Distance Learning Academy - K-8

Welcome to the 2023-24 school year at North Branch Area Public Schools Distance Learning Academy! The staff cannot be more excited to partner with you. As always, the start to a school year is a time full of excitement and anticipation.

We are looking forward to the opportunity to welcome students back to our online school and to work with you to ensure they have the best experience possible. As you enjoy the rest of the summer, please know how much we appreciate your help in preparing students for the start of school year – practicing morning and evening routines, engaging in games and conversation, and sharing your own excitement about learning is critical to the success of your children at school.

Please communicate early (and often!) any special needs or changes with your contact information to help ensure we are united in our common goal – the success of your child(ren) at school. North Branch Area Public Schools is truly a great place to be, and we strive to provide quality, research-based programs and instruction to support the learning and growth of every child, every day.

The following information should ensure you have everything you need to get off to a great start. On behalf of all of us at the Distance Learning Academy, we look forward to seeing you at WELCOME DAYS and to making 2023-2024 the best school year yet!

Warm Regards,

Coleman McDonough

Principal

cmcdonough@isd138.org

651-674-1406

Kirsten Leaf - K-8 Teacher

Coleman McDonough - Principal

Individual sessions for K-8 families will be held on Wednesday, August 30th and Tuesday, September 5th from 9am - 6pm at the North Branch Area Education Center, so students and families can connect with Ms. Leaf, understand grade level expectations, and can navigate the online platform. Many other items will be covered that will help your student and family be successful this school year. Click here to sign up for an in-person session.

Chromebooks will be available to check out at your Welcome Back meeting as well!

ALL DLA Students are expected to create a daily school schedule as a tool to support their school experience. Time management, organizational skills and a system of accountability are critical elements of a successful DLA experience. Parents, we would suggest you sit down with your student and help them navigate the creation of this schedule to ensure it will meet the student's needs.

Each student, with the help of their parents, will create an age appropriate daily schedule to ensure that a positive, well structured learning day is in place for all students to ensure that a positive, well structured learning day is in place for all students.

Schedules are now available on ParentVue and StudentVue. Students utilize Edmentum (Calvert K-5) as the digital platform to navigate their course work.

North Branch Area Distance Learning Academy follows the district calendar. Student start and end times will vary for each student in the Distance Learning Academy.

School starts at 7:50 am and ends at 2:25 pm. Distance Learning Academy staff hours are 7 am - 3 pm Monday through Friday. More specific information regarding academic support will be provided by Ms. Leaf during Welcome Days!

All Distance Learning Academy students are issued a district-owned Chromebook. Students are expected to use these devices to support classroom activities, educational research or professional enrichment. *Guardians: If you do not wish for your student to have a device to take home during the course of the school year or if your student will be bringing in their own device, please contact the school to indicate this request.

For more information about the NBAPS Chromebook 1:1 program please use the following link to review the Chromebook Handbook: Chromebook Handbook

For those of you new to DLA, and or new to our online platform Edmentum, click this link and it will take you to a tutorial presentation that will guide you to a successful login to the program. In addition, parents, please review this information (Scroll down to the Courseware Link) as it will help you support your student in their learning.

For those of you new to DLA, and or new to our online platform Edmentum Calvert Learning click this link and it will take you to a tutorial presentation that will guide you to successful login to the program. In addition, parents, please review this information (Scroll down to Calvert Learning) as it will help you support your student in their learning.

Our partnership is heavily dependent on communication between family and school. It is critical that our system has the most current information. Please log in to ParentVue to verify all of your information and update as necessary. Instructions on how to login and verify and modify your information can be found HERE.

Please make time prior to the start of the school year to share any information required for us to ensure your child is safe and supported in school – legal documents, medical needs or medication administration. If information changes during the school year, please remember to let us know!

Fall Conference Dates

Monday, Nov. 20: 3:30-7pm

Tuesday, Nov. 21: 3:30 -7pm

Wednesday, Nov. 22: 7:30-11am

Spring Conference Dates

Tuesday, March 26: 3-7pm

Thursday, March 28: 3:30-7pm

Monday, April 1: 11:30am-3pm

Picture Day: Student pictures will be taken on Monday, Nov. 6 at the NBAPS Education Center. More information will be shared with students and families prior to that day.

North Branch Area Public Schools is thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones! Stay up-to-date with access to district and Distance Learning Academy events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://bit.ly/3phcIA7

Download for iPhone https://apple.co/3p6NNPA