MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

1. What is Hershey Online Academy? 2. What grade levels are serviced through Hershey Online Academy? 3. Is the HOLA curriculum accredited? 4. How would my child benefit from attending Hershey Online Academy? 5. What are the activities that my child would have access to if enrolled in Hershey Online Academy? 6. Is there a cost for my child to attend Hershey Online Academy? 7. What personal attributes will contribute to a student s success in HOLA? 8. How many classes may my child take? 9. How will my child s progress be monitored? 10. How will my child s progress be reported? 11. How much time will my child spend doing school work during the day/year? 12. How much work should a student complete each week? 13. How will my child s grades be determined? 14. Do HOLA students have textbooks? 15. Is there tutoring available for students in HOLA? 16. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding one of my classes? 17. How will my child receive cyber credit for physical education? 18. What happens if my child does not complete their coursework on time? 19. What am I as a parent/guardian required to do if my child attends Hershey Online Academy? 20. What are the requirements for promotion throughout the middle level? 21. Will my child be required to participate in standardized testing? 22. Does the Hershey Online Academy have a gifted program? 23. Is there a special education program? 24. Does HOLA offer summer school? 25. What is the attendance policy for students enrolled in Hershey Online Academy? 26. How do I pick up and return HOLA computer equipment? 27. How do I learn to navigate the HOLA system? 28. Who do I contact if I have technical issues with the hardware or the website? 29. Are HOLA students required to follow the DTSD Acceptable Use Policy? 30. How do I communicate with the HOLA Coordinator? 31. Who are the main contacts for HOLA? 32. How do I enroll my student in the Hershey Online Academy and register for classes?

Hershey Online Academy (HOLA) 1. What is Hershey Online Academy? Hershey Online Academy (HOLA) provides an online delivery of curriculum. The online academy allows students to be taught from home through instruction via the internet and a computer. All students are given a laptop computer, internet access, and a printer. Cyber academy students will remain Derry Township School District students and graduate with a DTSD diploma. 2. What grade levels are serviced through Hershey Online Academy? For the 2013-2014 school year, all students grades 6-12 will be eligible to apply for enrollment. In subsequent years, enrollment may be expanded to additional grade levels. If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), a team meeting must be held prior to enrollment. 3. Is the HOLA curriculum accredited? Yes, Hershey Online Academy courses are aligned to the PA State Standards and are taught by PA certified teachers. All cyber students will be supported by school district staff. 4. How would my child benefit from attending Hershey Online Academy? The benefits of participating in Hershey Online Academy are numerous, from learning at your own pace and flexible scheduling to access to Derry Township School District extra-curricular activities and school-sponsored events. Hershey Online Academy is fully accredited and aligned with Pennsylvania state standards. In addition, Hershey Online Academy students graduate with a DTSD diploma. With the district s consistently high academic rankings at the state and local levels, a DTSD diploma is valuable in the college admission process. 5. What are the activities that my child would have access to if enrolled in Hershey Online Academy? The chart below provides a small list of the many extra-curricular and school-sponsored activities for students enrolled in the Hershey Online Academy. A complete list can be accessed via district website. Band HMS Girls Basketball 7 th /8 th Grade Jazz Band HMS Boys Basketball 6 th Grade Jazz Band HMS Track & Field Math Counts HMS Girls Volleyball Science Olympiad HMS Wrestling Spanish Club HMS Cheerleading HMS Cross Country HMS Ski & Snowboard Club HMS Field Hockey HMS Chess Club HMS Football HMS Strength & Fitness Club HMS Boys Soccer HMS Dances HMS Girls Soccer HMS 8 th Grade Play

