Hazleton Area Virtual Academy: (570)459-3247
E-mail: medekm@hasdk12.org
Curriculum: Website: www.hasdk12.org
Shortcut Link: Virtual Academy
May 11, 2015

Hazleton Area Virtual Academy
Coordinator
Guidance
Technology Support
Michele Medek
Carla Kubitz
Drums
Joanne Ledge
Freeland
Michelle Planutis
Hazleton
Anna Rose Derwicz
Heights Terrace
Donna Grobelny
Valley
Christina Fedurko
West Hazleton
Jill Rogers
McAdoo
Technology Help Desk
May 11, 2015
(570)459-3247
(570)459-3221
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X21516
X22516
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(570)459-3111x 4357

Program Overview
The Hazleton Area School District believes that student learning is not confined to the classroom or the school day. Opportunities for learning today’s technologically connected world should be available at all times in many ways. Hazleton Area School District is now offering its students the opportunity to participate in a full- time online school. Hazleton Area Virtual Academy is an initiative that began in 20009 for students in grades 9-12. We now offer this program to students in grades 4-12. The Hazleton Area Virtual Academy gives students the opportunity to complete schoolwork using online curricula at home, while allowing Cyber Academy students the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities sponsored by the District.
Primary Provider
The Hazleton Area School District is a member of Blendedschools.net. This is a consortium of over 100 schools and colleges that provides a huge network of available coursework and the technology to deliver the curriculum. Since the District has access to all of the content on that network, these courses will be the primary on-line curriculum of the District. The District will not provide financially for other on-line courses.
Goals of Cyber Learning
The Hazleton Area Virtual Academy supports the needs of all children through:

Synchronous and asynchronous Cyber Learning.

Participation in School Sponsored and Extra- Curricular Activities

Highly Qualified, Pennsylvania Certified Teachers

Flexibility in Program Design

Individualized Instruction

Progress Monitoring

Strong Partnership Between HASD and Families

Technology Package
All Cyber Learning activities must be in accordance with Pennsylvania laws and Hazleton
Area School District guidelines.
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Curriculum Framework
Students in grades 4-8 will take all of their courses online through Hazleton Area School
District. The District will offer up to six (6) online courses per grade level. All courses will be asynchronous where instructors provide materials, lectures, tests, and assignments that can be accessed at any time. Elementary will have three synchronous lessons per week where they can have access to a teacher. These synchronous lessons will be held from 4:00-5:00pm.
Grade 4
Math
Grade 5
Math
Grade 6
Math
Science
Social Studies
English
Science
Social Studies
English
Science
Social Studies
English
Reading Reading Reading
Health, Art, Music, Physical
Education
Academic Integrity Policy
Health, Art, Music, Physical
Education
Health, Art, Music, Physical
Education
The educational focus of the Hazleton Area School District is to continue to maintain and preserve the highest expectations and academic standards for its students.
Student Responsibility
Students have the responsibility to respect the intellectual and academic property of self and others.
Parent Responsibility
Parents have the responsibility to encourage their children to maintain high personal standards of academic involvement by producing original quality work.
Teacher Responsibility
Teachers have the responsibility to teach, monitor and maintain academic integrity by requiring quality original work by each student. To that end, professional staff members should provide written and verbal communication to parents and students regarding evaluation procedures.
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Attendance
Regular attendance in any learning environment is vital to school success. Students who do not participate in their on-line course regularly will diminish their learning experience. The insistence on good attendance serves a clear and constant reminder of the importance of good instruction, enabling the student to:

Learn subject matter and earn good grades

Develop responsible work and study habits
1) Attendance (students are subject to the same attendance rules and laws as students attending regular public school) a.
Sign-on daily attendance will be based on successful completion of the following requirement: i.
Students must log in each course daily and actively work by completing daily assignments per instructor’s direction. b.
Students who do not satisfy the above requirements will be marked absent for that course for that day. For daily attendance purposes, unexcused absence from more than three (3) courses each day will equate to one (1) full day absence. c.
Should a student miss more than seven (7) unexcused days in a marking period, his/her class participation will not exceed a 50% as per the Hazleton Area School
District attendance policy. d.
If a student is marked absent seven (7) days from the beginning of year an attendance letter will be sent out. e.
If a student is marked absent for thirteen (13) days from the beginning of the year a thirteen (13) day notice and a legal notice will be sent out. From that point on they must have legal excuses otherwise a truancy citation will be filed at the magistrate. f.
Students must attend online sessions. Three one hour sessions per week from 4:00-
5:00pm. g.
Students are not required to attend classes on those days that the brick and mortar students are not required to attend. These would include snow days, Act 80 days or holidays approve by the Hazleton Area School district. h.
Should a student fail to attend online classes on a regular basis the Coordinator has a right to request the student return to the home school i.
Parents have the option to send their child back to the home school any time they wish. j.
Failure to attend cyber classes based on the standards above, subject Hazleton Area
Virtual Academy students to the same attendance rules and laws as students enrolled in Hazleton Area School District. k.
Absence notes are required to be submitted within three (3) days of any absence for the absence to be considered excused. Attendance rules and requirements for the building of attendance jurisdiction will be utilized to determine process and procedure for the maintenance of attendance. Those notes must be sent to the Online Primary
Contact (OPC) of the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy.
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l.
Should extenuating circumstance arise such as illness or connectivity issues students must obtain approval of teacher and On-line Primary Contact to turn in late assignments.
2) Hazleton Area Virtual Academy cyber education will not be considered a break in education from the resident school.
Computer Issues

