HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK [Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document. Type the abstract of the document here. The abstract is typically a short summary of the contents of the document.] 2014-2015 LEADING IN LEARNING
Contents District Vision, Mission, and Core Values... 3 Notice of Non-Discrimination... 3 Title IX Information... 3 District Policies... 3 Eligibility... 4 Learning Coach Requirement... 4 Characteristic Requirements for Online Students... 4 Notice of Rights of Students and Parents under Section 504... 5 Special Needs Students... 6 Obtaining a Username and Password... 6 Computer Use and Requirements... 7 Educational Benefits and the Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) Application... 7 Internet Reimbursements... 7 Technical Support... 7 Access to Courses... 7 New Student Tutorial... 8 Learning Coach Access to Student Information... 8 Conferences... 8 Scheduling... 8 Schedule Change Guidelines... 8 Withdrawal from an Online Course... 8 Graduation Requirements... 9 Mandatory Testing... 9 Grading Procedures... 10 MNVA-HS Grading Scale... 10 Honor Roll Policy... 10 Vocational Opportunities Annual Notification... 11 Attendance Policy... 11 Truancy... 12 School Closings... 12 Extracurricular Activities... 13 School Outings and Events... 13 Netiquette... 13 Student Discipline... 13 Cyberbullying... 14 School Discipline Policy for Cyberbullying... 15 Academic Integrity... 15 What Happens if a Student is Caught Plagiarizing?... 17 Tips on becoming a Successful MNVA-HS Student... 17 Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO)... 20 Educational Benefits Application... 21 2014-15 Calendar... 24 2
District Vision, Mission, and Core Values District Vision: Leading in Learning District Mission: District Aims: Discover, develop, and achieve the potential within all learners. Maximum Student Achievement Safe, Welcoming & Innovative Learning Environment Efficient and Effective Operations Parent Involvement and Community Partnerships Notice of Non-Discrimination The Houston Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Krin Abraham, Superintendent 306 West Elm Street, Houston, MN 55943 Telephone Number: 507-896-5323 option 5 For further information on notice of non-discrimination and to find the contact information of the office that serves your area, call 1.800.421.3481, or visit the following website: http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/cfapps/ocr/contactus.cfm Title IX Information Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities which receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. District Title IX Coordinator: Name: Krin Abraham Office Address: 306 W Elm Street, Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt 5 Alternate Title IX Coordinator: MNVA MS/HS Name: Justin Treptow Office Address: 306 W Elm Street, Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt 4 District Policies MNVA-HS, as part of Houston Public Schools ISD #294, is an equal opportunity education provider and an equal opportunity employer. To view our district policies regarding equal opportunities and nondiscrimination please view our district policies webpage at www.houston.k12.mn.us/page/2727. 102 Equal Educational Opportunity 401 Equal Employment Opportunity 402 Disability Nondiscrimination Policy 514 Bullying Prohibition 521 Student Disability Nondiscrimination 522 Student Sex Nondiscrimination MNVA / Houston Public Schools 306 West Elm Street Houston, MN 55943 www.mnva.us mnva.k12start.com 866.215.2292 option 4 3
Eligibility To be eligible for enrollment in Minnesota Virtual Academy High School (MNVA-HS) courses, students must meet the following requirements: Students and their parent/guardian must be residents of Minnesota. A student age 17 or younger must have the written consent of a parent or guardian to apply. Students wanting to enroll in additional courses at their resident district beyond full-time status with the online learning provider are permitted under a separate agreement with the nonenrolling school district, including terms for payment of any tuition or course fees. A tuition agreement between school districts must be signed. Students must be under the age of 21. All required enrollment procedures and documents must be completed prior to enrollment. Students must be willing to participate in all required state and district testing. Parents are responsible for providing transportation for students to attend state-mandated testing. Some test sites may require extended travel. Learning Coach Requirement Every enrolling student must have a designated learning coach (responsible adult) who will fulfill certain duties in support of the student s learning in the student s home under the direction of MNVA-HS teachers. Generally, a student s parent/guardian fulfills this role, but another adult can be designated by a parent/guardian as a student s learning coach. Learning coaches who are not the student s parent/guardian must have written parental permission and may not support more than two students without a waiver from the MNVA administration. An adult student may serve as his/her own learning coach. Learning coaches should be sure to notify the MNVA-HS office of any address, phone or email changes or corrections throughout the year. Characteristic Requirements for Online Students To be an online student at MNVA, students must meet the following daily expectations: Complete online assignments, quizzes, labs and tests in the LMS Possess a working computer with a reliable internet connection Maintain weekly contact with teachers through kmail or phone Complete all mandatory school testing requirements, including but not limited to the following: Scantron and Study Island MCA s All GRAD requirements Students who have a high probability of success in an online learning environment generally display the following characteristics: Student is self-motivated and exhibits self-discipline. Student possesses reading and writing skills at or above student s current grade level. Student is willing to ask teachers for help when needed. Student exhibits organizational and time management skills. Student is comfortable with the technology required by the program. Student must have daily access to high-speed internet. As a prospective student considering whether or not to take an online course, we ask that you consider each of these characteristics. If you do not meet several of the characteristics, you still may be 4