*If your child is enrolled in band, orchestra, or choir they may attend those classes held during the school day. The child must sign in and sign out at the main office. Students must leave following the class and may not stay for any other course, activity, study hall, or lunch. 6. Is there a cost for my child to attend Hershey Online Academy? Hershey Online Academy is an online curriculum delivery system. Since it is part of the public school district, Derry Township resident s tax dollars pay for this service. Hardware and internet service are also provided free of charge while attending Hershey Online Academy. Technical support is provided by Capital Area Intermediate Unit. 7. What personal attributes will contribute to a student s success in HOLA? The following personal attributes will greatly contribute to a student s success in HOLA: selfmotivation, independent learner, computer literate, time management skills, effective written communication skills, and personal commitment. 8. How many classes may my child take? Students may enroll in a maximum of six classes at any given time during the school year. Students that elect to enroll in summer courses will be responsible for the cost of the course(s). 9. How will my child s progress be monitored? The Hershey Online Academy Coordinator, along with members of the CAOLA Learning teaching staff, will record grades based on content and skill mastery. Report cards will be issued to Hershey Online Academy students on a quarterly basis, consistent with DTSD reporting procedures. The reporting of pupil progress includes report cards and parent conferences when necessary. The majority of HOLA courses are one credit courses broken into four parts or marking periods. HOLA offers some half credit semester courses and quarter credit courses. 10. How will my child s progress be reported? Hershey Online Academy embraces the philosophy that online courses should be as rigorous as those taken in the school buildings. These courses will prepare our online students for college. In addition, the program guidelines meet standard NCAA eligibility requirements. All credits earned through Hershey Online Academy will be recorded as part of each high school student s DTSD transcript. Transcripts will indicate courses that have been taken online. 11. How much time will my child spend doing school work during the day/year? All Pennsylvania students are required to attend school 990 hours for grades 6-12. All courses are created based on this requirement. To meet the annual hour requirements, Hershey Online Academy students are required to complete one lesson per day per course. We understand that students work at different paces based on their academic ability. However, students spend approximately one hour on each subject per day, which is about five hours per day for a 5-day week. Hershey Online Academy will follow the regular school district calendar.

12. How much work should a student complete each week? Each student must complete a minimum of five lessons in each class a week or 12.5% of a course each week. This percentage will ensure HOLA students complete all of their assessments prior to the end of the marking period. A pacing guide will be sent out at the beginning of each marking period to help guide students each week. 13. How will my child s grades be determined? Similar to traditional courses with multiple measures of student progress, Hershey Online Academy assesses student progress in a variety of ways. Some examples of the assessment tools used include journal entries, quizzes, tests, homework assignments, and written projects. Students will be required to submit assignments to their teachers for evaluation and feedback. Teachers will assess mastery and provide timely quantitative feedback for all grades. o Every assignment in a course will have a designated point value. Final grades for a marking period will be calculated using total points. o Students must complete all assignments in each part of the course to receive a marking period grade. 14. Do HOLA students have textbooks? No. Online textbooks are embedded within each course. 15. Is there tutoring available for students in HOLA? Yes. There are three tutoring options. Option 1 Students can visit the research center at the hours below for their subject and receive synchronous instruction. Please note that the online teacher available at the hours below may not be the student s actual online teacher. However, they will be a content expert that teaches for Edison and is knowledgeable about the Edison content and subject matter. Teachers will rotate through the office hours, so the student can enter the Learning Lab and request subject help and they will be directed to the appropriate teacher. Spanish has available office hours below; all other World Languages should use the tutoring hotline or message their teacher. Subject Days Office Hours Math M-F 11am-Noon, 1-2pm, 2-3pm, 4-5pm English M-F 9-10am, Noon-1pm, 5-6pm, 7-8pm Science M-F 10-11am, 1-2pm, 3-4pm, 6-7pm Spanish M-F 11:00am-Noon, 2-3pm Social Studies M-F 8-9am, 11am-Noon

