Berkeley County Virtual School
Handbook & Procedures
2023-2024
Table of Contents
Welcome and Application Process …...........................................................3
Contact Information …..................................................................................4
About the Teachers …...................................................................................5
Attendance …................................................................................................6
School Work Expectations ….......................................................................7
Student Memorandum of Understanding ….................................................8
Caregiver Memorandum of Understanding …............................................11
Communication. .…....................................................................................14
Expectations …………………………………………………………. .…15
Technology ….............................................................................................16
School Supplies …......................................................................................18
Special Education …...................................................................................19
Academic Integrity ….................................................................................20
Scheduling Your Courses ….......................................................................20
Counseling and Guidance Services.............................................................20
Extra-Curricular Activities ….....................................................................21
Food Services ….........................................................................................21
Removal/Withdrawal from BCVS ….........................................................22
Proctoring Calendar ..….............................................................................24
School Calendar ..…...................................................................................25
Welcome and Application Process
The Berkeley County Virtual School (BCVS) pathway is an alternative learning program, and there are a limited number of positions. We will consider a limited number of students for the 2023-24 school year. Students participating in the virtual pathway take classes online outside of the school setting. The classes are not direct instruction; rather they are a learning platform where the student reads and applies information to learn. To be a successful member of the BCVS, a student needs to be an independent, self-motivated learner. A BCVS student should also have good technological and communication skills. For students in grades K - 12, there will be a high level of caregiver involvement and weekly Teams meetings with the teacher for the student to be successful. There is no cost to participate. Families would need to have reliable access to the internet to participate.
These students are considered Berkeley County School students, will earn credits towards graduation, and will be able to participate in school activities, if eligible. Some of the activities in which virtual pathway students can participate are as follows: picture day, field days, plays, dances, sports, clubs, and other activities the same as students who attend school in person each day. Contact the school to find out more information about extracurricular activities.
Enrollment for the fall semester was open from February 27 through April 21, 2023.
By filling out the online form, you are not guaranteed admittance. It is a mutual decision between the BCVS, the caregivers, and the home school that this would be the best pathway for the student. If you have already submitted your request, we will be contacting you over the summer about whether you will be in the BCVS pathway for the 2023-24 school year. Please monitor your email regularly for updates. Once a student has been fully approved for the BCVS pathway, the student and caregiver must attend a mandatory orientation to learn how to use the online platform. Failure to attend may result in the student remaining with in-person learning.
Contact Information
Holly Branch , Assistant Director of Virtual School
hbranch@k12.wv.us
Enrollment
Administrative duties
School liaison
Susan Cole , Secretary of Virtual School
scole@k12.wv.us
Enrollment
Student records
Schedules
Heather Whetsel , Lead Teacher
hwhetsel@k12.wv.us
Student success coaching grades K, 1, 2, 10
Adjunct support and mentoring
Communication with parents and students
Schoology course management
Nikki Brown , Lead Teacher
erbrown@k12.wv.us
Student success coaching grades 3, 4, 5, 6
Adjunct support and mentoring
Communication with parents and students
Schoology course management
Tonya Unger , Lead Teacher and Special Education
tpoling@k12.wv.us
Special Education/504 services facilitator grades K-12
Student success coaching grades 7, 8
Adjunct support and mentoring
Communication with parents and students
Schoology course management
Terri VanderWijst , Lead Teacher
tvanderwijst@k12.wv.us
Student success coaching grades 9, 11, 12
Adjunct support and mentoring
Communication with parents and students
Schoology course management
About the Lead and Adjunct Teachers
BCVS is led by Holly Branch, administrator, and school liaison. There are four full-time lead teachers. The lead teachers are available via email or phone throughout the school day to help answer questions or alleviate concerns. These lead teachers will also be monitoring and supporting students with a variety of methods and strategies to be successful in the virtual pathway.
Adjunct teachers will be teaching courses for the students, and they will be available after school hours and on weekends. Each teacher to whom the student is assigned will let you know their office hours, when they are available, and how to best reach them for questions or concerns. The teacher of the class is the student’s first point of contact for questions. Please allow the instructor of the course 36 business hours to reply to communications and 3-5 business days to complete the grading of assignments. The goal of all teachers, both lead and adjunct, is to help your student be successful, so please encourage your student to communicate often with his/her teachers.
Students participating in the virtual education pathway will be considered present if the students are successfully progressing in the virtual education coursework according to the weekly schedules provided. Students are required to submit assignments and interact on a weekly basis. All students are expected to join any assigned weekly Teams meeting.
