Getting Started at
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Be sure to complete the Connections Academy Family Orientation before getting started this school year. This orientation is most helpful if both the student and Learning Coach complete it together. Do you have questions already on what it means to be a Learning Coach? Have no fear, you have lots of support and the guide below will help give you some ideas on the role you play.
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10 Steps to a Successful School Year
#1 Participate in Your Welcome Meeting
Your homeroom teacher will be reaching out to invite you to a Welcome Meeting within seven days of your enrollment. These meetings are required for the Learning Coach and Student, and they will really help set you up for success! They are great opportunities to ask questions, get to know who your teacher or teachers will be, create a plan for your schedule, and share more information about yourself. Please make sure to work with your teacher when they reach out to find a time/day that works for everyone. These meetings will take place in the teacher's Live Lesson classroom.
Your homeroom teacher will be reaching out to invite you to a Welcome Meeting within seven days of your enrollment. These meetings are required for the Learning Coach and Student, and they will really help set you up for success! They are great opportunities to ask questions, get to know who your teacher or teachers will be, create a plan for your schedule, and share more information about yourself. Please make sure to work with your teacher when they reach out to find a time/day that works for everyone. These meetings will take place in the teacher's Live Lesson classroom.
#2 Complete the Connections Academy Family Orientation
The Connections Academy Family Orientation is required for all newly enrolling families to complete together during the first week of school. This orientation will show you how to log in, how to complete and submit daily lessons and assessments, accessing the grade book, how to webmail teachers, attending Live Lessons, and more. We recommend going through the orientation as soon as possible, if you have not done so already, as it will help answer many questions that come up during the first week of school, and support you the best way possible in getting off to a strong start!
The Connections Academy Family Orientation is required for all newly enrolling families to complete together during the first week of school. This orientation will show you how to log in, how to complete and submit daily lessons and assessments, accessing the grade book, how to webmail teachers, attending Live Lessons, and more. We recommend going through the orientation as soon as possible, if you have not done so already, as it will help answer many questions that come up during the first week of school, and support you the best way possible in getting off to a strong start!
#3 Set Up Your Learning Space
To help your student establish good learning habits, it is best to have a dedicated workspace for them. They should have a good desk or table to sit at with a comfortable chair. The room in which they work should be free from loud noise, the television, or other distractions, especially during teacher meetings, assessments, and/or Live Lessons. We'd also suggest a bookshelf to house any materials we send you and a space where paper, pencils, and other notebooks can be stored. Please note: Some materials will need to be sent back at the end of the school year. If you keep them together throughout the year this makes the collection much easier.
To help your student establish good learning habits, it is best to have a dedicated workspace for them. They should have a good desk or table to sit at with a comfortable chair. The room in which they work should be free from loud noise, the television, or other distractions, especially during teacher meetings, assessments, and/or Live Lessons. We'd also suggest a bookshelf to house any materials we send you and a space where paper, pencils, and other notebooks can be stored. Please note: Some materials will need to be sent back at the end of the school year. If you keep them together throughout the year this makes the collection much easier.
#4: Understand School Attendance Requirements
Included below are the Wisconsin Connections Academy student attendance requirements. Please make sure to review these guidelines so that you understand what is required of all WCA students.
Students are required to attend at least two virtual classes per week (one being a math lesson, and another class of the student's choice). Each semester, students are allowed five missed classes of virtual class attendance. Learning coaches are responsible for documenting their student's attendance in their Pearson Online Classroom Account. Per Wisconsin State Requirements, families should aim to complete at least the minimum hours of schooling each week based on their grade level: Grades 4K-KG - 12 hours; Grades 1-6 - 29 hours; Grades 7-12 - 32 hours.
Not only are regular contacts with WCA teacher(s) required, they're essential to success - so make sure you return communication with your student's teacher(s). Teachers are available Monday-Friday during the week, from 8:30am - 3:15pm, with the exception of school-observed holidays or breaks. NOTE: For safety and security purposes, our teachers can only speak to people who are verified on the student's Connections Academy account. Please make sure everyone participating in the student's learning journey is listed and verified. CLICK HERE for information on how to become a verified Learning Coach and/or Caretaker.
Included below are the Wisconsin Connections Academy student attendance requirements. Please make sure to review these guidelines so that you understand what is required of all WCA students.