Option 2 Students may contact their online graders directly through the messaging system and request a private tutoring session. The students will work with the online graders to determine a specific date and time for tutoring. Please urge your student to include you in on the communication. The online graders will either perform tutoring through the research center or through an Elluminate link shared with the student. Elluminate allows for the capability of speaking. Option 3 Toll free tutoring number 1-855-534-3996 Students may also call a toll free number to request tutoring. The students will be directed to push 1 for English, 2 for Science, 3 for Math, 4 for World Languages, and 5 for Social Studies. The number will then ring directly to the lead teacher for the subject area. This is intended to be a supplement to the current tutoring process: advisors/students are still welcome to message their Edison teachers directly as they have been. 16. Who do I contact if I have questions regarding my classes? If you have questions regarding your classwork, please message your online instructor. You may also contact Mr. Mack, Hershey HOLA Coordinator, at any time for help at smack@herhsey.k12.pa.us or 531-2244. 17. How will my child receive cyber credit for physical education? Hershey Online Academy students will enroll in the DTSD alternative physical education program. This course awards physical education credit for active participation in sports/activities that do not occur during the school day. Students must engage in sports/activities for at least 5 hours every week. Students are responsible for reporting approved sports/activities to their physical education instructor. The physical education department will be provide more details and specify the criteria. 18. What happens if my child does not complete their coursework on time? If your child does not complete their coursework prior to end of the marking period or semester they will receive an incomplete on their report card. The course will remain open and your child will have a chance to complete the work and earn a passing grade prior to the end of the school year. If your child does not complete the work by the end of the school year the incomplete grade will turn into a failing grade. Students that habitually do not complete work or have poor attendance will be required to meet with school officials and may be removed from HOLA and required to return to the building.

19. What am I as a parent required to do if my child attends Hershey Online Academy? Hershey Online Academy parents are asked to maintain a positive learning environment for their children. In an online environment this means monitoring their attention to their work, communicating with the district mentor and teachers, and helping to keep the computer equipment in good working order. 20. What are the requirements for promotion throughout the middle level? In order to be promoted to the next grade level Hershey Online Academy students must meet the following promotion requirements: Course Sequence Requirements for Hershey Online Academy 6 th Grade CORE 7 th Grade CORE 8 th Grade CORE Course Credit Course Credit Course Credit Language Arts 6 1.0 Language Arts 7 1.0 Language Arts 8 1.0 Science 6 1.0 Science 7 1.0 Science 8 1.0 Social Studies 6 1.0 Social Studies 7 1.0 Social Studies 8 1.0 Math 6 1.0 Math 7 1.0 Math 8 1.0 6 th Grade Encore 7 th Grade Encore 8 th Grade Encore Course Credit Course Credit Course Credit Computer Basics 0.5 Middle School Art 0.5 Discovering World Lang. 0.5 Study Skills 0.5 Middle School Health 0.5 Life Skills 0.5 Alternative PE 6 1.0 Alternative PE 7 1.0 Alternative PE 8 1.0 *Enrollment in DTSD alternative physical education program each year. Students must successfully complete English, Math, Science, and Social Studies with a yearly average of 1.0 or higher in each subject to be promoted unconditionally to the next higher grade. If a student fails in English or Math or in two (2) or more one-credit subjects, the student will be retained for the next school year. The building principal has final discretion to retain a student. 21. Will my child be required to participate in standardized testing? Yes. All students in the Hershey Online Academy will be required to participate in all state - directed standardized testing. Students will be notified of testing dates and will be required to arrive on campus to participate in these assessments. 22. Does the Hershey Online Academy have a gifted program? Hershey Online Academy follows Chapter 16 of the Pennsylvania State Code regarding gifted students. We meet those guidelines by enriching our students through individual course selection and AP offerings. All goals delineated in a student s GIEP will be supported through Hershey Online Academy and by our professional staff.

