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Calendar of Events
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Career/Volunteer Info Fair
January 20
Nat. Digital Learning Day
February 1
Leadership Academy I
February 2
Leadership Academy II
February 9
VCS Board Meeting
February 16
Professional Development
February 20
Leadership Academy III
February 23
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Race to the Top News
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The State Diagnostic Evaluation Team spent two days in the VCS office, providing us with a diagnostic review of our program.
On January 4 and 5, the SIG Building Team met with Bruce Friend, an educational consultant who will be helping the SIG team develop an instructional model.
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Greetings!
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I've said it before, and I'll say it again; this VCS Ohio staff is the best around! We received further verification of that statement with the first semester survey results. I'd like to congratulate the entire teaching staff for the excellent results and comments received. There is always room for improvement, but we are on the right track with this team!
The snow is falling in Columbus today, but we are already thinking about summer school! There are big changes coming this year, and I think they make a lot of sense. Read more in the article below, and watch for more information in the near future.
I'm pleased to announce that we have an Ohio University student doing field experience at VCS Ohio this semester. You can read more below about Shandra Smith, who will be working closely with Miriam Conner. Welcome to the wolf pack, Shandra!
Go Wolves!
Respectfully,
Jim McCord
Superintendent
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Surveys indicate high satisfaction regarding VCS teachers
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As you know, VCS Ohio families are asked to complete a survey regarding their teachers each semester. These surveys provide important insight regarding how we are performing as an organization. Here are some recent results.
--This teacher responds to my questions within 24 hours--97% said yes!
--This teacher provides clear and helpful comments when returning my assignments--97% said yes!
--When I do not understand my schoolwork, the teacher tries different ways to help me--96% said yes!
--This teacher treats me with care and respect--99% said yes!
Way to go! Let's keep up the good work and strive for even higher numbers next semester!
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Summer school info announced! |
 It is never too early to start planning for summer school! We have finalized our dates and pricing and we believe everyone will be very happy with our lineup for 2012.
This summer, we will have one 10-week session, with a flexible starting date. Students in grades 6-12 can begin their coursework on May 21st and continue to register through June 15th. Summer session will end on July 27th. We have also significantly lowered our prices. Summer 2012 pricing is as follows:
Full-time VCS Student
Full credit course: $50
Half credit course: $25
Non-VCS Student
Full credit course: $149
Half credit course: $99
Stay tuned for the final course listing and registration information. We hope to begin registration in mid-February.
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Redesigned website nearing launch stage
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The redesign of our public website, vcslearn.org, has been in process in recent months. By nature, the website is a work in progress, and will never be completely "done", but it is scheduled to go live in the coming weeks. Some highlights include:
- Rotating features on the front page
- Social media icons throughout for easy sharing
- More videos and photos throughout the site
- Staff listings, including photos and contact information
- A section for current students to log into the LMS and view important information
- And much more!
Open this PDF to see screen shots of various pages. Watch for more information as we prepare to launch!
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Ohio University student gains virtual field experience through VCS
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 VCS has a new partnership with Ohio University, Athens Campus. This partnership creates an opportunity for a virtual field experience for pre-service education teachers. Our goal is to provide a valuable field experience, while supporting our students' learning needs and growing the field of virtual education. This partnership is still a work in progress, but we hope to ultimately standardize the experience.
Our first field experience student is Shandra Smith (pictured left). She will be working with Miriam Conner in high school language arts.
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High school awards assembly draws a large crowd
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On Monday night, the high school held their annual awards assembly. Roughly 75 students were in attendance, as well as the high school teachers, principal and guidance counselor. Students received an award for each A or B they earned in a class, and teachers had the opportunity to create their own awards such as "Best Effort", "Most Improved" or "Best Attitude." More than 800 awards were given out. What a great accomplishment for all our students!
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Help VCS celebrate National Digital Learning Day
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Join us in celebration on Wednesday, February 1st for National Digital Learning Day,
a national awareness campaign to honor innovative teachers and their instructional strategies. Technology has changed the way we do everything from grocery shopping and listening to music, to reading books and educating our students. At VCS, we use technology everyday. Let's share our experiences.