successful at online learning, but you may experience some difficulties. Please consider this carefully so that you will have the best chance for success. In order to help you decide if online learning is right for you, we advise that you visit the MNVA-HS website at www.mnva.us. Please look over the website to get a better understanding of MNVA-HS and the K12 curriculum. If you would like to visit with our student counselor regarding being an online student, please contact the MNVA-HS office at (507) 896-5323 option 4 or toll-free at (866) 215-2292 option 4. Notice of Rights of Students and Parents under Section 504 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly referred to as "Section 504," is a nondiscrimination statute enacted by the United States Congress. The purpose of Section 504 is to prohibit discrimination and to assure that disabled students have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students. For more information regarding Section 504, or if you have questions or need additional assistance, please contact your local system s Section 504 Coordinator at the following address: District Section 504 Coordinator: Name: Tina Darling Barness Office Address: 306 West Elm, Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt Alternate 504 Coordinator - MNVA High School: Name: Ricky Smith Office Address: 306 W Elm St., Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt 4 The implementing regulations for Section 504 as set out in 34 CFR Part 104 provide parents and/or students with the following rights: 1. Your child has the right to an appropriate education designed to meet his or her individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students. 34 CFR 104.33. 2. Your child has the right to free educational services except for those fees that are imposed on non-disabled students or their parents. Insurers and similar third parties who provide services not operated by or provided by the recipient are not relieved from an otherwise valid obligation to provide or pay for services provided to a disabled student. 34 CFR 104.33. 3. Your child has a right to participate in an educational setting (academic and nonacademic) with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate to his or her needs. 34 CFR 104.34. 4. Your child has a right to facilities, services, and activities that are comparable to those provided for non-disabled students. 34 CFR 104.34. 5. Your child has a right to an evaluation prior to a Section 504 determination of eligibility. 34 CFR 104.35. 6. You have the right to not consent to the school system s request to evaluate your child. 34 CFR 104.35. 7. You have the right to ensure that evaluation procedures, which may include testing, conform to the requirements of 34 CFR 104.35. 8. You have the right to ensure that the school system will consider information from a variety of sources as appropriate, which may include aptitude and achievement tests, grades, teacher recommendations and observations, physical conditions, social or cultural background, medical records and parental recommendations. 34 CFR 104.35. 9. You have the right to ensure that placement decisions are made by a group of persons, including persons knowledgeable about your child, the meaning of the evaluation data, the placement options, and the legal requirements for least restrictive environment and comparable facilities. 34 CFR 104.35. 5
10. If your child is eligible under Section 504, your child has a right to periodic reevaluations, including prior to any subsequent significant change of placement. 34 CFR 104.35. 11. You have the right to notice prior to any actions by the school system regarding the identification, evaluation, or placement of your child. 34 CFR 104.36. 12. You have the right to examine your child s educational records. 34 CFR 104.36. 13. You have the right to an impartial hearing with respect to the school system s actions regarding your child's identification, evaluation, or educational placement, with opportunity for parental participation in the hearing and representation by an attorney. 34 CFR 104.36. 14. You have the right to receive a copy of this notice and a copy of the school system s impartial hearing procedure upon request. 34 CFR 104.36. 15. If you disagree with the decision of the impartial hearing officer (school board members and other district employees are not considered impartial hearing officers), you have a right to a review of that decision according to the school system s impartial hearing procedure. 34 CFR 104.36. 16. Office of Civil Rights, Chicago Office U.S Department of Education Citigroup Center 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475 Chicago, IL 60661-1560 Phone: 312-730-1560 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov Special Needs Students By law, any student with an IEP has the right to receive modification and/or adaptations as part of his/her educational plan. The MNVA-HS program will establish an Individual Educational Program (IEP) team to assure the appropriate instructional modifications and adaptations are in place. The MNVA-HS program will inform the student s instructors of any accommodations listed in the IEP. The school district has the responsibility of providing adjustments, modifications, and necessary services to eligible individuals with disabilities. Due to the unique learning environment of MNVA, if specific services identified by the IEP team cannot be delivered effectively in an online setting, MNVA will contract for these services. Services may be arranged through agreements with resident school districts or county agencies in order to meet the student s specific needs as identified by the MNVA IEP team. Just as in any public school setting, students with direct services listed on their IEP will participate in additional instructional support outside of the OLS. Students agreeing to IEP services through the MNVA are expected to attend their direct service sessions, whether they are offered at a local school or offered virtually through our remote software programs. If students fail to attend scheduled sessions, or do not contact their special education teacher in advance to make arrangements to reschedule the session, it will be considered as an absence for the day and will follow the attendance procedures outlined in this handbook. Repeated failure to attend direct service sessions signifies to MNVA that you may no longer wish to continue receiving special education services through MNVA and a representative from our special education department will be in contact with you regarding your desire to re-engage in the sessions or to opt out of special education services. Obtaining a Username and Password When registration has been completed, learning coaches will be provided with a username and password. Learning coaches will be able to view their students progress throughout the school year using the learning coach username and password. Learning coaches are responsible for setting up a 6
