Be sure to complete the Connections Academy Family Orientation before getting started this school year. This orientation is most helpful if both the student and Learning Coach complete it together. Do you have questions already on what it means to be a Learning Coach? Have no fear, you have lots of support and the guide below will help give you some ideas on the role you play.
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10 Steps to a Successful School Year
#1 Participate in Your Welcome Meeting
Your homeroom teacher will be reaching out to invite you to a Welcome Meeting within seven days of your enrollment. These meetings are required for the Learning Coach and Student, and they will really help set you up for success! They are great opportunities to ask questions, get to know who your teacher or teachers will be, create a plan for your schedule, and share more information about yourself. Please make sure to work with your teacher when they reach out to find a time/day that works for everyone. These meetings will take place either in Live Lesson, Google Meet, or over the phone.
#2 Complete the Connections Academy Family Orientation
The Connections Academy Family Orientation is required for all newly enrolling families to complete together during the first week of school. This orientation will show you how to log in, how to complete and submit daily lessons and assessments, accessing the grade book, how to webmail teachers, attending Live Lessons, and more. We recommend going through the orientation as soon as possible, if you have not done so already, as it will help answer many questions that come up during the first week of school, and support you the best way possible in getting off to a strong start!
#3 Set Up Your Learning Space
To help your student establish good learning habits it is best to have a dedicated workspace for them. They should have a good desk or table to sit at with a comfortable chair. The room in which they work should be free from loud noise, the television, or other distractions, especially during teacher meetings, assessments, and/or LiveLessons®. We'd also suggest a bookshelf to house any materials we send you and a space where paper, pencils, and other notebooks can be stored. Please note: Some materials will need to be sent back at the end of the school year. If you keep them together throughout the year this makes the collection much easier.
#4: Understand School Attendance Requirements
Included below are the Willamette Connections Academy student attendance requirements for the 2023-2024 school year. These are the rules set by the Oregon Department of Education. Please make sure to review these guidelines so that you understand what is required of all WillCA students. If you are returning families, please know that nothing has changed.
Not only are regular contacts with WillCA teacher(s) required, they're essential to success. Per the Oregon Department of Education Attendance Requirements, students must have a contact DAILY with one of their teachers. Contacts can be phone calls, LiveLessons®, Zoom meetings, webmails, text messages, and when available, attendance at face-to-face events. Teachers are available Monday-Friday during the week, from 8:30am - 4:30pm, with the exception of school-observed holidays or breaks. NOTE: For safety and security purposes, our teachers can only speak to people who are verified on the student's Connections Academy account. Please make sure everyone participating in the student's learning journey is listed and verified. CLICK HERE for information on how to become a verified Learning Coach and/or Caretaker.
Not only are regular contacts with WillCA teacher(s) required, they're essential to success. Per the Oregon Department of Education Attendance Requirements, students must have a contact DAILY with one of their teachers. Contacts can be phone calls, LiveLessons®, Zoom meetings, webmails, text messages, and when available, attendance at face-to-face events. Teachers are available Monday-Friday during the week, from 8:30am - 4:30pm, with the exception of school-observed holidays or breaks. NOTE: For safety and security purposes, our teachers can only speak to people who are verified on the student's Connections Academy account. Please make sure everyone participating in the student's learning journey is listed and verified. CLICK HERE for information on how to become a verified Learning Coach and/or Caretaker.
#5: Meet Your Teachers!
Each of our WillCA teachers has their own web page, which you can find on our main school's Website. Teacher web pages are a way for our teachers to communicate important class information, provide class resources, etc. Bookmark and review your teacher(s) pages regularly to ensure you are staying up to date with class news, custom assignments or other important things. Spend some time getting to know them and get a sneak peek at what you might be learning this year!
#6: Explore our School Counseling and Student Support Resources
Something many families do not realize when they participate in a virtual school is that because we are a public school, we offer all of the same services that a brick and mortar school does. We have a staff of wonderful school counselors as well as a website loaded up with resources that may help you and your family. Our Counseling and Advisory page that we reference is right up on the top of this page, and don't forget to bookmark The Calming Room for moments during the day when you just need a break.
#7: Discuss How to Structure and Plan Your School Day
Sometimes it can be helpful hearing from other students on best practices and strategies regarding how to set up your daily schedule and school day. Click the links below for tips from WillCA students on how they get started each day and what their routines are! **Please also CLICK HERE for a helpful WillCA Daily To-Do Checklist you can print and post in your workspace.**
#8: Follow Willamette Connections Academy on Social Media!
Willamette Connections Academy is active on social media! You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and/or Pinterest to join the conversation, ask questions, and interact with other families within our virtual school community. We also have Resource Hub that is updated regularly with helpful content to support families and students throughout the school year.
Finally, we have a closed and private Facebook group – Willamette Connections Academy Families. This page is just for enrolled Learning Coaches, and is intended to be a helpful resource when you have questions, or even if you’d like to try and meet up with other WillCA families in your area.
Finally, we have a closed and private Facebook group – Willamette Connections Academy Families. This page is just for enrolled Learning Coaches, and is intended to be a helpful resource when you have questions, or even if you’d like to try and meet up with other WillCA families in your area.
#9: Experiencing Any Difficulties or Have More Questions? Troubleshoot Some Common Questions with our FAQs Below
#10: Utilize ParentSquare for WillCA's Text Message Announcements
We are excited to offer a convenient communication tool to WillCA families this year via ParentSquare. This will serve as a supplementary resource for families to stay connected via announcements, newsletters, class information, and more. Newly enrolled WillCA families have already been added to our group communication. Please be sure to check your email for your ParentSquare WillCA group, so that you don't miss any of our important communications this school year.
We are here to help however we can!
We could not be more excited for this school year and so glad that you are a part of the WillCA family. Please reach out to us if we can help in any way! Go WILD!