Gavin starts kindergarten this year, and he's going to the Utah Virtual Academy. It's a public charter school that we do at home. All of the materials (books, math blocks, worksheets, paints, etc) are all sent to us along with teacher manuals for me (the learning coach). We'll also have access to educational games and study groups online. Then we're assigned a teacher who, for Gavin, is Mrs. Keeler this year. We'll be working with her through emails and occasional phone calls. We'll also be sending in some of the work we're doing so that Gavin can get feedback from his teacher. The school is geared toward each child's individual learning needs. At the beginning of next year, we'll take an assessment of where he is in each subject so they can cater his lessons to keep him ahead in the subjects he's ahead in, and help him to catch up in any subjects he needs help with. He still takes required state exams and passes each grade level just like any other public charter school. We're really excited to try it this year. Gavin's taking Language Arts, Phonics, Math, Science, PE and Spanish. The first official day of school is Monday, but we've been able to try a few of the lessons out as practice this past week and we're really excited to have school officially start.
Yesterday, we got to meet Gavin's teacher as well as the staff at the Utah Virtual Academy. It was a day set up for fun for the whole family to meet other families in the Virtual Academy and play games like tug-of-war and enjoy a picnic with everyone. There are 1,200 students in the Utah Virtual Academy with about 600 kids on a waiting list that they're trying to expand the school to let in. About once a month there will be activities for the kids to get together for an organized get-together. Gavin also has a neighbor friend that he plays with that is also in the Virtual Academy. We're excited to get started and have fun learning together. Connor's been joining us in our lessons and both boys really like it so far.
For anyone interested in checking out the website it's www.k12.com. Each state has their own separate site with their own state requirements for school, but that is the link to information in general about the Virtual Academy.
Here's Gavin helping Connor go on the big slide.
Tug-of-War. The Dads vs. the kids.
Gavin's the one facing backwards!
Baby Aidan had fun just running around on the grass and eating all the goodies there.
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