Monitoring of student submissions, usage, and communications is required to maintain rigorous and relevant learning of the course content in an online setting. Students must meet daily time requirements for each subject.
Students who accumulate excessive, unexcused absences will be considered truant.
To have satisfactory attendance, work must be submitted weekly for each course.
School Work Expectations
Students and caregivers will have personal access to log on to the Berkeley County Virtual School platform. This platform will guide the student through the daily work, lessons, and activities. As work and lessons are completed, they will need to be uploaded into the BCVS platform to be graded. The administration of your child’s day-to-day education in the BCVS program is both exciting and challenging and requires your commitment as a caregiver to the discipline and organization necessary to help your student be academically successful.
Caregivers play a vital role in their child’s education. Caregivers need to provide support and encouragement as students are working on their online courses. It is important that caregivers provide structure and guidance when helping the student to complete the course work. Caregivers will have access to their student’s progress through Schoology and/or WV Learns.
Students and caregivers will find specific expectations in this handbook in the Memorandum of Understanding.
Student Memorandum of Understanding
I am a Berkeley County Schools student belonging to the school in the district in which I live.
I will be provided with a Chromebook or iPad and on-line curriculum by Berkeley County Schools.
I will be taking classes virtually outside of the school environment.
I will attend Berkeley County Virtual School for a minimum of one semester.
I will attend all my classes. To be counted present, I must complete and submit work in each class weekly. This will be accomplished by following the weekly schedule for each class. The week runs from Monday to Sunday at 6:00pm. It would be a good idea to use a written schedule of your assignments and cross them off as you complete them.
I will meet all deadlines set in the course’s weekly schedule. There will be a 2-week grace period, but grading penalties may occur.
I will devote a minimum of 25 hours per week to my classes. The week runs from Monday to Sunday. Here is an example of how your time should be managed:
Kindergarten and 1st grade
Instructional Time (with family support): 4 hours daily (not all at one time)
Supervised Independent Work Time: 1 hour daily (not all at one time)
Approximate Total Time: 5 hours daily
2nd and 3rd Grades
Instructional Time: 4 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 1 hour daily
Approximate Total Time: 5 hours daily
4th Grade
Instructional Time: 3 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 2 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: 5 hours daily
5th Grade
Instructional Time: 3 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 3 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: 6 hours daily
6th - 8th Grades
Instructional Time: 1 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 5 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: 6 hours daily
9th - 12th Grades
Instructional Time: Less than one hour daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 6 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: < 7 hours daily
I understand that Berkeley County Virtual School follows the same calendar as Berkeley County in-person learning and I agree to complete all my course work as assigned.
I am comfortable using the internet as a means of communication and research.
I can learn and apply new software applications.
I can prioritize tasks, organize assignments, and complete assigned work within a deadline.
I will log into the BCVS platform daily.
I will check my @stu.k12.wv.us daily.
I will check my messages in Schoology daily.
I will check my phone daily (if applicable).
I will attend weekly meetings and class discussions scheduled by my teachers and the BCVS staff. I understand that my camera is to be left on for these sessions.
I will respond to teachers’ emails and correspondence within 36 business hours.
I will work independently, submit my original work, and use the proper citations when needed. I understand that cheating and plagiarism have consequences.
I will have access to a device with internet accessibility (preferably something other than a smartphone). I will use the school issued device for assessments.
I will take all tests, exams, and assessments in a virtually proctored environment using both a school issued and personal device with my camera on.
I will have reliable, consistent internet access.
I will comply with Policy 2460 as well as the County’s Acceptable Use Policy.
I will participate in all required schoolwide and statewide assessments by going to my local school or county office.
I will participate in a caregiver/lead teacher conference if adequate progress is not being made.
I will lose the privilege of virtual learning if I am unable to maintain the elements set forth in this document or the BCVS Handbook.
Caregiver Memorandum of Understanding
I understand that my child is considered a Berkeley County Schools student belonging to the school in the district in which I live.
I understand Berkeley County Schools (BCS) will provide my child with a Chromebook or iPad and on-line curriculum available in Schoology and/or WV Learns.
I understand that my child will be taking classes virtually outside of the school environment.
I understand this is a minimum semester commitment.
I understand that attendance is required in all the classes to be counted as present. This can be accomplished by making sure my child is completing their assignments weekly.