Students are required to attend at least two virtual classes per week (one being a math lesson, and another class of the student's choice). Each semester, students are allowed five missed classes of virtual class attendance. Learning coaches are responsible for documenting their student's attendance in their Pearson Online Classroom Account. Per Wisconsin State Requirements, families should aim to complete at least the minimum hours of schooling each week based on their grade level: Grades 4K-KG - 12 hours; Grades 1-6 - 29 hours; Grades 7-12 - 32 hours.
Not only are regular contacts with WCA teacher(s) required, they're essential to success - so make sure you return communication with your student's teacher(s). Teachers are available Monday-Friday during the week, from 8:30am - 3:15pm, with the exception of school-observed holidays or breaks. NOTE: For safety and security purposes, our teachers can only speak to people who are verified on the student's Connections Academy account. Please make sure everyone participating in the student's learning journey is listed and verified. CLICK HERE for information on how to become a verified Learning Coach and/or Caretaker.
#5: Meet Your Teachers!
Each of our WCA teachers has their own hub page, which you can find on our school hub. Teacher hub pages are a way for our teachers to communicate important class information, provide class resources, etc. Bookmark and review your teacher(s) pages regularly to ensure you are staying up to date with class news, custom assignments or other important things. Spend some time getting to know them and get a sneak peek at what you might be learning this year!
Each of our WCA teachers has their own hub page, which you can find on our school hub. Teacher hub pages are a way for our teachers to communicate important class information, provide class resources, etc. Bookmark and review your teacher(s) pages regularly to ensure you are staying up to date with class news, custom assignments or other important things. Spend some time getting to know them and get a sneak peek at what you might be learning this year!
#6: Explore our School Counseling and Student Support Resources
Something many families do not realize when they participate in a virtual school is that because we are a public school, we offer all of the same services that a brick and mortar school does. We have a wonderful school counselor as well as a website loaded up with resources that may help you and your family. Check out our Counseling and Advisory page and don't forget to bookmark The Calming Room for moments during the day when you just need a break.
Something many families do not realize when they participate in a virtual school is that because we are a public school, we offer all of the same services that a brick and mortar school does. We have a wonderful school counselor as well as a website loaded up with resources that may help you and your family. Check out our Counseling and Advisory page and don't forget to bookmark The Calming Room for moments during the day when you just need a break.
#7: Discuss How to Structure and Plan Your School Day
Sometimes it can be helpful hearing some examples of best practices and strategies regarding how to set up your daily schedule and school day. Click the links below for tips and tricks from WCA teachers on how to get started each day and what a successful routine looks like! **Please also CLICK HERE for a helpful WCA Daily To-Do Checklist you can print and post in your workspace.**
Sometimes it can be helpful hearing some examples of best practices and strategies regarding how to set up your daily schedule and school day. Click the links below for tips and tricks from WCA teachers on how to get started each day and what a successful routine looks like! **Please also CLICK HERE for a helpful WCA Daily To-Do Checklist you can print and post in your workspace.**
#8: Follow Wisconsin Connections Academy on Social Media!
Wisconsin Connections Academy is active on social media! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join the conversation, ask questions, and interact with other families within our virtual school community. We also have Resource Hub that is updated regularly with helpful content to support families and students throughout the school year.
Finally, we have a closed and private Facebook group – Wisconsin Connections Academy Official Group. This page is just for enrolled Learning Coaches, and is intended to be a helpful resource when you have questions, or even if you’d like to try and meet up with other WCA families in your area.
Wisconsin Connections Academy is active on social media! You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join the conversation, ask questions, and interact with other families within our virtual school community. We also have Resource Hub that is updated regularly with helpful content to support families and students throughout the school year.
Finally, we have a closed and private Facebook group – Wisconsin Connections Academy Official Group. This page is just for enrolled Learning Coaches, and is intended to be a helpful resource when you have questions, or even if you’d like to try and meet up with other WCA families in your area.
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#9: Experiencing Any Difficulties or Have More Questions? Troubleshoot Some Common Questions with our FAQs Below
#10: Effective Communication Between WCA Teachers, Students, and Learning Coaches
Communication is essential at Wisconsin Connections Academy. Teachers will reach out to students many times throughout the school year, not only to check in on their academic progress, but also get to know the students and build relationships that will support them during their educational journey. There are 4 main avenues of communication with WCA teachers:
Communication is essential at Wisconsin Connections Academy. Teachers will reach out to students many times throughout the school year, not only to check in on their academic progress, but also get to know the students and build relationships that will support them during their educational journey. There are 4 main avenues of communication with WCA teachers:
- Phone Call
- Webmail
- Text Message
- Livelesson