• SVA Return to School Survey for 21-22 - 7.2.21

Dear SVA Families,

As the district plans to welcome students back in the fall, there are a number of changes in store as the documented success of our mitigation efforts and the changes in state guidance around COVID-19 have moved us back closer to a sense of “normal” in anticipation of the coming school year.  While we are not out of the woods yet, and we anxiously await the time for when our younger students can be vaccinated, the guidance from the CDC, state, and local health agencies continues to show that the epidemiological risks associated with COVID-19 for younger children are extremely low.  With the high rates number of vaccination among adults and older students, we have seen and continue to see a precipitous drop in positivity rates within our district and the community at large.  

We are sharing with you our SSD Health and Safety Plan for next year which was presented to the School Board for consideration and subsequently approved on Thursday, June 24, 2021.

As we plan for next year, we want to be sure that your children are included in all of our return to school communications, homeroom distributions, mailings, and course scheduling. 

You received an email with the link to the SVA Return to School Survey for 21-22 – 7.2.21.

We ask that you please respond to this simple, one question survey as soon as possible.

Delay in or failing to respond to this survey may impact your child’s registration or course selection which could delay enrollment in your child’s educational program for next year.

IMPORTANT:  You will receive a separate email for each child attending SSD schools. Please click on the link in each email to submit a survey response for each child attending SSD schools. The survey will record one response per student.

If you did not receive an email with the link to the SVA Return to School Survey for 21-22 – 7.2.21, please contact techsupport@ssdcougars.org.

Thank you.

Good Afternoon SVA Families,

I wanted to share a special THANK YOU to everyone for their patience throughout this school year. It has not been an easy year, however, we have persevered together through the challenges. It has been a pleasure to watch your children learn and grow. You will be able to access final grades through your SSD Home Access Center by June 30^th.

 Have a wonderful summer! 

Thank you,
Walt Hartshorn

Good morning SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates and reminders about programing.

SVA Schedule for the End of Year:

• Semester Two: February 1, 2021- June 17, 2021.
• SVA Semester Grades for Seniors are due 6/1/2021.
• SVA Semester Grades for K-11 are due 6/11/2021.
• Pacing will be adjusted through Edmentum /SVA to reflect the semester end dates.
• Students will have the ability to take their final exams twice if needed (not on the same day).
• Students must communicate with their specific area teachers or guidance to unlock final exams when they are ready to take each assessment.
• Laptop collection dates will be communicated second week in May.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good afternoon SVA Parents, 

I am writing with a couple of updates about the upcoming Spring Break Schedule. 

There is no requirement to login given the Spring Break schedule , but families may continue to work on their program as the system is active and able to be accessed. Just a reminder as shared in previous updates: SVA will follow the SSD calendar.

Spring Break:  March 29 – April 2

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will continue conducting academic check-ins on student progress.
• Please be sure to login by 10:00am to be marked present each day.

Building Involvement:

PSSA Schedule:

Below are the likely dates of PSSA testing for SVA students in each subject. All students in grades 3-8 are expected to participate. More information about the daily schedule and testing locations will follow.

If you choose to opt out, please contact me via email.

Please reach out with any questions.

Thanks,
Walt Hartshorn

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates and reminders about programing.

SVA Schedule:

• Semester Two: February 1, 2021- June 17, 2021.
• SSD/SVA Spring Break Schedule & Dates: There is no requirement for students to login over SSD’s Spring Break, but they may continue to work on their program during that time as the system is active and able to be accessed. Just a reminder, as shared in previous updates, SVA follows the SSD calendar. SSD’s Spring Break is (March 29,30,31, April 1,2).

Building Involvement:

• Information has been shared  from the high school administration about Keystone Testing  dates and times.
• Information will be shared at a later date about PSSA Testing dates and times.

5^th grade families please view the link below, information about yearbook requests.

• Yearbook Requests

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates and reminders about programing.

Curriculum Updates

• K-5 End of Unit Projects are no longer required. SVA Teachers have been informed of the change.
• Finals are required for all core subjects (ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Journalism) for 6^th-12^th grade students enrolled in SVA. Any questions about finals can be directed to your guidance counselor. 

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will continue conducting attendance and academic check-ins on student progress.

SVA Schedule:

• Semester One: September 8,2020- January 29, 2021.
• Semester Two: February 1, 2021- June 17, 2021.
• Spring Break Schedule will shared at a later date.

