Greetings ICA Family,
I have some exciting news to share with you about some changes that will be implemented starting in January to help support students at a more intentional level.
First, in January, you will see our teachers move from using GoToMeeting for their Online Whiteboard Hours (OWH) to using GoToTraining. Everything will work as you have already seen, except now there will no longer be an option to have unmonitored, private student chats. This change is to booster student safety.
We encourage you to use Online Whiteboard Hours to receive live, one-on-one help from teachers. You can see problems worked out, get help with a project, or ask any questions you have. You are encouraged to attend your teachers’ Online Whiteboard Hours. However, if that time doesn’t work for you, you can look at our Online Whiteboard Hour Schedule Page on the Virtual Campus and attend any teacher’s hour for the subject for which you are needing help! As a reminder, student interaction is also encouraged through our student community center, Ning.
Next, to better support students, we will be implementing two new policies starting in January. The first is a new Student Support Program. As a new student of ICA, our education coordinators will identify students who would benefit from extra support from our academic counselors. This will include more structured check-ins in addition to what teachers already have set with students. We also will implement a Student Non-Participation Program. If students are not making adequate progress in their courses, students will be offered additional support and check-ins from the school principal. Neither of these policies are meant to be punitive, but rather help us as a school identify students who need extra support, so they can be successful at ICA.
Lastly, be on the lookout for opportunities to engage with the larger ICA community as parents, guardians, and students on our social media platforms, including our new ICA Instagram account.
We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and we are thankful to have you as our part of our ICA family!
Blessings,
Julia Ellis
Principal, Ignite Christian Academy