Lawrence USD 497



Dear LVS Families,

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your family’s journey through learning in your home. No responsibility in life is more complex or demanding than being a parent in today’s society. When we choose to take such an active role in our children’s education, we become much more aware of what enters their heart and mind. As complex and demanding as it may be, there is no greater reward than being there for our children and watching their growth on a daily basis.

The front cover of this document is labeled as our school’s “handbook.” I prefer to refer to it as a “guidebook” as it is designed to “guide” our collective efforts by outlining certain policies, expectations and programming. While these school policies serve as a guide to our day-to-day service to you, I want to assure you that “policies of the heart” take priority over school policies. That is to say that these are the parameters designed to guide us as partners in education; however, as circumstances in your world arise that need a gentle shifting of service, a unique approach or modification of processes, we are committed to doing everything we can to respond to those needs and assist your family.

Connection and communication are cornerstones of LVS service and success. We want to be as connected to your world as you need us to be and ask that you not be shy about your connections and communication with us. Irrespective of how big or little you see an issue or a need being, don’t hesitate to ask, share and/or suggest so that we may provide your family with a meaningful learning experience throughout the 2017-18 school year.

We are so fortunate to have such a magnificent staff, who with you will indeed make certain that your child(ren) have a positive and productive school year!

Take Care,

G. Keith Wilson

Principal

Lawrence Virtual School

kwilson@

785.832.5620 LVS Office



LawrenceVirtualSchoolLVS 

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Educating Kansans Online, Grades K-12

Introduction

This Student Handbook sets forth some general guidance for parents and students enrolled in the Lawrence Virtual School (LVS) program, High School Academy (grades 9-12). LVS is a public school program and is subject to the rules and regulations of the Kansas State Department of Education.

For many of you, attending high school virtually is a new beginning – a choice you have made for reasons that are unique to you. Here at LVS HS Academy, we want to help you make the most of this opportunity by involving you in navigating your high school experience – from choosing your classes, to creating your study schedule, to planning for your future.

Things you can count on:

• We have live instruction and peer interaction via Blackboard Collaborate.

• Teachers are available for help.

• You earn grades and receive credits for classes you pass.

• You participate in rigorous and relevant courses to prepare you for your post-secondary plans.

• We help navigate and prepare you for ACT/SAT testing, and offer opportunities for obtaining college credit as juniors and seniors.

• We assist in career exploration and academic and social/emotional support.

LVS Mission Statement

The four pillars on which we base our school mission are:

• Innovation

• Relevance

• Independence

• Rigor

Our Mission:

Lawrence Virtual School ensures that each student will become a self-motivated, self-directed, lifelong learner with a strong sense of community as a result of innovative, relevant, independent and rigorous curriculum.

College Credit Offered

The Lawrence Virtual School and local community colleges are working together to provide opportunities for juniors and seniors to earn college credit while attending LVS. Students are able to select from a variety of free courses through the Senate Bill 155 grant (textbook fee still applies), as well as other courses available for a nominal cost. This is a unique and exciting opportunity that no other virtual school in the state of Kansas offers. All courses are certified by the Kansas Board of Regents and can be transferred to 4-year universities. For information on these courses, please contact school counselor, Lisa Lyke. The first round of classes is set to begin in October. In order to be eligible for these courses, the following minimum requirements are expected:

• LVS High School Academy GPA of 3.0 or higher (exceptions may be granted with Counselor/Administration Approval)

• In good standing in all courses with LVS High School Academy

• For all courses, free and those available for tuition, a minimum of a 17 on the ACT Reading Section or 81 or 40 on the Compass Score Placement Test/Asset Score Placement Test respectively.

• For all English Language Arts courses, a minimum of 18 on the ACT English Section or 56 or 39 on the Compass Score Placement Test/Asset Score Placement Test respectively.

• For all Mathematics courses, a minimum of 22 on the ACT Mathematics Section or 61 or 46 on the Compass Score Placement Test/Asset Score Placement Test respectively.

