Vail Innovation Center
VIC News, September 1, 2020
Vail Innovation Center
Letter from the Coordinator
September 1, 2020
Hello amazing VIC Students/Families,
As we head into week four of online learning, I would again like to thank you for your patience and cooperation. This type of learning is new to all of our families. We truly appreciate your input and are constantly adjusting to meet the needs of our students.
We are getting many questions about attendance. Here are a few reminders for everyone.
- K-5 students need to log in to their classes each day and attend their scheduled meetings.
- 6-12 students need to log into each of their classes for a minimum of one hour per day per class. There should not be more than a 2 day period where they are not working on a class to keep their attendance active. (Some students work faster than others and times may vary.)
With this weekend being Labor Day weekend, please be sure to take some time to enjoy the outdoors and family.
Be Well,
Rachel Tankersley
Coordinator of Digital Learning
Vail Innovation Center K-12
520-879-1313
A Letter From Superintendent John Carruth
August 28, 2020
Dear Parents,
Two weeks ago, we wrote to let you know that the Vail School District would be using the recently established public health metrics as a guide for when our schools would transition between the three phases of delivering instruction during the pandemic. Those phases, as outlined by the Arizona Department of Health, are: Remote instruction, hybrid instruction, and in-person instruction.
We also communicated that it was likely that Vail schools would be able to move to the next phase of instruction sometime between September 14th and October 5th.
The good news is that the conditions are improving. The metrics indicate steady progress in the reduction of the spread of COVID-19 in Pima County.
As such, we are targeting September 21st as the date for when we will move to the next phase of opening schools. Like most things during this pandemic, this assumes that conditions continue to improve and do not get worse.
The next phase will allow for hybrid instruction during a time of moderate risk. The hybrid phase involves another shift in the way instruction is delivered, staff are utilized, and campuses operate. The purpose of the hybrid phase is to keep students physically distanced as much as possible and/or keep them in the same groups throughout the day.
Plans are being developed for what the hybrid phase will look like at the preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school levels. We will communicate the details of these plans to you by Friday of next week.
Remote instruction will continue to be a choice for students during the hybrid phase. Brick to Click* will be available through each school, and the Vail Innovation Center will continue to provide full-time remote learning to students who have chosen this option.
Please send any questions you may have to: newschoolyear@vailschooldistrict.org
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work to get students back to school safely.
John Carruth
*During the hybrid phase students will not be able to move between Brick to Click and in-person learning unless in the case of illness or the need to quarantine. Further, students who choose Brick to Click will be asked to remain in Brick to Click during the hybrid phase.
The 2020-2021 School Calendar
Mascot Update - At VIC We are the CyberWolves
The votes are in and we are the CyberWolves! Stay tuned as we are currently working on our mascot logo. Our VIC school colors will remain Gold and Navy Blue.
K-5 Calvert Parent Letter
K-5 Families
First of all thank you for your patience while Calvert was working to solve the issues with the servers and platform. It will be wonderful to have all of the pieces of the program working efficiently and effectively.
Latest News:
- The elementary teachers have been so very impressed with the kiddos and wanted to send out a few shout outs to our students of the month! In kindergarten we have Finn Maakestad and in 1st grade we have Madalyn Collins. Congratulations to the kids and their families!
- This week the teachers will be on the lookout for kids that are dressed to impress during the Zoom meetings as well as those on task. It has been so adorable to see their style. We would love to see the students show their personalities with their learning environment and clothing choices.
Congratulations to Kaitlin Cox our first VIC 2020-2021 Senior Graduate!
Grades 6-12 Kudos Corner
Mrs. Elchert; Samuel Tarver is not only ahead in Social Studies but is actively working on improving his grade by redoing some Mastery Tests. He truly knows how to reach for success.
Mrs. Lotti; Shout out to the students in Mrs. Lotti’s Language Arts 7 class who are all on or ahead of pace! You all are amazing! Keep it up!
