Take 5 with District Connect

1) Your Student is Interested in Online Learning - Which Path is the Right One?

We get many questions from our partners about what to do with students in unique situations. The two distinct solutions are for students to attend our full-time virtual school or stay in the building and take courses through RVA’s District Connect services. Here’s an outline of the student experience on both sides.

2) Guide to the End of a Semester (And the Beginning of a New One)

The transition to a new semester can be chaotic! We have compiled a list of things our partners using digital content can do to get ready for that transition. 

3)  Finding Educator File Numbers for Network Teachers

So...your student is enrolled in an independent course with a virtual teacher not in your district and it’s time for you to take care of some reporting but you can’t find that teacher’s educator file number? Watch this quick video showing you how to find the number you need!

4)  ...Speaking of Statewide/Network Sections

Having the option of using a teacher from outside your school district to support independent courses for your students is a great one! Statewide sections DO come with some parameters we must be mindful of. We are always here to help and to work through these things with you, but it’s important to note:

  • Requesting these courses is a longer, more involved process. Even during the slower time of year, these courses are only guaranteed to be processed by Wisconsin eSchool Network once/week. 

  • That longer processing time means it is very important to have all the necessary details ready - EXACT course name, backup course choice, requested start/end date.

  • Statewide sections are to be 16 weeks long unless approved by the network teacher. You can always work with Alli on this process.

  • Correct email addresses and access are CRUCIAL. Email is how network teachers communicate with students. If emails are entered incorrectly or a local district firewall is preventing emails from coming through, it can cause issues and sometimes impede student progress.

  • The local coach role is very important - your district’s local coach acts as additional support for students and can be pivotal in student success.

5)  Professional Development Coming Up!

Don’t forget that one of the benefits of your partnership with RVA is access to our District Connect team for professional development in your district. We are available to present or facilitate a session for you in person or virtually! We also have a calendar of already scheduled opportunities available for you to take part in. Many of these sessions are quick and focused less on pedagogy and more on efficiencies and task mastery. 

These titles include:  

  • End of Semester Tips & Tricks

  • A Beginner’s Preview to Blended Science Courses Using FLVS Curriculum

  • Make it Your Own: Creating Custom Units in Buzz

  • Grading Efficiencies and Best Practices

We are looking at expanding our PD offerings as we know your interests are far broader than blended learning and LMS tips. What kind of PD are you looking to offer for your staff? Contact Alli at alli.ranum@ruralvirtual.org with any topics you’d like to see offered!

Athena Podolak