Building Involvement:

• The high school administration will be providing tours. The scheduled days and times are below. We are asking that parents drop off their children around 3:20 and return for pick up at 4:00. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, we are conducting these tours for students only at this time.
• 1/26/21  3:30-4:00 Grades 9-10
• 1/27/21 3:30-4:00 Grades 11-12
• 1/28/21 3:30-4:00 Make Up All grades

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

The high school administration will be providing tours, the scheduled days are as follows. We are asking that parents drop off their children around 3:20 and return for pick up at 4:00. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, we are conducting these tours for students only at this time.

1/26/21  3:30-4:00    Grades 9-10

1/27/21 3:30-4:00     Grades 11-12

1/28/21 3:30-4:00     Make Up - All grades

Thanks,

Walt Hartshorn

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates and reminders about programing.

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will continue conducting attendance and academic check-ins on student progress.

SVA Schedule:

• Semester One: September 8,2020- January 29, 2021.
• Semester Two: February 1, 2021- June 17, 2021.
• Guidance will be in contact over the next two weeks to work on semester two scheduling.

Building Involvement:

• Information will be shared in the next week for our 9-12 students touring the new High School.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good afternoon SVA Parents, 

I am writing with a couple of updates about the upcoming holidays. 

• There is no requirement for students to login over SSD’s Winter Break, but they may continue to work on their program during that time as the system is active and able to be accessed. Just a reminder, as shared in previous updates, SVA follows the SSD calendar. SSD’s Winter Break is December 24 through January 4.
• Please note that, while students may continue to work in their program throughout break, Edmentum and EdOptions Academy will be closed for the holidays from 12/24/20 - 1/1/21 and will reopen for normal business hours on Monday, 1/4/21. During this time, their systems will be accessible for educators and students, however, EdOptions Academy teachers will not be available for grading or communication. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

As always if you have questions please feel free to reach out. 

Thank you,
Walter Hartshorn

Good afternoon SVA Families,

There is no requirement to login given the Thanksgiving Break, but families may continue to work on their program as the system is active and able to be accessed. Just a reminder as shared in previous updates; SVA will follow the SSD calendar.

Thanksgiving Break:  November 23 – 27

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

As always if you have questions please feel free to reach out.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates about programing. 

SVA Schedule:

• Parents still have the ability/choice to request a change in your child’s schedule at any time if you wish to re-enroll in SSD.

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will continue conducting academic check-ins on student progress.
• Please be sure to login by 10:00am to be marked present each day.

Building Involvement:

• Information will be shared early next week related to our Safe2 Say presentation for grades 6-8.
• Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something”.
• Sabold Picture Day is scheduled November 16-17.
• Picture Day schedules will be communicated by individual buildings. If you have specific questions please contact building principals.
•  The Turkey Trot will take place next week at ETR during Wellness classes.  It is a one mile walk/run around the grounds of ETR.   We will be awarding pies to the top 3 male and female finishers in each grade.  Students who would like to compete can do so but many others will participate by walking for a good cause! The Turkey Fund is asking for cash donations this year instead of canned goods.  T-shirts can also be purchased for $15 and proceeds will go to families in need in the Springfield and Morton communities.  SVA students are welcome to join in at the following times:
   
  • 7^th grade:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday  8:40 or 9:30
  • 6^th grade:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday 11:20 or 12:05
  • 8^th grade:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday 1:15 or 2:00

             Please contact Dawn Blair dawn.blair@ssdcougars.org if you have any questions.

District Calendar:

• Please check the district website for scheduled days off. SVA will follow district calendar.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates about programing.

SVA Schedule Change:

• In consideration of the delays we experienced at the start of the year, SVA will change semester dates for the entire K-12 program. We will be moving to a two semester platform, following SHS semester dates.
• (Semester 1) Start September 8, 2020- Ends January 29, 2021.
• (Semester 2) Start February 1, 2021- Ends June 17, 2021.
• Parents still have the ability/choice to request a change in your child’s schedule at any time if you wish to re-enroll in SSD.

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will continue conducting academic check-ins on student progress.
• Please be sure to login by 10:00am to be marked present each day.

Building Involvement:

• Sabold Picture Day is scheduled November 16-17.
• Picture Day schedules will be communicated by individual buildings. If you have specific questions please contact building principals.

District Calendar:

• Please check the district website for scheduled days off. SVA will follow district calendar.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good morning, Morton and Springfield families.

We hope you and your family are happy and healthy and, despite the rain, are enjoying this last week of October. Now that we are a few weeks along, allow me to share some district-level information with you:

COVID Incident Rates – My good friend and colleague, Dr. Marc Bertrando, Superintendent of Garnet Valley School District, captured the essence of the current question:

“If the current incidence rates continue, will we need to go back to virtual learning?”

