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Calendar of Events
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Mathy Monday
VCS Board Meeting April 18
OAA Testing
April 22-24 P.A.C. MeetingApril 30
K-6 Field Trip
May 6
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Grant Updates
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The next professional development for teachers is April 19th. It will be virtual, meaning the teachers become students and will complete learning modules online. Specifically, teachers will be continuing their study on formative assessment practices. Teachers are also collaborating weekly, in their Teacher-based-Team meetings, where they review and discuss student learning data and make instructional decisions based on that data. Increasing student achievement and improving teacher practices is our goal.
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OAA testing reminder
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Students in grades 3-8 are required to take the Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) in April. Testing attendance is mandatory. Please see the schedule below.
April 22 - Reading 
Grades 3-6: 9 a.m.
Grades 7-8: 1 p.m.
April 23 - Math
Grades 3-6: 9 a.m.
Grades 7-8: 1 p.m.
April 24 - Science
Grade 5: 9 a.m.
Grade 8: 1 p.m.
If you have questions about the test or your testing location, contact Mrs. Simcox at 614-501-9473 ext. 2008.
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K-6 field trip to Blacklick Woods Metro Park
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 On Monday, May 6th elementary students are invited to a field trip to the Blacklick Woods Metro Park, near Columbus. Students and teachers will meet at 10:45 a.m. and take a tram ride which will leave promptly at 11:00 a.m. The ride will last about 45 minutes to 1 hour. You are welcome to pack a lunch and enjoy the picnic area and playground after the tram ride. The field trip will be for VCS K-6 students and families and there is no cost to attend.
Click here to visit the park's website and to get directions. Please RSVP to your classroom teacher through the school's messaging system by Monday, April 29th - with the total number of adults and children attending.
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Summer school registration open now!
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VCS keeps the "summer" in summer school! Taking classes online, leaves time for work, friends and fun. Our summer program is open to students in ALL districts. Registration is now open!
Flexible start! Begin classes May 28 - June 21. Classes finish August 2.
Low prices! VCS Students - $149 for a full credit, $99 for a half credit. Non-VCS Students - $249 for a full credit, $179 for a half credit.
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Math and literacy fun at COSI!
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Thanks to all who joined us for the Math and Literacy Carnival! We had well over 100 people in attendance, even Sir Cumference made an appearance! Here are a few photos from the event. To see the entire album, click here.
 
 
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VCS students compete with students from all over the world
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Last month, VCS students competed with students from all over the globe in the World Education Games.
VCS students answered nearly 20,000 questions during the three day event! Here is the list of our top performers!
 Literacy Day
Teriah Curry, Grade 1 and Aways Abdur-Rahman, Grade 1
Math Day
Jannah Foster, Grade 8 and Michael Horton, Grade 7
Science Day
Michael Horton, Grade 7 and Matthew Horton, Grade 3
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April Tech Talk
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 Tech-Talk is a monthly addition to our VCS e-newsletter where we will answer any tech questions you may have, give you some tech-tips and share some fun apps!
- Tech Question of the Month: When I log into Blackboard, I get 'kicked out' a lot. How can I fix this? Great question! This happens if your 'Java' program is not updated. There's a quick fix to this before you call the "Help Desk" for support.
Go to the website link below and then download the latest version to your computer.
www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp. Once it is downloaded to your computer, open and run the program. It will walk you through how to re-install your drivers.
- Fun Apps/Programs (Click on the title to go to the link)
FunIsland.com - is a FREE resource for playing fun free games online. The site is tailored for all age groups, young and old.
Funschool.kaboose.com - offers free online educational elementary games for kids as well as printable activities, coloring and crafts that will help kids learn!
Prongo.com- offers free interactive, educational games for elementary and middle school students.
Showme.com- Students can use this site to watch tutorials on almost any topic.
