The VPAW Quarterly Vol. 5
January 28th, 2025
“Snow Much Fun: Celebrating Our Students’ Achievements!” ⛄🏆
Celebrating Semester 1 Sucess
As the winter chill settles in, our virtual school has been heating up with exciting learning, creative projects, and amazing student achievements! From engaging class activities to fun club adventures, Quarter 2 has been full of growth, curiosity, and community. Whether you were mastering math, exploring new books, or showing off your talents in clubs, we’re proud of all the hard work our students have put in!
Grab a cozy blanket, a cup of cocoa, and dive into this edition of the VPAW Quarterly to celebrate the highlights of the past quarter and get ready for all the excitement to come in Quarter 3! 🏆📚🎉
🐻Paws and Reflect: A Note from the Principals
Principal Thompson, Elementary:
One of the most important things a parent can do is to ensure their child is reading every single day. If your student doesn’t have a library card yet, please take them in and get one asap. Some of the best memories I’ve had with my children are reading to them at night and then as they grew older, letting them read to me. The more you read, the more you learn! To help motivate students in this endeavor, teachers are doing a fun schoolwide reading challenge! Help your child, and help your classroom out, by encouraging your child to read at least 30 min every single day. As we move into the 3rd quarter of school, we will be preparing for our spring state assessment window. Teachers will communicate more with you on how we are going to help prepare students for these crucial state accountability assessments. Our 2nd-6th grade students will be doing our mock assessments Feb. 11-13th during their live classes. This will be a great opportunity for your student to practice what it may be like when they attend our state testing later in the spring. We hope you continue with the wonderful momentum you have started with. Keep going, day by day. You’ll soon look back and be proud of how far you’ve come this year. We look forward to continuing to see your children grow and ask you to join us in having fun while learning!
From Dr. Marble in Secondary:
This semester is filled with exciting opportunities for learning and growth. We encourage you to explore the various clubs and other social hours offered at our school. We have finished our middle of the year iReady benchmark assessment, and teachers have been reviewing the data to offer more specific support in their sessions. We will be having a mock state assessment Feb 11-13th, so please be prepared to do your best and prepare for a practice test. It is important that students take the assessments as if they were at a testing center taking the test so that they practice under similar conditions. Make sure to have a quiet working space free of distractions, and that the student is taking the test on their own, so we have an idea of how they will do and what we can do to help them. Please reach out if we can assist you in any way. We are excited to embark on this new semester with you and look forward to a successful and rewarding experience for everyone.
Semester 1 Success: Principal's Honor Roll , Honor Roll, Classroom based awards
K-6th Awards
Principal's Honor Roll
Honor Roll
Classroom based awards, K-6
7-10th Grade Awards
Mrs. Lindsay's 7-10th grade Math awards
Mrs. Washburne's 7-10th grade English and Mrs. Peters. 7-10th grade awards
Mrs. Willis' 7-10th grade Science and Mrs. Newell's 7-10th grade Math Awards
Student Growth in ELA and Math
Bittersweet Farewells & Warm Welcomes
We'd like to wish a happy retirement to Mrs. Washburne, thank you for all you've done for so many students! You will be missed! 💙💚
Welcome to Mr. Dwight Grall! Mr. Grall is our new 7-10th grade English teacher. He comes to us with 6 years of teaching experience in K, 6,7,8,9,10, and college composition. Fun fact! Mr. Grall cycled the P.C.H. from Canada to California!
Cooking Club Student Highlights
The cooking club cooked up some delicious treats in Semester 1!
Club membership continues to grow!
Miss the December parent night? We've got you covered! 💻🎦
School Goals
Academic
Academic Goal 1
80% of students will show growth in Reading as demonstrated through 2 or more benchmark assessments by May 23, 2025.
Academic Goal 2
80% of students will show growth in Math as demonstrated through 2 or more benchmark assessments by May 23, 2025.
Academic Goal 3
In the 2024-25 school year, each Standards-Based Grading teacher will complete a curriculum audit for their grade level in math and ELA to identify and teach all the essential standards that are fully and mostly covered within the curriculum. This will be measured through the teacher DDI spreadsheets, instructional maps, Curriculum Audit Accountability Spreadsheet, and class recordings.
Engagement
Engagement Goal 1
90% of WY students will average 90% attendance or better by May 23, 2025.
