A Message from the Principal/CEO:
Let it Snow!
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| The view from Dr. Gray's back yard! |
Well, the weather has certainly changed for the worse over the last two days and possibly into Saturday. As a result, we closed the office early on Thursday and all day Friday as did most of the area school districts. Hopefully, our closure message reached all of our students and staff.
One important advantage of our virtual school is that students can continue to work and teachers can continue to teach -- so there are technically no snow days for MEWA even if we have to close the office and the school.
As we continue to study the results from our recent parent survey, we want to take an opportunity to provide you with additional support reviewing and monitoring your student's work and activity. Please click on the video link below as Mr. Barrentine takes you through the process of accessing the parent portion of Genius -- our Genius student information system:
Another important factor to consider when reviewing your student's activity in our system is to understand that a student's activity may not be reflected immediately in the Genius system. The Genius system updates everyday at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Activity logged prior to these times will not be reflected until after the next update time. Several parents have commented on this issue so hopefully this explanation will help. If you need further help after reviewing the how to video above, do not hesitate to contact the office or review parent resources on our web page.
We now have a new and growing FAQ Page for MEWA students and parents. Here you will see questions, answers, and how-to videos related to a variety of common issues. From our home page, www.mewebacademy.org, find the Student/Parent FAQ on the center button bar.
One important advantage of our virtual school is that students can continue to work and teachers can continue to teach -- so there are technically no snow days for MEWA even if we have to close the office and the school.
As we continue to study the results from our recent parent survey, we want to take an opportunity to provide you with additional support reviewing and monitoring your student's work and activity. Please click on the video link below as Mr. Barrentine takes you through the process of accessing the parent portion of Genius -- our Genius student information system:
Another important factor to consider when reviewing your student's activity in our system is to understand that a student's activity may not be reflected immediately in the Genius system. The Genius system updates everyday at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Activity logged prior to these times will not be reflected until after the next update time. Several parents have commented on this issue so hopefully this explanation will help. If you need further help after reviewing the how to video above, do not hesitate to contact the office or review parent resources on our web page.
We now have a new and growing FAQ Page for MEWA students and parents. Here you will see questions, answers, and how-to videos related to a variety of common issues. From our home page, www.mewebacademy.org, find the Student/Parent FAQ on the center button bar.
For those of you are interested, I found the following link to Dr. Nancy Golden's (Chief Education Officer for the Oregon Education Investment Board) newsletter interesting: Newsletter
Stay connected through Facebook and Twitter. We share informative and valuable messages daily.
https://www.facebook.com/metroeastwebacademy
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You may have noticed that you now have assignments due on weekends and school breaks. This is due to our dynamic scheduling system, which supports individual learning plans. Unfortunately, we cannot change these due dates to regular school dates on a grand scale. But remember that our due dates are guidelines, not necessarily strict requirements. So, if you are completing assignments within a couple of days of these due dates, you are staying on track. If you have assignments that are due on Saturday, aim to complete them on Friday. If you have assignments due on Sunday, plan to complete them on Monday.
One new feature of this dynamic scheduling is the ability to select your course end date. While you cannot choose to work later than the end of the school year (June 6th), if you are trying to complete the class early, this is a helpful tool. In your grade book (in your class), you'll see a calendar icon. If you click on it, you will be able to see the target end date that your teacher chose, and could opt to choose an earlier one for yourself. (See the image below).
Students of the Month for January:
Jessica Chase
Aaron Normand
Aaron Whistler
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| Jessica Chase with Ms. Struyk-Bonn |
Most Improved Students for January:
Sarah Campean
Announcements:
Local Performance Based Assessments (formerly Work Samples) are offered every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. If you are a senior without a math class in need of passing the Essential Skill in Math in order to graduate then you will want to plan on attending one of these. Contact Mr. Kitchens or Mrs. Riehl for further information.
Writing Work Sample opportunity for seniors on March 19th at 4:00 PM.
More Math Lab Hours! Ms. Norrander will be hosting math labs on Thursdays from 10:00 - 12:00 in the math room. Bring your math questions and we'll find a solution!
Writing Work Sample opportunity for seniors on March 19th at 4:00 PM.
More Math Lab Hours! Ms. Norrander will be hosting math labs on Thursdays from 10:00 - 12:00 in the math room. Bring your math questions and we'll find a solution!
Attention Juniors!
It's time to take your OAKS Writing Test! Please click here, and follow the directions to sign up for an available time slot in FEBRUARY.
Remember, the State of Oregon requires that you take the OAKS Writing Test, and pass the Essential Skill of Writing, in order to graduate.
Please contact Ms. Calhoun (calhoun5@mewebacademy) with questions.
Have you ever been interested in learning self-defense? GirlStrength will be running a 9 week self-defense class starting Feb. 3rd for Middle School students at MEWA. You will receive elective credit for participating, but only 12 girls can enroll. We do ask for a 100% commitment that you come to every class which will be held on Monday's from 3-4:30pm. Contact Ms. Powell right away if you are interested!
powell@mewebacademy.org / 971-231-5496
https://docs.google.com/a/gbwebacademy.org/presentation/d/1zoQgSBkl-nUIxA_HIkUeY2h7wyw3_SqZbEdGN3zdZWo/edit?usp=sharing
MEWA has formed a parent booster/advocacy group. Participation in this group is open to all MEWA parents, grandparents, guardians, and staff members. The focus of this group will be to organize and support activities that promote our school and provide enrichment and growth opportunities for students and staff. The next meeting is February 19th at 5:00 PM at MEWA. Snacks and refreshments are provided.
Have you tried yoga before? Do you want to improve your strength, flexibility and balance? Then join Ms. Norrander on Thursday's from 12:15 - 1:00 for Yoga Time in classroom 2. This is a fun, non-competitive activity for all members of MEWA. Bring a yoga mat or a beach towel. Contact Ms. Norrander if you have any questions, norrander@mewebacademy.org.
Seniors!!
Now is the time to get your cap and gown ordered for graduation. Pick up your packet in the office or order directly through Josten's at (503) 255-7120.
We will be holding a MEECA Information Session on February 12th from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM here at the school.
Mr. Ellsberg has created a youtube channel for his weekly Techtown video cast. You can follow him every Tuesday here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ8Gtv4Bpr9SjA33hMRkD5Q
Box Tops for the Box Tops for Education program:
Box Tops for Education® is one of the nation’s largest school fundraising loyalty programs and has been helping schools succeed since 1996. With over 250 participating products, it’s an easy way for schools to earn cash for the things they need.
- Over 90,000 K-8 schools participate nationwide
- Each Box Tops coupon is worth 10¢ and they add up fast!
- Schools can use their Box Tops cash to buy whatever they need most, from books to field trips to playgrounds.
- So far, America’s schools have earned over $525 million from Box Tops…and counting.*
Please bring in your box tops. More information is available at http://www.boxtops4education.com/all-about-boxtops
End of Semester -- January 17th -- We will not be sending out report cards! So, parents, it is important that you access your student's grades through the parent access log in to Genius. Please do not hesitate to call if you do not know your parent access login or you need technical assistance. New semester begins January 27th -- new courses will be accessible on Monday! How do I do this? Click on this link!
Sincerely,
David L. Gray, Ph.D.
Principal/CEO
Metro East Web Academy
503-258-4790