student account that will allow their students to access the courses. Students should keep their username and password information in a safe place. Use of MNVA-HS course materials, class connects, kmail and the LMS pages by anyone not enrolled in an MNVA-HS course is prohibited. Computer Use and Requirements Full-time MNVA-HS students must possess a working computer with a reliable internet connection. For those families for which this presents a hardship, desktop computer hardware is available through K12 (MNVA s curriculum provider) for families who qualify for educational benefits as determined by the Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) application. This hardware is the property of K12 (MNVA-HS s curriculum provider), and the student s use of this equipment while enrolled in MNVA-HS is a privilege, not a right. It is the responsibility of the student and his/her learning coach (if applicable) to ensure that the equipment is kept in working condition and unharmed during his/her enrollment at MNVA-HS. Students using school computers have 24/7 access to K12 s technical support team at (866) 512-2273, and they should call this phone number whenever technical problems arise. Additionally, students may have their school computer privileges revoked at any time if the school administration determines that the equipment is being misused. Educational Benefits and the Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) Application There are many potential advantages for qualifying families in filling out the application for educational benefits. Each qualifying family has the option of using school-provided computer hardware and may claim a partial internet service reimbursement to help defray the cost of providing the internet connection required for accessing online classes. In addition, qualifying families may request reimbursements up to 50% of the costs of outing and school event fees. Qualifying families also receive $0.15/mile mileage reimbursement for school-related travel (outings, face-to-face attendance, and required testing). Information regarding family income is kept strictly confidential and is only used for the purposes of state reporting. The application can be found at the end of this handbook and it is also available from the school s website at www.mnva.us. You may request a paper copy of the form by contacting our offices. Internet Reimbursements For those families qualifying for educational benefits as determined by the Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) application, a partial internet reimbursement is available at the end of each semester. Qualifying families must request this payment at the close of each semester and be able to provide copies of billing statements encompassing the time period for which they are requesting the reimbursement. Technical Support If a student is using his/her home computer, the student is responsible for computer hardware and software issues. If a technical need arises in regards to course material or a course CD, the student should contact K12 Technical Support at (866) 512-2273 and the technical support staff will assist him/her with the issue. If an MNVA-HS student is experiencing difficulties with an MNVA-HS-supplied computer, the student should contact K12 Technical Support immediately at (866) 512-2273 so the repair can begin promptly. The student should contact his/her teachers and the MNVA-HS office tollfree at (866) 215-2292 option 4 if he/she is experiencing technical issues. Access to Courses The online courses are available to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing access to highspeed internet is available. 7
New Student Tutorial All new MNVA-HS students are enrolled in an Online Learning Course prior to the start of school. Students are required to successfully complete the Online Learning Course by a specified date. Learning Coach Access to Student Information Learning coaches may view their student s record at any time. This information includes test scores, grades and due dates for coursework. To view these records, learning coaches must log in to the OLS system using their learning coach username and password, which is given to them when they register their student. Conferences MNVA-HS has an open door policy; we encourage teachers, students, and learning coaches to communicate openly and regularly regarding a student s progress in his/her courses. A teacher may request a conference with a learning coach at any time. Learning coaches may also request a conference with a teacher at any time. The conference may be held as a conference call, via phone or internet, due to the potential distance between the teacher and learning coach. To schedule a conference, the learning coach should kmail or call the instructor to arrange a meeting time. MNVA-HS hosts virtual learning coach/teacher conferences twice each school year at mid-semester. Student or learning coach complaints or concerns can usually be addressed simply by a phone call or kmail with the teacher. For complaints and concerns that cannot be handled by the teacher, the learning coach or student should contact the MNVA-HS office at (507) 896-5323 option 4 or toll-free at (866) 215-2292 option 4. Scheduling All MNVA-HS students and their learning coaches will work with the MNVA-HS placement team to schedule the appropriate classes based on credits earned from previous districts and in accordance with the Houston Public School District graduation requirements. Schedule Change Guidelines Students are encouraged to make careful course selections during registration because it directly affects the master schedule for the upcoming school year. For this reason, only in certain situations can a schedule be changed. No changes can be made unless the request meets one of the following: Student has not completed the prerequisite Student failed a prerequisite Medical Need (Requires official documentation) Educational Options (i.e. PSEO) Error (student is scheduled for the wrong class level) Examples of requests for changes that will not be honored include the following: Requesting a different teacher Requesting classes with friends Students changing their minds about the classes for which they registered If you have schedule questions or concerns, please contact your advisor or school counselor. Withdrawal from an Online Course A student in grades 9-12 wishing to drop a course should first address this concern with his/her online teacher or the MNVA-HS counselor. It is hoped that the issue will be resolved and course progress can 8