He wrote:

• This question was addressed on Tuesday in our weekly meeting with the Chester County Health Department and the medical experts from CHOP and Penn. Their answer to this question was a qualified "it depends." All of the health entities believe that districts should focus on "linked transmission" as the most important factor. This means they will look for situations in which individuals within the same building and/or district are spreading the virus.
   
• They also believe strongly that school protocols are working well, and linked transmissions between student and teacher and/or teacher and student are limited. They reinforced that we should continue to do what we are doing in regard to enforcing health precautions, contact tracing, and quarantining. However, like with everything else during this time, this answer is good for today and will most likely evolve and change in the future.
   
• For example, as positivity rates increase, the experts are studying the cases and looking for nuances such as connections to specific places like prisons, retirement homes, etc. Conversely, should the incidences become so widespread that the health experts cannot trace them, then this would constitute community spread and would necessitate a discussion about returning to virtual learning.
   
• The greatest takeaway from this conversation is that our behaviors (adults and children) outside of school are paramount to keeping everyone safe and keeping the schools open. Please continue to mask, social distance, symptom screen, and practice good hygiene by washing your hands often.

-- 

Communicating COVID Cases – In informing our community about active Covid-19 cases, it is our duty to continue to find the balance between our children’s/staff members’ right to privacy with the public’s desire to know information. Please note that:

• There are currently four (.0008% of SSD’s total population) confirmed, active, positive cases in our district, and, in accordance with the Chester County Health Department, there have been no close contacts or transmissions (6 feet, 15 minutes) related to within-school activities or connected to these cases.
• The communication and safety protocols outlined in our Health & Safety Plan are in direct alignment with the guidance provided by the Chester County Department of Health. 
• Our use of seating charts, contact tracing, masking, distancing, etc. allow us to be targeted in our communications. In an abundance of caution, we have informed specific staff and students/families who were in the same area as the identified individual. We will, of course, continue to inform our public in this highly specific manner on a need-to-know basis. 
• We are currently working on a COVID dashboard. Below is a sample. But please understand, no matter the incident number in school, provided that there is not linked transmission (to the degree set forth by the CCHD guidance) during in-school activities, we will remain open in our hybrid model. The decision to close classrooms, schools, or the district will be based on the direction of the Chester County Health Department.

--

In closing, I am always encouraged by the resilience of our staff, our teachers, our students, and our families. I have witnessed your efforts, and they truly are amazing!

We realize this is not easy. We understand there are no “correct” answers. We appreciate that everyone has an opinion, and for them, it is passionately right. I ask that we take some time to be empathetic with one another. If you are upset, please take a moment before you make that call or send that email. The folks here care for your children. It’s our life’s mission, and we do what we do with the best of intentions. Do we make mistakes? Of course. But that is one of the connections that make us all human beings.

I believe one of the greatest gifts we can and do possess is the power to hope. Now more than ever, it is up to all of us to come together and do our best to stay optimistic and motivated… for ourselves, our families, our students, and our communities. Hope, and the hard work that goes with it, will win the day if we elect that this path is right for us. 

Sincerely,
Tony       

Good Afternoon 6-8 Grade Families,

Edmentum/EdOptions  has confirmed that their academic leadership team will be telling middle school teachers who work with SSD students that the unit/course activities are now optional.  They will not be exempting or removing them, but students/parents can decide whether or not they want to do the activities.   The mastery tests, unit post tests and end of semester tests will all still be required.  SVA teachers will be instructed to email their students to let them know that this is the standard moving forward.

As always if you have questions please feel free to reach out.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good morning SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates about programing.

SVA Online Facilitators:

• If you have not been contacted  from an SVA Online Facilitators, please follow up with me via email.

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will be conducting academic check-ins on student progress.
• Please be sure to login by 10:00am to be marked present each day.

Building Involvement:

• ETR Picture Days are scheduled for November 5^th and 6^th 8:30am-1:00pm. You have the option of coming in for picture day or sending in a portrait of your child. If you choose to send a portrait, it must be from the shoulders up with a neutral back ground (white, beige, or gray). Please send the portraits to me via email. This will allow your child to be placed in the year book.
• ETR Clubs and Activities have started, please check Cougar Tracks for dates and times.
• Picture Day schedules will be communicated by individual buildings. If you have specific questions please contact building principals.

District Calendar:

• Please check the district website for scheduled days off. SVA will follow district calendar.
• Tuesday November 3^rd is a staff development day. There is no requirement to login given the in-service day, but families may continue to work on their program if they choose, as the system is active and able to be accessed.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good Afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates about programing.