LVS Staff

Principal: Keith Wilson Counselor: Lisa Lyke

1 Email: Kwilson@

2 Office Phone: 785-832-5620

Asst. Principal: Monte Westfall

Email: Jwestfal@

Office Phone: 785.832.5620

Email: Llyke@

Office Phone: 716.566.2742

School Psych: Peggy Dey

Email: PDey@

Office Phone: 785-330-1910

3 Professional Teaching Staff

|Last Name |First Name |Subject  |Phone |Email |

|Andersen |Michelle |ELA/Social Studies |785.218.7026 |MKimball@ |

|Barraza |Karen |Spanish/French |620.583.4372 |KBarraza@ |

|Brown |Jill |Science |620.755.4772 |JNBrown@ |

|Clark |Brandon |Health/PE |620.263.3314 |BDClark@ |

|Davis |Lisa |English Language Arts |816.384.1032 |LJDavis@ |

|Elkin |Lauren |Math/Physics |785-783-4716 |LElkin@ |

|Gilbertson |Emily |Onboarding Specialist |816.388.3141 |EGilberts@ |

|Jackson |Nancy |Gifted |785.741.2009 |NJackson@ |

|Lee |Angie |Science |816.550.8411 |ASLee@ |

|Long |Rachel |Math |913.709.5294 |RLong@ |

|Nelson |Emily |Social Studies |913.206.1912 |ENelson@ |

|Petersen-Beard |Valerie |Special Education |785.829.0126 |VPeterse@ |

|Pugsley |Jennifer |Music/FACS |913-991-3854 |JPugsley@ |

|Reilly |Amy |English Language Arts |620.474.3929 |AReilly@ |

|Wilkins |Sheila |Art/Business/Tech |785.594.2526 |SWilkins@ |

Student Support & Business Staff

|Burkhart |Barb |Student Services |785.330.1710 |BBurkart@ |

|Hamer |Veronica |Admissions Clerk |785.832.5620 |VHamer@ |

|Hamlin |Jeff |Admin. Assist. 9-12 | 785.330.4964 |JHamlin@ |

|Lottinville |Lynette |Registrar |785.330.2296 |LLottinv@ |

|Pavelka |Jackson |Technology Services |785.330.4488 |JPavelka@ |

|Rego |Jacki |Business Services |785.330.4375 |JRego@ |

Lawrence Virtual School 2017-2018 Calendar

|AUGUST ‘17 |1 Course access granted | |2 LVS Staff Development |FEBRUARY ‘18 |

| |1-4 New Staff Orientation | |15 End of 2nd Trimester | |

|S |11 USD 497 Prof Dev | | |S |

|M |14 LVS Staff Development | | |M |

|T |15 LVS Staff Development | | |T |

|W |16 First Day of School | | |W |

|Th |25 Meet Your Teacher in | | |Th |

|F |Wichita, location TBD | | |F |

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|SEPTEMBER ‘17 |4 Labor Day | |19-23 Spring Break |MARCH ‘18 |

| |8 Meet Your Teacher: Ice | |23 LVS Office Closed | |

|S |Cream & Hot dogs | |**State Assessment Window will be |S |

|M |@ LVS 11:00 – 2:00 | |announced at a later date** |M |

|T |14 Audit Day #1 | | |T |

|W |21 Audit Day #2 | | |W |

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|OCTOBER ‘17 |31 Deadline for all AAL’s | |6 LVS Staff Development |APRIL ‘18 |

| |2-27 iReady Fall Window | |7 LVS Prom, 7-10 | |

|S | | |30 Returning students |S |

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|NOVEMBER ‘17 |2 End of First Trimester | |30-4 I Love LVS Week |MAY ‘18 |

| |12 End of 1st Quarter | |4 4th Annual LVS Field Day | |

|S |17 LVS Staff Development | |9-11 Senior Online Finals |S |

|M |17 NHS Induction, 7:00 | |14 Sr. Grades due @ noon |M |

|T |22-24 Fall Recess | |16-18 9-11th Online Finals |T |

|W |23-24 LVS Offices Closed | |19 HS Graduation @ LFSHS |W |

|Th | | |21 MS Work due by 12 pm |Th |

|F | | |21/22 9-11th Finals F2F |F |

|S | | |23 Last Day of School |S |

| | | |23 6-11 grades due @ 4 pm | |

| | | |24 Course Orders/WD due | |

| | | |24 Last Teacher Day | |

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|DECEMBER ‘17 |13-15 Online HS Finals | |1-29 Summer School Session 1 |JUNE ‘18 |

| |18 MS Work due by 12 pm | | | |

|S |18-19 HS F2F Finals | | |S |

|M |21 6-12 grades due @ 4 pm | | |M |

|T |22-31 Winter Recess | | |T |

|W |25-26 LVS Offices Closed | | |W |

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|F | | |Dates are subject to change; |F |

|S | | |additional dates possible. |S |

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|JANUARY ‘18 |1 LVS Offices Closed | |7/5-8/2 Summer School Session 2 |JULY ‘18 |

| |2 Office Open/ | |Staff Collaboration Meetings begin | |

|S |Teachers are off | |8/25/17 and conclude 5/18/18 |S |

|M |3 Online Collab, TBD | |8:00 K-5, 9-12 |M |

|T |4 Classes Resume | |9:00 Full Staff |T |

|W |15 MLK Day (Office closed) | |9:30: 6-8 |W |

|Th |22-26 LVS Spirit Week | |10:30: Adjourn |Th |

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Table of Contents

Important Dates for 2017-2018……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..8

Attendance Guidelines …8

Audit Days……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Illness/Extended Inability to Participate…………………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Final Exams……...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9