I understand that I will need to help my child develop a schedule for each week comprised of 25 hours. The week runs from Monday to Sunday at 6:00 p.m. It is recommended for students to use a written schedule of assignments and cross off each assignment as it is completed. Here is an example of how the student should manage their time:
Kindergarten and 1st grade
Instructional Time (with family support): 4 hours daily (not all at one time)
Supervised Independent Work Time: 1 hour daily (not all at one time)
Approximate Total Time: 5 hours daily
2nd and 3rd Grades
Instructional Time: 4 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 1 hour daily
Approximate Total Time: 5 hours daily
4th Grade
Instructional Time: 3 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 2 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: 5 hours daily
5th Grade
Instructional Time: 3 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 3 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: 6 hours daily
6th - 8th Grades
Instructional Time: 1 hours daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 5 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: 6 hours daily
9th - 12th Grades
Instructional Time: Less than one hour daily
Supervised Independent Work Time: 6 hours daily
Approximate Total Time: < 7 hours daily
I understand that Berkeley County Virtual School follows the same calendar as Berkeley County Public Schools (snow days will not change pacing guides), and I will make sure my child completes all course work as assigned.
I will ensure my child has access to reliable, consistent internet.
I will provide a specific location for my child to work that is free of distractions and that allows for monitoring of my child’s on-line activities.
I will set up a parent account in Schoology.
I will help my child in trouble-shooting computer problems or answering course related questions.
I will respond to the teacher’s email or other communications within 36 business hours.
I will attend meetings scheduled by my child’s teachers and the BCVS staff.
I understand if adequate progress is not being made at midterms, students and caregivers must participate in a caregiver/lead teacher conference.
I will regularly monitor the BCVS platform for my child’s grades and completion of coursework.
I will monitor my child to ensure that he or she is working on schoolwork or attending live Teams meetings.
I will not complete work for my child.
I will help my child schedule tests that are to be taken virtually (at least 24 hours prior to the proctoring session).
I will ensure that my child takes all tests, exams, and assessments in a virtually proctored environment using both a school issued and personal device with the camera on.
I will ensure my child’s participation in all required county and statewide assessments by providing transportation to my child’s home school or the county office.
I understand that I am responsible for any transportation.
I understand my child will lose the privilege of virtual learning if I am unable to maintain the elements set forth in this document or the BCVS Handbook.
Communication
Caregiver-teacher communication is a vital cornerstone to maintain the unique partnership between the school and caregivers. Individual course teachers are the caregiver’s first point of contact for academic questions in all grades. The teacher will provide email and other contact information on the course syllabus. After corresponding with the course teacher, if any further questions arise, please reach out to the student’s lead teacher to acquire assistance.
You will need to make sure and obtain your own parent account in Schoology to communicate directly with the teacher.
Teachers will meet with students online weekly via a Teams meeting. Students will be expected to attend these meetings as they will be receiving instruction and support for skills that are being learned at home.
Keeping contact information current is essential for BCVS to be able to communicate quickly and reliably with families. If your address, telephone number, or email address changes, it is imperative you notify the student’s teacher and BCVS secretary as soon as possible. Caregivers will automatically be receiving NTouch messages from BCVS.
Student Expectations
Check your K12 email account daily.
Check your Schoology messages daily.
Reply to communications from BCVS staff within 36 business hours.
Communicate with a course teacher by sending a direct message in Schoology*
Be sure to include your first and last name in the subject line.
If you are asking about a specific assignment, be sure to include: the “Grade and Class Title,” the “Assignment number,” and a detailed question to tell the teacher where you are struggling and need help.
A screenshot or snip of the problem along with your detailed question is even better and might elicit a quicker response.
*Use your k12 email to contact your lead teacher or your WV Virtual teacher in WV Learns including the details mentioned above.
Join any assigned weekly Teams meeting.
Any athlete considering playing sports in college needs to complete and upload the NCAA Communication Log found in each high school course.
Teacher Expectations
Check Schoology messages and your k12 email accounts daily.
Respond within 36 business hours to all correspondence.
Enter feedback on submitted work in 3-5 business days.
Post a “Weekly Update” in the Schoology course.
Hold weekly Teams meetings to provide assistance.
Caregiver Expectations
Check your personal email, Schoology messages and phone daily.
Check your Berkeley County Schools App daily.
Reply to communications from BCVS staff within 36 business hours.
