MEWA Announcements: MEWA Principal's Announcements

Our Mission:

The Metro East Web Academy provides a technology-rich 21^st century learning model that ensures student success in a rapidly evolving learning, work, and community environment.

Dear parents and students:

NWEA MAP's Test

We have begun assessing students three times a year with the MAP's test: fall, winter, and spring. This test is important to the school in several different ways. We utilize the data to determine if students are learning, the data tells us where a student is relative to grade level, we can determine if there are holes in a students skills, we use the data as a measure to determine whether or not students are ready for advancement or to move at a faster rate (in fact we recently promoted several 8th grade students to 9th grade English based on their MAP's results), and we plan to use the results of this assessment in the future as part of the overall data that we use to determine if we can award credit based on proficiency rather than seat time.

Many students failed to fulfil their obligation to take the test -- others sat for the test, but did not take it seriously and that shows in the results. There are many implications for MEWA if students do not participate or take the test seriously and demonstrate their best effort. The results of this test are part of the body of evidence that it is used in our end-of-the-year evaluation that is performed for the school district to determine if our students are learning in an online environment. Ultimately, this evaluation will be used to determine if our school is effective and successful and can continue to exist.

As a result, we are requiring students that did not take the test or who obviously did not make an effort to do well to sit for the test in the next couple of weeks. Students will be notified in the next few days if you fall into either of these categories. As a reminder, the contract that students and parents sign when they register in our school stipulates that students will participate and give their best effort. This requirement is also in the student and parent handbook.

I want to thank those students that did participate and gave their best effort as we do appreciate your participation. I hope you all have a great weekend and thank you very much for your support in this matter.

Students of the Month for January:

Simon Chumachenko -- High School

Tyler Keys -- High School

Aidan Durias-- Middle School

January Student of the Month, Aiden Durias!

Most Improved Students for January:

Student of the Month and Most Improved Students receive a certificate, t-shirt, and a prize. Come by the office for your photo op and awards.

Seniors: Now is the time to send in your Senior and baby or young child picture. Grab a friend, take some shots and send one in.

Cap and gown packets are still available for order. Order at www.jostensportland.com or come in and fill out your order at the school.

No English lab on February 12th, but please attend the extra credit English lab on February 19th at 10:00.

Next work sample date: If you are still in need of completing work samples, please attend the March 5th work sample session from 9-11.
parent engagemnt.jpeg

We had a great turnout at our last Parent Group meeting, we discussed upcoming events, we also went over legislation regarding a new bill that could dramatically affect charter and virtual schools such as ours. We have our next virtual meeting coming up and we will update and go over these topics and a few others…….

Please join us for the next Parent Group Virtually …..

Thursday February 19, 2015 --------- 6pm-7pm

Meeting Name: MEWA Parent Group

Invited By: Nichole Steele-Parent Resource Advocate

To join the meeting: click the link below

https://mewebacademy.adobeconnect.com/parentgroup/

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If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before:

Test your connection: https://mewebacademy.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview

Adobe, the Adobe logo and Adobe Connect are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.

Parent Requirement:

Every week parents will complete the “parent weekly check-in” accessible on the MEWA website under the Parent Resource Page. It is a “live form” that asks for your name, the student/s name, and whether your child/s has completed the MINIMAL requirement for the previous week.

The MINIMAL requirement is at least 1 assignment per class per week. The parent weekly check in needs to be completed by Monday for the previous week, we understand some students may work through the weekend.

Parent Weekly Check-In Cheat Sheet

Access the “live link” which can also be found on the….
The Parent Resource Page (MEWA website)
MEWA app (NOW Available)
Email reminders (link included)
Complete the check-in for the previous week.
Follow up with Parent Resource Advocate if you have any questions, concerns, or need additional support.

Nichole Steele 503-258-4790 (main), 503-660-8413 (work cell), or email steele@mewebacademy.org

Coming Soon: Look for new upcoming info, resources, video links, tips, and learning coach strategies within your weekly parent check-in.

We want to thank all the parents who complete their weekly check-in. Your Parent Check-In’s help support our school, we use this data to help improve what we do here at MEWA.Therefore allowing us to better support your student in being successful and thriving within their learning!

Please go to the following link and fill out the parent check-in by 4:30 pm each Monday: Parent Check-In Link The link can also be accessed through our MEWA app!

MEWA will be participating in the Virtual Schools Capital Day 2015.

Please join us on April 16th-8:30 am- 3:30 pm

The Oregon Legislature is considering a bill that would reduce funding for virtual schools and we need your voice, as MEWA families, to rally around educational options for Oregon's children.

We will be closing the campus and activities on this day and the school staff, students, and families will be taking buses down to Salem. This is a great opportunity to not only have your voice heard, but the days will be filled with fun activities as we visit our state's capital. Below is an itinerary for the day.