Vacation policy 9

Process for Withdrawal and Expulsion of Truant or Excessively Absent Students 9

Grade Determination 11

Grading Scale 11

Class Rank and Honor Roll Determination 11

Grade Determination 11

Graduation Requirements 12

Late Work Policy 12

Guidelines for Integrity in Assessments and Assignments 13

Plagiarism 14

Source Citation 14

Academic Integrity 14

Report Cards 14

Student records 14

Appeal of Final Semester Grades and Awarding of Credit 15

Grade Promotion and Awarding of Credit 15

Office Hours 16

High School Clubs 16

Code of Conduct & Standards of Participation 17

Monitoring 18

LVS Indemnification Provision 18

FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA) 18-19

“I Understand” Statements 20

Kansas State Testing 21

Course Materials 21

Getting Started With the High School Academy at LVS 21

Student Actions to Ensure Success 22

Creating a Calendar 22

Time Management 22

Parent Actions to Help Ensure Student Success 22

Checking Student Progress 23

Complaint Response Procedure 23

Special Education 24

Important Dates for 2017-2018

First Day of School—August 16th, 2017

Labor Day – September 4, 2017

Audit Days – September 14 & 21, 2017

National Honor Society Induction – November 17, 2017

Fall Recess – November 22-24, 2017

Fall Semester Finals – December 18-19, 2017

Winter Break – December 22 – January 3, 2018

Start of Second Semester – January 4, 2018

Martin Luther King Day – January 15, 2018

Spring Break – March 19-23, 2018

Prom – April 7, 2018

Graduation – May 20, 2017

Spring Semester Finals– May 21-22, 2018

Last Day of School – May 23, 2018

LVS High School Academy’s attendance guidelines:

• Instructional time is compiled each week.

• Students are asked to attend school a specific number of hours each week (approximately 30 hours per week for a full-time student)

• Students are asked to follow the LVS instructional calendar; any changes should be reported to the instructor.

• All instructional time may be credited for “attendance;” students do not need to be online to count that time for attendance.

• Student absences will be tracked according to the school’s excessive absence and truancy policy. An LVS student will be identified as “excessively absent” if either of the following two conditions is true:

o The student does not log instructional time for more than 10 consecutive days.

o The student logs 10% less time than 30 hours per week and is failing courses.

• If a student’s attendance meets one of both of these excessively absent indicators, the student may be withdrawn for being excessively absent.

Audit Days

To determine student funding, the state requires an audit of mandatory attendance in September of all schools. Per state legislation and the Enrollment Handbook: Virtual education students must attend stated audit day(s) during the month of September and/or October. This year’s Audit Days are September 14th and September 21st, 2017. Students must complete work in every subject and Learning Coaches will fill out the Academic Activity Logs on the two assigned days for the year. The registrar will print off the attendance screen for each student. LVS will contact families via Email, phone conference or Blackboard to fill out the Academic Activity Log. If completed incorrectly, LVS will have the family submit the Academic Activity Log again. Families will sign and send their Academic Activity Logs electronically via the Echo Sign process.

Illness/Extended Inability to Participate

If there is an extended leave of three days or more needed from courses, students are asked follow these steps:

1. If you will be away from your dedicated learning environment, determine if Internet access is available (through libraries, etc.).

2. Contact teachers and/or the School Counselor to explain the situation.

3. Discuss class alternatives with the instructor and/or School Counselor.

Final Exams

Students will take final exams at the end of both fall and spring semesters. There will not be excused absences allowed for these exams. In order to protect test confidentiality all exams will need to be taken on assigned days. There will be two parts of the final. Part 1 will be completed online during the assigned test window and will follow testing procedures used throughout the semester. Part 2 will be completed in-person. It will be proctored at a location to be determined by LVS.

Vacation policy

The Lawrence Virtual School is a public school program. Assignments due during a family-scheduled vacation must be completed in accordance with instructors, so it is the student’s responsibility to contact his or her teachers prior to this absence.

Process for Withdrawal and Expulsion of Truant or Excessively Absent Students

If a family requests to withdraw from LVS:

1. The family notifies their Homeroom Teacher of their intent to withdraw.

2. The Homeroom Teacher conducts a withdraw conference and completes the “Withdraw Form.”

3. The Homeroom Teacher forwards the Withdraw Form to the LVS Office for processing.

4. Business Services makes contact with the family to let them know they will be invoiced for any assets outstanding and will be sent UPS Return labels for the return of their assets to LVS. Any assets not returned in a timely manner will be sent to the District’s Collection Agent for legal collection processing.

According to Kansas law, a number of conditions can constitute truancy. A student is truant if they are between the ages of 7 and 18 and missed 3 consecutive school days without an excuse, 5 unexcused absences in a semester or 7 unexcused absences in a school year. A student who meets any of those conditions can be reported for truancy.

Noncompliance Procedure 
While the majority of our families are committed to educational excellence, there are instances in which a student or Learning Coach may be considered lacking in appropriate academic progress and/or communication. When the student or Learning Coach does not meet the minimum expectations for academic progress and/or communication, the ES will notify LVS Administration with progress/communication details, and the Administration will follow the procedure outlined below to notify the Learning Coach.

1. Procedure:

. •  Step 1: The Administration will notify the Learning Coach and Homeroom Teacher via email when minimum expectations are not met (Notice 1). 


. •  Step 2: Upon receipt of notification, the Learning Coach will participate in a scheduled conference call with their Homeroom Teacher. The call will identify the issues causing the lack of engagement and develop a Directed Study Plan (DSP) to re-engage learning and meet suitable academic and/or communication goals to ensure the success of the student. The student and Learning Coach will then be expected to show engagement by meeting ALL goals of the Directed Study to remain in good standing with LVS. 