Mrs. Nunes; wants to recognize 2 students each week from each grade 6th-12th who are ahead of pace in ALL of their classes: 6th grade; Julius Chapman and Aleczander Jackson, 7th grade; Taylor Jackson and Ainslie Lowe, 8th grade; Sofia Bishop, Daniela Bruner Prada, 9th grade; Nicholas Cromwell, Benjamin Allison, 10th grade; Sonora Parrish, Enrico Dimambro, 11th grade; Kelsey Jackson, Dalen Durnan, and 12th grade; Joseph Peck, Anthony Silvain, Emma Rhyner.
Students in 6-12: Here is a Edmentum Tutorial with tips and tricks. Please watch.
Senior Exit Project (SEP) Information Update
Hello VIC Seniors,
Seniors please remember to let administration at the VIC know if you will be returning to your traditional classroom or if you will be staying with us at the VIC for the rest of the school year. This information is critical as if you have not made your decision known by September 7th you will be included in our SEP and required to attend an online meeting September 9th and complete your SEP with us. Again please let the staff at the VIC know immediately so we can move forward. As always should you have any questions please contact me.
Thank you to the many Seniors who have already responded to the Senior survey sent out by Ms. Wrona. If you have not completed the quick survey yet, you must fill it out for us as this is very important information we need from you.
We are attaching the link to the SEP Handbook which is posted on our VIC Website under the 6-12 Resources. Keep in mind due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently working on modifications to the SEP and we will keep you updated.
If you already have your idea or topic you are interested in, feel free to contact me about getting started.
Mr Arlo Ogden
Vail Innovation Center
Senior Exit Project Coordinator
Senior Advisor
520-879-1925
Seniors!! ACT Testing Make Up Opportunity
ACT Test Opportunity - October 6, 2020
All full-time VIC seniors will have the opportunity to take the ACT test on Tuesday, October 6th due to testing being canceled last spring. ACT is optional for all seniors this year.
Here is information from the University of AZ regarding ACT scores and admission: Submitting your official SAT/ACT scores is OPTIONAL for admissions consideration.
Here is the link for you to let us know your plans for the ACT make up Test.
Juniors... your test will be in the spring. :)
Important Flyers and Information
School Meal Program Changes Starting August 17th
Vail School District 2020/2021 Meal Program Changes - Starting Monday, August 17th
Dear Parents,
On Monday, August 17th, our Curbside Meal Service will be changing. Meal distribution will be located at four sites throughout the district with service on Monday and Wednesday only. We have added both an AM and a PM pick-up time to accommodate our busy families on those two days. Each distribution day will include a multi-day meal pack. Monday's distribution will include meals for Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday's distribution will include meals for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please see the information below for additional details.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Vail Food Service by email at vailfoodservice@vailschooldistrict.org or phone (520) 879-3913 or (520) 879-2015.
Sincerely,
Vail School District
Vail School District, P.O. Box 800, 13801 E. Benson Highway, Vail, AZ 85641
Cox Communication Service Offer for Families in Need (Must be in Cox Service Area)
Cox offers their basic service (25 Mbps “down”/3 Mbps “up") for $10 a month to families who qualify for Free and Reduced lunch.
There is no installation charge, no equipment charge, and WiFi is included.
First two months are free if ordered before Sept. 30th. The family has to live in a Cox service area.
K-12 VIC Staff Contacts - Communication is Key
Please be sure you are reaching out to your teacher at any time to get support or ask questions. We are attaching our staff list showing teacher names and email addresses so you can easily contact your teacher. We are all here to help you succeed. Please plan enough time to hear back from your teacher within 24 hours.
Here is the link to our spreadsheet with all of the VIC teachers and their email.
"Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity."
— Nat Turner
Edmentum Tech Support
If you are having any technical troubles with your online class, please contact Edmentum:
Technical Support
1-800-447-5286
Mon- Fri 4:30 am – 6:30 pm
Sat & Sun 6:00 am – 3:30 pm
Email: info@edmentum.com
Online: https://support.edmentum.com/