resume. If not, the student should inform his/her advisor or school counselor regarding the decision to drop a course. A withdrawal request must be received by the advisor or counselor within the first two weeks of class. If a student drops a class after the first ten school days, a failing grade will be posted on the transcript. Graduation Requirements It is the student s and learning coach s responsibility to check his/her four-year course planner to see if the student is on track to meet MNVA-HS graduation requirements. If a student or learning coach has a question regarding graduation requirements, he/she needs to contact the school counselor or the student s academic advisor. Subject areas and the number of credits required for each subject in grades 9 through 12: Social Studies 7 credits (3½ years) English 8 credits (4 years) Science 6 credits (3 years) Math 6 credits (3 years) Careers 1 credit Fitness/Health 3 credits Fine Arts 2 credits *Electives 15 credits *At least two consecutive years of a world language class are highly recommended for college-bound students. One credit will be earned for each successfully completed course. Six classes per semester, or twelve credits per year, can be earned. In order to earn a Minnesota High School diploma, students must earn credit in the above 48 credit requirements and have passed all required MCA II/Graduation Tests (MCA II/GRAD) in Reading, Writing and Math. Only students on track to earn a total of 48 credits by the end of the school year will be allowed to participate in MNVA s graduation ceremony. Students who are behind in credits will have the option of being honored in the following year s graduation service. Please note: OTH 020: Physical Education at the Minnesota Virtual Academy is a course in which students earn a letter grade, A-F. It is not a pass/fail course as listed in the course catalog. Mandatory Testing In accordance with the Minnesota Department of Education, testing has been determined to be a vital component in assessing the academic progress of students. Families are required to ensure that students participate in all required testing. Failure to attend the tests will result in a student becoming ineligible to receive a high school diploma. All MNVA-HS students in grades 9-11 are mandated by the state of Minnesota to participate in graduation assessments. Based on the revisions to Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.30, there are different routes to meeting graduation assessment requirements depending on what year students were first enrolled in grade 8. Parents/guardians should contact their guidance counselor for further information about specific requirements. Additional details and information will continue to be provided on the Minnesota Department of Education s (MDE) website as needed. Please refer to the Just for Parents section of the MDE website for the most up-to-date information. All MNVA-HS students in grades 9-11 are required to participate in the Scantron and Study Island Assessment Series tests. These are district-wide assessments that will be given in September and May of 9 Total 48 credits for graduation
each school year, with supplemental Study Island materials assigned each month. The Scantron testing will help track each individual student s progress by indicating areas that have been mastered and those that have not. All Scantron testing occurs online during a specified length of time. MNVA-HS will provide as much advance notice of the testing as possible to facilitate scheduling and planning. All Scantron student data collected remains with MNVA-HS and is shared only with learning coaches. Grading Procedures During online courses, students will receive grades for homework assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, participation and other activities. Students will be able to see their grades at any time by going to their grade books. If students have questions about grading procedures, they should contact their instructors. Students are required to save their work throughout the semester. By saving their work, students will be able to retrieve any assignments in question and review them with their teachers in the event of a dispute or question over a grade. MNVA-HS Grading Scale 93-100 = A 4.0 83-86 = B 3.0 73-76 = C 2.0 63-66 = D 1.0 90-92 = A- 3.7 80-82 = B- 2.7 70-72 = C- 1.7 60-62 = D- 0.7 87-89 = B+ 3.3 77-79 = C+ 2.3 67-69 = D+ 1.3 0-59 = F 0 Process for calculating Term and Cumulative GPA at MNVA-HS: Every full credit course contributes to the GPA (grade point average). The term GPA is calculated by adding the grade points earned during a single semester and dividing by the number of classes. For example, if a student is enrolled in 6 classes in a single term and earns three A s and three B s, the student s term GPA would be 3.5 (4+4+4+3+3+3=21. 21 divided by 6 is 3.5). The cumulative GPA is calculated by adding the grade points earned during each semester and dividing by the total number of classes. MNVA-HS Honor Roll is determined by term GPA. Class rank for MNVA- HS is determined by cumulative GPA. Every course taken is used in the computation of the GPA unless the course is taken on a Pass/Fail basis. PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Option) and Transfer credits count towards the cumulative GPA and class rank. If a student fails a course required for graduation, the student will need to retake the course; however, the subsequent passing grade does not expunge the original failing grade from the student s transcript or cumulative GPA computation. Honor Roll Policy To be eligible for the Honor Roll, a student must be carrying at least five classes from MNVA s K12 curriculum, an approved college or university curriculum, another school district s curriculum through a tuition waiver agreement, or an approved independent study course. All courses must be approved in advance of enrollment. To qualify for the Principal s Honor Roll, a student must have a term grade point average of 4.0. To qualify for the A Honor Roll, a student must have a term grade point average of at least 3.50. To qualify for the B Honor Roll, a student must have a term grade point average of at least 3.0. 10
To qualify to graduate With Honors, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above. In order to be considered for valedictorian or salutatorian honors, students must have been enrolled with MNVA for at least two semesters and be currently enrolled in MNVA. Vocational Opportunities Annual Notification Houston Public school district offers a variety of vocational opportunities through the Business Education, Industrial Technology and Family and Consumer Science Departments. The purpose of this notice is to inform students, parents, employees and the general public that these opportunities are offered regardless of race, color, national origin, sex or disability. Admission in the specific courses is determined by grade level, and in some cases, completion of prerequisite courses. The Houston Public School district is comprised of the Houston Elementary School, Houston High School and the Minnesota Virtual Academy (MNVA) Elementary and High School and has designated the following individuals to coordinate compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. District Section 504 Coordinator: Name: Tina Darling Barness Office Address: 306 W Elm St., Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt. 3 Alternate Section 504 Coordinator MNVA K5: Name: Ricky Smith Office Address: 306 W Elm St., Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt. 4 District Title IX Coordinator: Name: Krin Abraham Office Address: 306 W Elm St., Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt. 5 Alternate Title IX Coordinator MNVA-HS: Name: Justin Treptow Office Address: 306 W Elm St., Houston, MN Office Phone Number: 507-896-5323, opt. 4 The Minnesota Virtual Academy High School offers courses in business education, information technologies, family and consumer sciences, and additional career elective sciences. Course offerings can be viewed by following this link: http://www.mnva.us/sites/mnvahs.new.rschooltoday.com/files//course_catalog_13-14_hs.pdf Attendance Policy Daily participation is required in the MNVA-HS program. Learning coaches are responsible for ensuring that their students are actively engaged in all of their courses on a daily basis. Attendance will be taken daily and will be monitored by the advisors. Students are required to log in to each of their classes five days per week. Students should spend an average of at least one hour per day per course in their online classes. Failure to log in daily will greatly reduce the student s ability to be successful in his/her classes. Extended absences from coursework may constitute truancy. Families requesting excused absences are responsible for notifying the MNVA-HS office about the length and reason for the absence. Absences of three or more days for medical reasons may require verification by the student s doctor. Families wishing to excuse absences due to travel or family vacations must notify their student s advisor prior to the vacation. Failure to notify the office in advance of the absence will result in the day(s) being marked unexcused and the student will be subject to MN school attendance laws. If extenuating circumstances arise prohibiting the student from attending school, please contact the MNVA-HS office at (507) 896-5323 option 4 or toll-free at (866) 215-2292 option 4. 11
If a student is having attendance or academic concerns, a meeting may be scheduled to discuss the situation. The school or the parents/guardians can request this meeting. Possible solutions might include: the child s participation in an attendance plan, referral to a community agency for counseling, tutoring, mediation, modification of the child s schedule, educational assessments, accompanying the child to Class Connects and attending virtual classes for one day, or referral of the child to alternative educational programs and services available in the district. If the school mandates that the student is to attend a virtual all day work session (i.e. complete work in Black Board Collaborate under the supervision of teachers who can monitor and assist the student) and the student does not attend, it will be counted as an unexcused absence. Truancy Truancy is a violation of Minnesota state law, and an MNVA-HS student will be considered truant if he or she fails to complete schoolwork in one or more class for three consecutive school days without an excuse. Absences may be excused because of an illness, religious observance, family emergency, or funeral. All other absences are presumed to be unexcused. MNVA-HS has a defined procedure to deal with students who reach a truant level of absenteeism: On the third consecutive day of unexcused absence, the office attempts to contact the student and his/her family by phone to inquire about the absences. If no legitimate reason is given, or if the office is unable to make contact with the family, the office mails the first truancy warning letter to the family (pursuant to 260A.03). This letter explains that the student is currently considered in violation of the school s attendance policy and that he/she should log in and resume schoolwork in all classes immediately to avoid being removed for truancy. On the seventh consecutive OR cumulative day of unexcused absence, the office attempts to contact the student and his/her family by phone again. If no contact is made or no legitimate reason for absence given, the office notifies the truancy contact person in the student s county of residence and follows whatever legal referral processes they deem necessary (pursuant to 260A.06 and only in cases in which the student is younger than 18 years of age). A second truancy warning letter is also sent to the family which states that the student is still in violation of the school s attendance policy and needs to log in and resume work in all classes immediately to avoid being removed for truancy. In addition, the student and, if applicable, his/her legal guardian are told they must call the office and discuss the absences. If the student is under 18, the family is also told that the resident county has been informed of the student s truancy. On the 15 th consecutive day of unexcused absence, the principal attempts to contact the student and, if applicable, his/her legal guardian by phone to inform them that the student is on the verge of being referred back to his/her resident school district due to non-attendance. If contact is made, the student is told that he/she must log in to all classes and resume working immediately. If no contact is made, the attempt is documented. The student is removed from MNVA-HS if he/she does not log in by the end of the 15 th day (pursuant to 126C.05 Subd. 8). Notification letters are sent to the student/family and the resident school district. School Closings Because MNVA-HS is a virtual school, we are not subject to school closings due to inclement weather. Students are expected to log in and participate in their daily classroom schedule, even when Houston Public School s traditional sites are closed. 12
Extracurricular Activities If a high school student that is enrolled with MNVA chooses to participate in extracurricular or noncoursework programs outside of MNVA, the student twill follow the guidelines set forth by the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). School Outings and Events Throughout the school year, various mandatory outings, such as state testing, will be scheduled. In addition, MNVA-HS provides a range of opportunities for students and families to gather as an important means of building community and exploring educational and social opportunities throughout the state. Face-to-face events with teachers and staff serve to further develop a positive connection to the MNVA-HS community. MNVA-HS sponsored events are to be considered an extension of the classroom and all school policies and procedures will be in effect throughout the duration of all schoolsponsored outings or events. Netiquette Netiquette the cyberspace equivalent of etiquette is just as important as traditional good manners. Netiquette rules are necessary because readers draw inferences from the way your words are presented, rather than from your body language. All communications between MNVA administration, MNVA teachers, the learning coaches, students, K12, and other parties directly related to MNVA must be conducted with appropriate professionalism. Demeaning or foul