If a student is having computer problems, they must inform the coordinator immediately.
Problems with a home computer will NOT be an acceptable excuse for failure to complete work on time. If the student has problems at home, they must make alternative arrangements. If problems occur with school computers, please alert the Coordinator as well as the Help Desk immediately.

If the student does not meet the above requirements and is full time virtual, truancy fines will be assessed. If the student is enrolled in the traditional program and is taking a course in addition to the regular classroom, failure to meet the attendance requirements will result in a class cut report. In some instances, the district may choose to remove a student from a course for failure to meet the above requirements.
Student Participation

Student participation in on-line cyber instruction will be based on the individual student’s needs and is subject to the approval of the guidance counselor, school principal and Online Primary Contact. Typical examples of the students who may qualify for on-line instruction would include students unable to attend school for medical or medical related problems, students requiring an alternative educational setting, students enrolled in an existing on-line program, extended home-school students or students wishing to leave the brick and mortar school setting to participate in on-line instruction.
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Students will be required to participate in all state mandated testing.
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Students who wish to participate in after school sports are subject to the teams qualifying rules. Students may try out for sports within their home school boundary lines.
 Student’s on-line studies will follow the school district calendar and schedule of marking periods for completion of coursework.

Students are required to turn in class assignments according to due dates which are set by the course instructors. No late work will be accepted unless the student was absent and a written excuse has been submitted within three days. The written excuse must be turned into the On-Line Primary Contact (OPC).

Student participation in on-line instruction in the home or at school is a privilege that may be withdrawn if circumstances warrant at anytime.

On-line home instruction students will have access to school resources such as the library and guidance counseling per appointment only. Students who are expelled are not permitted on school property will have to use the public library.
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
Any confirmed cases of cyber bullying, cyber stalking or cyber harassment will result in immediate dismissal from the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy
Parent/Guardian Role in Your Child’s Education
Hazleton Area Virtual Academy is pleased to partner with you to provide your child with a quality education. While we supply the computer (at request), curriculum and professional support, you provide the supervision, management and encouragement. Your child’s success truly depends upon your consistent involvement. Hazleton Area Virtual Academy
Parents/Guardians are expected to:
 supervise their child’s work,
 provide support and encouragement,
 maintain communication with instructors,
 monitor progress through the online grade book,
 hold their child responsible for completing coursework,
 oversee the care of school materials,
 make sure child attends online tutoring sessions (one 1 hour session per week per course, time of live instruction will be determined by the course instructor)
Internet Reimbursement
The Hazleton Area School District will reimburse you for your internet bill up to $20.00 per month. The District will reimburse for the months of September-June. A copy of your internet bills (with parent’s name visible on bill) should be turned in twice a year in December and June to the On-line Primary Contact at the Hazleton Area High School. A W-9 form must be completed in order to receive payment.
Physical Education Requirements
Students can enroll in a team sport or the student may enroll in a membership in an approved exercise facility paid for at the expense of the student.
Research Tools
Students will have access to the POWER Library, (The Pennsylvania Online World Electronic
Resources) The POWER Library is offered as a service of Pennsylvania's public libraries, school libraries and the State Library. The POWER Library allows you to access full text magazine articles, photographs, pictures, charts, maps, reference materials. You will need a library card which is free through any library to access the POWER Library.
Copyrights
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All employees and students must fully comply with the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy
Copyright Policy. The Academy shall provide informational material to professional employees, students and other staff members that accurately describe, and promote compliance with, the laws of the United States relating to copyrights, and provides notice to students that materials used in connection with the course may be subject to copyright protection; and in the case of digital transmissions:
1.
Applies technological measures that, in the ordinary sense of their operations, prevent retention of the work in accessible form by recipients of the transmission from the transmitting body or institution for longer than the class session; and unauthorized further dissemination of the work in accessible form by such recipients to others.
2.
Does not engage in conduct that could reasonably be expected to interfere with technological measures used by copyright owners to prevent such retention or unauthorized further dissemination.
Privacy
The Hazleton Area Virtual Academy will respect the privacy of its users, unless it is required to disclose information by law, or if in good faith, the Academy believes that the action necessary to conform to the law or legal process to protect and defend the rights or property of the Hazleton
Area Virtual Academy, or to act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of the users or the public.
Acceptable Use Policy
Access to the technology utilized by HAVA courses imposes responsibilities and obligations upon users. Appropriate use is:

Characterized by ethical and honest behavior

Demonstrated by respect for physical and intellectual property

Responsive to system security protocols
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Respectful of individual rights to privacy and to freedom from intimidation, harassment and unwarranted annoyance
HAVA has established the following expectations for student behavior in order to inform disciplinary action as required.
1.
Exercise responsible, ethical behavior.
The Internet is a global network of information. The information available ranges from being useful and scholarly to being incorrect, possibly plagiarized and offensive. There are no gatekeepers or systems of censorship in place on the Internet. The student bears responsibility for the conduct while engaged in HAVA course, both in terms of how they interact with others and in how they demonstrate mastery of course objectives.
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2.
Respect individuals’ freedom from harassment.
Students will protect the privacy of classmates. Students will not publish any names, passwords, e-mail addresses, or other information pertaining to other students. Students understand that the HAVA courses require use of discussion boards as a means of communication and learning; therefore, respect these technologies as a means of instruction.
Students will not use these or other forms of communication as a means to harass people via the Internet, including administrators, teachers, and other students.
3.
Utilize the technology and the HAVA Blendedschools.net in a respectful manner.
Students will not use the HAVA on-line course system for any commercial or illegal activity. Students will follow rules, written and unwritten, pertaining to Internet etiquette, and communicate respectfully to all people. Students will not attempt to bypass security protocols on servers or workstations.
4.
Adhere to the Hazleton Area School district’s Acceptable Use Policy 815.
5.
Violation of any part of this agreement or engaging in any other activity that school authorities consider inappropriate will be subject to disciplinary action consistent with
HASD policies and procedures. Discipline could include, but would not be limited to, immediate suspension or termination of Internet access to the HAVA courses. Any attempt to break into or tamper with the system operations, including any student records or grades, will result in cancellation of HAVA privileges.
6.
Credit for on-line courses will be granted to students by HASD in accordance with established district policies.
7.
On-line courses are approved for credit by the Board of Education consistent with any other instructional delivery. All district policies related to academic honesty, participation and attendance will apply to on-line courses.
Agreement for Use of School Equipment
Purpose: District owned laptop computers authorized for use off school property is assigned to a specific individual, that individual will be fully liable for loss of equipment and excessive damage during the period of use. This equipment is to be used only by school district students.
Authority: The Virtual Academy program director may grant the use of equipment after an inservice on the use of the equipment is completed by the student. The district’s Fixed Asset
Coordinator and Office of Security Operations may conduct a random inspection of the equipment anytime at the district’s discretion. I further agree that (without limiting the foregoing): I will, upon request, deliver the Computer to the OPC (Online Primary Contact) to provide the district technology department with the opportunity to perform and repairs/updates.
Repairs, however, may be the responsibility of borrower. Issues related to malfunction or damage to equipment must be reported to the OPC within a timely manner not to exceed one week or 5 working days. I agree that I will not install any software on this computer other than that required for use with HAVA. I am responsible for all damages or loss to this Computer and its peripherals when it is out of School District Buildings. If my personal insurance company
May 11, 2015

does not cover damage or loss to the Computer, I agree that I am personally responsible for all damage(s) or loss.
Responsible Party agrees to protect HAVA’s interest in the equipment by maintaining adequate insurance to cover damages to the equipment by fire, theft, flood, explosion, accident, act of
God, or other accidental cause to the full replacement of the equipment.
I understand that my use of the Computer is subject to all other School District policies including
(without limitation) the School District’s Acceptable Use Policy, which I acknowledge I have read and understand. I will take reasonable precautions to protect the Computer from use by anyone other than my child, from theft, and from any viewing or transferring of data or materials thereon by anyone other than my child and parents or guardians.
Bullying Policy
The HASD Bullying Policy prohibits bullying of any student or employee by any HASD Board member, district employee, parent, consultant, contractor, agent, visitor, volunteer, student, or other person in any HASD school/facility or outside the school/facility at HASD and/or schoolsponsored events, on school buses/transportation, while students are travelling to and from school, and at training facilities or training programs sponsored by the HASD.
Cyber Stalking : Defined as to engage in a course of conduct to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at or about a specific person, causing substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.
Cyber Bullying: Defined as the willful and repeated harassment and intimidation of a person through the use of digital technologies, including, but not limited to, email, blogs, social websites
(i.e. MySpace, Facebook), chat rooms, and instant messaging.
Bullying , Cyber Bullying, and/or Harassment also encompass: retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying, harassment, or discrimination. retaliation also includes reporting a baseless act of bullying, harassment, or discrimination that is not made in good faith. perpetuation of conduct listed in the definition of bullying, harassment, and/or discrimination by an individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause emotional or physical harm to a student or school employee by: incitement or coercion accessing or knowingly and willingly causing or providing access to data or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer network within the scope of the District school system acting in a manner that has an effect substantially similar to the effect of bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
Non- Discrimination Policy
May 11, 2015