. •  Step 3: Administration will monitor progress, and if the expectations of the DSP are not being met, LVS Administration will notify the LC via email regarding noncompliance. The Learning Coach will be responsible for contacting their Homeroom Teacher and clarifying their intentions regarding enrollment in LVS (Notice 2). 


. •  Step 4: In the event that the Learning Coach still does not respond to communication or the student does not re-engage in the school as noted in the DSP, Administration will issue a ‘Notice of Termination’ letter to the Learning Coach via US Postal Service and email and the student’s enrollment will be terminated. The HOMEROOM TEACHER will then need to submit a withdraw form to the LVS Office (Notice 3, Final). 


. •  Students who wish to re-enroll at LVS after having been withdrawn due to non-compliance of any type (such as lack of progress, lack of communication with the Education Specialist or failure to participate in testing) must seek and obtain approval by LVS Administration. 


****The above procedure will not be initiated when extreme instances or legitimate reasons have been communicated to and agreed upon by the student’s Homeroom Teacher (extended illness of the student, parent or Primary Adult, planned vacations, etc.). Appropriate engagement for special education students will be determined by the special education team.

1

Lawrence Virtual School High School Academy grades are determined by the sum total of points a student earns on all graded assignments and tests.

Points earned by student/ Total points possible = Grade

Example: In his or her math class the student earns 563 points out of a total of 700 possible points. The grade would be 80%.

563/700 = 80%

Grading Scale

A = 90 - 100%

B = 80 - 89%

C = 70 - 79%

D = 60 - 69%

F = 0 - 59%

*If you earn an F in a course, you may be required to retake the course in order to meet graduation requirements.

Class Rank and Honor Roll Determination

Class rank is determined by rank ordering the cumulative grade point average of all students within a grade level. The following values are assigned to semester grades in each course (please note that Honors and AP courses as weighted differently):

|Letter |Non-Honors/AP Courses |Honors Courses |AP Courses |

|Grade | | | |

|A |4 |4.5 |5 |

|B |3 |3.5 |4 |

|C |2 |2.5 |3 |

|D |1 |1.5 |2 |

|F |0 |0 |0 |

Students earning a semester grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for the Honor Roll.

3.0-3.49 = Honor Roll

3.5-3.99 = High Honor Roll

4.00 and higher = Principal’s Honor Roll

Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Students must complete the Kansas State Scholar Curriculum (far left column) to be eligible for graduation honors: Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

Additionally, eligible students must be in good standing and must have been an LVS high school student for at least two years.

Grade Determination

Grades are determined based on how well a student performs on graded activities within each course. Graded activities may include:

• Practice Lessons

• Threaded Discussions

• Web Explorations, Projects

• Labs

• Journal Entries

• Class Discussions

• Quizzes

• Tests

Some assignments are teacher-graded and others are computer-graded. During the semester, students and parents can view grades in the grade book for each course. It is important to note that these grades are updated every time an assignment is graded.

Please note: If a deadline has passed and the teacher has not entered a zero for that assignment, the student’s grade may be temporarily inflated.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation requirements for LVS include 23 credits earned during the 9th through 12th grades. A half credit is issued for the successful completion of one semester (1/2 school year) of a course. Specific courses may be required within each category.

• English/Language Arts-4 credits

• Mathematics-3 credits

• Science-3 credits

• Social Studies-3.5 credits

• Physical Education and Health-1 credit

• Fine Arts-1 credit

• Electives-7.5 credits

Late Work Policy

• Under normal circumstances, assignments are due the week that they are assigned. If you find yourself unable to meet that weekly requirement, you should consult your course instructor for a possible extension.

• Communication is key when confronted with late assignments. Please use all methods of communication at your disposal (phone, email, etc.).

Guidelines for Integrity in Assessments and Assignments

Assessments, such as quizzes, and tests, are a critical part of any academic program. They offer important information about your progress toward mastery. This information is helpful only if accurate. It can be accurate only if the assessment represents your work and only your work.

Unless otherwise instructed by your teacher or by a specific assessment, you are expected to honor the following principles while taking assessments:

• You and you alone will take the assessment.

• You will not copy or redistribute any part of the assessment in any way—electronically, verbally, or on paper.

• You will treat the assessment as “closed book”—meaning that you may not use any textbooks, references, or other materials (printed or electronic) during the assessment—unless your teacher or the specific assessment otherwise instructs (for example, you are specifically told to refer to certain pages in a book as part of the assessment).

• You will treat the assessment as “single browser”—meaning that during the assessment you may not log in a second time to your course, or open your course or related materials on another browser on another computer.

• Your answers will represent your work and only your work, free of any outside assistance. You will not plagiarize in any way.

• You will not confer with other students, family members, or acquaintances, either in person or through electronic communication, during the assessment.

You will be asked to submit written assignments for teachers to grade. Your written work should be completely free of plagiarism. Plagiarism is copying another person’s work without providing direct reference to the author, original print material or website. Put simply; always give credit where it is due. Be sure to ask your teacher if you have questions regarding citing sources. Schools have web tools available to check for student plagiarism.