SVA Online Facilitators:

• If you have not been contacted  from an SVA Online Facilitators, please follow up with me via email.

Attendance:

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will be conducting academic check-ins on student progress.
• Please be sure to login by 10:00am to be marked present each day.

Building Involvement:

• ETR Intramural Sports started Monday October 5^th 3:00-4:00.
• ETR Clubs/Activities will be starting soon; updates will be communicated.
• Picture Day schedules will be communicated by individual buildings.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Dear Kindergarten and First Grade Parents and Guardians,

I am happy to share that Mrs. German is a first grade teacher at the SLC and she will soon be providing online support for our Kindergarten and First Grade students in SVA. In addition to her guidance for parents to streamline the existing ELA lessons, she will provide students with scheduled and direct instruction in phonics, decoding, sight words and reading development. We want to help our students grow as readers and prepare them for returning to school in the future.  This live instruction opportunity is an option for families who are interested, not a requirement.  If you choose to participate, your child will be assigned a daily 30 minute block of literacy instruction according to their needs.

• Kindergarten students will be assigned to one 30 minute session that will occur between 9:30am-10am, 10am-10:30am, or 10:30am-11am
• First grade will be assigned to one 30 minute session that will occur between 1:30pm-2pm, 2pm-2:30pm, or 2:30pm-3pm.

If you are interested in your child(ren) participating, please respond to this survey (one for each child) by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday 10/14/2020.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am happy to share that Dr. Soslau is a reading specialist from Sabold Elementary and he will soon be providing online support for our Second through Fifth grade students in SVA. He will streamline the ELA lessons and provide focused instruction that builds the strength of our students as readers and writers. We want to help our students grow as readers and prepare them for returning to school in the future. This live instruction opportunity is an option for families who are interested, not a requirement.  If you are interested in your child(ren) participating, please respond to this survey (one for each child) by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday 10/14/2020.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good morning SVA Families,

There is no requirement to login given the in-service day, but families may continue to work on their program as the system is active and able to be accessed. Just a reminder as shared in previous updates. SVA will follow the SSD calendar.

Good morning SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates about programing.

SVA Online Facilitators:

• SVA Online Facilitators will be contacting parents and students this week.
• They will serve as another point of contact for SVA  families and students providing basic troubleshooting and support on the SVA platform.
• We have (9) facilitators.

Attendance

• Guidance and SVA Facilitators will be conducting academic check-ins on student progress.
• Please be sure too login by 10:00am to be marked present each day.
• EdOptions is still working on resolving some login issues. Reach out to EdOptions is you are continuing to experience issues.
• Please make sure students are logging out of the system as EdOptions updates/refreshes overnight.

Building Involvement

• ETR Intramural Sports Started Monday October 5^th 3:00-4:00.

Thank you,
Walt Hartshorn
Springfield School District
610-938-6375

Good afternoon SVA Parents,

I am writing with a few updates and reminders about programing.

SVA Online Facilitators

• We are working to secure SVA Online Facilitators who will be teachers currently at SSD.
• They will serve as another point of contact from SSD for families and students from the SVA learning community and will also be able to provide families with basic troubleshooting and support on the SVA platform.  At this time we have (7) facilitators, they will receive training this week.

Attendance

• Until EdOptions has resolved all schedule and login issues, we are asking everyone to log into EdOptions by 10AM to be marked as present for the day.
• Guidance will be conducting academic check-ins  on student progress.
• Video links  from the  Q&A  will be shared once we receive them from EdOptons.
• EdOptions  is still working on resolving attendance issues;  attendance procedures will be put in place once all issues are resolved.

Building Involvement

• SVA students are allowed to participate in all after school sports and clubs of the building in which your child was previously enrolled.
• ETR Fall Intramural Sports  Starts: Monday, October 5^th/  Ends: Friday, November 5^th  Time: 3:00-4:00
  • Schedule:
    • Boys Soccer             Monday and Wednesday             Upper Field 3:00-4:00
    • Girls Soccer             Monday and Wednesday              Lower Field  3:00-4:00
    • Football                    Tuesday and Thursday                 Upper Field 3:00-4:00
    • Field Hockey           Tuesday and Thursday                  Lower Field 3:00-4:00
    • Volleyball                 TBD by Coaches
    • 6^th Grade Intramurals  Friday                                        3:00-4:00
• Any SVA student who would like to have access to curricular materials used in the brick and mortar SSD programming should reach out to the guidance department.