Technology
Berkeley County Schools will provide a device for students to use for virtual learning. Quality internet access is imperative for success. Students must use stu.k12.wv.us email and Schoology for communication. At the elementary level, caregivers must commit to helping students with skills needed to use their device as a learning tool. Middle and high school students must have good technological skills to be a member of BCVS. Virtual students are expected to abide by the Berkeley County Acceptable Use Policy below.
EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE: Acceptable Use Policy
Berkeley County Virtual School (BCVS) is committed to the effective use of technology to both enhance the quality of student learning and the efficiency of operations. However, use of the BCS network and technology resources is a privilege, not a right. The Berkeley County Schools Technology Team shall develop written technology procedures which provide guidance to staff and students concerning the safe, appropriate, and ethical use of the BCS network(s) based on WVBOE policy 2460 regarding the use of electronic resources, technologies, and the Internet. The technology procedures shall also inform both staff and students about disciplinary actions that will be taken if Board technology and/or network(s) are abused in any way or used in an inappropriate, illegal, or unethical manner.
Unacceptable use of technology includes, but is not limited to:
A. Transmission or use of any material in violation of any federal or state law or regulation;
B. Use for commercial activities, product advertising, or political lobbying;
C. Transmission or use of any obscene, pornographic, or sexually explicit material
D. Intentional transmission or use of any type of virus or malicious file or computer code to disable or disrupt service;
E. Illegally accessing or attempting to access any school, district, or state e-mail, electronic ID/password, data, system files, online resources, or equipment of the school that does not belong to the user;
F. Hacking, cracking, vandalizing, and other unlawful online activities;
G. Disclosing, using, or disseminating personal information regarding students;
H. Cyberbullying, hate mail, defamation, harassment, discriminatory jokes and remarks, and other unauthorized behaviors as defined in other Board policies;
I. "Sexting," the electronic transmission of sexual messages or pictures;
J. Using proxy sites or personal devices to avoid state or county filtering; and/or
K. All other prohibited activities as listed in WVDE Policy 2460 Section 6.3.
* Click here for the COMPLETE
Berkeley County Schools Acceptable Use of Technology and Networks Policy
(You will need to sign the Acceptable User Policy Annually as part of the Annual Emergency Information Update)
Contact the school-based technology specialist for assistance with technology issues.
School Supplies
The majority of work will be done electronically on the BCVS platform (Schoology). At the orientation, you will learn how to upload documents and use the platform. Even though the curriculum is all submitted online, we do recommend that the student have an organized system in place to complete work. Typical supplies that are needed to complete daily assignments include but are not limited to:
Device (Grades K-5 will receive an iPad from their home school; grades 6-12 will get a Chromebook)
Calculator
Binders with dividers
Loose leaf paper or spiral notebooks
Pencil
Pen
Dry erase board and dry erase markers
Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
Scissors
Glue sticks
Some general household items for science labs
If there is an activity or lab in a particular class for which you do not have the necessary materials, please reach out to your teacher. They will help obtain the supplies and/or provide you with an alternate assignment.
In grades K-5, worksheet packets will be used in conjunction with the online curriculum. These will be available on orientation night.
Special Education Program
(WV Department of Education. Virtual School Toolkit: A Handbook for County School Systems. May 2021.)
When considering a virtual learning placement for students with an IEP or 504 Plan, an IEP or 504 meeting must be held to discuss the virtual learning option prior to making the learning placement. The IEP committee or 504 team will determine the most appropriate, least restrictive learning environment, and if the virtual learning environment is selected, the most reasonable accommodations for the selected virtual learning model. Caregivers who have questions about accommodations or need more information about a 504 or an IEP will need to reach out to the case manager at your child’s home school or our Lead Teacher: Mrs. Unger at: tpoling@k12.wv.us.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is a student using original thinking to complete assignments to ensure learning. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated by Berkeley County Virtual School.
Consequences:
The first time you are caught cheating in any of your classes, you will be given ONE warning (among all your classes) and will be asked to redo the work for partial credit.
Any subsequent instances of cheating will result in a zero for that assignment with no opportunity for credit.
Scheduling Your Courses
Elementary, intermediate, and middle school students will have a standard schedule of four core classes (Math, English, Science, Social Studies) and three specials (PE/Health, Music, Art). The four core classes will be taken all year. The specials are semester or nine weeks courses and will be split through the year.
