|
|
|
|
Calendar of Events | |
VCS Board Meeting
November 17
Thanksgiving Break
(No school)
November 23-25
Ravenna Craft Event
November 30 |
|
Race to the Top News
| |
The Transformation Team last met on Friday, October 21. Each area subgroup gave updates on their current progress. The Ohio Teacher Evaluation Model was discussed.
A few team members recently visited with the Ohio University Education Department. VCS and Ohio University are working on developing a pre-service training program to train student teachers on how to teach in a virtual environment.
The November VCS Professional Development will cover the Value Added tool and the next Transformation Team meeting will be held Friday, November 18.
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
|
One of my favorite things about my job is getting the chance to meet VCS families in person! Although VCS is an online school, there are opportunities for you to meet your teachers and fellow students face-to-face. I met a lot of great people at the fall picnic last month. You can see some pictures from the event below. It was a beautiful October day! I also had the chance to meet one of our students (and a star tennis player!) at his home last week. Tommy Rutkus is an extraordinary young man. You can read more about him in the Student Spotlight. There are also some upcoming activities scheduled around the state where parents and students of all ages can socialize and make winter crafts. See details below. I hope you can attend!
Go Wolves!
Jim McCord
Superintendent
|
|
VCS bad weather procedures
|
 With the winter months approaching, it's a good idea to start planning for snow and ice and other potential bad weather. Being an online school, VCS does not have snow days. But in some instances, there may be a few days that the VCS office is closed and certain departments, such as the Help Desk, may not be available. In such cases, you will be notified by your principal but you will still be responsible for logging into your classes and logging your hours.
If you experience bad weather in your area that prohibits you from completing your coursework, please contact the attendance department at (866)-501-9473 ext. 2163.
|
|
Visit VCS at the Cincinnati Education and Enrichment Fair
|
Do you live in or around the Cincinnati area? If so, visit the VCS booth at the Cincinnati Education and Enrichment Fair this Saturday.
The fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sycamore Plaza, across from Kenwood Towne Centre. Admission is free.
|
|
Orton-Gillingham program available to VCS students
|
According to the U.S. Department of Education, dyslexia accounts for 85% of all learning disabilities. It is a lifelong disability that is inherited and not caused by parenting style or behavior. Reading, writing and spelling are extremely difficult for those with dyslexia.
VCS strives to serve the needs of each and every one of our students, many of which struggle with dyslexia.
The Orton-Gillingham method of instruction was introduced in the 1930s to help tutor individuals with dyslexia, but has been found to be beneficial to all learners, especially those struggling with reading and spelling.
Orton-Gillingham is now available to VCS students at the VCS Dayton Success Site and Kairos in Newark. For information, please contact Stacey Whittaker or Becky Petrey.
|
|
|
|
| Attend a VCS holiday craft making event near you! |
You are invited to help VCS celebrate the season with our annual holiday craft making event. We'll have crafts, food and fun for all members of the family! The events will take place in Ravenna, Englewood (near Dayton) and at the VCS Ohio office in Columbus. For more information or to register for one of these events, please click on the link below.
Ravenna, Reed Memorial Library Wednesday, November 30, 1 - 3 p.m.
Englewood, Englewood Government Center Thursday, December 8, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Columbus, VCS Ohio Office Monday, December 12, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Click here to register now!
|
|
K-8 students, please take the second round of i-Ready assessments
| |
Just like the beginning of the school year, all VCS students in grades K-8 are required to take the second round of i-Ready assessments. Students should take the Reading assessment on Monday, November 14 and the Math assessment on Tuesday, November 15. To take the assessments, follow these directions.
Step 1: Log on to the school web site and click on External Links
Step 2: Click on the red linked called "i-Ready Tests & Instruction"
Step 3: Type in your VCS username and VCS password and select Ohio as your state
Step 4: Choose a subject
Step 5: Click "Start Test"
Remember, the results of these tests do not affect the student's grade. The i-Ready tests tell us how we can best help your child and will gauge their progress. In order for us to get accurate results, DO NOT help your child with any of the test questions. If you have any questions about how to take the assessment contact [email protected] or call (866) 501-9473 ext. 2011.
|
|
VCS students can take college classes at no cost! Apply by Dec. 2 for the upcoming semester.
|
 Did you know VCS Ohio students can earn up to two years of college credit FREE and get high school credit at the same time? It's true! VCS Ohio is the only online school to offer dual credit courses through Kent State University. Students should apply by Dec. 2 to start taking classes in January (KSU's spring semester). Click here for a brochure featuring the latest course offerings. Topics offered this semester include, The Greek Achievement, Psychology of Adjustment, Issues in Law and Society, Science of Human Nutrition, and many more! There are more than 30 classes offered. If you are interested in this program, please contact Ms. Yeager, guidance counselor, for more details. Applicants must have taken the ACT or SAT. If you aren't ready to apply by Dec. 2, prepare now to apply for the following semester in August. Don't pass up this opportunity to get started on your college degree at no cost! |
|
Beautiful fall weather draws a great crowd for the fall fling picnic
| |
|
|
D.E.A.R. time contines for K-8 students
| |
D.E.A.R. time will continue this fall with L. Frank Baum's
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. There are many ways you can participate in D.E.A.R. no matter your grade or reading level!