REMINDER:

Edmentum/EdOptions has offered support to our families that have found the start difficult. Beginning this Monday 9/28/20, K-5, Calvert is reassigning staff to restart synchronous learning sessions back to Lesson 3 in each of the Core courses (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies.)  Students will have the opportunity to be supported by teachers in the early content to help move through the lessons.  The curriculum will be adjusted and sequenced to allow for this reboot.

SSD continues to work with EdOptions to address the issues related to schedules and logins for students, and we appreciate your patience as we work through these issues with them.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Today, I had a meeting with senior leadership at Edmentum and the Superintendent of the K-5 program.  I want to take a moment and share with you some of the new developments regarding SVA.

• Edmentum has offered support to our families that have found the start difficult.   Beginning this Monday, K-5, Calvert is reassigning staff to restart synchronous learning sessions back to Lesson 3 in each of the Core courses (ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies.)  Students will have the opportunity to be supported by teachers in the early content to help move through the lessons.  The curriculum will be adjusted to and sequenced to allow for this reboot.
• The Superintendent of Calvert (Grades K-5) has acknowledged that the Kindergarten curriculum is not aligned with the scope and sequence that we were provided when we chose the program. They are working within the platform to develop the supplementary content that was described as being in place when we chose this system.  This will be a work in progress, but they have clearly stated that they will be working to remedy it.
• Edmentum, is working to develop more video content to support instruction rather than it being totally reading intensive.   They explained that this is part of the learning materials, in general, but have identified that with the large number of new non-traditional cyber students and families this year, more of this supplemental technology is necessary. 
• We are working with the publisher of the print K-2 materials to up their timeline for sending the materials.  If we do not have an update by Thursday, September 24, 2020, we will be printing and binding these materials ourselves for our families and arranging a distribution next week.
• Mr. Hartshorn is currently on-boarding eight  (more to come) SVA Online Facilitators to support students/families and help build school culture.  We should have our first group reaching out to families the middle of next week.
• Two Q&A’s have been scheduled for the K-5 parents this Wednesday, September 23, 2020.  The K-1 will be at 10:00 AM and the 2-5 will be at 1:00 PM.  The sessions will be recorded for those families that are unable to attend at the scheduled times.
• A Q&A for grades 6-12 is scheduled for this Thursday at 2:00 PM:
  • Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 
    https://edmentum.zoom.us/j/92087719504

You can also dial in using your phone. 
US: +1 646 876 9923 
Meeting ID: 920 8771 9504 

In the past few weeks, we have received emails from families that have been both supportive and very critical of SVA.  Parents and children are having to wrestle with something very new.  The commitment as a parent to support your child(ren) through cyber learning is intense – significantly more than sending your child in to school to learn in a brick-and-mortar environment.  Please know that we are trying to make SVA right and make it something that is sustainable in an unclear/ambiguous future.

The Springfield School District has built its reputation on being a personal, supportive, fiscally-responsible, and rigorous academic organization over many decades as a brick-and-mortar school system.  Our reputation as a cyber provider is in its most early stages.  We know it is not great in the eyes of some right now, but it is slowly improving, and we will continue to press for even more improvement day after day.  We thank you for your trust and patience.

Respectfully,

Dr. Jeffrey Zweiback
Director of Teaching & Learning for Secondary Education
Springfield School District (DELCO)
111 W. Leamy Ave
Springfield, PA 19064

Dear Parents,

Many of you have probably read the notice that Edmentum sent out this past Friday regarding their efforts on the behalf of Springfield and Morton families, thus far.  If you did not see the announcement, I have included a to it below.  In their effort to improve, they want to reach out to you, the parents/guardians, to better understand your individual needs.  Information/meeting times for grades 6-12 will be scheduled at a later date.

Edmentum is offering a Q&A for families of elementary students this Weds, September 23, 2020. 

Families of K-1 students are invited to attend a special Q&A from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.  The session will be recorded and provided to families upon request 24 hours after the session expires.

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 
https://edmentum.zoom.us/j/95498522234

You can also dial in using your phone. 
US: +1 312 626 6799 
Meeting ID: 954 9852 2234 

To one-click join from a smartphone, please click below (audio only). 
US: +13126266799,,95498522234# 

Families of students in grades 2-5 are invited to attend this special Q&A from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.  The session will be recorded and provided to families upon request 24 hours after the session expires.

Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. 
https://edmentum.zoom.us/j/95964093532

You can also dial in using your phone. 
US: +1 646 876 9923 
Meeting ID: 959 6409 3532 

To one-click join from a smartphone, please click below (audio only). 
US: +16468769923,,95964093532#

Please note that if you have children included in both age groups, you need only attend one of the Q&As.