language, derogatory remarks or innuendos are not acceptable. This includes communication during phone conferences, in email, kmail, skype, Blackboard Collaborate and any communication posted on the MNVA website. You may not use your school kmail account for sending or receiving any personal kmail that is unrelated to your school work. Be aware that teachers and administrators have complete access to your kmail, so nothing you do with your school email account is considered private. Any inappropriate communication will result in administrative action. The following is a set of rules students should follow for written communication: Email and kmail messages should be written in a more formal manner than instant messaging. Grammar and punctuation should be consistent with rules of English when composing email or kmail. For example, capitalize the first letter of a sentence, use correct spelling, use punctuation marks, etc. Do not capitalize all letters when writing; this is equivalent to shouting! Refrain from using abbreviations or use them sparingly as your teacher may not be able to decipher what your abbreviation means, e.g., TIA for thanks in advance. You may use emoticons to express feelings, but remember there is no substitute for a clearly written sentence. Please do not send chain letters or spam material of any nature to your teachers or fellow students. This is most inconsiderate! And last, but not least, think before you send; you cannot un-send. All electronically-delivered text is traceable. Student Discipline MNVA-HS expects all students to behave in a manner that is respectful of others and towards school property. When registering for the MNVA-HS program, students should be aware that they are expected to comply with the following standards as well as all policies and procedures in this handbook: 13
The internet will be appropriately used on school computers as outlined in the course materials. Inappropriate use of the internet will not be tolerated and may result in the loss of the right to participate in the MNVA-HS program. Appropriate language and message content is expected at all times. Teachers may retrieve and print student work, comments, and messages at any time. Using, possessing, distributing, or being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating or controlled substances is prohibited and subject to disciplinary action. Students are expected to adhere to the following procedures: Students must communicate with their teachers on a weekly basis. Students must log in to all of their online courses on a consistent basis. Students are expected to work in their classes a minimum of five times per week. Students must use course materials in an authorized and appropriate manner. Students will be expected to follow other rules specified by their online teachers. Students who fail to comply with the requirements of online learning are subject to the following disciplinary actions: First offense: A verbal warning will be issued. Second offense: An in-person, online or telephone meeting with the student, parent, teacher, counselor and, when deemed necessary, school administration will be arranged to discuss the student s behavior and create a behavior improvement plan. Third offense: The student may be removed from the MNVA-HS program. Any student disciplined by program removal will be in compliance with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, Rev. 2007. In the case of a severe offense and at the discretion of school administration, the verbal and written warnings may be bypassed. In the case of infringement of the discipline policy at a school-sponsored event or outing, use of reasonable force by a teacher, school employee, or other agent of the district may be warranted in compliance with Minnesota Statute 121A.582 and other laws. In cases of severe infractions, local legal authorities may be contacted. Cyberbullying What is it? "Cyberbullying" occurs when a minor is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, or otherwise targeted by another minor using the internet, interactive and digital technologies, or mobile phones. In order for this behavior to be considered cyberbullying, the infraction needs to be between two minors. Cyberbullying is not tolerated in any form at MNVA-HS. Cyberbullying includes, but is not limited to, the following: Assuming a false identity online to trick others. Spreading lies and rumors about victims. Tricking people into revealing personal information. Sending or forwarding mean text messages. Posting pictures of victims without their consent. Effects of Cyberbullying include, but are not limited to: Physically, emotionally or mentally harming a student. Placing a student in reasonable fear of physical, emotional or mental harm. Placing a student in reasonable fear of damage to or loss of personal property. Creating an intimidating or hostile environment that substantially interferes with a student s educational opportunities. 14
How to Prevent and Stop Cyberbullying Below are some preventative measures students can take to minimize their risk of being cyberbullied, as well as help stop the cyberbullying cycle: Never share personal information with anyone even with your best friend. Remember, anything posted online may potentially be viewed by millions of people. Be careful with whom you interact online; block any messages from people you don t know. Do not pass along cyberbullying messages. Tell friends to stop cyberbullying. What You Should Do if You Are Cyberbullied Anyone can be a victim of cyberbullying, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or financial status. The most important thing to do if you are being cyberbullied is to tell a trusted adult. An adult, whether it is a parent, teacher or school administrator, needs to get involved. Save and document all occurrences of cyberbullying. Cyberbulling is no longer an anonymous crime; technology allows for easy tracking of the source. Cyberbullying is illegal and violators can be prosecuted. For learning coaches if your student comes to you and reports being bullied, report it immediately to the school office and your local authorities. If the accused is a student of the school, school administration will investigate the accusation. If the accusation is proven true, school discipline policy will apply. If the accused is NOT a student of the school, the school office will help the victim and his/her family contact local authorities and/or the resident school district. School Discipline Policy for Cyberbullying If a student is found guilty of cyberbullying, the following consequences will apply based on the severity of the infraction: First offense or Minor Infraction: The student will receive a verbal warning and meet with the school counselor to learn about cyberbullying. Second offense or More Severe Infraction: The student, parent or guardian, counselor and administrator will hold a conference. A