Hello, Champion!
Welcome to Georgia Cyber Academy!
Strong Start Steps to Success
Follow the steps below to Start Strong for the 2018-2019 School Year at Georgia Cyber Academy.
Step 1: Get Started
1. Set Up Your Accounts
Setting up these accounts is important for a successful school year.
Watch the video tutorial
-or-
View account set up instructions.
2. Install Blackboard Collaborate
View Blackboard Collaborate Launcher instructions.
NOTES:
- Configuration Rooms 1 & 2 are only to test your setup of Blackboard Collaborate. There are no presenters in those rooms. All sessions and classes must be accessed through the Online School (OLS).
- Class Connects and Blackboard Collaborate Sessions cannot be accessed via a phone or tablet. Please make sure you install Blackboard Collaborate on your computer.
If you already have Blackboard Collaborate installed on your computer, you can skip this step.
3. Install Office 365
Watch the video tutorial
NOTE: If you already have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, it is not necessary to download the Office 365 desktop application suite. Please continue to use the Microsoft Office program already installed to mitigate any software compatibility issues.
Step 2: Get Connected
Phone and Email Contact
To receive these important communications, please make sure your contact information is up to date in your Learning Coach account in the Online School (OLS).
Watch the video tutorial
-or-
View instructions
Change in Address or Learning Coach Name?
Step 3: Learning Coach Prep Academy
1. Prep Academy Training Videos
To ensure you receive the necessary information to be a successful Learning Coach, begin by watching the six training videos below.
Video 1: GCA Overview
- Mission & Vision
- Online School at GCA
- GA Milestones Requirements
- Our Staff
- Family Engagement
- Internet & Computer System Requirements
View Recommended Browsers
View K12 Computer Technical Requirements
Video 2: Learning Coach & Student Success
- How to be a successful Learning Coach
- How to be a successful Student
- Basic materials needed for success
- Setting up effective work-spaces
- Identification numbers and where to find them
- How we provide school to home communication
- A day in the life of a virtual school family
Video 3: Class Connects & Blackboard Collaborate
- What is Class Connect?
- Navigating Blackboard Collaborate
Video 4.1: Elementary School Navigation
Online Elementary School Navigation
- Logging Into the Online School (OLS)
- Learning Coach Landing Page
- Online School Home Page
- Monthly Instructional Calendar
- How to Access Lessons
- How to Check Progress
Video 4.2: Middle and High School Navigation
Online Middle and High School Navigation
- Learning Coach view
- Student view
- Checking grades
View How to Access Student Courses
View how to Check Grades and Progress
Video 5: Attendance
- What attendance means
- School and state requirements
- How to log attendance
View more information about Attendance
Video 6: Resources
- GCA Events Calendar
- Parent Teacher Student Organization
- K12 Online Customer Support website
- Your Family Success Liaison and Teachers
2. Orientation Sessions
Orientation Sessions will be held in a Blackboard Collaborate classroom which you will access from your Online School account on your computer. Before you attend this session, please make sure you have installed Blackboard Collaborate on your computer.
You will attend three sessions:
- New Family Orientation
- Learning Coach Orientation
- Supports & Policies Orientation
You will receive the session schedule from your Family Success Liaison. If you have any questions, please contact your Family Success Liaison.
Step 4: Supports & Policies
1. School Policies
- 2017-2018 District Handbook [PDF]
- 2017-2018 Parent & Family Engagement Policy [PDF]
- 2017-2018 Elementary School-Parent Compact [PDF]
- 2017-2018 Middle School-Parent Compact [PDF]
- 2017-2018 High School-Parent Compact [PDF]
- 2017-2018 District Improvement Plan [PDF]
- 2017-2018 Comprehensive Needs Assessment [PDF]
- 2017-2018 Foster Care Transportation Plan [PDF]
2. Board Policies
- School Charter Contract [PDF]>>
- FY18 Budget [PDF]>>
- Complaint Procedure [PDF] >>
- Public Comment Policy [PDF]>>
- Enrollment Policy [PDF]>>
- Attendance Policy [PDF]>>
- Class Engagement Policy [PDF]>>
- Student to Instructional Teacher Ratio Policy [PDF]>>
- Instructional Live Class Connect Size Policy [PDF]>>
- Suicide Prevention and Awareness Policy [PDF]>>
- Health Screening and Immunization Policy [PDF]>>
- Fiscal Policies & Procedures [PDF]>>
- Governing Board Governance Training Policy [PDF]>>
- Governing Board Promotion and Retention Policy [PDF]>>
- Governing Board Lottery and Admissions Policy [PDF]>>
3. Community
Find an event near you! All over the state we have events that are planned by our school, our , teachers, and our parent leaders. You can find those opportunities to meet other GCA families in your area or other areas of the state by visiting our GCA Events Calendar.
One of the ways GCA Learning Coaches can communicate with each other is via closed Facebook groups which are organized and managed by our parent organization, the GCA PTSO. Joining these groups will get you connected with other GCA Learning Coaches who can help you can get answers to questions, find information about parent-led events, find out what's going on in your community, and build relationships with other GCA families.
Regional parent leaders are actively involved in planning student outings in their own Georgia region. They are passionate about helping new or struggling Learning Coaches to be the best they can be! Regional communication and activities for students and parents/learning coaches can be found in the region's Facebook group or by contacting the regional parent leaders via email.
You can find out more information about which region you live, links to these valuable Facebook groups, and parent leader email addresses on our Regional Contacts page.
4. Meet your Family Engagement Team
Kristy Howard
404-334-4790 ext.1098
Email: krhoward@gacyber.org
Website: gca.k12.com
Location: 1745 Phoenix Boulevard, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404.334.4790
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristyHoward.gca
Twitter: @GCA_FEC
Veronica Okpani
404-334-4790 ext.663
Email: vokpani@gacyber.org
Website: gca.k12.com
Location: 1745 Phoenix Blvd, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404.334.4790
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcaveronica.rfec
Twitter: @GCA_FEC
Maria Blencowe
404-334-4790 ext.799
Email: mblencowe@gacyber.org
Website: gca.k12.com
Location: 1745 Phoenix Blvd, Atlanta, GA
Phone: 404.334.4790
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mblencowe.gca
Twitter: @GCA_HS
5. Do you have questions?
or
Attend a Learning Coach Live Help Session:
Tues-Thurs 2:00-3:00 pm
http://bit.LChelp