JaVA - Online Learning

Sidney City Schools recognizes that certain commitments/skills facilitate student success in an online educational environment.  As such, the following guidelines have been created to help families determine if the Jacket Virtual Academy is the right choice for their students.

Fundamental Nature of the Program: The fundamental nature of Jacket Virtual Academy (JaVA) is an on-line, rigorous, independent learning model for students with instruction on the General Curriculum. The following details describe the Student Profile for Success considering the fundamental nature of Jacket Virtual Academy (JaVA): 

1. Academic Readiness – Students should have grade level or close to grade level academic skills across content areas (e.g., Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, etc.) 
2. Reading Competency – Students must read at or near grade level to be successful in understanding the material presented as all coursework is delivered online in written format. 
3. Effective Written Communication Skills –Students should demonstrate the ability to write clearly and communicate ideas with a variety of writing assignments. Students will use email, discussion boards, and essay type questions to communicate with their instructors and peers.
4. Independent Learning Style – The student must be a self-directed learner that demonstrates a high level of comfort and skill in learning new material without requiring real-time feedback from teachers. 
5. Self-Motivation – Students should exhibit self-motivation as they must direct their own learning environment and procedures to fulfill course requirements. 
6. Personal Commitment – Successful online students are those who decide for themselves that online learning is a choice they have made. 
7. Work and Study Habits – Successful online students rarely need reminders or assistance in completing routine assignments. 
8. Time Management Skills – Students must be capable of organizing and planning their time frame for learning by following the pacing for course modules as well as individual assignments.
9. Communication – Students will be required to talk to their teachers and principal via telephone and/or online video conferencing platforms by completing Discussion-Based Assessments and mandatory and/or optional conference sessions.
10. Technology/Connectivity – Students have daily access to a computer with high-speed Internet service at home and/or at a convenient location in the school building before, during, and after regular school hours. 
11. Computer Literacy –Students have excellent computer skills, experience using email applications and web browsers, and are comfortable downloading information from the Internet and using other technology tools and applications. 
12. Socialization – Students should demonstrate adequate social skills and have regular opportunities to socialize in person with peers as there are social limitations in virtual learning environments. 
13. Attendance- Students should demonstrate adequate participation (and therefore progress) in school. 

JaVA Middle and High School Student Profile 
Strong virtual learners at the middle and high school setting require commitment and self-motivation to be successful. The following characteristics define a strong student in a virtual learning environment. 

• The ability to navigate and use a computer with experience using software and tools in the Microsoft Office ecosystem. 
• Uses time wisely and does not need constant reminders or assistance completing routine assignments. 
• Is self-directed and self-motivated and does not need real-time feedback on basic directions and follow-up. 
• The student can use effective time management to prepare for tests and quizzes and to conduct necessary research. 
• The student is reading at or above grade level. 
• Ability to initiate and respond to communication in multiple forms such as phone call, email, and Microsoft Teams.

Is the Jacket Virtual Academy right for you?
Please critique your skills, abilities, and motivation for pursuing online learning. The following are a collection of characteristics that will help to determine if you share similar traits with successful online learners. 
 

Are you: 

• Good at typing/keyboarding? 
• Self-motivated and self-disciplined? 
• Aware that online education is time consuming? 
• Aware that online learning gets easier after you get used to it? 
• Able to “see the big picture” and break down your work accordingly? 

Can you: 

• Work from written directions? 
• Communicate well through writing? 
• Think ideas through before you write/respond? 
• Learn without the face-to face interactions found in traditional classrooms?
• Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process? 

Do you: 

• Complete assignments on time? 
• Set goals and take responsibility? 
• Have a learning style that is conducive to online learning? 
• Know your technical skills and your technical limitations? 

Will you: 

• Participate regularly? 
• Apply what you learn? 
• Log on to your course every day? 
• Set aside a workspace to aid in studying? 
• Speak up immediately if you are having problems? 
• Print lectures and reading materials when necessary? 
• Have patience and back-up plans in case of technical difficulties?

Students must be referred to or accepted into the JaVA program. Please talk with your child's current school counselor and/or principal if you feel JaVA may be a good fit for your child. Additionally, you can contact JaVA Principal Michael Moore with any questions. 

All families enrolled in JaVA must attend an intake meeting. 

Sidney City Schools reserves the right to remove your child from JaVA. 

Sidney City Schools recognizes that certain commitments/skills facilitate student success in an online educational environment and as such, the IEP Team should assess student’s readiness level for virtual learning/courses. IEP teams will determine the special education supports and services that will be provided through the context of an IEP Team Meeting and in accordance with the programming guidelines included in the Profile of a JaVA Student and the additional information below:

Special Education services considering the Fundamental Nature of the Program: 
Jacket Virtual Academy is an independent, online model, with limited synchronous instruction. The amount of synchronous instruction varies by grade level and/or student as described below. 

• Accommodations for students with IEPs will be limited to those that are appropriate to an online environment (unless in-person accommodations are determined) and the rigorous, independent nature of Jacket Virtual Academy. Thus, Jacket Virtual Academy is not appropriate for all learners and even if the model is appropriate, accommodations in a student’s IEP may need to be removed, changed, or added by the IEP Team. 
• Limited additional synchronous instruction and/or asynchronous instruction designed to address IEP goals and objectives may be provided to ensure ongoing progress monitoring. This could include small group sessions designed to target common goals and objectives, additional work tasks, and/or individualized activities. However, the amount of additional instruction must not change the fundamental nature of the online, independent program. 
• Speech/Language, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and itinerant services (DHH, OI, VI) may be provided virtually by the homeschool service provider. Students may receive services individually or may be grouped with other students from the virtual or face-to-face setting

Grade 5 

• Synchronous instruction for all students will be provided for up to 49% of the instructional time.
• IEP Models: 
  • Intervention Specialist Support: For students who require additional support to access content, a Calvert Learning teacher will be assigned to support the course and a Sidney City Schools special education teacher will provide special services support. This may include scheduling small group and/or individual check-ins (virtual or in-person) with the student to support completion of the course.  

Grades 6 – 12 

• Synchronous instruction for all students will be provided for up to 49% of the instructional time. 
• IEP Models: 
  • Intervention Specialist Support: For students who require additional support to access content, a Sidney City Schools special education teacher will provide special services support. This may include scheduling small group and/or individual check-ins (virtual or in-person) with the student to support completion of the course.