record of the infraction will be placed in the student s file. Third offense or Severe Infraction: Repeated offenses or severe infractions may result in the student being removed from school in compliance with the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, rev. 2007. To learn more about cyberbullying visit the following websites: http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying/ http://education.state.mn.us/mde/stusuc/safesch/bullyicyberbullyprev/index.html http://www.xmarks.com/site/www.safeyouth.org/scripts/topics/bullying.asp http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide/ Academic Integrity Academic integrity is a concept used to address the many facets of authenticity within a student s work. A student who upholds a high standard of academic integrity maintains that the work he/she turns in is authentic and true to the knowledge he/she has acquired. As the technology age has helped grant people quick access to any and all information on the web, academic integrity is becoming more of a standard in educational institutions as they begin to hold 15
students to higher accountability measures. It is important that students taking courses online are equipped to appropriately utilize this technology. Academic Integrity Means Unless otherwise instructed by your teacher or by a specific assessment, you are expected to honor the following principles while taking assessments: You and you alone will take the assessment. You will not copy or redistribute any part of the assessment in any way electronically, verbally, or on paper. You will treat the assessment as "closed book" meaning that you may not use any textbooks, references, or other materials (printed or electronic) during the assessment unless your teacher or the specific assessment otherwise instructs (for example, you are specifically told to refer to certain pages in a book as part of the assessment). You will treat the assessment as "single browser" meaning that during the assessment you may not log in a second time to your course, or open your course or related materials on another browser on another computer. Your answers will represent your work and only your work, free of any outside assistance. You will not plagiarize in any way. You will not confer with other students, family members, or acquaintances, either in person or through electronic communication, during the assessment. What is Plagiarism? Plagiarism is defined as copying or using ideas or words from another person, the internet or another published source and presenting it as one s own work. The following are some examples of plagiarism: Turning in another student s work as one s own. Copying a paper from a source text (including the internet) without proper acknowledgement or permission. Copying materials from a source text supplying proper documentation, but leaving out quotation marks. Paraphrasing materials from a source without appropriate documentation. Turning in a paper from a free or fee term paper website. Buying a paper from a research service or term paper mill. Copying text from an online translator to complete written assignments in foreign language courses. How to Avoid Plagiarism When research is involved for class work, most often you will be asked to cite, paraphrase, or summarize your findings. These are appropriate ways to acknowledge other people s findings. cite: to quote as an authority or example. yourdictionary.com. 2003. quote: to repeat or cite, as for authority or illustration. Merriam-Webster s Collegiate Dictionary. 11 th ed. 2003. paraphrase: a re-statement of the meaning of a passage of work, etc. Merriam-Webster s Collegiate Dictionary. 11 th ed. 2003. summarize: a brief account of the substance or essential points of something spoken or written. Merriam-Webster s Collegiate Dictionary. 11 th ed. 2003. 16
Whenever you quote, paraphrase or summarize other people's ideas it is appropriate to acknowledge the source. When quoting someone's ideas, you should place the idea in quotation marks, and then make a note in parentheses next to it citing the author, source and date. Always ask yourself, did this idea originally come from me or from someone else? If it originally came from someone else, remember to play it safe and cite the content with the author and source. Please note that MNVA prohibits the use of online language translators in foreign language courses. If discovered, violations of this policy will be subject to the disciplinary actions as outlined below. If you have further questions, please contact your teachers. MNVA has Web tools available to check for student plagiarism. What Happens if a Student is Caught Plagiarizing? If a student is found plagiarizing or not following academic integrity, disciplinary action will be taken. The student will be notified by the teacher regarding the offense. The teacher will also send notification of the offense to the MNVA-HS office to be placed in the student s file. First offense: the student will be required to redo the assignment. Based on the teacher s syllabus, the student s grade will reflect a reduction of points for the assignment. Second offense: the teacher will notify the student and his/her learning coach and arrange a meeting to discuss plagiarism and establish a system to ensure the behavior stops. The student will receive a zero on the assignment or be asked to redo it for partial credit. Third offense: a meeting will be called between the student, learning coach, teacher, advisor and administrator to address the recurrent plagiarism and discuss an academic plan to correct the problem and increase the student s understanding of academic integrity. Repeated offenses may result in the recommendation that the student be removed from the course. Removal from a course is subject to authorization by administration and, where necessary, will result in a failing grade in the course for the semester. Tips on becoming a Successful MNVA-HS Student Maximize Your Learning Look at your kmail daily. This is your instructor s way of communicating with you. Look at your graded work. Any work with a zero or low grade may have comments on how you may improve. Look at your schedule and decide what lessons you want to complete during your work time. Be sure you have completed the reading before working on the assignment. Check your grade book and teacher s announcements daily. Teachers will post announcements each week which will outline a master schedule of what lessons and assignments should be completed. Checking your grade book will alert you to any missing assignments that need to be completed. If you notice that a grade has not been entered for an assignment you have submitted, contact your teacher. Organize Your Time The most common mistake online students make is mismanaging their time. When you are working independently, it becomes your responsibility to manage your learning. This may be a new experience for you. The following are some tips for making the most of your time: Set a schedule. This is particularly important if you are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities or if you have a job. You will need to spend a minimum of one hour per course each day. Become familiar with your teacher s schedule. Although your teachers are available to you 17
