Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Schools September 2017 | Page 5

Academy offers online learning for grades 6-8 I n August, Gaston County Schools will launch its first online school. The Gaston County Virtual Academy is for grades 6-8 and offers personalized learning and schedule flexibility for students. The school is free. “We have heard from our parents and the community that they want more school choices,” said Kathleen D’Avria, who is the Virtual Academy coordinator for Gaston County Schools. “We believe that online learning is the way of the future, and our Virtual Academy is an innovative approach to teaching and learning for middle school students.” According to D’Avria, the Virtual Academy is ideal for students in a homeschool setting because they receive additional academic support while enjoying a flexible schedule and participating in learning that is crafted to meet their academic needs. Courses will be offered online and students will be involved in some regularly- scheduled face-to-face enrichment activities, which creates a dynamic blended model of instruction. Students will be required to take at least three courses, but can take up to six. Classes are aligned with the middle school core content areas and focus on English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. World languages, elective, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes will be available as well. Students interested in participating in band, chorus, or CTE classes may do so at the middle school they would attend based on residence. All teachers in the Academy are qualified to teach in a virtual setting. Classes are taught through interactive instruction, and students will be engaged in learning while having flexibility to work at their own pace. Tutoring is available. There is no lottery to select students for the Virtual Academy, but space is limited. Students who wish to attend must apply and be screened to determine eligibility. “We hope parents who are considering school options for their middle schoolers will take a look at our Virtual Academy,” added D’Avria. “The Academy is designed to provide the personalized learning and schedule flexibility that some students and parents are looking for, and we also feel like the Academy is a good fit for students in homeschool programs.” For more information and to apply to attend the Gaston County Virtual Academy, call (704) 866-6231 or visit www.gaston.k12.nc.us/ virtualacademy. National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Healthy Living Tips September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and as a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving health, the Gaston County Family YMCA offers the following tips to help families in Gaston County incorporate healthy eating and regular physical activity into their lives. Ti Y The YMCA offers After School Cost: together The following tips will not only help families live healthier • School-based sites*: but also help prevent childhood obesity: $48/week for members, $6 • YMCA pick-up sites*: Eat & Drink Healthy: Make water the drink of choice and $58/week for members, $7 encourage everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and listed vegetables * Schools in BOLD indicate DSS ch by offering two or three colorful options at every meal. As a family Year Round Registration choose a new fruit and veggie every week to taste together. Place a You have the option to register for full pitcher of water on the table during meals, and and allow children to The weekl 2014 Summer Camp. Please Note: registration for this o pour their own water. See at the list below to determine i Play Every Day/Go Outside: Children should have least an hour gastonymca.org or 704-865-85 a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. Join your children in games that get your hearts pumping and bodies moving. School-based sites: Pick Brookside For Gri Carr Get Together: Eat as a family as frequently as possible. Involve HH Gardner adults Park kids in meal planning, preparation and clean up. In addition, Sherwood should take a break from electronics and spend one-to-one time each day with their kids, enjoying one another’s company. * Schools listed in BOLD indicate DSS chil Reduce Recreational Screen Time: Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games School-based should be sites: limited to two hours or less per day. Make a family plan Cherryville to reduce screen time at home (i.e. turn off screens during meals, go for a walk after a meal, set a timer to remind you to power down the screen). Cos School-based sites: Hope Sleep Well: Kids and adults need to keep a regular New sleep schedule; Robinson to soft unwind together in the evenings by reading a book or listening music to ensure the body is preparing for sleep. Kids are growing and need 10-12 hours of healthy sleep per night and seven to eight hours for adults. School-based sites: Belmont Central For more information on how your family can live a healthy, Lowell active life, visit gastonymca.org. Page Primary Pinewood Creating a lifetime of healthy smiles - one child at a time! Thank you for voting us as the Best Pediatric Dental Office in Gaston County! 1367-B East Garrison Blvd Gastonia, NC 28054 Laetitia Sery, DDS 980.320.8479 • www.gastoniapediatricdentistry.com Parent Teacher Magazine• September/October 2017• 3 Ha WA Pick Bel (o Bel