Here's the plan:Tentatively- Lunch will be provided

9:30am - 10:00am - Registration at the Mission Mill Museum

1313 Mill St., SE Salem (2 blocks from the State Capitol Building - free on-site parking available)

10:00am-10:10am - Welcome

10:10am - 11:10am - Education Program

11:10am - 11:25 am - Legislative Update

11:25am - 12:10pm - Lunch

12:20 - Walk to the Capitol

12:30pm - Legislator Awards Ceremony on the Capitol steps

1:00pm - Drop in on your State Legislators

1:30- Tour booked!!!!

Don't forget to fill out permission slips and RSVP so we can plan ahead. Lunch will be provided, we encourage bringing extra snacks/water!

To reserve your space, you must sign-up both at MEWA (to reserve your space on the bus) and at the Oregon Virtual School Day site by March 20th. All students and children will need to have a permission form in order to ride the bus so fill it out early and turn it in to Nichole Steele.

We're looking forward to a fun day visiting the capital.

Permission Slip:

https://docs.google.com/a/mewebacademy.org/document/d/1JMqtDzqECcSoeD4sQMEGPlNwtrjSLoOZw2oLzD8EwBc/edit

RSVP Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bpnamEEiZP9LeeGMoeys4MGsx4xTlW_HU4BHrZ4MosU/viewform?usp=send_form

Oregon Virtual Schools Capital Day Sign Up:

http://www.oregonvirtualschools.org/capitol-day/

Hi Parents,

This link was set up by a parent and is run by our parent Susan Robideau.

Please like it...read it and join in!

https://www.facebook.com/virtualschoolswin

Parent Coalition News

Dear Virtual School Families,

If you’re looking for a way to teach your children about state government and demonstrate your support for virtual public education then I hope you will join me, and hundreds of other virtual school parents and students, in Salem for Virtual Public Schools Capitol Day on Thursday, April 16.

Every year, virtual public school families travel to the Oregon State Capitol to express their support for virtual public education. Capitol Day is an opportunity to recognize our legislative champions, show our support for virtual public schools and talk to legislators about protecting this important education option. Students will have the opportunity to participate in educational activities and tour the Capitol Building.

There’s a lot happening in the state legislature this year, including proposed legislation that would cut funding for virtual public schools. Now is the time to make sure your voice is heard in the halls of the Capitol. I hope you will join us in Salem for Oregon Virtual Public Schools Capitol Day on Thursday, April 16. If you have your red t-shirt or gold scarf from a previous Capitol Day, please wear it again this year to show your support.

Here’s the plan:

9:30AM – 10:00AM – Registration at the Mission Mill Museum
1313 Mill St., SE, Salem (2 blocks from State Capitol Building – free on-site parking available)

10:00AM – 10:10AM – Welcome

10:10AM – 11:10AM – Education program for students

11:10:AM – 11:25AM – Legislative Update

11:25 – 12:10 – Lunch

12:10 – Walk to the Capitol

12:30PM – Legislator Awards Ceremony on the Capitol Steps

1:00PM – Drop in on your state legislators

Capitol Day is your opportunity to meet other virtual school families, teach your children about state government, and tell your state legislators why virtual public education is an option that needs to be protected.

Please click here to register for Capitol Day, Thursday, April 16. If you have any questions, please email us at info@oregonvirtualschools.org.

See you in Salem on April 16.

Sincerely,

Steven Isaacs
President

www.oregonvirtualschools.org
info@oregonvirtualschools.org

Please go to this website for the upcoming schoolwide, statewide event just for you!

http://www.oregonvirtualschools.org

There are upcoming legislation bills that could have a negative impact on charter schools and one bill is a direct hit on funding and virtual schools. One way to help support our voice in legislation is for parent and community participation to strengthen our (virtual schools) presence at the capitol.

To create change here is what works:

Parents calling, writing, or personal contact with THEIR legislator
Students sharing their experiences and stories
Social media that is directed to parents join out new https://www.facebook.com/virtualschoolswin
Educating parents how legislation works.

Attend the next parent meeting Feb. 3rd 10:00am, at MEWA

Please ask your students if they would be willing to write their personal stories of why they have chosen an alternative way to be educated.

Please attend the next parent meeting Feb. 3rd, 10:00a.m. at MEWA for more information on how to become aware and take an active part in forming education for Oregon’s future generations.

Visit: http://www.oregonvirtualschools.org and sign up to keep informed.

Also mark your calendars for this important day at the capital: http://www.oregonvirtualschools.org/capitol-day

We have the ability to make change together!

One of our science teachers, Mr. Barrentine, will be running a blog about interesting science topics that updates every Tuesday and Thursday at scottssciencestuff.blogspot.com

Check it out, and feel free to get involved in the comments section! You can also submit any cool science videos or ideas that you'd like to know more about to barrentine@mewebacademy.org

Gaming Club with Mr. Barrentine and Mr. Sanstrum continues in the new year. Come talk video games and play new card and board games with us every Tuesday at 3pm; everyone is welcome!

Literary Journal

This is the first call for literary journal submissions in poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, photography, and art. If you would like to submit a piece for consideration in the 2014/2015 literary journal, please email your work to struyk@mewebacademy.org.