Dear Families,
Supporting your child in a virtual setting can bring unique challenges. Students sometimes move quickly through lessons or say they are finished before the required work is completed. To help ensure success, we want to highlight three key areas that directly affect student outcomes: attendance, progress monitoring, and accessing support.
1. Attendance = 4 Hours Minimum
In Spear VLA, attendance means a minimum of 4 hours of active, instructional work each school day. This includes lessons, assignments, quizzes, videos, note-taking, and teacher communication. Non-instructional time (idling, clicking through, or incomplete activities) does not count toward attendance.
Pennsylvania law requires:
- K–7: 900 hours per year (approximately 5 hours/day)
- Grades 8–12: 990 hours per year (approximately 5.5 hours/day)
Meeting the daily 4-hour benchmark ensures students remain on track to meet these legal requirements.
Program data indicates that students who consistently meet these expectations earn higher GPAs and perform better on assessments.
2. Progress Monitoring Tools
Parents/guardians are provided with several tools to actively monitor student engagement and performance:
- Observer Dashboard (Connexus): Daily log-ins, lessons completed, and pacing bars.
- ParentVUE: Official attendance and grades.
- ParentSquare: School communication and announcements.
Regular monitoring helps identify gaps early and ensures students are meeting both academic and attendance expectations.
3. Accessing Support Early
If a student is completing work but still struggling, additional support is available:
- Step 1: Students should first communicate directly with their teacher.
- Step 2: If challenges continue, families are encouraged to contact the program.
- Resource Lab: By appointment from 7:45–10:45 AM, students may attend in-person to receive individualized assistance and review areas of concern.
4. Tools for Parents
Final Word
Attendance, progress, and communication are essential to student success in a virtual program. By supporting daily instructional time, using the monitoring tools, and connecting with us when needed, families help ensure students meet requirements and achieve their best outcomes.
If you need help, reach out — we’re here for you.
Sincerely,
The Spear Team
1 (570) 509-2870
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