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Launching Now for 2010-11
(enroll now)
A Message to Parents About the Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield
Greenfield Public Schools' virtual school (the Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield) is now launching. This new school is also a work in process. Since this will be the first school of its kind in Massachusetts, the process and paperwork is complicated. We have a capable and experienced virtual school partner--K12, Inc.--a company that powers over 20 virtual schools across the country. We are collaborating daily on the details of program, enrollment, special education, and faculty.
MAVA@Greenfield (the virtual academy nickname) is officially launched Wednesday, August 19, 2010. In addition, we are posting and sharing information as we create it and can make it available.We will be operational September 2010 and we are working as quickly as we can to make connections, create information, reach out to parents, and complete requirements.
The Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield will provide a quality, standards-based curriculum and program for students in grades K-8 during 2010-2011. For students within driving distance of Greenfield, we are considering arrangements for a small number of students grades 9-12.
Any school superintendent or Special Education/504 administrator seeking information is welcome to contact me at Superintendent@gpsk12.org. We will attempt to share questions and answers through an FAQ section on this webpage.
For information about the K12 curriculum and program, go to www.k12.com.
Susan Hollins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Greenfield Public Schools
UPDATE
Wednesday, August 11, 2010General Information on Virtual School Progress
Conversations have continued with our virtual school program partner—K12. We have worked out the intake process. All parents—whether in the area or outside the area of Greenfield—will initially register through K12 so we have the same type of data fo r each student. Then, area students from within driving distance of Greenfield will be referred to the Greenfield School system to work with our virtual school teachers.We are committed to studying reasons why parents and students choose a virtual school. After registering initially we will be conducting an interview with parents.
Presentations and Information Sessions:
We are arranging for presentations and information sessions in the following towns:Greenfield
Northampton
AmherstPlease check the website for dates & locations.
Contact Info:
N. Tracy Crowe, Ed.D.
Launch Principal
Massachusetts Virtual Academy @Greenfield
tracro1@gpsk12.org
Parents wanting to apply to the Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield (MAVA@Greenfield) can find information on this web site (http://www.gpsk12.org/virtualschool/virtualschool_home.html) and also http://www.k12.org/mava. Email Principal Tracy Crowe at tracro1@gpsk12.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(pdf)We hope that this FAQ section will be helpful.
Please send any additional questions you have to: tracro1@gpsk12.org or superintendent@gpsk12.org
We will be updating this information periodically so please check back frequently.1. Is the Massachusetts Virtual Academy @Greenfield (MAVA@Greenfield) an Innovation School? And, if so, what is an Innovation School?
As of January 2010, new legislation in Massachusetts allows school districts to create “innovation schools.” These are schools based on a proposal and plan advanced through the school committee for authorization. The intent of the legislation was to stimulate innovation within school districts and find ways to increase student achievement. .
A goal is for MAVA@Greenfield is to be one of the state’s first innovation schools. Supported by the School Committee, MAVA@Greenfield will open in September 2010 as a statewide, public virtual innovation school.
2. Can students from other districts apply?
Yes. MAVA@Greenfield is designed as a statewide, public virtual school. We are providing this new opportunity to K-8 students anywhere in the state (or outside the state) who need to access a quality schooling experience and who otherwise cannot or will not attend a brick-and-mortar school for various reasons. Regardless of where a student lives in Massachusetts, attending MAVA@Greenfield is possible!
3. How do I apply for my child to attend the school?
Application materials will be posted on the MAVA@Greenfield web page soon. Once the virtual school is launched, all application intake will happen online through our curriculum provider, K12. Administrators from other school districts making referrals should contact Greenfield Schools directly (Tracy Crowe, MAVA Launch Principal for Greenfield Public Schools tracro1@gpsk12.org ).
4. How do parents decide about online learning?
Once parents understand that the online education program Greenfield is offering is a high quality program, then they need to consider if they have the time and commitment to support this online learning program for his or her student at home.
Parents also have to consider if the student’s needs and style of learning are a good match for online learning.
Parents must be committed to supporting the online learning program and serving as “coach.” Students must want to attend a virtual school and be motivated to succeed. When parents, students and teachers are supported and guided by a team of qualified teachers using an exceptional curriculum, it’s a winning formula for success!
5. Is the new virtual school for a particular type of student?
MAVA@Greenfield will be open to any student who might benefit from the school. In designing the school, Greenfield did identify certain types of students it particularly wanted to serve. While open to all students, priority will be given to students in the following catagories:
- Students with medical conditions that interfere with attendance, e.g. cancer, Crohn’s, immune disorders,
- Students out of school due to pregnancy or parenting,
- Students with developmental, social-emotional, pedagogical, or unique individual learning needs well-served by the virtual school medium
Students who feel bullied or who are out of school due to other safety concerns,
- Students who seek an advanced course program not available in their assigned school
- Students who have to work during the day to help support their families
- Students who have dropped out of school or whose original high school class has since graduated
- Students in training for competitive arts or sports
- Other reasons of a compelling nature not identified above
6. What curriculum will be used?
MAVA@Greenfield will be using the award-winning curriculum of K12, Inc. –a Virginia-based education provider that powers more than twenty virtual schools across the country. This mastery-based curriculum is embedded with assessments that help to guide and monitor the progress of each child and adjust the program’s pace to the student. The parent or another adult mentor is the learning coach and all students will be connected to and monitored by certified teachers.
The core elementary program includes English/ language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Middle school students will have a fifth course option in world language. Students who reside in Franklin or Hampshire County will have Greenfield teachers trained by K12 in online learning, will have opportunities to participate in special events or projects, and interact with other students if they wish. Students who live outside these counties will be connected with K12 teachers online.
7. Who are the teachers?
All students participating will have Massachusetts certified teachers working with them. Teachers will hired in different regions of Massachusetts to make occasional meetings or gatherings easier.
8. Will there be a cost to parents?
Since MAVA@Greenfield is a Greenfield, Massachusetts public school, it is free to all participating Massachusetts students. Students enrolling from outside Massachusetts will need a source of tuition funding.
Do you have other questions?
Feel free to contact:
Susan Hollins, Superintendent: superintendent@gpsk12.org or
Tracy Crowe, Launch Principal: tracro1@gpsk12.orgSuperintendent's Radio Talks about Greenfield's New Virtual School.
07/26/10 and 08/16/10
Superintendent Hollins appears as a regular guest on the Valley's Morning Show
with Jay Fidanza (radiojayfid@yahoo.com), WHAI FM (98.30)
Page last updated: September 1, 2010
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For Web site queries and questions and to report Web site issues, please contact:
carhol1@gpsk12.org