New Student Orientation 2020-21 **Revised** Last updated 07-29-2020 Welcome to West Sound Academy! All the teachers and staff are excited to have your family become part of our school community As we start a new school year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s hard to imagine how we will overcome some of the social barriers presented by social distancing and the Remote Learning Model We strive to create a community that is open and welcome so that you can step in and feel at home right away However, we all are going to have to be more mindful of finding ways to socialize safely in order to build the bonds of friendship The sustained surge in COVID-19 cases that Kitsap County is currently experiencing presents added challenges to starting a new school year Everyone’s safety is our top priority but that comes with sacrifices We all will our best to overcome these challenges The New Student Orientation will take place on our Zoom virtual platform We will host one session per pod as indicated below Both parents and students are invited to join the virtual meeting This will allow us to explain the all-important technological tools we use for the Remote Learning Model New Student Orientation will still be scheduled at the original times on Sunday, August 16, 2020 We ask that the student and at least one parent/guardian attend the entire orientation time assigned to their student’s grade If you have more than one student joining us, please attend both sessions so that students are introduced to their pod and you can meet parents in both Siblings should not attend each other’s sessions Orientation Schedule Session specific links will be sent to parents via email the day before the session The schedule is: 9:00 am – 10:30 am 10:45 am – 12:15 am 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Grades – Grades 9-10 Grade 11 What to Bring It may be helpful to connect to the Zoom meeting on the parent’s computer and then have the student use their computer to follow along to the websites we will show you We plan to: • • • • • • • • Show how students access their WSA email account Show how students and parents access their WSA FACTS account (this is the school learning management system) Orient both students and parents to Google Classroom Orient both students and parents to FACTS Go over textbooks, school supplies and home learning spaces Go over the students’ schedules and how to access Remote Classes Go over the first day schedule Answer questions Questions? Please email frontdesk@westsoundacademy.org if you have any start of school questions!