We continue to push the company to support our families in the manner we have grown to expect.  I will also be in attendance at both Q&As as well.

Thank you again for your patience and perseverance.

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy

Edmentum - SVA Letter 9/18/20

Good Afternoon SVA Parents,

Exciting News:

We are excited to announce that we are in the process of bringing on board a new level of support for our SVA students and families: SVA Online Facilitators.  The SVA Online Facilitators will be teachers from the district assigned by grade level to support families and students.  We hope to have the facilitators identified over the next 7-10 days.  The SVA Online Facilitators’ main functions will be to:

• Support students/families feeling disconnected from the SSD learning community.
• Provide families with some basic troubleshooting support on the platform when appropriate.
• Be an added layer of support when academic questions arise.

Attendance:

We have an update around attendance.  While the platform has not fully worked out all of its bugs, we are asking that you adhere to the following expectations in order to meet compulsory attendance guidelines.

• Please have your child login to at least one course in EdOptions/Calvert by 10AM to be marked as present for the day.
•  More formal attendance procedures will be put in place once all issues within the system have been resolved.

FYI: 

We wanted to let you know that SSD will be moving to a Hybrid Model beginning in early October.  A letter will be sent out shortly from SSD sharing the hybrid schedule, dates, and times for each building.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: 

 Part of the hybrid model will include, on a temporary basis, teachers working in-person with 50% of their students while providing direct instruction to the other half of the students over Zoom. 

•  Zoom will not be utilized in the classrooms once we return to full time in-person learning, and therefore, was not a long term option for families opting to stay virtual after our return date. 

We recognize that this reality may be an area of frustration for some, but please realize that brick-and-mortar educational planning involves many temporary stages; whereas, SVA was genuinely designed for families that needed a long term, safety related, solution.

Getting/ Staying Connected: 

SVA students are allowed to participate in all after school sports, clubs, and activities within the building in which your child would be enrolled if attending the brick-and-mortar.

• Building principals will be including SVA families on all of their routine communication moving forward.
• Additionally, any SVA student/family who would like to have access to curricular materials used in the brick-and-mortar SSD program should reach out their guidance counselor to request materials.  As a reminder parents should consider that while EdOptions/Calvert is a PA Common Core aligned program, there may not be direct overlap in the manner in which curriculum is delivered.

SSD continues to press EdOptions/Calvert to provide families the level of programming and service we have come to expect from them.  We thank you for your continued patience as we know this has been difficult.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Hello,
I am writing with an update on a few common questions from SVA families.

• If your child currently has courses populated, and they are seeing math/reading diagnostic tests and learning paths. You are not required to complete them.  Students should begin and only work  their courses.    
• Students should work a minimum of 45 minutes per class each day. Parents should create or plan a daily routine.
• Special Education services will be provided through SSD. Case managers are in the process of contacting parents.
• Official accounting of attendance will begin once the EdOptions system issues are fully resolved.  We will provide direction and clarity with attendance in the near future.
• Some students were having issues with downloading Adobe Acrobat:

If you find yourself having trouble using Adobe Acrobat, please follow the directions below:

1. Click the Search box next to the Start Button and type in “Adobe Creative Cloud”. This should start searching for the Adobe Creative Cloud App.
2. Click the “Adobe Creative Cloud” app.
3. The Creative Cloud Desktop window should appear.
4. If you are not being prompted to sign in, continue. If you are being prompted to sign in, skip to step 6.
5. At the top right corner of the window, you should see what looks like a colored circle like this  . Click the circle to verify the account you are signed in as. If you are signed into your @ssdstudent.org account, click Sign out. If you are signed in with your @ssdcougars.org account, you can skip to step 9.
6. Sign in with your firstname.lastname@ssdcougars.org not your @ssdstudent.org account and click continue. If you receive a prompt regarding the account type, please choose “Business Account”.
7. You should be redirected to a Microsoft login prompt. Enter the same password that you use to login to your computer, e-mail, and Google.
8. Once you are signed in, you may close the Creative Cloud Desktop window.
9. Once Adobe Acrobat is open, please wait a moment for the prompt “Make Adobe Acrobat my default PDF application”. Please click Yes when this prompt appears.
10. A new window should appear asking you to set a default for .pdf files. Please select Adobe Acrobat DC (not 2017 or Reader) and click OK.
11. You should be all set.

If you continue to experience issues, please submit a help-desk ticket.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions

Thank you,

Walter Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Good Afternoon, SVA Families,

I am writing with an update from  SVA/EdOptions.

