WIVA LC Newsletter September

Hello WIVA Families!

Welcome to a new school year at Wisconsin Virtual Academy High School!

School starts today, Tuesday, September 1st! Our first week schedule (below) will focus on Homeroom classes, required STAR testing, and course orientations.

Please help your student succeed by reminding them to login and attend all required live sessions this week. We want them to build connections, get comfortable with courses and online tools, and set goals for a successful year ahead!

If you are with your student right now (or can connect with them by text or call), please take a moment to check in and make sure they're logged in to the new K12 Launch Pad at https://login.k12.com/ and ready for Homeroom at 9am. Thank you for your support!

We also appreciate your help in ensuring that your student completes their STAR Reading and Math assessments on September 1st and 2nd. These assessments are required by the state and help our staff to understand how best to support each student's learning, as well as measure individual growth throughout the year.

Our goal this year is to partner with you in supporting your student as they learn, build skills for academic and future success, and grow in confidence as independent learners. Thank you for being an important part of our WIVA community.

Let's make it a great year,

Casey Twanow, WIVA High School Principal

Matt VanEffen, WIVA High School Associate Principal

*Regular class schedule begins on Tuesday, September 8th.*

Looking for ways to get involved and connect with other WIVA High School students? Clubs and organizations are now open for sign-up! Students can explore a variety of opportunities to connect with peers, pursue their interests, build leadership skills, and be part of the WIVA HS community. Check out the club and organization information link below to learn more about what’s available, then use the sign-up button to join the clubs that interest you. We encourage all students to find a way to get involved this school year!

We’re excited to launch High School Announcements, a new initiative designed to build school culture, strengthen student connection, and give students a voice in our high school community! Students interested in participating will have the opportunity to help deliver announcements on camera and using a microphone. By signing up, the student and Learning Coach acknowledge and agree that the student may be visible on camera and heard on the microphone during announcements. Interested in being part of the announcements? Use the link below to sign up!

As an important part of our communication each school year, we ask that families have reviewed and discussed WIVA's Student and Learning Coach Handbook.

Please click the Handbook link to review and discuss important sections with your student(s).

When you have reviewed the Handbook together, click the required Form link to complete your acknowledgement.

📗Handbook Link

📝Acknowledgement Form Link

• Please complete a new copy of the form for each student in your family that is enrolled at WIVA.

• You will need to include your student’s ID number - Here's how to find it: Find Your Student ID Number

The Most-Used K12 Help Site Articles for Families:

How To Track Your Course Materials and Hardware Shipments

How to Set Up Your Learning Coach & Student Accounts

K12 School (OLS) How to Support Your Student

K12 School (OLS) Student Account Sign Up

First Day of School Resources

K12 School (OLS) Update Your Time Zone Settings

Clearing Cache and Cookies

Engageli Class Connect Quick Start Guide

K12 School (OLS) Student FAQs

YouTube Canvas Support Videos for Families--This playlist is perfect for K12 students and parents who want step by step support in navigating Canvas.

WIVA Specific: WIVA HS Student and Learning Coach Handbook - LiveBinder

Review Requirements/Expectations for WIVA students and Learning Coaches

Need help from your school counselor? They’re here to support your student throughout their high school journey! Use the counselor directory below to find the counselor assigned to your student based on their last name. Whether you have questions about academics, graduation planning, post-secondary options, or personal support, please reach out to your student’s counselor—they’re happy to help!

All classes will be connected to the Launch Pad this school year instead of the Canvas Calendar. It is important for students to have both their Launch Pad and Canvas throughout the day to ensure they are attending scheduled classes. Watch the video below for more information on Launch Pad.

K12 has launched live Zoom support rooms to help you get assistance more quickly and conveniently.

Support Room Details

• We’ve updated our hours to better support you.
• Monday–Friday | 7 AM to 4 PM (ET)
  
• You can drop in anytime during open hours — no appointment needed.
• Zoom link: https://k12.zoom.us/j/97739092933
• Before joining, please download the Zoom application to be moved to breakout rooms and to take full advantage of all Zoom features.

What to Expect

• Join our large Zoom support room!
• You’ll land in the main room, where our team will:
• Welcome you and explain the available help topics
• Direct you to the breakout room dedicated to your issue. Each room includes trained agents ready to assist—and if your issue is more complex, we’ll have additional team members standing by to call you directly for more personal help.

More Ways to Get Help
While you’re in the main room, you’ll also learn about other quick ways to get answers:

• Check out help.k12.com articles.
• Learn how to submit a case online.
• Try our live chat—faster than waiting on hold!
• We will also share helpful how-to videos and other resources.

Want to keep track of your students on your phone? There's an app for that! The Canvas Mobile app will let you view your students' grades. We do recommend logging into a browser regularly to check on student grades at least weekly.

Click for directions to Login: Canvas Mobile App

If your student will be absent for a partial day, you can let the teacher know and then make sure to view recordings or complete missing work when your student returns. If your student will be out an entire day call the attendance line or email to let them know. When students are absent 3 or more consecutive days a doctor note is required. If you are planning a vacation, please complete the pre-planned absence form linked below.

Attendance Line: 608-838-9482 ext 0

Or Email: Wiattendance@wivcs.org

Attendance Guide

Pre-Planned Absence Form

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.

Asistencia de idioma: Cualquier padre que se limita al hablar, escribir o leer Inglés podrá solicitar a la escuela para proporcionar acceso a servicios tales como intérprete y / o documentos traducidos. Para solicitar los servicios envíe un correo electrónico o llamar al Coordinador de ELL. Se coordinará el pronto acceso a los servicios apropiados y / o al traductor.

Click the link below to learn about student engagement activities, fun competitions, and great resources provided by K12 Stride.

• K12 Robotics Competition - registration deadline: November 6
• K12 Game On Competition - registration opens: September 22
• Virtual Field Trips
• Horseshoe Crabs: Under The Shell | September 2 - 12pm
• Delightful Dolphins w/ Clearwater Marine Aquarium | September 16 - 2:30pm
• Kindness in Action at Farm Sanctuary | September 23 - 2pm

Academic Integrity Policy

Grades at WIVA reflect a student’s own mastery of content and skills. Our Academic Integrity Policy (in the handbook) ensures that grades reflect a student's own learning and understanding.

With AI tools now common, however, WIVA educators want to help students learn when and how to use them responsibly. Teachers will outline expectations using our AI categories:

• 🔴 Red – AI use not allowed (*ALL computer-scored elements, and many teacher-graded elements are in the red category)

• 🟡 Yellow – AI use partially allowed with citation or approval

• 🟢 Green – AI use allowed for practice or exploration

These expectations are covered in orientation, homeroom, and courses.

High School Assistant Principal, mvaneffen@k12.com

Quote of the Month: “History is who we are and why we are the way we are.” – David McCullough

What is Mr. VanEffen reading: Wild Instinct, by T. Jefferson Parker

A mystery thriller about a detective who investigates a suspicious death that appears to be connected to a wild animal attack. As the investigation unfolds, he discovers hidden secrets and must navigate danger, deception, and unexpected challenges to uncover the truth. The novel explores themes of survival, trust, justice, and the complicated relationship between humans and the natural world.

High School Principal, ctwanow@wivcs.org

Quote of the Month: “Every book is a treasure and every time you open one up, you will meet new friends and take wonderful journeys to magical places." -Dolly Parton

What is Ms. Twanow reading? Whistler, by Ann Patchett

I'm just starting Ann Patchett's most recent book - she is one of my favorite authors and I've been waiting my turn on the "holds" list at the library since it was published! Whistler is about connections that might be brief but still manage to shape your life, and small moments that have big impacts.