For high school students (and some middle school students), we want to ensure a successful transition from in-person to virtual learning. If you are new to the virtual pathway, you will be allowed to take six courses. In subsequent years when you are established and comfortable with the virtual format, you may be able to take up to eight courses. Please note that the course must also be in the Berkeley County Program of Studies of approved courses and a certified teacher must be obtained. This could mean that there are some courses that may not be provided in the BCVS pathway even though it is listed. Your school counselor and the virtual school staff will help you build your schedule.
School Counseling Services
As a Berkeley County student in the virtual pathway, you have access to counseling and guidance services. Contact your assigned district level school for academic, career, social, and emotional needs. For your convenience and easy access, each school has a link to the counseling page on the school’s website.
Extracurricular Activities
Students in BCVS are eligible to participate in all extracurricular activities for the school in which they are enrolled according to county attendance zones. The same requirements that are expected for the student in an in-person program are expected for the BCVS student. This includes WVSSAC requirements. If you are interested in joining a club, sport, or any other extracurricular activity, please contact the school in the district in which you reside.
Food Services
If you choose to participate in the daily food service offered at your district assigned school, you must contact the school and provide transportation to attend the scheduled meals. The 2023-24 school year meal benefits application is now available at berkeleycountyschool.org. For questions, please contact Child Nutrition, 304-267-3500.
Removal/Withdrawal from BCVS
(WV Department of Education. Virtual School Toolkit: A Handbook for County School Systems. May 2021.)
A student may be transitioned back to traditional in-person learning at the semester for the following reasons:
Student Engagement Indicators
The student:
does not join live meetings at assigned times or log in consistently.
does not acknowledge or respond to communication in a timely manner, typically 36 business hours.
ceases to acknowledge or respond to communication for extended periods of time.
ceases to log into the virtual platform or communicate altogether.
fails to log in and complete work weekly on the virtual platform and therefore is turned in for truancy.
Academic Indicators
The student:
is having difficulty comprehending content or following directions accurately.
is struggling to maintain adequate progress or passing scores on course work.
encounters new skills/content requiring support beyond that available in the virtual model.
falls behind the pace necessary to meet learning goals in the established timeframe.
is failing 25% or more of the courses/subjects being taken at the end of the semester.
Behavioral Indicators
The student:
demonstrates avoidance tactics when it is time to join a class or log in to coursework.
becomes argumentative or avoids discussion of virtual learning progress.
cheats or plagiarizes assignments despite intervention/instruction.
consistently disrupts learning during synchronous class sessions or asynchronous activities such as discussion posts.
violates school/county policies, procedures, rules, or regulations, including rules governing the use of technology.
Social-Emotional Indicators
The student:
struggles with one’s own emotions, values, strengths, and limits and how these factors influence behavior (self-awareness).
displays difficulties regulating one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations (self-management).
has trouble empathizing with others and understanding behavioral norms (social awareness).
does not communicate clearly, cooperate with others, negotiate conflict, or seek/offer help if needed (relationship skills).
struggles to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions and evaluating the consequences of actions (responsible decision-making).
Changes in Structure and Routine
The student:
experiences a life change that decreases the level of at-home support available making it difficult for the student to participate in virtual learning.
experiences extended loss of daily, dependable internet connection.
The student will not be able to participate in any extracurricular activities if they transfer to homebound once they are removed from virtual school.
Analysis of a student’s performance will be evaluated and discussed at the interim, mid-term, and/or semester. A student will be transitioned at the semester.
Proctoring Calendar
In grades 6-12, all tests in the BCVS platform will be administered and proctored by a lead teacher or a certified teacher via Microsoft Teams on a school-issued device. It is the student’s and caregiver’s responsibility to schedule these at least 24 hours in advance.
The times are as follows:
Every Tuesday from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Every Thursday from 9:00 am– 12:00 am
Proctoring will only need to occur when taking a test or semester exam. Additionally, you can schedule several tests/exams from different courses for the same day.
In grades K-5, one on one, live assessments and assistance will be given to each child. Lead teachers will reach out to families to schedule sessions.
School Calendar
All courses must be complete by the end of each semester.
Semester 1:
1st Nine Weeks Interim: September 18
End 1st Nine Weeks: October 17
2nd Nine Weeks Interim: November 15
End 2nd Nine Weeks: December 21
Semester 2:
3rd Nine Weeks Interim: February 5
End 3rd Nine Weeks: March 8
4th Nine Weeks Interim: April 22
End 4th Nine Weeks: May 26
*Follow weekly class schedules for actual due dates.