23. Is there a special education program? Yes. We follow all federal and state regulations and standards for special education students. As a public school, we implement Chapter 14 for special education and Chapter 15 for 504 Protected Handicapped Students. All goals delineated in a student s IEP will be supported through the Hershey Online Academy and by our professional staff, including appropriately certified and highly qualified special education teachers. 24. Does HOLA offer summer school? Yes. Students that fail a class can take that class over again in the summer if it is offered. There are a limited number of summer courses available. Students are responsible for all costs and fees associated with summer school enrollment. 25. What is the attendance policy for students enrolled in Hershey Online Academy? The attendance policy for students enrolled in Hershey Online Academy mirrors the attendance policy for students in the traditional school setting. o o o o o Students must log into the HOLA network five days a week and complete work. The HOLA school week is defined as Monday through Sunday; therefore, students will be able to schedule the week as they see fit. All weekly lessons should be completed by Sunday 11:59 PM. Any student that does not log into the HOLA network five days a week and complete work will be marked with an unexcused absence. All absences are counted as unlawful until the Derry Township School district receives a written excuse explaining the valid reason for the absence. The student will need to submit a note to the office for the day(s) of the absence. Students can email an excuse to Mrs. Peters at CPeters@hershey.k12.pa.us. Notes must be received within 3 school days of the absence. Students that have accumulated in excess of ten excused and/or unexcused absences may require a written excuse that indicates the student was seen by a doctor or medical practitioner. If you have any questions, please contact the school office so that we may work together to ensure your student s educational success. Students are responsible for making up the lessons they missed while they were absent in order to complete the marking period on time. If a student has an unexcused/unlawful absence, he/she will not be permitted to make up tests, quizzes, assignments, class work, etc. Instructors will assign zero credit for work missed during assigned day. 26. How do I pick up and return the HOLA computer and printer? Computer equipment can be picked up and returned in the school office. Please make sure all equipment, wires and cables are returned or the student will be responsible for the cost of the missing item. If you are planning on remaining in the HOLA program the following school year, you may keep your computer over the summer months. 27. How do I learn to navigate the HOLA system?

Students are required to complete a cyber-essentials tutorial before starting their coursework. The cyber-essentials tutorial will teach the student how to navigate the system. 28. Who do I contact if I have technical issues with hardware or the website? If you have questions concerning technology, please contact tech support at caolasupport@caiu.org or 732-8403. You may also contact Mr. Mack, Hershey HOLA Coordinator, at any time for help at smack@herhsey.k12.pa.us or 531-2244. 29. Are HOLA students required to follow the DTSD Acceptable Use Policy? Yes. HOLA students will be required to sign the DTSD acceptable use policy. 30. How do I communicate with the HOLA Coordinator? Contact Mr. Mack, HOLA Coordinator, at smack@hershey.k12.pa.us or 531-2244. If Mr. Mack cannot answer your question or solve your issue, he will point you in the right direction and follow up to make sure your issue has been resolved. 31. Who are the main contacts for HOLA? HOLA Coordinator Shane Mack smack@hershey.k12.pa.us or 531-2244 Enrollment and Course Scheduling High School Guidance or Middle School Guidance Technology CAOLA Help Desk caola-support@caiu.org or 732-8403 Course Specific Questions Message your online instructor Attendance High School Office 531-2244 or Middle School Main Office 531-2222 Tutoring Online Research Center, Message your online instructor or 1-855-534-3996 32. How do I enroll my student in the Hershey Online Academy and register for classes? Please contact your guidance counselor to set up a meeting to discuss Hershey Online Academy. Course registration will also go through the guidance department to ensure your student is on track to meet all DTSD graduation requirements.

*** Please detach and return to Mr. Mack prior to beginning HOLA courses Student Name: POLICIES and PROCEDURES I have read the policies and procedures listed in the Hershey Online Academy Handbook and have discussed its content with my child. Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature HOLA EQUIPMENT I understand that I am responsible for the replacement or repair cost for any items that are not returned or items that are damaged. Failure to return the items or failure to pay the replacement or repair cost will result in an obligation. The School Resource Officer will also be notified. Obligations may interfere with various school privileges and DTSD graduation. All equipment must be returned within one week of completion or withdrawal from the HOLA program. Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY By signing this form, my parent(s) or guardian(s) and I have read, discussed, and agreed to abide by the Derry Township Acceptable Use Policy. I understand DTSD reserves the right to retrieve and review, for purposes of determining compliance with policy, any input placed upon the computers and the Internet by any persons utilizing the DTSD computer and internet capabilities. We realize that a violation of the policy will result in disciplinary actions. I understand that this form will be maintained on file and will be enforceable until graduation. In addition, DTSD makes no warranties with respect to computer use and the Internet access. Any costs, liability or damages caused by the way I use the Internet access will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian. The full policy can be found on the DTSD website under Our District, Board of School Directors, Board Policies, 800 Operations, 815.1 Acceptable Use of Technology Recourses (student version). Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature