5 Feb
Congratulations to all of the COS sophomores who completed the high school exit exam!
A reminder to parents: Our next parent club meeting is on Tues. Feb. 9 from 4-5:30 in the online school library. We will be discussing the 4-year academic plan for your students and the progress we have made since our last meeting.
2 Feb
All COS 10th grade students will be coming to the online school campus on Tuesday and Wednesday for the California High School Exit Exam. Every 10th grade student in the State of California takes this test at the same time. This test is required by law and is required in order to earn a high school diploma. All students should plan on arriving at 9:30 am each day.
Our schedule for the test is as follows:
Students should bring two #2 pencils.
We have organized a website with information about the format and content of the California High School Exit Exam that includes practice tests and games using the content of previous high school exit exam items.
I am sure all COS students will do very well!
28 Jan
Today is Day 3 of the organization workshop. All of the content of the student online school workshops is on our wiki.
As we finish up the workshops today, students should remember the daily checklist (be sure to do this every day):
27 Jan
It was great seeing everyone yesterday. To get started with Day 2, log into Moodle/Organization Workshop in one browser tab, and open your email in another browser tab, and log into your IM account. Now, read Lesson 2.02 and get started.
Here is the first thing to do:
Use of Quia – Quia is used for activities, games, quizzes and tests. Follow these directions and then complete the two assignments in the course – one is an evaluation of the Day 1 course and the second is a quick quiz to see what you learned yesterday.
1. Day 1 evaluation
2. Day 1 Quiz.
26 Jan
Today begins the first day of the Organization Workshops. They will last from 8am-10am on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The purpose of these workshops is to discuss ways to get better organized in doing online courses. We have learned a lot from watching students and parents last semester and we want all students to be well organized so they have more free time!
The organization workshop is in each student’s Moodle, but the lesson are also available on our wiki – here.
Anyone is welcome to join and be part of the organization workshops. Elluminate will be used each day so people from a distance can participate. Each session will be recorded so you can listen to what you missed. There will be two lessons each day and they will be organized in 30 minute blocks: 30 minute group activity, 30 minute individual activity.
Looking forward to seeing all the students today. Follow along if you’d like.
22 Jan
Today marks the end of the first semester of the Clovis Online School. In a letter I sent to all parents, I wrote:
I wanted to take this opportunity at the end of our first semester to thank you for being part of the Clovis Online School. You have each been an important part of the development of our school and you will continue to be an important part in the future. We have had several parent meetings that have helped to improve things in COS for the second semester. Parent meetings are the second Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:30. Next meetings are: Feb. 9 and March 9. All parents are welcome!
To further improve our school and identify the best ways to publicize our school, we would appreciate you taking 5 minutes to complete this online survey. Just click on this link and mark your answers…thanks! Survey link: www.quia.com/sv/369586.html.
21 Jan
Today and tomorrow (Thursday and Friday) are the final days of the first semester of the Clovis Online School. Yesterday (Wednesday) was the last day to turn in assignments. You will notice that you will only see your English courses in Moodle for the next two days. You must log in and do the one daily assignment in your English course. Remember, this is how we “do” attendance in the online school, how you get credit for completed assignments, and how the school gets funded.
These two days are our semester roll over where we move all students from first semester to second semester courses. When you log in on Monday, January 25, you will see your second semester courses. In the online school, all course content is divided into first semester and second semester. Chai is very busy getting all of this completed for everyone in our school – students and teachers!
The second semester is a chance for all students to start new. So, keep yourself organized and get your work done on time or early. You will see some changes in all of our courses. First, the module on top is the module you should start working on. Second, you will see the whole module and how long you have to complete each module so you can plan out how you can complete each module. Finally, you will see due dates next to each assignment to help you pace yourself in your work.
As I mentioned at the leadership summit earlier this week and in the letter sent home to all parents, I will be holding three mini-workshops called the “Online Game Plan” – or how to stay organized and complete the online courses. Each series will take place during the following times: Jan 26-Jan 28 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from 8am-10am and Feb. 9, 10 and 11. Those who attend must attend all three days in a row. I will be sharing ideas, tips and tricks of how to stay organized and complete online courses on time. The first tip is for everyone to have a binder with dividers in each course. Everyone should get a binder organized now, so you’re ready for the second semester.
At the leadership summit, all students who attended shared “tips for success” in the online school. Here is the list of tips for success that were shared:
Remember what Yoda said to Luke in the second “Star Wars” movie?
14 Jan
Tuesday, January 19 will be our final student leadership summit of this semester… here in the COS School Library. The summit will last from 12:30-4:30 (and yes, we will have refreshments!).
The schedule for that day will be as follows:
Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday. If you’re not able to attend the summit to take your final, please contact RobDarrow [ at] cos.cusd.com or your teacher to make other arrangements for the final.
12 Jan
As the semester comes to a close, please be aware of the following dates and their importance for all students.
More info about the High School Exit exam can be found at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/resources.asp
Overall, remember that you need to log into Moodle each day by noon and complete one assignment each day in each course to keep up with your attendance in the Clovis Online School. If you are completing assignments and working in your courses but need further assistance, please contact your teacher via email, phone or IM.
8 Jan
During my holiday vacation, I spent part of my time visiting my 83-year-old dad who lives in Santa Cruz (my mom passed away earlier this year). He is still working full time as a lawyer, plays golf several times each month, has a fabulous garden (flowers, vegetables, etc.) that he tends to each day, and he still lives in the same house where I grew up. I can remember living in that house while I went to high school with my parents and my three brothers and one sister. During high school, I did not talk much with my parents except during dinner time, and then it was all seven of us all talking at the same time. My time was spent going to school, hanging out with my friends and being involved in a variety of school activities because I wanted to be independent and do things on my own! However, I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today without the guidance of my parents – even though I didn’t always want to hear their input. Of course, I took for granted that I had a place to live, food to eat, money for clothes, and the freedom to get a job. This was more than 30 years ago for me (nope, no Internet or cell phones then!), but I don’t think things have changed much as far as teenagers wanting to be independent and do things on their own.
In talking with students and parents in the Clovis Online School, I have learned that most students want to be independent and do things on their own and control their own destiny. At some times, students are happy to talk and be with their parents and have their input and guidance, but at other times, students just want to be left alone to figure things out on their own. Most parents are happy to allow their teenagers to figure things out on their own as long as they are being successful and they are safe. All parents know the importance of earning a high school diploma and going on to college and/or a great job. So, this is where the challenge comes in for both parents and students. If students are not being successful in school or doing things that are not keeping them safe, then a parent has to step in and talk with their student and help figure out options that will help them to be successful and to do things that keep them safe. This is what I have heard from parents at the parent club meetings we have held during the past three months. All of us – parents, grandparents, teachers, and students – are working together so that all students will be successful. So, take a minute to thank your parents for their guidance and for keeping you safe!
Our parent club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:30 in the COS Library. The upcoming meetings are on February 9 and March 9.
During our past two meetings, parents have identified the things in the online school that are working and the things in the online school that need improving )I have received similar input from the weekly student leadership meetings that are held online on Tuesdays at noon). As I share with every student who is interested in attending the online school, the motto of this school is…”your school, your web, your future.” This school will only be successful with all of us working together to build the school (even if we don’t have a big school building). Here is the list of things parents identified that are working and need improvement:
Things that are working in the online school/reasons for attending the online school
Things that need improvement in the online school
Thanks to all of the parents who have helped all of us to be more successful and for your involvement in in this school!