Engagement Goal 3
Through SY24-25, VPAW teachers will provide a weekly dedicated time for mentoring opportunities, future planning, or social and emotional learning to meet student needs. This will be tracked through video recordings, student, and teacher instructional schedules. It will be an elective class designed to be pass/fail and based solely upon student engagement.
Stakeholder Relations
Stakeholder Relations Goal 1
Stakeholders will have an average satisfaction rating of 85% happy, or mostly happy, with VIRTUAL PREP Academy of WY and AZ by May 23, 2025.
Stakeholder Relations Goal 2
VPA-WY and VPA-AZ’s administration will maintain board partner and district communication at least 1 time a month, during the 2024-25 school year.
💻 Virtual Learning Success: Tips for Families
Supporting your child in an online learning environment can make a huge difference in their success. Here are some practical strategies to help students stay engaged, organized, and on track!
1️⃣ Create a Dedicated Learning Space
A quiet, clutter-free space helps students focus. Try using noise-canceling headphones or a white noise app for better concentration.
🛠 Resource: Creating a Home Learning Environment (Edutopia)
2️⃣ Establish a Consistent Routine
Set a daily schedule that includes class times, breaks, and homework. Encourage a morning routine to start the day off right!
🕒 Resource: Daily Schedules for Online Learning (Common Sense Media)
3️⃣ Encourage Active Participation
Have your child turn on their camera, ask questions, and engage in discussions. If they’re hesitant, encourage small steps like responding in the chat or using reaction buttons.
4️⃣ Use a Visual Planner or Digital Calendar
Help students track assignments with a planner or Google Calendar. Setting reminders for due dates can keep them on top of their work.
📅 Resource: Google Calendar for Student Organization
5️⃣ Take Screen Breaks & Move!
Too much screen time can lead to fatigue. Encourage brain breaks by stretching, going for a short walk, or using apps like GoNoodle for movement.
🏃 Resource: GoNoodle – Fun Movement Breaks
6️⃣ Stay Connected with Teachers
Regular check-ins with teachers can help address any challenges early. Don’t hesitate to reach out via email or office hours for extra support.
7️⃣ Encourage a Growth Mindset
Remind students that challenges help them learn and grow. Praise effort and progress rather than just results.
🧠 Resource: Growth Mindset for Students (Mindset Works)
We’re here to support you! If you need additional resources or have any questions, reach out to your child’s teacher or our school support team. 💙
We've gone social! Follow us on these platforms
Ms. Lydic's 2nd grade class, 100 days smarter!
Happy Birthdays! (Quarter 2)
November:
11/12 - Noah R.
11/13 - Mrs. Newell
11/14 - Damian K.
11/16 - Mrs. Hansen
11/19 - Hamish S.
11/26 - Jayden C.
11/26 - Marley D.
11/28 - Ira B.
December:
12/1 - BriLee B.
12/3 - Kayliah L.
12/4 - Debra I.
12/4 - Amelia M.
12/7 - Tyana H.
12/14 - Alexander G.
12/16 - Lachlan T.
12/17 - Ariauna E.
12/17 - Larissa C. C.
12/17 - Lorena C. C.
12/19 - Cathalina S.
12/20 - Dakota G.
12/20 - Dakota H.
12/28 - Mr. Willis
January:
1/6 - Devyn G.
Quarter 3:
1/12 - Jaxton M.
1/16 - Brooklynn V.
1/22 - Chance W.
1/25 - Atalantia L.
1/26 - Jailyze A.
1/26 - Benjamin B.
Upcoming Events 📆
January:
1/30 - House Huddle: 9:00 am via Teams
1/30 - Brunch Bunch: 11:45 am in All School Assembly course card
February:
2/17 - President' Day (No School)
2/11-14 - Mock Assessments, 3-10th grade
2/12 - POSSIP goes out, look for a text!
2/20 - House Huddle: 9:00am via Teams
2/20 - Brunch Bunch: 11:45 am in All School Assembly course card
2/24 - Parent Night: State test prep - 5:30pm via Teams
March:
3/7 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
3/7 - End of Quarter 3
3/10-14 - Spring Break
3/17 - Quarter 4 begins
3/21- Quarter 3 Assembly
Contact information
Website: Virtual Preparatory Academy of Wyoming | K-10 Online School
Location: 11 Adaville Dr Diamondville, WY 83116
Phone: 307-459-5531
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vprepwy