It is the policy of the Hazleton Area School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, ancestry, marital status, or disability in its educational-vocational practices.
Announcement of this policy is in accordance with State law including the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Act and with Federal law, including Title VII of the Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Student Name_______________________________________________
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Motivation
A successful student is self motivated. Students must be able to have self-control and focus on schoolwork for the required amount of time. Successful students plan a schedule and follow the schedule. Depending on a student's self-control, a student may need to eliminate or limit instant messaging, music, TV, and other distractions.
Student's Initials: __________
Parent Involvement
Parents are vital to the success of a student in the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy. Although students are young adults, they still need to be guided and nurtured. While the V3 Academy has many electronic ways to monitor a student, the parent is the human eyes and ears. Parents have first hand knowledge of the student's strengths and weaknesses. Please do not hesitate to contact the coordinator with questions, suggestions, and concerns.
Parent/Guardian Initials: __________
Attendance
Attendance is a combination of two factors: Time spent online and submission of work.
Time Spent Online
Students are required to complete the assignments as per teacher instruction per day per subject enrolled. (5 days per week) When school does not meet for traditional students due to holidays, scheduled time off, or weather, online students are not required to log in.
Submission of Work
Students are required to meet required due dates. All parents have access to the Hazleton Area
Virtual Academy via a parent account. The students’ assignments, due dates, feedback, and progress can be checked using the parent account. Contact the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy
Coordinator if you need information regarding parent accounts.
If the student does not meet the above requirements and is full time virtual, truancy fines will be assessed. If the student is enrolled in the traditional program and is taking a course in addition to the regular classroom, failure to meet the attendance requirements will result in a class cut report.
In some instances, the district may choose to remove a student from a course for failure to meet the above requirements. Once a student is removed from an online course, they may not take that same course online again.
Live Classroom
Students are required to meet online with their teacher three times per week. The meeting times will be scheduled in advance. If the student is unable to attend for legitimate reasons, such as an after school activity or work, they must pre-approve their absence with the teacher.
May 11, 2015

Computer Problems
If a student is having computer problems, they must inform the coordinator immediately.
Problems with a home computer will NOT be an acceptable excuse for failure to complete work on time. If the student has problems at home, they must make alternative arrangements. If problems occur with school computers, please alert the Coordinator as well as the Help Desk immediately.
I adhere to the Use of School Equipment, Acceptable Use and Copyright Policies as stated in the handbook.
Parent/Guardian Initials: __________
Communication
In order to be successful in the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy, a student must take full advantage of the communication tools.
Tools include:
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Messaging: A built in tool similar to email that allows a student to message the teacher with questions.
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Pronto: An Instant Messaging program that allows students to contact other students and teachers.
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Live Classroom: A virtual classroom that allows students and teachers to interact using voice and an interactive whiteboard.
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Phone: When in doubt, pick up the phone and call.

Face to Face: Sometimes a student needs a face to face interaction with a teacher. These meetings can be arranged as often as needed through the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy coordinator.
Textbooks and Materials
Not all courses require textbooks. Some textbooks are hard copies, while others are completely online. Any textbooks and online information needed to complete the course will be assigned to the student. If novels and other trade books are required, the student may sign them out at the school library or any other public library. The Coordinator has limited copies of novels.
Grading
Grading occurs throughout a course according to the specifications set forth by the course designer and teacher. Grades can be checked at any time by going to the course, and then selecting "My Grades" from the menu button on the left. Any item with an "!" has been completed by the student. Any item that has been graded will have a number. In addition, students and parents have access to Power School. Final grades are assigned at the end of the course through Power School.
May 11, 2015

May 11, 2015
Bullying
I adhere to the Hazleton Area School District Bullying Policy as stated in the handbook.
Student Initials: ______________
Additional Information
One goal of the Hazleton Area Virtual Academy is provide our students with the flexibility of an alternative educational setting, while providing a quality education. A quality education can only be achieved if the student is doing their part in participating in the courses.
Michele Medek
Hazleton Area Virtual Academy Coordinator
Hazleton Area School District
570.459.3247
Consent
I have read and understand the above guidelines and requirements.
Student Signature:_______________________________ Date:________________________
Parent Signature:________________________________ Date:________________________

May 11, 2015