Unless your teacher or specific directions inform you of exceptions, you are expected to follow these principles while taking assessments and completing written assignments. Only by honoring these principles can you assure both academic and personal integrity.

Plagiarism

The definition of plagiarism is copying or imitating the language, ideas, and thoughts of another writer and passing them off as your own original work. Specific examples of plagiarism that will not tolerated are

• Copying, paraphrasing or summarizing another person’s work without citing that source.

• Using material, including photographs, from the internet or any other source and representing as your own, even if you have changed some of the words.

• Having someone else write the assignment or rephrase any portion of that assignment.

• Directly copying or rephrasing student aids (CliffsNotes, for example), critical sources, or reference materials in part or whole without acknowledging those sources.

Source Citation

Many courses require written work where students need to cite sources. Any direct quotations from a textbook can simply be cited as (Author, page number). Any quotations from outside sources require full citations, including author, title, publisher, date of publication, and page number. If a student cites information found on a website, he or she must provide the complete web page or site title, URL, author (if known), page number (if applicable), publication date of the site (if available), and date of access.

Students are responsible for their own work on unit tests and final exams.  Students are not allowed to use notes, quizzes, or textbooks on unit tests or on the final exams.  Students are not permitted to share work with other students on unit tests or final exams.  If a student does not complete his or her own work or shares work with others on unit tests and/or final exams, he or she will not receive credit for the work and is at risk of suspension or expulsion from LVS. 

Students must cite sources in all assignments, tests, and exams.  Students do not receive credit for work that does not appropriately cite sources.

Academic Integrity

All assignments are assumed to be the student’s original work. Therefore, if the student utilizes any ideas that are not his or her original thoughts, the student cites his or her sources using MLA format. A student who fails to abide by these standards will be reported to administration and will be subject to disciplinary action.

Consequences

First offense – The student and parent will attend a conference with the high school academy administration or counselor and teacher. The student will not receive credit for the plagiarized assignment. In addition, he or she will be required to complete the Citing Sources course located in Shmoop. When the student has complied, he or she will be allowed to complete the assignment for a possible 50% of the original points.

Second offense – The student and parent will attend a conference with the high school academy administration. The student will not be allowed to revise the assignment and will earn a zero.

Third offense – Possible Expulsion.

Report Cards

Fall semester report cards are issued in January, and spring semester report cards are issued in June.

Student records

Student records are maintained at the LVS office. Please contact the LVS office to obtain a copy of student records. If families change their address, telephone, or place of employment, please notify the LVS Office. Parents are responsible for keeping contact information current within the account setup section of the Learning Management System.

Appeal of Final Semester Grades and Awarding of Credit

Students and parents may appeal a student’s final grade or the school’s decision to award credit for a course up to 30 days after the end of a semester. Appeals will not be considered later than 30 days after the end of a semester.

Grade Promotion and Awarding of Credit

Students are promoted based on the number of credits earned. Credit is not awarded for courses in which a student earns an F. Students may repeat a course in which they have earned an F. Credit is granted for courses in which the student earns an A, B C, or D. Grade level classification is based on when the student entered a Kansas public high school. Example: If the student enrolled in 9th grade in a Kansas high school for the 17-18 school year, in 18-19 the student will be placed in 10th, in 19-20 the student will be placed in 11th and in 20-21 the student will be placed in 12th and will be expected to graduate. If the student comes from out of state, homeschooling or private school, assuming all required documentation is submitted, the student will be placed based on the number of credits earned (see chart below)

0 – 5 credits 9th grade

6 -11 credits 10th grade

12-17 credits 11th grade

17- 23 credits 12th grade

Workshops/Office Hours

Teachers hold regular, scheduled workshop times. This is a time where students and teachers meet for additional instruction, reviews, or question and answer sessions. Currently office hours are set up in teachers’ Class Connect calendars and one-on-one meetings are held in a separate office room as needed.

Outings

LVS hosts quarterly outings throughout the state.  Any student, regardless of the area in which a family resides, may attend these outings.  It is our goal to provide quality and educational outings that also promote a social atmosphere. 

Opportunities for students to come together are an important part of our school model. They provide an opportunity for families and teachers to meet and often provide reinforcement of course learning objectives. The following policies apply to school events:

1. At least one adult needs to be present for every five students.

2. Parents must sign the Permission Slip/Waiver of Liability Form before the event begins.

3. Under no circumstances are students permitted to ride in a car with an LVS teacher or other staff member.

4. Under no circumstances is a student permitted to stay overnight in a teacher or other staff member’s home.

High School Clubs

It is a goal at LVS to foster a sense of community for our families during the school year. In an effort to help families build more meaningful relationships with one another, LVS offers online clubs based on students’ and families’ interests. Clubs meet “online” and/or at specific locations throughout the state.  LVS teachers facilitate clubs in which students may participate. More information regarding club offerings will be communicated to families. The clubs offered this year will be created as students’ and teachers’ interests permit.

Information about clubs can be obtained by emailing the teacher sponsor(s) as well as checking the school announcements for updates and activities.

