issues, empowering you to support your child’s development and well-being.

We’re also excited to share valuable, confidential resources from ParentGuidance.org, a site designed to support you in addressing any mental health challenges your child may encounter. Whether you need expert guidance, practical resources, or a welcoming community, we’re here to support you. The support you receive from ParentGuidance.org is all FREE because of the partnership ARVA has paid for on your behalf. 😊

• They (& YOU) can access high-quality articles and videos on what to do regarding student behavior that stumps you.
• Their website also includes "Ask a Therapist", which is exactly what it sounds like.
• But the BEST reason is that you can also sign up for Parent Coaching, which includes one-on-one meetings with a counselor skilled in providing support to parents. FREE & HIGH QUALITY!

Are you a parent? Then, this is FOR YOU. Great for EVERY parent!

https://parentguidance.org/

Did I mention it's FREE & CONFIDENTIAL?? Ask me how I know. 😉

~ Gina Moore

Check out this K12 Zone Newsletter for Teachers, The Zone Report, for even more ideas and information on how you can use the Zone with your students to boost engagement!

We now offer the National and ARVA Zones for all grade levels. Students can only access the Zones in their grade bands (K-2, 3-5, MS, & HS) from within their OLS/OMHS. They can access the ARVA Zones without parent consent but must have parental consent for National Zone if under 12.

🧭National Zones open: M-F, 8a-8p (CST)

🧭ARVA Zones open: M-Th, 8a-12p; F, 8a-4p

🧭ARVA Chat open: M-F, 7am-11pm

ARVA Chat is available to students who exchange usernames (usually while in the ARVA Zone).

Gaggle, a third-party service employing both AI and human moderation, will monitor all direct messaging conversations in the K12 Zones, National K12 Zones, and K12 Chats.

Students who misbehave in the National Zone or ARVA Zone (or parents who request that their students not have access) are banned from all Zones and Zone chats. If a student is having trouble accessing a Zone, it's usually because they've been banned and you can see a note in their file. They can reach out to Gina Moore if they have a question.

K12 Zone Parent Resource Guide

Chat Messaging FAQ for Families

Click here for a refresher for Teachers New to Zone

There are several ways for ARVA families to connecting with other ARVA families!

• Families can connect with an entire virtual village of Learning Coaches in the LC Community. Here, they'll be able to get helpful answers, join discussion groups, set up outings, and even find sanity-saving advice in this community of ARVA Learning Coaches. They can access the new, updated LC Community via their LC login homepage.
  
• Facebook—offers a way to stay connected with our online community and get school updates by ’liking’ our Arkansas Virtual Academy at K12 page on Facebook. The Arkansas Virtual Academy at K12 Facebook page shares information, such as school announcements and upcoming events, with ARVA Learning Coaches and other members of the community. Participation in the Facebook pages is completely optional. Reach out to Sierra Wiser with any questions regarding this page.
  -ARVA Learning Coaches is a Facebook page, moderated by Misty Mathes (a long-time LC turned RCC) specifically for all ARVA Learning Coaches to support one another.
  -ARVA Elementary Facebook
  -ARVA Middle School Facebook
  -ARVA High School Facebook
• ARVA is on Instagram! Click here to join in on the Instafun!

ARVA Booster Program is a parent-based volunteer group. The Booster Program is intended to foster local engagement through activities that promote leadership, school pride and outreach, and meaningful connections for families through its efforts. Activities that the Boosters participate in may include planning Booster Outings and organizing fundraisers. The ARVA Parent Booster Club will guide you through planning an outing in your area and message the information out to interested ARVA families. Monthly Booster meetings will be held online. Dates and links to attend will be shared with families via email. For more information contact Beth Moore, bmoore@arva.org.

Priorities during call:

• Child Find Survey
• confirm shipping address (can be updated here)
• computer and internet access at a minimum
• log call using Tag: Welcome Call 147
• log completed call by student's 5th day of school

The Strong Start initiative is about providing families the knowledge, training, and tools to be successful at ARVA. Strong Start involves not only the RCC team but you, the teachers, as well!

Generally speaking, RCCs support new students in Strong Start and Teachers support returning students but we are essentially doing the same things.

The chart above compares the roles of the two teams but please remember, although RCCs are watching new student login, that doesn't mean that you don't have to. They are still your students and your goal is for them to succeed. We are just here to take some of the work off your shoulders and by supporting new students, we hope to also be supporting you.

Here are some strong start resources that we use:

Strong Start Connection Call Process Guide

Families can request a loaner computer by sending an email with their student number to Operations@arva.org

ARVA Onboarding Process for SY25/26

Bright Futures USA helps with the development of community partnerships used to identify and align local resources to problem solve the greater challenges impacting ARVA's students. The Bright Futures mission is to build the resource and leadership capacity of these local communities to ensure the needs of every child are met – every day – to learn, lead and serve now and in the future.
ARVA has a Bright Futures affiliate. The RCC team and Counselors, along with Michele Newnum, are working on growing our Bright Futures into a supportive affiliate for our ARVA families. Help us grow and spread the word by 'liking' our Facebook page here.

That support has adapted to our families' needs over the years but we focus on three main things:

• training families ARVA's platforms and processes to be successful students
• helping families connect to their local ARVA school community by hosting more in-person (& virtual) opportunities than ever before
• supporting families by finding and providing resources to meet immediate needs so students are ready to learn

Each region has developed its own newsletter and Facebook page to share about more events and activities in those specific areas. These are regularly shared with families. You can access them here.

Northwest AR ~ Carmen Rees: crees@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/pj4g7
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworknwa

North AR ~ Bethany Stotesbery: bstotesbery@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/56tg1
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworknorth

East/Northeast AR ~ Misty Mathes: mmathes@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/gnrd7
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworkeast

West AR ~ Amanda Lloyd: amlloyd@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/wg0e5
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworkwest

West Central AR ~ Kyra Hargrove: khargrove@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/8jq0a
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworkwestcentral

Central AR ~ Brittny Schofield: brschofield@arva.org & Ella McAfee: elmcafee@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/t8m6k
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworkcentral

South AR ~ Ashley Loyd: aloyd@arva.org

• Regional Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/ar28d
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/arvalcnetworksouth

What else does the Family Engagement Team manage?

Well, since you asked, here are some more pieces that you may wonder about:

Engagement Notifications (a.k.a. Engagement BOT): This is an email and text (in years' past it was a call) made to all students around noon-ish if they have not yet logged on for the day. Just a courtesy notification to the LC as a reminder to get their students logged in and working. We can remove the requirement in certain situations, like Flex students who may have jobs or extenuating circumstances that require a more flexible schedule. To request a waiver from the Engagement Call, teachers can email Gina Moore with the student's SID.

We're looking forward to a great year! Please reach out with any questions or concerns you have.

Gina Moore

Parent & Family Engagement Coordinator

gmoore@arva.org

Website: https://arva.k12.com/
Location: 717 W. Seventh St., Little Rock, AR, USA
Phone: 501-664-4225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasVirtualAcademy/