A Message from Rick Teeters

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December 2011

Changes for 2012

VCS Help Desk

Student adviser spotlight

Teacher spotlight

Quick Links

vcslearn.org

vcsbranching.org

To read the latest edition of the VCS Voice newsletter for students and families, click here.

Calendar of Events

Winter Break

December 19-January 2
No School

Race to the Top News

On Monday, Dec. 5 and Tuesday, Dec. 6, representatives from the School Improvement Grant (SIG) Assessment Team visited the VCS office. During that time, the representatives observed classrooms by watching recorded lessons. They also visited live sessions and spoke with teachers in person on Monday since the staff was present for our professional development.

Greetings!

Rick

I'm not sure how it happens, but December arrives quicker each year! It seems like yesterday that we kicked off the school year, and now we're approaching the end of the semester. Please note that our school calendar is a bit different from previous years, so the first semester ends on Friday, December 16. I think that is a nice, clear transition with winter break between the two semesters. Second semester will begin when school resumes on January 3. Enjoy your break. I hope you have a safe and joyous holiday season!

As token of our appreciation, we have created a holiday video for you to enjoy featuring Jim McCord, superintendent, Eric Williams, parent engagement supervisor, and me, Rick Teeters. Happy holidays from the VCS Wolf Pack!

Sincerely,

Mr. Rick Teeters

Director of Special Programs

Watch for revised course information in early 2012!

We're looking ahead to next year

and planning a new schedule for summer school. Our plan is to have the course offerings, dates and pricing structure firmed up in early 2012. Watch for significant positive changes. We're also reviewing our course offerings for Branching and credit recovery. We will keep you informed of the new schedules so you can get the word out to your districts as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can download our marketing toolkit which explains the programs we offer. Please share this information with the schools in your region. We currently have more than 400 students from around the state taking more than 750 individual courses through VCS Ohio. Keep up the good work!

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Help Desk hours extended and Elluminate time changed

help desk

Every other Wednesday, the VCS Help Desk holds an Elluminate session to cover commonly asked questions and technical problems that students face. Each session covers a certain topic and is followed by a question and answer portion.

The time for all Help Desk Elluminate sessions has changed to 2 p.m. The next Elluminate will take place on Wednesday, December 14.

In addition, the VCS Help Desk has extended their hours Monday through Thursday. Students can reach the Help Desk by phone until 7:00 p.m. or visit the office until 6:30 p.m. or by appointment if later. Friday will remain the regular schedule of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To contact the VCS Help Desk, call 866-501-9473 ext. 5124 or email vcshelpdesk@vcslearn.org. They can also visit the new Help Desk web site at help.vcslearn.org.

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STUDENT ADVISER SPOTLIGHT: Matt O'Bryant

What is your favorite thing about VCS? The flexibility and the people! I've said this is the best job I have ever had. It's because of our students and our staff. It just seems the whole atmosphere for the most part is always positive. Our teachers go out of their way to help our students not because they have to but because they believe and live our mission.

What has been your most rewarding experience at VCS? Meeting our students. In the past 4 years it has been hard because of other job titles I had to actually be able to get out and meet and get to know our students but this year that is my job. It has been wonderful to spend time talking with them and just making connections.

Fun Facts

When I am not working... Watching tv, hanging out with my family, playing golf, watching the Buckeyes, and enjoying life

If I won the lottery I would... Pay off my debts and save the rest...well ok I may buy a new truck.

The best vacation I ever had was... Disney a few years ago and seeing my kids when they saw the characters!

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to... Mexico

I am most proud of... My family!

The person I admire the most is... My dad! Hands down the greatest man I know on this Earth!

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TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: Mrs. Anna Ernst

Mrs. Ernst teaches high school Language Arts

What is your favorite thing about VCS? I love the fact that VCS is flexible for our students. There are so many students who need to go to work or have other obligations that do not fit into a regular "school day". They can access it anywhere and anytime!

What do you want students to accomplish while they attend VCS? I want my students to realize their own potential and become more responsible as a student. I also want them to realize that they can accomplish anything as long as they have an education! Education is freedom.

What advice do you want to pass on to students? The best advice I can give a student is to take their studies seriously, soon they will be an adult and they will need their education to get ahead in life. You will never want to look back and realize you should have paid more attention to your studies.

Favorites:

Food: My mom's lasagna

Book: Gone With the Wind, Twilight Series, The Pillars of the Earth

Movie: Gone With the Wind

TV Show: Boardwalk Empire and Modern Family

Hobby/Interest: Read, read, and read!

Season: Summer

Vacation Destination: Anywhere close to the ocean

Childhood Memory: My best memory of growing up are family dinners almost every night.

Quote: "Forgiveness begins when you are able to give up the hope that you can change the past."

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Watch for the VCS Partner Post to arrive in your e-mail the second Thursday of each month. If you have any content ideas, send them to Lori Berkheimer or Jill Workman.

Go Wolves!