Code of Conduct & Standards of Participation

STANDARDS OF PARTICIPATION

As we said above, each user of the community is solely responsible for the content posted through his/her login credentials. Sharing your username and password with others is strictly prohibited, as is logging in with someone else’s username and password.

The following tones, language, materials and behaviors are strictly prohibited

• Posting personally identifiable information (whether directly or indirectly through a link to a personal profile) such as phone number, IM, email address or street address in any format other than a private message

• Antagonism or prejudice of any kind with respect to race, religion, gender, intelligence, age, orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status

• Posting material including photographs and videos inappropriate for minors (anyone under the age of 18)

• Any criminal or other illegal activity including encouraging the unlawful use, possession, manufacture or distribution of tobacco, drugs or alcohol

• Illegally posting, distributing, uploading or downloading copyrighted work (whether music, video, words, images, drawings, pictures, software or otherwise), or providing any information to circumvent copyright protection devices or software

• Sharing quiz, test, assessment, essay or term paper questions or answers or undertaking any other action that would violate any code of conduct, expectations or rules of your school or teachers regarding academic honesty or that would defeat the intent of any quiz, test, assessment, essay, term paper or other academic assignment

• Threats to anyone’s physical or mental well-being

• Threats to school or personal property

• Stalking behaviors

• Harassment of any kind

• Explicit sexuality

• Explicit or graphic violence

• Spam or any other unauthorized/unsolicited or commercial promotion

• Disruptions of the server or host software

• Impersonations of others’ identities

• Use of codes, software, or passwords that may grant unauthorized access to K12 software and Florida Virtual (Buzz)

• Soliciting passwords or personal identifying information from other users

• Content that poses any type of threat to homeland security

• Avoid sarcasm, jargon, and slang. Swear words are unacceptable.

• Review any correspondence before sending. Remove easily misinterpreted language and proofread for typos.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE STANDARDS MAY RESULT IN TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT REMOVAL OF USER ACCESS TO THE COMMUNITY, AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF LVS Administration AND MAY ALSO LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY YOUR SCHOOL OR EXPULSION.

If you feel any member of the community has violated the letter or the spirit of these standards, please email LVS Administration.

Monitoring

LVS reserves the right to review any material transmitted using LVS instructional computing resources or posted to an LVS instructional computing resource to determine the appropriateness of such material. LVS may review this material at any time, with or without notice. Email transmitted via LVS instructional computing resources is not private and may be monitored.

LVS Indemnification Provision

LVS assumes no responsibility for information obtained via the Internet, which may be illegal, defamatory, inaccurate or offensive. LVS assumes no responsibility for any claims, losses, damages, costs, or other obligations arising from the use of instructional computing resources. LVS also denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of the information obtained through user access. Any statement, accessible on the computer network or the Internet, is understood to be the author’s individual point of view and not that of LVS, its affiliates, or its employees. LVS assumes no responsibility for damages to the user’s computer system.

Nothing in this policy negates any obligation the student and parent have to use the instructional computing recourses as required in the Use of Instructional Property Agreement ("Agreement") the parent or guardian signed as part of the student's enrollment packet. In the event that this Code conflicts with the Agreement, the terms of the Agreement shall prevail.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) gives parents and students over 18 years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights regarding the student’s education records. These rights are:

(1) The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the School receives a request for access. To request an inspection and review, the parent or eligible student should submit a written request to the Program Director that identifies the record (s) they wish to inspect. The Program Director makes arrangements for access and notifies the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

(2) The right to request an amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes is inaccurate. Parents or eligible students may ask the School to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the Program Director, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate. If the School decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the School notifies the parent or eligible student of the decision and advises them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures is provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.

(3) The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA allows disclosure without consent. One exception, which permits the School to disclose information without consent, is when the School discloses information to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by or contracted to provide services to or designated by the contractor to provide services to the School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the Board of Directors of the School; a person or company with whom the School has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the School discloses education records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

(4) The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the School to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Ave., S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

(5) FERPA requires that the School, with certain exceptions, obtain a parent’s or eligible student’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from a child’s education records. However, the School may disclose “directory information” without written consent, unless you, the parent or eligible student, have advised the School in writing that you do not want all or part of the directory information disclosed. The method for objecting to disclosure of directory information is specified below. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow the School to include the following information from education records in certain school publications or disclose it to certain parties. Examples include

• shipment of computer and school materials to and from student’s home,

• entry of student enrollment information into a computer database for use by school officials,

• honor roll or other recognition lists,

• sports activity sheets, such as for wrestling, showing weight and height of team members, and

• school yearbook.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. In addition, federal laws requires the School to provide military recruiters, upon request, with three directory information categories – names, addresses and telephone listings – unless parents or eligible students have advised the School in writing that they do not want their student’s information disclosed without prior written consent.

The School has designated the following information as directory information:

• name

• address

• telephone number

• email address

• photo

• athletic information

• honor roll status

• grade level

• activities and clubs

• awards

If there are certain items the school has chosen to designate as directory information that you do not want disclosed from your child’s education records, without your prior written consent, please send an email identifying the information you do not want disclosed, your student’s name, to LVS@; notice of these rights is available, upon request, on audiotape, in Braille, and in languages other than English. You may contact the Kansas State Department of Education at (785) 296-3201.

