President’s Letter
Dear Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance families,
Happy Spring! As we kick off the month of May, it's a celebration and a sprint to the end of the school year. Finish the year strong as you wrap up the final weeks of school before summer vacation.
This week is National Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is celebrating the hard-working teachers across our state. Teacher support is invaluable to families – we appreciate you! Take a moment to thank a teacher who is making a difference in your schooling. Send a quick note to recognize them.
It’s state testing time. Check out the great state testing tips and tools from Cascade Virtual Academy teacher and OVPSA board member, Kayla Page.
I also want to take a moment to highlight Annabella, a Silvies River Charter School student who is also a talented dancer. Read more about Annabella below.
Finally, please take a few minutes to complete our parent survey. Your responses help us tell the story of online public education and why it’s an important option for Oregon families.
Thank you for the role you play in supporting your students and ensuring their success.
Sincerely,
Tricia F. Powell
President
Teacher Appreciation
Alyssa Davies | Teacher, Silvies River Charter School (left)
"I love teaching in a virtual school because it allows me to build meaningful connections with students and families while offering the flexibility to personalize learning and meet each student where they are.
Nikki O’Brien | Teacher, Baker Web Academy (right)
“I love being able to work individually with students and families.”
Heather Colbert | Teacher, Cascade Virtual Academy (middle)
"I love the connections I make with students and families. I love the opportunity to teach younger siblings of past first grade students, so I can build even deeper connections with families. I adore ALL my students and love watching them grow and succeed!"
State Testing Tips and Tools
From Cascade Virtual Academy teacher: Kayla Page!
As the school year wraps up, end-of-year testing is just around the corner. Feeling nervous before a test is completely normal; it simply means you care and want to do your best, and that is something to celebrate.
Before you begin, try a quick mindfulness moment: place both feet on the floor, take a slow breath in for four counts, and breathe out for four counts. Do that a few times and notice how your body feels a little more settled.
If a question feels tricky, try not to get frustrated. Stay calm, take your time, and focus on one question at a time. For online testing at home, a good night’s sleep, a healthy meal, and a quiet testing space can make a big difference. Trust yourself, you’ve been learning and growing all year, and this is your chance to show what you know.
Student Spotlight – Annabella Bria
One of the many reasons the Bria family loves being a part of a virtual public school is because of the flexibility it offers! Annabella loves to perform and compete in multiple styles of dance. The schedule flexibility and the option to take school on the go, gives her the chance to travel all over the Pacific Northwest for dance competitions and conventions without missing a beat in her studies. Dance has opened doors for her to express herself, meet new incredible people and travel to dance in both Las Vegas and New York City.
Parent Survey
We value your opinion and want to hear your family’s story. Please take 5 minutes to complete our survey and tell us why an online public school works for you.
Your survey responses will help us inform the conversation surrounding online public schools in Oregon. We gather this information annually to inform and educate state policymakers about Oregon’s online schools and the families who utilize them.
The Oregon Virtual Public Schools Alliance is coalition of parent volunteers whose primary objective is protecting access to a quality, virtual public education in our state. We seek to protect this right by educating Oregon policymakers about the benefits of virtual public charter schools and the positive contributions they make to our children's education.