The PAC Mission:
To serve as the front line of RVA family communication while in collaboration with the RVA administration and school board.
Well, first of all, what is the PAC? The state of Wisconsin will tell you that the PAC is the Parent Advisory Council, a mandate that every charter school has available for you as parents. So if there are questions, concerns or feedback to be offered, you as a home mentor have someone to go to.
My name is Angie Wolosek and I will be serving in the RVA as the Parent Advisory Council President. It is the PAC that works in collaboration with the administration team and RVA School Board to create the best possible school experience for our students and families. I can be reached at angie.wolosek.rec@ruralvirtual.org or 715-254-8599.
The PAC in the RVA is a community of home mentors working together to inspire each other and grow. This is how the Mentor Series came to be. We heard from our RVA families about a desire to learn and grow as a home mentor and the Mentor Series was created!
You Have a Voice!
Throughout the school year there will be four open forum discussions known as PAC meetings. These sessions are not recorded and designed with you in mind. This is a time where you as parents can discuss how you are doing, how you feel the school year is moving along, as well as how you are implementing what you have learned to be best practices in your household. PAC meetings are also a good time to brainstorm together, revisit Mentor Series webinars or follow up with questions regarding Board Meeting topics. These sessions are all for you. RVA parents having time to talk.
You can also anticipate a quarterly newsletter throughout the year updating you on what is going on within the RVA. In this newsletter you will find many important details including any updates that pertain to you as a home mentor or topics brought about from other home mentors.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me; The RVA’s PAC President, Angie Wolosek at angie.wolosek.rec@ruralvirtual.org or 715-254-8599
RVA Events
Throughout the year, the RVA organizes group events that encourage students to build relationships and create lifelong memories with one another.
Since the RVA serves students statewide, it is important to have a number of activities throughout the school year so all students can have opportunities to participate. Check out the RVA Website under the Activities tab for more information on all the RVA Events. This Group Events Calendar will provide you with the links and RSVP forms that are needed for attending these events. We hope to see you and your family soon!
RVA Learning Center
Join us at the RVA Learning Center for some Great Events and Opportunities
Intentionally located in the center of Wisconsin in Mosinee for ease of access, we created this space for families and our consortium partners to get connected. This RVA Learning Center serves as a means for group events, curriculum enrichment opportunities, individual student support and those looking to form in-person relationships with other students during the RVA school year.
Keep an eye out on the RVA Learning Center Calendar for upcoming events. For more information and to learn more about this facility, check out the website linked here: Learning Center Website.
The Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is at the RVA Learning Center in Mosinee! Come to purchase books at reduced cost and scope out your next amazing read! The book fair is also available to families online from April 29 - May 12 using this link.
There is no RSVP form for the fair - just stop by the RVA Learning Center in Mosinee to browse the shelves! If you are attending an event during the book fair time, please fill out the RSVP form for that event.
*We are unable to accept cash in person at the book fair, we can only accept credit and debit cards.
Parent University
Parents who graduated completed a six-week course learning about a variety of topics related to being a Home Mentor in the RVA including All Things Buzz and Google, Curriculum, Learning Center, District Connect, RVA Governance Board, and more!
This class will be offered again next October for Home Mentors interested in enrolling!
Congratulations again to all of the Graduates!
End of the Year Picnic
Clear your calendars for RVA's End of Year Picnic!! We can hardly wait to see you at this year's ALL-SCHOOL picnic being hosted at Marathon Park's Multi-Purpose Building #2 on Friday, May 19th. There will be something for everyone at this hot diggity dog picnic including high school yearbook signing, group dances, bouncy houses, park trails, hot dogs, cookies, class photos, playtime, a pet food drive, and school assembly. Have technology that needs to be dropped off? Bring it along we can check it in and take it for you!
Marathon Park also has a wide array of hiking trails, pickleball courts, and playground equipment for you to explore as well. The RVA will be hosting this end-of-year picnic from 11AM-3:30PM so plan ahead today! A hot dog, cookie, bottled water, and a bag of chips will be served from 12:30PM -1:30PM. Feel free to pack your own lunch or beverages if needed for dietary restrictions.
This will be a day you don't want to miss and one where we all get to celebrate another AWESOME year in the RVA. All RVA families are welcome and encouraged to attend this super fun day in Wausau's Marathon Park. We hope to see you there!
Here’s a schedule for our day!
Start Time + Check-in + Free Time - 11:00AM
Hot Diggity Dog Lunch is Served - 12:30PM
School Assembly - 1:45
Free Time - 2:30
End Time - 3:30PM
Changes to the student handbook for the 2023-2024 school year.
Please take a look at the new changes that will take place in the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
Internet Reimbursement
Earned Flexibility in High School
Orientations
Internet Connectivity
To view the complete student handbooks with these updates for both Elementary/Middle School and High School click on the links provided below:
Mentor Network and Mentor Series
What is the difference between Mentor Series and Mentor Network?
Mentor Network- The Mentor Network is a collaborative Home Mentor experience facilitating relationships, the sharing of ideas and tips from Mentor to Mentor. Whether you are a new or an experienced Home Mentor, you are welcome and encouraged to take part in our Mentor Network!
Mentor Series- The Mentor Series is a Home Mentor developmental opportunity designed for professional and personal growth through a series of online webinars. Home Mentors with a goal of enriching the home learning environment are encouraged to attend.