“I Understand” Statements

The purpose of this “I Understand” section is to set expectations for LVS parents. Students’ success is a primary goal of LVS that can only be achieved if you, the parent, are successful. To be successful it is important that parents of LVS children understand, and are in agreement with, the following curricular and attendance requirements:

• I understand and agree that I am required to have access to a computer and Internet access at all times during my student’s enrollment in the Lawrence Virtual School. I understand that I am responsible for personal computer repairs.

• I understand and agree that my child is responsible for submitting work on time even if we are experiencing computer difficulties.

• I understand and agree that I am enrolling my student in a public charter school and schooling at home is not homeschooling.

• I understand that by submission of this form I am requesting to enroll my student in a public school with attendance requirements that I am expected to meet. (Attendance Requirements: Grades 9–11 = 1080 hours).

• I accept the responsibility to supervise my student in using the LVS curriculum, and I understand that I am expected to become knowledgeable about it.

• I understand and agree that student progress is an expected part of the LVS program in addition to the hours logged. Teachers review progress and consider other factors, including parental input, when making student advancement decisions. Promotion is based on progress, not simply attendance.

• I understand and agree that I am expected to follow the guidance and support of a professional teacher in implementing the LVS program with my student.

• I understand my student will need to adhere to the academic integrity policy in which plagiarism is discussed along with consequences for violations. I will read the plagiarism policy with my student(s).

Kansas State Assessments (KITE)

The State of Kansas requires testing of all students in public schools or programs. These tests take place during a specific time frame designated by the State of Kansas.  All students must be available to meet at a regional location in Kansas during the March-April testing window.  In accordance with State law, it is required that State tests be administered by an LVS proctor.

• As part of enrollment in LVS, it is a general expectation that 10th (ELA/MATH) and 11th graders (Science/Social Studies) in the High School Academy participate in the Kansas State Assessments (KITE).

• This participation is a requirement to maintain enrollment in our school.

• Travel to the regional location for state testing is the responsibility of the family.  The family will be notified of the dates and time requirement as soon as possible.

Course Materials

Students are provided with materials and tools to use with the high school courses. Parents and students are advised to take care of the materials. Materials are to be returned at the end of the school year (except for consumable materials and optional materials families purchase on their own). One of the tools that students will see and use frequently is a web-based Blackboard program. This is a real time interaction that helps engage students in hands on learning.

Every high school student will be doing virtual labs for their science courses. Throughout the year you will also be required to provide some of your own materials. It is important that you check the advance prep information provided in the lessons and by your science teacher(s) so that you are prepared for the labs as they are scheduled.

Roles and Responsibilities at LVS

• Learning Coach: Monitors student progress regularly; creates a positive learning environment; logs attendance daily, checks email and course progress

• Content Area Teacher: Contact for course-specific information; creates and implements lessons over content; feedback on assignments; weekly live help sessions in Class Connect

• Homeroom Teacher: Primary contact for general concerns, who will then guide you to the appropriate individual if he/she cannot help you. HR teachers will also hold bi-monthly conferences with you and your Learning Coach to discuss a variety of topics.

• School Counselor: Course change requests; graduation planning; transcript evaluation; contact for personal/academic issues; holds IPS meeting with all students.

• School Administration: Determines school policy and procedures; approves special plans of study.

Getting Started With the High School Academy at LVS

Student and parent will have multiple usernames and passwords that are unique and must not be shared with anyone.

Attending an orientation session is a key to success with the high school program at LVS. Students will be contacted to schedule their orientations. The orientation will explain to students and families how to access the curriculum, turn in assignments, check grade reports, and to perform other skills that will help the student be successful in the online environment. Students should log in daily to all of their courses and complete the assignments listed on the course’s calendar. It is recommended that students study at least one hour, per course, per day.

Student Actions to Ensure Success

1. Follow the daily assignments in the course calendar of each course.

2. On the first day of school, make sure you can access all your courses and send/receive email.

3. Set up a time with your homeroom teacher for a bi-monthly conference.

4. Log into your courses in the Learning Management Systems every day and spend 60 minutes in each class reading and completing the daily assigned coursework.

5. Organize yourself each week by determining what you need to complete for each course and setting up a plan to complete the assignments by their deadlines.  Use the course tools (announcements, calendar, grade book) to help set up your personal plan. 

6. Check your grade book in the Learning Management Systems so you are aware of your progress in each course. 

7. Log in daily to read and respond to email from your teachers and other high school staff.

8. Attend Class Connect Sessions and Work Along/Help Sessions as often as you can to ask questions, discuss course topics, and reinforce online learning.

9. Communicate regularly with your teachers and Homeroom teacher. Ask questions often!

10. Work with your Learning Coach/parent at home: having a cheerleader or a support system at home helps when the going gets tough! 

11. Connect with other students through homeroom, clubs, outings, student life website, and other activities.  Build a support network!