Read the book: You can look for a copy of the book at your local library, borrow it from a friend or read it online. Online versions can be found in the LMS in the K-8 Principal's Course, or click here.
Come to the book party: We will kick-off D.E.A.R. time on November 14 at 2 p.m. in the D.E.A.R. classroom in Elluminate, where Mrs. Varner will begin reading from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Listen to the story: You can find audio recordings of the book in the K-8 Principal's Course in the LMS.
Watch the movie: Come to the Elluminate D.E.A.R. classroom at 9 a.m. each Tuesday, starting November 15 through December 16 to see the movie. You can watch the movie trailer by clicking here.
Talk about it: From November 14 to December 16, all VCS students are encouraged to read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and tune in to the movie. While you're reading, listening and watching, visit the D.E.A.R. forum in the Principal's Course in the LMS to discuss the book and the movie.
Remember, D.E.A.R. time is just for fun, not an assignment! Participate as often as you would like. For more information on how you can join the fun, please contact Miriam Green at (866) 501-9473 ext. 2011 or [email protected].
Back to the top
|
|
2012 yearbook info coming soon! | |
 Planning is well underway for the 2011-2012 VCS yearbooks! The books will be very similar to last year. We will have two soft cover books, with 40 pages of full color. This year, books will only be $15 each! Stay tuned for more info on how to order and submit photos. National Buy Your Yearbook Day is coming up on November 9!
In the meantime, please check out the 2011 yearbooks if you haven't done so already!
To view the high school yearbook, click here.
To view the K-8 yearbook, click here.
Back to the top |
| STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Tommy Rutkus |
Name: Tommy Rutkus
From: Leavittsburg
Grade: 5
Tommy is currently ranked No. 1 in Ohio in the United States Tennis Association's 10-and-under rankings. His record is 40-10 in matches played and has won 18 championships.
Tommy was also recently featured in the Tribune Chronicle. Click here to read the article.
What is your favorite thing about VCS? I love everything! All the teachers and all the subjects.
What is your favorite subject? Math and English. I like numbers and I like to read.
What do you like to do in your free time? Play and watch tennis on TV. I also like to play video games.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A professional tennis player! If not, then a chiropractor.
What professional tennis player do you most admire? Rafael Nadal. We both are right-handed but play left-handed.
Do you have any siblings? I have two older brothers and an older sister.
What is your favorite movie? Transformers, Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Twilight.
What is your favorite book? Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.
What is your favorite food? Crab legs, steak and pasta.
What made you choose VCS versus a traditional school? I came to VCS in the first grade because I kept getting sick all the time. Now, I plan to stay with VCS until graduation.
Any advice you would like to share with your fellow students? Do all of your school work and finish on time.
What about advice to those kids who want to excel in a sport, like you? Watch the sport you want to play and learn from it.
Back to the top
|
| TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: Mrs. West-Wilson |
 Mrs. West-Wilson teaches 7th and 8th Grade Social Studies
What is your favorite thing about VCS? My favorite thing about VCS is that I have the opportunity to reach students all over the state of Ohio that I never would have met! I also get to work with my dad!
What do you want students to accomplish while they attend VCS? I would like for my students to learn how to be productive citizens.
What advice do you want to pass on to students? Stay with your studies. If you get behind, don't give up. I've taken some online courses and I understand what it's like to get behind. Just don't give up.
Favorites
Food: Pasta or Chicken
Book: The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany's
TV Show: Hmm, right now it is Modern Family. But I also love reruns of the Golden Girls.
Hobby/Interest: Zumba and photography, those are my two favorite things to do.
Season: Fall, the leaves are so pretty in the Southern Ohio hills.
Vacation Destination: Key West, Florida
Childhood Memory: My first trip to Walt Disney World with my mom and dad. I was so excited to meet Minnie and Pluto!
Quote: "Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." - Babe Ruth
Back to the top
|
| STUDENT ADVISER SPOTLIGHT: Mr. Eric Williams |
What is your role at VCS? I have several roles at VCS, including student adviser supervisor, Branching coordinator and testing coordinator.
What is your favorite thing about VCS? The people I work with and the positive effect we have on our students,
What has been your most rewarding experience at VCS? Helping a particular student I visited at their home. It wasn't until the parent called later that I realized the postive impact I had on him. He began doing his work and is on track to graduate.
Fun Facts
When I am not working, I am... Spending time with my wife, son and extended family. My son and I golf and work out together. I also coach my son in baseball and basketball.
If I won the lottery I would... Pay off my debts, save a lot of it and help my family. I'd also splurge on a Lexus SUV and a home at the beach that's big enough for my entire family.
The best vacation I ever had was... Cancun. I didn't have to drive anywhere, cook any food or do any dishes.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to... Germany. My dad talks about how much he loved being there when he was in the military. I am most proud of... Personally, my awesome family. Professionally, going back to school at the age of 33 and getting my master's degree in Education. The person I admire the most is... My dad. He's the greatest man I know. I admire his work ethic and the way he's always cared for his family.
Back to the top
|
|
Watch for The VCS Voice to arrive in your e-mail the first Thursday of each month. If you have any content ideas, send them to Lori Berkheimer or Jill Workman.
Go Wolves!
|
|
|
|
|
