Virtual Academy School Day - 8:40 - 3:30
Schoology Access Code: 59M5-26P3-9VT5J
Specialist Schedules
Monday - Music @ 10:30 - 11:20 with Mrs. Pruse
Tuesday - Media Center @ 10:30 - 11:20 with Mrs. Baydoun
Tuesday - Art @ 1:00 - 1:50 with ?????
Wednesday - Physical Education @ 10:30 - 11:20 with Mr. Marks
Thursday - ISM @ 10:30 - 11:20 with ?????
Monday - Music @ 10:30 - 11:20 with Mrs. Pruse
Tuesday - Media Center @ 10:30 - 11:20 with Mrs. Baydoun
Tuesday - Art @ 1:00 - 1:50 with ?????
Wednesday - Physical Education @ 10:30 - 11:20 with Mr. Marks
Thursday - ISM @ 10:30 - 11:20 with ?????
Daily Routines are an important part of our day. Here is the general schedule we will follow on a daily basis...
8:40 - 8:50 - Article of the Day & Attendance
8:50 - 9:10 - Morning Meeting
9:10 - 10:15 - Main Math Block
10:15 - 10:30 - Break
10:30 - 11:20 - Specials - Monday through Thursday
11:20 - 12:20 - Lunch - 20 minutes for eating, 20 minutes for play and 20 minutes for self-scheduled learning
12:20 - 12:40 - Chapter Book
12:40 - 1:00 - Journals
1:00 - 2:20 - Main Language Arts Block (1:00 - 1:50 - Art on Tuesdays)
2:20 - 2:40 - Afternoon Break
2:40 - 3:30 - Science and Social Studies Block
3:30 - Dismissal
8:40 - 8:50 - Article of the Day & Attendance
8:50 - 9:10 - Morning Meeting
9:10 - 10:15 - Main Math Block
10:15 - 10:30 - Break
10:30 - 11:20 - Specials - Monday through Thursday
11:20 - 12:20 - Lunch - 20 minutes for eating, 20 minutes for play and 20 minutes for self-scheduled learning
12:20 - 12:40 - Chapter Book
12:40 - 1:00 - Journals
1:00 - 2:20 - Main Language Arts Block (1:00 - 1:50 - Art on Tuesdays)
2:20 - 2:40 - Afternoon Break
2:40 - 3:30 - Science and Social Studies Block
3:30 - Dismissal
COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY!
There are several ways for us to communicate. Hopefully these directions will get you "connected".
Email - This is probably the best and quickest way to get ahold of me. To start, I am asking that everyone email me at Edward.Fromm@uticak12.org I will then add you to my contact list and to the "21-22 Fromm VA" group. This is how you will receive group messages, daily updates, assignment/project directions, and other communications. Your email address will be kept private and not seen by other families in the class.
Phone - My phone number is 797-5128. It will ring directly to the room before and after school. During the school day, your call will be redirected to the office. I am usually to school by 7:15 a.m., but there are no guarantees for after school.
Remind - If you would like to receive text reminders on your smart phone (I will send home quick reminders when something is coming home or due the next day) you simply need to text "@vafromm" to 81010. This communication tool was also very important last year when the school's internet went down and I needed to send a message out to families letting them know that the technology wasn't working. I will do everything I can to make sure each family is signed up for this service.
Email - This is probably the best and quickest way to get ahold of me. To start, I am asking that everyone email me at Edward.Fromm@uticak12.org I will then add you to my contact list and to the "21-22 Fromm VA" group. This is how you will receive group messages, daily updates, assignment/project directions, and other communications. Your email address will be kept private and not seen by other families in the class.
Phone - My phone number is 797-5128. It will ring directly to the room before and after school. During the school day, your call will be redirected to the office. I am usually to school by 7:15 a.m., but there are no guarantees for after school.
Remind - If you would like to receive text reminders on your smart phone (I will send home quick reminders when something is coming home or due the next day) you simply need to text "@vafromm" to 81010. This communication tool was also very important last year when the school's internet went down and I needed to send a message out to families letting them know that the technology wasn't working. I will do everything I can to make sure each family is signed up for this service.
TIME MANAGEMENT & FLEXIBILITY IN LEARNING
The flexibility of online learning can be a great advantage, when and if we all have good time management skills. This time management will be a main focus the first month of school. Knowing how and when to complete our work is the most important aspect of a successful online learning environment. Routines, communication, asking for help when it is needed, and accepting that we are all going to make mistakes are the four main ingredients of a successful virtual academy experience.