many times during the day, evening, and possibly the weekend, there will be set office hours that will enable you to get a quicker response. It will not always be possible for you to work during your teacher s hours, but if you can arrange your schedule to do so, you may have better access to help. Stay focused on the task at hand. Do not search the web, play games, chat with your friends, or watch TV while you are working. All these activities may make it seem that you are working on your computer, but in actuality you will not be making progress in your coursework. Organize Your Work Space Keep a notebook for each course in your work area for taking notes. Create a folder on your computer in which to keep your assignments. You will file word documents that are submitted throughout the course. If you do not know how to set up new folders on your hard drive, please ask the tech expert in your household or contact your teacher or the K12 technical support staff. Make sure you have a space to work at home. Be sure to stock your workspace with pencils, pens, paper, calculator, and a printer. There are three items you will want to always have at your fingertips: a copy of your course schedule, copies of the course deadlines, and a contact sheet for your teachers. These items will answer the three most frequently asked questions: What have I done in the course?, Where am I supposed to be in the course?, and How can I reach my teacher? You should get in the habit of saving a copy of your work in a folder on your desktop and on a flash drive as backup in the event that technical issues unexpectedly shut down your computer. General Suggestions for being a Successful Virtual School Student Have your learning coach create your own student account username and password. Remember to log in to your classes daily. Full-time students should realistically expect to spend at least six hours per day on schoolwork, if not longer. You have the ability to schedule your days as you like, but you are expected to log in and complete work daily in all of your courses. Make sure you have a quiet work area. Set up a regular schedule with short breaks and lunch time. Be sure to check your kmail and announcements daily. Thoroughly read and follow all instructions. Check your grade book often to see how you are progressing. Set short- and long-term goals and reward yourself for reaching them. Check the calendar for due dates and meet the deadlines set forth by your teacher. If for any reason you re unable to submit an assignment the day it s due, contact your teacher. If you have concerns or questions about your classes, contact your teachers. If you are having difficulties connecting to the system, contact our office. If you need to make a general plan for improving your grades in all of your classes or have any other questions, contact your advisor. Learning Coaches here are some general suggestions to help your students be successful online: Check on your student s progress daily; if you are unsure how to navigate or use the system please contact our office. At the end of each day, sit with your student for 10 to 15 minutes and have him/her review what he/she did that day. If you have any questions or concerns about your student s learning, please contact your student s teachers or our office. 18
Please remember our teachers and staff are dedicated to helping MNVA-HS students be successful online. If you follow these tips, as well as keep weekly contact with teachers, you are sure to have a successful semester. Welcome to our program! Work diligently and don t be afraid to ask questions. We are happy to help you! 19
Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEO) For students in grades 10 through 12 Name: Grade: Post-Secondary Institution: 1) PSEO courses must be pre-approved by the school counselor and principal in order for the student to receive credit. Students are required to sign up for the PSEO courses numbered 100 and above. PSEO registration must be discussed to ensure students are meeting MNVA-HS graduation requirements. 2) Per the Minnesota Statute 124D.09 for Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Act, one half of the college credits earned will also apply toward the student s high school graduation requirements. For example, if a PSEO student earns 4 college credits for Biology, then they would also earn 2 credits toward their MNVA-HS graduation requirements. 3) All PSEO students are required to maintain full-time credit status. These credits may be taken entirely at the college or a combination of college and high school credits. 4) If a PSEO student has more than the minimum number of credits in any given semester and he/she drops a college class before the tenth day of the college semester, the withdrawn class will not appear on the student s high school transcript, nor will it affect the student s GPA. 5) If a student drops a college class after the first ten days of the semester, a grade of F will be assigned for the withdrawn class. The grade will affect the student s GPA. Students who are considering dropping a college course are strongly advised to contact their MNVA-HS counselor first! 6) Students who drop the PSEO option and choose to re-enroll at MNVA-HS must start attending classes before the tenth day of the semester in which they intend to earn credit. Students are required to make up all work. 7) Part I of the Minnesota State Department of Education PSEO form must be completed by the student/parent and returned to the MNVA-HS counselor before registration for each college term. 8) It is the student s responsibility to contact the designated college regarding registration, orientation, assessments, credit transfer information, and the appropriateness of course selections. 9) Students should contact the MNVA-HS Dean of Students as soon as their college registration is complete so that their MNVA-HS schedule can be adjusted. No MNVA-HS class schedule will be changed until the student presents the college registration form. 10) All grades earned in PSEO will be averaged into the student s high school GPA. 11) Transportation, class attendance, and meeting all PSEO requirements are the responsibilities of the participating student. Parents accept the responsibility of students who drive to a college. 12) Students enrolled in PSEO are responsible for maintaining contact with MNVA-HS regarding senior and graduation related events. Juniors are required to take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. 20
Educational Benefits Application 21
22
23
2014-15 Calendar 24