• EdOptions indicated that all K-5 students are now enrolled with Calvert content and teachers.  Emails will come from their assigned teacher; however, communication may come in other ways (i.e. message through system, calling parent, etc.). If you have received this information, you have the ability to log in and get started.     
• EdOptions is working on finalizing enrollments for the 6-12 students.
• Parents should create or plan a daily routine.
• Official accounting of attendance will begin once the EdOptions system issues are fully resolved.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions. We appreciate your patience.

Thank you,
Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Good Morning,

I am writing with an update on a few common questions from SVA families.

• We are aware that some students are still experiencing trouble accessing their schedules. EdOptions is continuing to work on addressing glitches in the system related to scheduling as well as parent and student login information.
• If your child currently has courses populated, they may and should begin working in those courses.   
• Students should work a minimum of 45 minutes per class each day. Parents should create or plan a daily routine.
• Official accounting of attendance will begin once the EdOptions system issues are fully resolved.
• Administration has been in contact with EdOtions sharing all of your concerns.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Good Evening,

I am writing with an update on a few common questions from SVA families.

• We are aware that many students are still experiencing glitches accessing their schedules. EdOptions is continuing to work on addressing these issues.
• If your child currently has courses populated, they may and should begin working in those courses.
• Official accounting of attendance will begin once the EdOptions system issues are fully resolved.
• SVA students are able to participate in any after school activities offered by their former school building. Schools will be sharing information about what is offered at each school and how to sign up when that information becomes available.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Good Morning SVA families,

I am writing with an update about SVA/EdOptions.

• EdOptions has processed and updated our information. At this time, everyone should have received login and password credentials.
• All K-5 students have been assigned Exact Path and can access that program immediately.
• We are still working on uploading grades 6-12 student schedules. You will be notified once that process is complete and your child’s courses are accessible.
• Students will not penalized for today’s attendance.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Good Afternoon, SVA families.

I am writing with an update about SVA/EdOptions course registration.

EdOptions is in the process of uploading our student information in their system. EdOption is currently processing an extremely high volume of information from school districts across the country in addition to Springfield.  

We have been in constant contact with EdOptions to expedite our request and are waiting for them to complete the initial student information upload. Once this upload is complete, we can proceed with course registration.  As a reminder, course and login information will come from EdOptions once the upload is complete. In addition, the first few days will be utilized to acclimate student’s to the new system. Therefore, EdOptions faculty will be available to assist your needs.

We appreciate your patience and support as we work towards a strong start to the school year for our SVA students. I will continue to share updates as information becomes available from EdOptions.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Hello,

I am writing with an update about SVA/EdOptions.

• By now you should have heard from a guidance counselor about scheduling. If you have not heard from someone, please let me know.
• Course information is currently being uploaded into the system.  As such, you should begin to receive schedule and login information from EdOptions.
• If you have not yet secured a Chromebook from your previous school (K-1—SLC, 2-5—Scenic or Sabold, 6-8—ETR, 9-12—SHS), please take care of that before 1PM on Friday, September 4th.
• The expectation is that all SVA students log in to EdOptions every weekday, according to the school calendar, starting Tuesday, September, 8th . Student attendance will be accounted for based on these logins.

Before the start of school on Tuesday, September 8^th, 2020, please be sure to take care of in-home logistics for a strong start in virtual learning:

• Designate a work/video conferencing space for your child in your home. Video conferencing should be done in a public room of the home (e.g. kitchen, dining room, home office) and in a space free of distractions and background noises.
• Practice the EdOptions log in process prior to the first day of school.
• Establish times and routines for wake-up and logging into the EdOptions program. The recommendation is that students log in by 8AM each day and plan to spend about 45 minutes per course each day working in the program.

We appreciate your patience and support as we work toward a strong start to the year for students enrolled in SVA.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal
Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Good Evening,

I  am writing to share updates and information regarding course registration, Chromebook distribution dates/times, and form submission for students participating in SVA.  

Course Registration:

On September 1^st  and 2^nd, the guidance department will begin contacting you in regards to creating a schedule.

SVA Chromebook Distribution Dates/Times by Building:

SLC : Thursday 9/3 12:00-3:00

Sabold: Thursday 9/3 12:00-3:00

Scenic: Thursday 9/3 12:00-3:00

SHS: Wednesday 9/2 8:00 -3:00

Students should pick up their Chromebook from the school in which they were previously enrolled. Please be sure to pay the technology fee in HAC and complete the AUP form prior to coming in for pickup. Please retain and present your receipt for any payments made.