In a traditional classroom, we spend lots of time at the beginning of the year learning routines: how to line up in the correct order for lunch, when is the right time for bathroom breaks, pushing in our chairs to help with movement around the classroom, the correct way and expectations on how we gather in the “carpet area” of the classroom, keeping our desks clean, and how, when and where to turn in paperwork. These are things we don’t need to worry about in the virtual classroom.
Effective time management, online expectations/behaviors, learning new technologies, and personal responsibility will all be our main focus. Success with these aspects of our education will allow for greater flexibility in our school day and allows us to not be in front of a computer screen for six hours a day. These skills are learned behaviors that take practice and are enhanced by focusing on a daily / weekly schedule that everyone can become familiar with. Tasks will take longer at the beginning of the year but with repetitive practice, effective record keeping, and non-stop communication, will get us to a point where we can spend less time staring at a computer and more time actually getting meaningful work done.
In a traditional classroom, we spend lots of time at the beginning of the year learning routines: how to line up in the correct order for lunch, when is the right time for bathroom breaks, pushing in our chairs to help with movement around the classroom, the correct way and expectations on how we gather in the “carpet area” of the classroom, keeping our desks clean, and how, when and where to turn in paperwork. These are things we don’t need to worry about in the virtual classroom.
Effective time management, online expectations/behaviors, learning new technologies, and personal responsibility will all be our main focus. Success with these aspects of our education will allow for greater flexibility in our school day and allows us to not be in front of a computer screen for six hours a day. These skills are learned behaviors that take practice and are enhanced by focusing on a daily / weekly schedule that everyone can become familiar with. Tasks will take longer at the beginning of the year but with repetitive practice, effective record keeping, and non-stop communication, will get us to a point where we can spend less time staring at a computer and more time actually getting meaningful work done.
PAST PARENT PERSPECTIVE
I learned a lot of things last year, as a first year virtual academy teacher. Most importantly, I learned to listen to my parents even more than when we were in a traditional classroom. While my goal is to have my students do 90% of their work without parent help, they are still in your home, and you will be the first adults they go to when they need help when I am not available. Last year's parents gave me this advice as far as what I should change and not change for the 21-22 school year. As I plan for this year, I hope I have addressed everything in the second section below.
Things that went well or that they liked best...
MrFromm.com for ease of use, easy to get to and clear view of what was done / due that day.
Morning meetings to set daily expectations.
Constantly changing things up while keeping the same routine.
The use of different technologies to make learning fun and meaningful.
Individual meetings when individuals and groups need extra attention.
Expectations, pace and time on screen was appropriate.
What needed improvement...
A "camera on when class is in session" requirement.
Physical handwriting of some kind.
PowerSchool was a nightmare.
Students talking/texting when they should be working.
Regular parent / teacher meetings.
Social development of some kind.
Things that went well or that they liked best...
MrFromm.com for ease of use, easy to get to and clear view of what was done / due that day.
Morning meetings to set daily expectations.
Constantly changing things up while keeping the same routine.
The use of different technologies to make learning fun and meaningful.
Individual meetings when individuals and groups need extra attention.
Expectations, pace and time on screen was appropriate.
What needed improvement...
A "camera on when class is in session" requirement.
Physical handwriting of some kind.
PowerSchool was a nightmare.
Students talking/texting when they should be working.
Regular parent / teacher meetings.
Social development of some kind.
SCHOOL SUPPLY SUGGESTIONS
Computer Mouse - I strongly suggest that you purchase a mouse for your child to use with their laptop. It is not required, but using the trackpad can be tricky at times and a mouse is very helpful. Amazon has wired and wireless models for $10 and that will be the best money you'll spend all year.
Headphones - These are also suggested, especially if your child is not going to have a quiet/dedicated place to work.
Headphones - These are also suggested, especially if your child is not going to have a quiet/dedicated place to work.
ASSUMPTIONS
One thing I learned last year, as a general rule, is that if you think your child is in their room, down the basement, or in the den quietly working for an extended period of time.... they probably aren't! I give lots of breaks and expect lots of communication throughout the day. Kids will be kids and will try and get away with what they can. There will be lots of communication between myself and parents as we establish routines and expectations for how we do things. I would suggest not allowing your child to have their cell phone, or other technology devices, right next them during the school day - just like if they were in a traditional classroom.