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Reading program updates and tips for parents
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Reading Tutoring Program Update: Our Reading Tutoring Program started in early November this year in response to the Ohio Department of Education's "Third Grade Guarantee" mandates. We are pleased we have been able to extend this program, designed for students in Kindergarten through third grade, to many students in Kindergarten through eighth grade. In all, we have 9 tutors working with 90 students on reading intervention strategies. These teachers and their students meet four times each week, for one hour sessions to practice reading fluency, writing, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and phonics. These foundation skills are presented in our online Blackboard Collaborate classrooms. Additionally, the teachers are monitoring their students' progress in our i-Ready READING program. The tutors are pleased with the growth students have made in the tutoring program and know that students will continue to grow through their efforts. If your child is fortunate to be part of this program, attendance in the live tutoring sessions and participation in ALL parts of the program is critical to their success. Make sure your child attends the tutoring sessions.
Parent tip: READING TO your child and LISTENING to your child read are two separate, but equally important DAILY ACTIVITIES! Please make sure you spend quiet time every day reading books TO your child, discussing the story, characters, setting, problem, theme, interesting vocabulary or anything that interests your child. Additionally, spend time listening to your child read books appropriate for their reading ability level. We have many wonderful online book resources available to your child for this purpose!
Reading Program Alert! Students in Kindergarten, first and second grades have been enrolled in a pilot reading program called "Smarty Ants". This is an interactive reading intervention program designed to help young students learn the foundational skills necessary to be successful readers. If your child is in Kindergarten, first or second grade, contact your teacher to learn more about this wonderful, entertaining, educational reading program!
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Elementary students invited to 'Mathy Monday'
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Join Mr. Hammond in reading the book "Measuring Penny" by Loreen Leedy. A fun activity will follow the reading! We hope you can join us. When: Monday, April 8th at 10 a.m.
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| Student Spotlight: Christian "Tanner" Lowery |
 Tanner is in the 10th grade and currently lives in China!
What is your favorite thing about VCS? My favorite thing about VCS is that even though I dropped out of high school when I was 16, VCS is giving me a chance to succeed as a young adult. In order to change my life, I moved to China when I was 18 with my father to get away from things that were distracting me in my life. VCS in an accredited high school program and I'm able to complete VCS classes while I'm living in China.
What is your favorite subject? My favorite subject is art because I love to draw and learn about art's historical events.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Well I'm turning 20 in 3 months so I'm kind of already grown up!
But I would like to go into college for International Business and get my master's degree. And also learn Chinese while I'm here in China.
What do you like to do in your free time? In my free time I like to play guitar, draw, play video games, hang out with my friends, cook, eat, listen to music, watch TV and movies, travel around China, meet new people and exercise.
What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is "Hulk" because I think it would be amazing to have those kind of powers and that would be the power I would choose if I had to pick anything.
Do you have any siblings? Yes I have one older brother and one younger brother so I'm the middle child.
What is your favorite food? My favorite kind of food is Chinese food because there are so many varieties of Chinese food here in China.
Why did you choose VCS? I chose VCS because it is an accredited Ohio State program and that I'm able to study while I'm living in China. VCS allows me to succeed at the rate that I'm able to perform at. Thank you VCS for giving me another chance in my life.
Any advice you would like to share with your fellow students? Yes, the students must know that making a good life does not come easy. When you get knocked down from being overwhelmed, get right back up and do the best you can do in your life. Don't think you only have a limited amount of chances in life because even if you think you hit rock bottom and you think there is no returning from it, just be yourself and don't let life bring you down permanently.
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| Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Steve West |
Mr. West teaches high school math and science
What is your favorite thing about VCS? I have the opportunity to help students reach "their" goals.
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Mr. West at Tulum in Mexico
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What do you want the students to accomplish while they attend VCS? I want them to realize that what they learn can never be taken away from them. Strive to do better for yourself.
What advice do you want to pass on to the students? Decide now to start your future.
Favorites
Food: Lobster & Blackbuck Antelope
Book: Ghost Soldiers **My father was a Japanese prisoner of War
Movie: The Ghost and the Darkness
TV Show: The Big Bang Theory
Hobby/Interest: Scuba, hunting, horses, boating, rappelling
Season: Whatever one it is
Vacation Destination: Fiji
Childhood Memory: Growing up in Morocco, the ocean, and my family
Quote: "I would not sit waiting for some vague tomorrow, nor for something to happen. One could wait a lifetime, and find nothing at the end of the waiting. I would begin here, I would make something happen." -Jubal Sackett
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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 Jill Workman.
Go Wolves!
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