Schooling in the RVA - The Basics

When you're new to the RVA, the logistics can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be a stressful time. These basics will help you have you up and running as stress-free as possible.

Everything in RED is clickable to help you quickly find the tools you need to succeed!

1. Make the Decision to School from Home

Making the decision to school from home can be difficult and is not one to be made lightly. As you are deciding if the RVA is right for you, consider factors such as:

• The time commitment

• The pros and cons of schooling from home based on your family’s needs

• Your spouse and child’s opinions about schooling from home

There are many factors that go into deciding to join the RVA and many are unique to your family’s specific needs.

Read through our website and take in the way we school at the RVA and what each stage looks like for your child’s grade. If the are PreK-5 or 6-8 or 9-12 your role as the home mentor is different and the way your student learns is different. Click on the red grades above to learn what everyones roles are for deeper understanding.

We also encourage you to call the office at: 888-801-2666 and speak to one of our secretaries. We take pride in that we are just regular Wisconsin folk, not some big corporation like other schools and that when you call us, you feel like your talking to family. Our staff have your best interests at heart and it shows when you talk to them.

If your student is in PreK-5 use ext. 831 to talk to Angie.
If your student is in 6-8 use ext. 821 to talk to Sandy.
If your student is in 9-12 use ext. 822 and talk to Ember.
If your student has special needs use ext. 834 and talk to Susie.

It might help to talk to other RVA families in person after an orientation or online at our #MyRVA group.

Click here to review our annual report to get the facts about the RVA. Every year we give our families a survey (that section is at the end of the report) and we ask them to rate all aspects of our school, our teachers, staff, the curriculum...etc. and ask them to offer feedback good and bad and we publish it. You won't find any other school that would be willing to do that. We take those results and we make changes to address parental concerns. We are always evolving to meet what our families want and need because we work for you. We never lose sight of that.

So you’ve decided that RVA is the school for you. You love the extended family feel of the RVA and trust in it’s motto: Relationships. Values. Academics… in that order no apologies! All you need to do is click the button Enroll Today just below and you can complete the registration paperwork fully online in little time. Easy!

2. Start Strong

Once your filled out your registration for the RVA, you’ll want to do all that you can to ensure that you start on a positive note. If your student is transitioning from your local brick and mortar to the RVA, there are steps you can take to smooth the transition. For example, you’ll want to allow time for everyone to make the adjustment. You don’t have to make every decision right away.

Make sure you attend an orientation! They cover the basics and we also record them so you can go back an rewatch them! Reach out to the office at 888-801-2666 and they can get you a link to watch them!

Watch some of our Home Mentor Series Videos for helpful tips about motivation or learning styles.

Have your student sign our Virtual School Contract so they are aware that have a responsibility to try their hardest and have a good attitude about school.

3. Learn the Basics of Scheduling

RVA Students generally have a great deal of freedom and flexibility when it comes to scheduling, but it sometimes takes a while to find what works best for your family. Learning how to create a homeschool schedule doesn't have to be difficult when you break it down into manageable steps.

It can be helpful to ask other RVA families what a typical homeschool day looks like for them. A few tips to consider:

• When your kids work best: Are they early birds or night owls?

• Your spouse’s work schedule

• Outside classes and commitments

4. Join RVA Events with Your Family

Meeting together with other RVA families at events can be helpful way to share ideas with other families, learn what works for them and just a great chance to socialize and have fun!

We provide over 100 free events throughout the year. You can check our all ages events page or our high school specific events to plan your next trip.

Elementary and Middle School Orientations!

It's almost AUGUST!!! We hope you are all enjoying summer.....and getting excited about the upcoming school year! We just wanted to remind everyone that we have Elementary and Middle School Orientations for both new and returning families starting this week!

We ask that everyone attend at least one orientation to start out the school year. However, you are welcome to attend as many as you want! :)
The online orientations will be recorded and sent out too.

Thursday, August 1 – Online (RVA Blackboard Room #1)

Returning Family – 9:00 – 10:30 am
New Family – 11:00 – 1:00 pm
Returning Family – 3:00 – 4:30 pm
New Family – 5:00 – 7:00 pm

For the online orientation, you can access the link for the Blackboard Room from off of the RVA Webpage under Student Access or you can click on the link:

RVA Blackboard Room #1

If you are unable to attend online or want to attend in-person instead, you are certainly welcome to! Here are the in-person dates.

