K-12 Virtual Learning School 2022-2023

K to 12 Virtual School Staff

ELEMENTARY

Grade FDK/JK/SK
KA_OL
C. Kostyk

Grade 1/2A_OL
V. Mitra

Grade 2/3A_OL
M. Varela

Grade 4/5A_OL
J. Fleet

Grade 6/7A_OL
M. Depaulo

Grade 7/8BOL
P. Fitzsimmons

FSL/PPT
R. Bagnoli

AIT
D. Reynolds

Educational Assistants
T. Bardoel
C. Federiconi
S. Panko

SECONDARY

K. Ang
M. Cameron
D. Catapano
S. Colella
M. DiGuglielmo
J. Faletta
M. McAuley
Z. Sirotna-Repka
M. Slusaczyn

Educational Assistant
R. Allen
B. Dickson

For any Student Services questions, please contact home school Guidance Departments.

Welcome

On behalf of the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board K to 12 Virtual School staff, I am pleased to welcome you and your child to the 2022 – 2023 academic year.

The Virtual School day incorporates both synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities as per Ministry requirements.

ELEMENTARY Virtual School Day: 9:00 am – 3:20 pm

Virtual School Start Time: 9:00 am
Morning Recess/Wellness Break: 10:10 am – 10:25 am
Lunch: 11:45 am – 12: 35 pm
Afternoon Recess/ Wellness Break: 1:55 pm – 2:10 pm
Dismissal: 3:20 pm

The ELEMENTARY virtual learning day consists of 300 minutes, with 225 minutes designated for synchronous learning for grades 1-8 and 180 minutes designated for synchronous learning for Kindergarten Year 1 and Year 2 (JK/SK).

The remaining minutes will be used for asynchronous learning.

Attendance will be recorded at 9:00 am and 12:35 pm each learning day. If students are not present for attendance roll call, they will be marked absent.

Elementary Board Calendar
https://www.hwcdsb.ca/board/calendars/?fil ...

SECONDARY Virtual School Day: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Period 1: 8:30 am – 9:45 am
Period 2: 9:50 am – 11:05 am
Common Lunch: 11:10 am – 11:55 am
Period 3: 11:55 am – 1:10 pm
Period 4: 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm

Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of each period daily. If students are not present for attendance roll call, they will be marked absent.

Secondary Board Calendar
https://www.hwcdsb.ca/board/calendars/?fil ...

Students are expected to be present and remain with the teacher during synchronous learning opportunities. This will look different for every class and every grade, depending on the teacher’s schedule.

To report your child’s absence from Elementary or Secondary Virtual School please contact directly by phone or by email:
905-525-7734
Email: elemvs@hwcdsb.ca

Technology Requirements & Supports

The myClass learning management system and Microsoft Teams are used to support online learning within HWCDSB. Each day students will access their Class myClass page to view classroom announcements, the agenda of learning for the day, daily learning activities, assignments, and the link to their virtual class meeting. All class meetings will take place via MS Teams.

Accessing myClass – Secondary
How to Join the Class MS Teams Meeting
What is MS Teams
What is mySite
What is myClass
TECH Help – Technical Support for Online Learning

Secondary Students will now need to login into Aspen to see and/or print their timetable. To do so, a student needs to do:

1. Log in to MySite and click on the Aspen icon;
2. On the “My Details” screen they will find their locker number on the right hand side;
3. Click the “My Info” tab in the top left hand corner and the student’s timetable can be accessed under “current schedule”;
4. In the drop down menu, choose “S1” for Semester 1 timetable only or “FY” for a Full Year timetable (ie. Sem 1 and 2);
5. There’s a printer icon on the right hand side near the top that allows students to print their timetable, should they choose to carry a paper copy of their timetable.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning

Elementary students in the virtual school will participate in real time, synchronous learning every day. Asynchronous work will also be expected in order to complete work assigned. Classes will be led by Ontario Certified Catholic teachers at scheduled times during the school day. Instructional minutes in the virtual classroom are equal to the minutes spent learning in person (approximately 300 minutes per day). It is expected that students participating in virtual learning are engaged every day; attendance is monitored and recorded.

Each class has its own digital learning platform (myClass page) and instruction will occur online through synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities. Teachers will provide synchronous learning opportunities through Microsoft TEAMS which may include whole class instruction, individual or small group support, student presentations, mini-lessons, and content/skill-based instruction as appropriate.