Forms

Please complete the typical student forms for your child’s grade and submit these to the school in which your child was previously enrolled when you pick up the Chromebook. Forms were mailed out earlier this summer.

Thank you,

Walt Hartshorn
Principal Springfield Virtual Academy
610-938-6375

Dear Families,

As we begin uploading student information into SVA, we will be moving on to next steps getting your child/ren set up and activated in SVA. But first, I want to take a moment and let you know that I will be passing the mantle of SVA to its new principal, Mr. Walter Hartshorn.

Mr. Hartshorn has been an administrator in the district for over 15 years and currently serves as an assistant principal at ET Richardson Middle School.  Mr. Hartshorn will take over communications and operations for SVA at this time and any questions or needs should be directed to him.  His email is Walter.Hartshorn@ssdcougars.org.  He will be collaborating with Edmentum to get students setup and is coordinating the work with building counselors to get schedules and logins processed in the coming weeks.  Additionally, he will be working with the technology department to further develop the SVA website to serve as a landing spot for families to get updated information about district events and programs.

A few items that need to be mentioned:

• Our counselors in grades 6-12 will begin reaching out towards the end of this week to confirm course selections. 
• Our K-5 students receive a comprehensive elementary program, so there isn’t any need to schedule individual courses like there is at the secondary level, but our counselors will still be reaching out to confirm enrollments.
• Please remember to sign the Acceptable Use Policies for your respective grade levels (buildings) if you haven’t already done so (Links Below).
• Pay attention to building emails for information about device distribution, if you do not already have one.

-------

AUP K-5 link: Elementary AUP Information

AUP 6-8 link: Middle School AUP Information

AUP 9-12 link: High School AUP Information

Thank you again for your patience during these past few months.

Respectfully,

Dr. Jeffrey Zweiback
Director of Teaching & Learning for Secondary Education
Springfield School District (DELCO)
111 W. Leamy Ave
Springfield, PA 19064

We want to begin by thanking you for your patience as this process unfolds.  A few quick announcements as we go into the weekend:

• It will take 7-10 days for student information to be transferred into the Edmentum/EdOptions system.  During that time, there is nothing for you to do.  Your child’s guidance counselor will reach out with scheduling information as the system updates.
• You will continue to receive all building communications.  This is helpful to keep tabs on the school’s activities.
• All SVA students will receive devices from the district -many of you are already in possession of a device from last year, but we recognize that is not the case for our families with younger children.  Dr. Butler, our Director of Technology, sent an announcement out yesterday regarding obtaining a Chromebook if you do not have one.  I have included that announcement at the bottom of this email.  There are important steps to follow in order to get a device if you do not already have one, so please read that email (below).
• We will be assigning an “SVA Administrator” next week for families to work with throughout the process.
• Finally, there are a number of non-school social media accounts that have posted inaccurate or misleading information which have actually caused some families significant stress because the information seems contradictory to what is being said by the district.  We ask that you please only access the SVA website for updated notices and information.

Dr. Jeffrey Zweiback

Director of Teaching & Learning for Secondary Education

Subject: Devices for students enrolling in SVA

Good afternoon.

We received some questions from parents about requesting a school district Chromebook for Springfield Virtual Academy (SVA).

Students enrolled in SVA can receive a school district issued device.

The district’s plan was to purchase enough devices to be 1 to 1 K-12 for September in the event we needed to be fully virtual. However, the Chromebooks purchased back in the spring to enable a 1-to-1 computing environment for the start of the school year for grades K-5, are back ordered, and the current delivery dates for those Chromebooks are December, 2020 and January, 2021. We are looking into other options and working closely with our vendors in order to have additional devices available sooner, unfortunately, even these devices are not expected until October. Due to the increased demand from schools across the country, suppliers are just not able to keep up. In light of this universal delay, it would be helpful that if your child has their own device at home that you not request one from the district at this time. Please note that you do not need a district device to access the SVA program, only a device with a Google browser (a desktop, a laptop, a Chromebook).

If you need to request a school district Chromebook for SVA and haven’t submitted a Chromebook Request, please submit your request by completing these forms:

K-5 Chromebook Device Request The Device Request form will close at 5 pm on Tuesday, August 25^th. 

K-5 Acceptable Use Policy information and form

You need your student’s ID # to complete the form. (Grades 2-12 this can be found on your child’s HAC account. / K families received an email with the ID number / 1^st Graders, this is the same number as their food pin. – If unknown, put in a “000”)

If you have already submitted a Chromebook Request form, thank you!