Friday, August 2 – Medford 12:00 – 3:00 (New families)
Taylor County Education Center (RVA Office) – 624 College Street, Medford, WI 54451

Friday, August 2 – Medford 3:30 – 5:00 (Returning families)
Taylor County Education Center (RVA Office) – 624 College Street, Medford, WI 54451

Thursday, August 8 – Milwaukee 9:00 – 12:00
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – 1250 S. Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005

Thursday, August 8 – Tomah 3:30 – 6:30
Best Western Tomah Hotel – 1017 E. McCoy Blvd, Tomah, WI 54660

Friday, August 9 – LaCrosse 9:00 – 12:00
Radisson Hotel LaCrosse – 200 Harborview Plaza, LaCrosse, WI 54601

Friday, August 9 – Eau Claire 3:00 – 6:00
Holiday Inn Eau Claire South I-94 – 4751 Owen Ayres Ct. Eau Claire, WI 54701

Monday, August 12 – Eagle River 9:00 – 12:00
Eagle River Inn & Resort – 5260 WI-70, Eagle River, WI 54512

Monday, August 12 – Green Bay 4:00 – 7:00
Tundra Lodge Resort & Conference Center – 865 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay, WI 54304

Tuesday, August 13 – Wausau 11:00 – 2:00
Holiday Inn & Suites – 1000 Imperial Ave, Rothschild, WI 54474

We are looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

**If you have a high school aged student, please note there are separate orientations later in the month for them!

Doodle for Google for a Chance to Win a $30,000 Scholarship

Looking for a fun, easy, art contest you could enter for a $30,000 scholarship and our school could win a $50,000 grant!  https://doodles.google.com/d4g/

Last year's $30,000 Scholarship Winner:

This years theme:

When I grow up, I hope…

How to enter:

Students can work with any materials they want, but all doodles must be entered using the entry form. Parents and teachers can mail the completed entry form or submit it online as a .png, or .jpg. The contest is open for entries until March 18, 2019 8:00pm Pacific Time (PT)

Rules: https://doodles.google.com/d4g/rules/

Prizes:

The National Winner’s artwork will be displayed on Google.com for one day. He or she will also receive:

• A $30,000 college scholarship

• A $50,000 technology package for their school/non-profit organization

• A trip to Google headquarters in California

• Google hardware

• Fun Googley swag

The four National Finalists, who do not become the National Winner, will have their doodles featured on the Doodle for Google gallery. Each National Finalist will receive:

• A $5,000 college scholarship

• A trip to Google headquarters in California

• Google hardware

• Fun Googley swag

All State and Territory winners will have their doodles featured on the Doodle for Google gallery, and will receive:

• Google hardware

• An assembly celebration at their school

• Fun Googley swag

They even have mentor resources here:

https://doodles.google.com/d4g/classroom/

Here are examples of Google Doodles:

https://www.google.com/doodles/doodle-4-google-2018-us-winner

If you think this a cool idea, reach out to your teacher or AP advisor!

Open Enrollment for the 2019-2020 School Year is Available Now! Apply online!

The Wisconsin 2019-2020 open enrollment period starts at midnight, February 4 and ends April 30, 2019 at 4pm.

Apply on-line for open enrollment during this time by clicking the button marked "apply for standard open enrollment" below.  If you have questions, do not hesitate in giving us a call anytime at 1.888.801.2666.

Applying early gives families early preference for getting into the school for the next year!

Middle School Academic Career Planning Prize Giveaway!

Attention Middle Schoolers!

Want to win one of the cool prizes below AND learn what career might suit you best?

To WIN: Keep Attending Academic Career Planning in BB#1 during Activity Period OR Watch the recording if you can't attend.

Each time you attend or watch you receive one entry into the drawing. 

If you complete ALL THE ACTIVITIES you can receive a BONUS ENTRY!

We will be drawing 3 lucky names from the entries and will announce the winners on FACEBOOK February 8th. 

It wouldn't hurt to "Like" the RVA on Facebook in case you forget to check so you get the news in your feed! 

Click HERE TO "LIKE" the RVA!

GOOD LUCK and GREAT CAREER PLANNING!

Would you like to speak at Graduation? Submit a video tryout if you are a senior!

Tryouts for student graduation speakers will be in the format of a pre-recorded video speech. The Graduation Committee, made up of RVAHS staff members, will be viewing all video submissions and making selections that best represent the excellence of RVAHS students.

Interested students must write and deliver a speech not longer than five minutes in length which would be given during the graduation ceremony to be held at the Jefferson Street Inn of Wausau on May 31st, 2019.  For consideration, a typed copy of this speech and pre-recorded video must be submitted to Ms. Holewinski by Friday, April 19th. The speaker/s selected will be notified May 1st, 2019.

Therefore, your best efforts should be made in terms of:

Writing: developing an idea or ideas using a controlling metaphor

Delivery: practice, practice, practice and know your speech

Appearance: dress well, as that first impression will be very important

Concerning the subject matter of the speech:

Consider your audience carefully: your classmates, parents, family members, teachers and friends will be in attendance

Consider the occasion: your graduation

Consider what you want to say: about the past, the present, the future; about yourself, your class, your school, and your world

Consider the educational significance: be very cognizant of academic depth, substance, good grammatical composition, and expression

This is a very important day for the entire graduating class of the RVA and we are excited to see the brilliance that shines through in this opportunity.  Even if you are not selected, your participation sets a high standard for the future and many graduating classes to come. Consider taking this opportunity to make yet another momentous moment in your experiences with the Rural Virtual Academy.  We wish you the best in this most meaningful endeavor.

Sincerely,

The Graduation Committee

Happy Holidays from all of us at the RVA!

All of us at the RVA have had a blast this year teaching alongside our amazing home mentors and guiding our RVA superstar students and families!

Please accept our warmest wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season and checkout the fun Snaps our teachers and staff took to give you all a giggle! ❤️