Creating a Calendar

LVS encourages students to follow course calendars based on each class’s course syllabus that is covered during Orientations. To stay on track, students are advised to check this suggested calendar provided for each class and the course announcements daily.

Time Management

In an online course, time management is critical to success because most activities can be accomplished asynchronously (this means that the students do not have to be online at the same time as the instructor or other students). As with any traditional course, there is a risk of receiving a lower grade if a student falls behind. If your student struggles with time management then he or she should contact their homeroom teacher for assistance.

A proven way to manage time is to create a schedule of daily activities and stick to it. By incorporating time management techniques, students can be involved in extracurricular activities and still perform well in school.

Parent Actions to Help Ensure Student Success

1. Attend an orientation session with a high school instructor for a general overview of the high school program.

2. Log into the Learning Management Systems with your child so that you can learn them together.

3. Help your student organize and prepare for this virtual setting.  Arrange a designated an area where the student has space to work. Also make sure that the computer and scanner/printer/fax machine are all in good working order.  Help your student create a personal calendar each week to ensure that he or she has a plan to complete those weekly assignments.  Monitor each week the student’s organization plan until your student has his or her routine in working order and is experiencing academic success.

4. Check and respond to email every single day.

5. Check your student’s progress in each course.  Pay attention to the assignments due that week, any past due assignments, user activity and the course grade to date. Please also pay attention to teacher feedback and check for any upcoming assessments.

6. Encourage your student to stay in regular communication with his or her teachers and Homeroom teacher. Please also encourage your child to attend Class Connect Sessions and Work Along/Help Sessions.

7. Twice a month, schedule a Homeroom conference with your student’s Homeroom teacher to set goals and to monitor your child’s progress.

8. Take advantage of parent trainings, meetings, and informational sessions. 

Checking Student Progress

There are tools within the Learning Management Systems that allow parent/Learning Coaches and students to quickly check student’s work, determine missing assignments, view midterm and final deadlines and grades. 

Communicating Concerns

The Lawrence Virtual School is dedicated to establishing student/family satisfaction. The following procedure is in place to ensure that designated employees address student/family grievances in a timely manner. LVS prohibits discrimination against students/families on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, gender, national origin, orientation, or religion.

The student and parent(s), custodian(s) or legal guardian(s), must address in writing any concern or grievance to the LVS Administration. The Administrator shall respond within 5 working days.

If the concern or grievance is not resolved by the LVS Administration, the parent(s), custodian(s) or legal guardian(s) may, within 5 working days of the LVS Administration’s response, request in writing a meeting (via phone or in person) with the LVS Administration to discuss the concern or grievance. He/she shall investigate and respond within 5 working days.

If the family’s concern is not resolved at the meeting with the LVS Administration, the family may file a complaint with the Superintendent of USD 497. The Superintendent may address the complaint directly, or the family may file a complaint with the State Board for Charter Schools. LVS has 30 days to respond in writing to a formal complaint filed with the State Board for Charter Schools.

Special Education

Special education services are available to students identified with a disability by a multi-disciplinary team. A multi-disciplinary team consists of teachers, the parent/guardian and oftentimes a school psychologist, therapist and the student. LVS follows the requirements of IDEA 2004 and the laws of Kansas. Documentation of the disability must be provided such as medical records, prior educational records and/or a psychological evaluation. For new referrals LVS uses a Child Study Team (CST) school-wide as a first level support to assist in the identification of educational needs, and to document the student is unable to learn with scientifically- based interventions.

Students in need of adapted learning support services are those whose complex learning needs impact their academic achievement and their ability to make sufficient progress in the general education setting. Services offered may include: adaptations and modifications to the general education curriculum, specialized instructional strategies, and adjustments in pacing. The program is considered an inclusion program. The student’s home is the regular classroom. Services are provided by consultation with a highly qualified special education teacher via phone, email and the Class Connect online classroom.

What to expect:

• Every special education student will be assigned a special education teacher in addition to his or her regular course teachers. The learning coach/parent or guardian and student are expected to meet bi-weekly or more often as scheduled with the special education teacher in the Class Connect online classroom and by conference call.

• The special education teacher provides the learning coach/parent or guardian assistance to modify and adapt the learning environment as well as curriculum paths for success.

• The special education teacher provides direct instruction to the student in the Class Connect online classroom as needed.

• The special education teacher, a regular education teacher, and the learning coach/parent or guardian will meet together for a 3-way conference by phone or Class Connect online session a minimum of once a semester.

• The special education teacher is available as a resource for instructional strategies, adaptations and modifications to the curriculum.

• The special education teacher will provide a progress report at the end of each semester, noting the progress on the student’s IEP goals.

• Special Education students are required to meet the same attendance policies as their peers. The home environment, one-on-one instruction, and flexible schedule create a learning environment that meets the student’s specific needs.

• The student’s learning coach is expected to keep records that assist in determining the student’s progress towards IEP goals.[pic]

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Lawrence Virtual School

High School Academy

Student/Parent Handbook

2017-2018

Serving the Online Needs of Kansans, Grades K-12

Grades

General Education

State Testing

Optimizing the High School Experience

Parent Section

Special Programs

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