Daily minimum synchronous learning time requirement

(Elementary) Kindergarten - 180 minutes
(Elementary) Grades 1 to 3 - 225 minutes
(Elementary) Grades 4 to 8 - 225 minutes
(Secondary) Grades 9 to 12 - The higher of 60 minutes for each 75-minute class period or 225 minutes per day for a full course schedule

Exemption Process for Synchronous (Real time) Learning

Teachers and administration will work with families who are unable to have their child(ren) participate in scheduled synchronous learning times. Please contact your child’s teacher to discuss the process for exemption.

Code of Conduct – Student Expectations and Responsibilities

While virtual learning is taking place at home, the same responsibilities and expectations of students and parents/guardians apply as they do for in-person learning. This includes the existing Code of Student Conduct and Discipline Policy and Internet and Technology Acceptable Use Policy for Students Policy . In addition, the following expectations and responsibilities have been established for students participating in virtual learning.

Student Expectations and Responsibilities

1. Be a Discerning Believer
- Remember that your online classroom is a part of a Catholic school community. Always show respect for yourself and for others within your online classroom.

2. Be an Effective Communicator
- Be sure your words and actions are appropriate and positively contribute to classroom learning.

3. Be a Reflective, Creative and Holistic Thinker
- Be engaged in your classroom activities.
- Complete all assigned work independently to the best of your ability.
- Respect the ideas and opinions of others.

4. Be a Collaborative Contributor
- Work hard and collaborate to help support and foster your learning, the learning of others and a positive classroom community.

5. Be a Caring Family Member
- Show care, acceptance, respect and understanding toward others.

6. Be a Respectful Citizen
- Follow your online classroom rules.
- Do not share your login information with others. Protect your passwords and personal information.
- Follow copyright rules and board acceptable use standards.

Faith & Wellness

For faith and wellness supports, including but not limited to Prayer, Christian Meditation, Student Mental Health & Wellness and Physical Literacy, please visit our Parent Website at:
https://parents.hwcdsb.ca/

Tech Support for Online Learning

https://parents.hwcdsb.ca/tech-help

Parent Portal

Parent Portal provides families with an opportunity to stay updated on what is happening in their child’s classroom. If being used within the classroom, the class’ Activity Feed, Calendar, Assignments and Portfolio feeds can be directly accessed through the Parent Portal.

Click here for more information:
https://parents.hwcdsb.ca/parent-portal

We appreciate your support and thank you in advance for all your efforts at home.

Please accept our best wishes for a happy, healthy and successful school year.

Sincerely,

Mr. C. Agro, Principal
agroc@hwcdsb.ca

Ms. D. Pelz, Secretary
905-525-2930 Ext 2849

Principal's Welcome Message 2022-2023

Welcome K to 12 Virtual Learning Catholic School community,

Together we will provide opportunities for students to grow and learn by embracing their unique learning skills. Working collaboratively with our home schools, parents/guardians and community, our school will ensure to safeguard each child's faith, knowledge, and imagination.

I look forward to meeting and supporting students in their academic and faith journey alongside our highly skilled educational staff at the HWCDSB Virtual School We are fortunate for the good work and foundation built over the years who have served the Virtual Schools in our system.

As a virtual school community, we ask for the intercessions of Our Lady of Hope, to bring us closer to Jesus in our words and actions. As a school community, together we will strengthen the partnerships of the Catholic triad (Home, School, and Parish) striving to help every child reach success and experience an inclusive school environment where "each belongs".

We will strive to support students in fulfilling the Catholic Graduate Expectations becoming:

A Discerning Believer formed in the Catholic Community- I am a Believer!
An Effective Communicator- I have a voice!
A Reflective and Creative Thinker- I have ideas!
A Self-Directed, Responsible, Life Long Learner- I am a learner for life!
A Collaborative Contributor- I am a team player!
A Caring Family Member- I care!
A Responsible Citizen- I have responsibilities!

As a staff, we will embrace our Catholic Education theme, "We Are Many, We Are One."

Thank you in advance for all your efforts at home and entrusting the K to 12 Virtual Catholic School.

Sincerely, yours in Catholic Education,

Mr. C. Agro
Principal