For more information on what the Mentor Network or Mentor Series will entail please check out our Group Events Calendar.
Mentor Network Meeting Dates:
May 18th, 2023 @ 1PM
Mentor Series:
Thank you for attending the webinars this year provided by the Mentor Series. We are working hard on the webinar lineup for the upcoming school year. Have a great summer and we look forward to seeing you next year.
To view past Mentor Series webinars click the link to navigate to our Mentor Series Resource Library
Other Important School Dates
Quarter 4th No Live Classes
No Live Classes (Work Day) - May 15th, 2023 (Teacher Inservice)
Last day of Live Classes - May 26th, 2023
Community Service
It is a goal of the RVA to instill the value of volunteerism in students by providing experiences which require the effort of giving back to positively impact our communities.
All RVA Students are required to complete a minimum of eight hours of annual community service. The hours may be invested as each student chooses and may be acquired in a one-day project or over the entire school year. Community service projects are to provide students access to meaningful work that focus upon giving back to their local communities.
Group opportunities will be provided through the RVA in order to provide assistance to those students who would prefer not planning their own service project. For more information regarding community service and opportunities head over to our Community Service Page.
RVA Learning Corner
Are you looking for super fun activities or crafts? Check this fun craft corner out!
DIY Summer Sponge Bombs
Do you like to tie balloons for water balloon fights? I know that I don’t. This will be something that my family tries over the summer for our next water fight. Instructions Here
Colorful Bubble Art
Take this colorful activity outside and make some great bubble art. This looks like so much fun, I can't wait for the weather to warm up so that we can have some bubble fun. Instructions Here
RVA Recipe Discovery
Bacon Cucumber Tomato Salad
This outstanding summer salad is a total crowd pleaser. I have been making this salad for sometime now and I get asked to bring it all summer long to family get-togethers. -Recipe
S'more Cheesecake Fluff Salad
Who doesn't like a good gooey smore? I know that they are a staple when we have bon-fires. I'm looking forward to trying this out of the box new way to make my favorite summer treat. -Recipe
Where in the World is Roary!!!
RVA we need your help locating Roary!
Roary has gone on vacation and now he's missing oh no. What are we going to do? All we know is that Roary set off on a fantastic adventure and has sent us some great pictures and clues, but we are unable to figure out where he is. We need your help to bring him back to the school. With these helpful clues we are looking for the RVA pride family that can help return Roary safe and sound.
Please send guesses to angie.wolosek.rec@ruralvirtual.org to see if you were able to locate Roary for an incredible reward.The first five families with the correct answer will be notified for a reward.
The answer to the questions will be placed in the next RVA PAC newsletter. Please keep an eye out for that information to see if you were able to locate Roary.
Helpful Clues from Rory
To get to this place you need to take a long airplane ride.
The weather is always warm here so don't forget to pack your sunscreen.
About 1,116,891 people visit here every year.
March’s Where in the World is Roary answer:
Roary was in Arches National Park located in Utah .
Tech Corner
Helpful reminder to update your RVA chromebooks every month. Follow these simple steps for greater device performance: How to Update Your Chromebook. Here is a link to a video of this same process.
For additional help with a variety of technology questions, go to the RVA-Help! menu. Here you can find an array of useful videos specific to frequently asked questions. Please send other technology related questions to the new RVA technology email. rvatechnology@ruralvirtual.org
Current Internet Reimbursement Information and Dates 2022-23
Internet Reimbursement - The Rural Virtual Academy Governance Board supports the monthly reimbursement for home internet usage for full-time RVA students.
RVA families are eligible for quarterly reimbursements of $90 to a maximum of $360 annually if able to meet all of the the following criteria:
Complete signed “Statement of Understanding” regarding the RVA’s internet
reimbursement guidelines upon initial and all subsequent student registrations.
Have at least one child actively enrolled in the RVA on these dates:
December 1
February 1
April 1
June 1
Have no outstanding unpaid balances or fines owed to the RVA or any consortium school district.
Prior to set deadlines, successfully respond to quarterly emailed surveys requesting confirmation to either receive or decline reimbursement and to verify current home mailing address. Emailed surveys are only sent to RVA parents and/or guardians via their designated ruralvirtual.org school domain email address. This is to confirm active participation, compliance with communication expectations, and demonstration of successful use of required school provided communication systems.
Late submissions may be approved at the discretion of RVA Administration for rare, unforeseen, and unavoidable conflicts.
Checks are mailed following the regularly scheduled Medford Area Public School District’s monthly Board of Education meeting. The Rural Virtual Academy Governance Board reserves the discretionary right to deny reimbursement to any user and to adjust the rate at any time.
Checking your emails over the summer
If you are staying in the RVA next year, please don’t forget to keep your RVA email up and running and ready to go over the summer. Check it regularly and you won’t miss out on any summer field trips, teacher communication or important information from the school office.
Feedback
Attention RVA Families
Any and all feedback is welcomed and can be emailed directly to angie.wolosek.rec@ruralvirtual.org.
Have a recipe or a craft you would like featured? Feel free to submit this as well for upcoming newsletters.
Thanks for being a part of this wonderful schooling experience and for making the RVA the best school ever!