Here are some ways that you can get involved:
- Spread the word - On Facebook, at church, in your community, wherever! Talk about your goals for your students and how digital learning can help meet their needs.
- Try one new thing - Use a mobile device, download a new app, start a class Twitter account, but above all, challenge yourself and you'll be surprised with you can come up with.
- Showcase your success - You've worked hard, so let people know about it! Submit a video, share your SMART lessons, or better yet, have your students take the lead and show us how digital learning works for them!
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COSI Learning Center to host College and Volunteer Info Fair
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On Friday, January 20, the COSI Learning Center will host a College and Volunteer Info Fair. Students can chat with college admissions counselors, learn about financial aid, dual credit, post secondary options, volunteer opportunities and the REAL and Earn and Learn programs. Ms. Yeager and Ms. Sherman will also be present to answer any questions.
Parking is free, refreshments will be provided and a $10 gas card will be given to each attendee. Please share this news with your middle and high school students.
For more info or to register, click here.
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| STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Andrew Backs |
Name: Andrew Backs
Grade: 9
From: Milford
What is your favorite thing about VCS? My favorite thing about VCS is the fact that I can work at my own pace.
What is your favorite subject? My favorite subject is algebra.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to keep my pet-sitting business and become a veterinarian.
What do you like to do in your free time? I do not have a lot of free time. I am on a competitive Taekwondo team, which requires a lot of practice time and traveling. I also have a dog walking and pet-sitting business which keeps me very busy.
What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Home Alone.
Do you have any siblings? I have an older brother.
What is your favorite food? My favorite food is pizza with macaroni and cheese and hot dogs on top.
What made you choose VCS versus a traditional school?
I chose VCS because there is more flexibility than other schools so I can keep my business.
Any advice you would like to share with your fellow students? Work hard and keep a good attitude. I also find it helpful to get active during breaks in the school day.
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| TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: Christian McCloskey |
What do you want students to accomplish while they attend VCS? I want students to become independent, self-reliant, good citizens.
What advice do you want to pass on to students? Do not procrastinate, laugh and enjoy life.
Favorites
Food: Pizza (bad pizza is still good food)
Book: I love reading from fantasy to history (see my book list) Voyage of the Dawn Trader by C.S. Lewis
Movie: Highlander (original: 1986 movie and TV series)
TV Show: Sci-Fi, history, Anime (Star Trek, Battle Star Galactica, Firefly) ; Current: Archer, Pawn Stars, American Restoration, Dragonball Z
Hobby/Interest: Reading (history), video games (PS3, Wii)
Season: Fall (I love the smell and color of leaves, plus Halloween!)
Vacation Destination: Walt Disney World
Childhood Memory: I had a Bill Cosby childhood, lots of kids hanging out, playing and going to the movies; My Mom reading C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia to me; Halloween (Mom making our costumes)
Quote: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." George Santanya
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| STUDENT ADVISER SPOTLIGHT: Jessica Caughlan |
Jessica is a student adviser in the Columbus north area
What is your favorite thing about VCS? Helping out the students in any way.
What has been your most rewarding experience at VCS? When I helped out a young mother. She was really far behind and didn't know where to start. I stopped by her house and got her back on track!
Fun Facts
When I am not working... I'm usually outside at the barn working horses or at a barrel race.
If I won the lottery I would... Buy a really good horse and join the WPRA Circuit (Women's Professional Rodeo Association).
The best vacation I ever had was... Skiing and Music Fest in Steamboat Springs.
If I could travel anywhere, I would go to... Italy.
I am most proud of... My family and my farm.
The person I admire the most is... My mom and dad, they are the hardest working people that I know.
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Watch for The Pack Press to arrive in your e-mail the third Thursday of each month. If you have any content ideas, send them to Lori Berkheimer or Jill Workman.
Go Wolves!
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