BlueSky Online School

This week we are showing appreciation to the EA team at BlueSky!

Our very dedicated group of educational assistants work with students in the resource room and attend live classes. This year one of our goals is to create an Educational Assistant Manual. As a team we have put together a list of items to add to the manual and divided them up between us. We are also working on an internal website with all of the same information. Throughout the year we work with many students that have an IEP and set them up for success. One of our most meaningful accomplishments is developing a rapport with the students, which in turn encourages them to come see us for help. Each educational assistant brings their own personality, strengths, and approach to building a connection with students. Because of this, we create a supportive and inclusive environment to meet the needs of every student.

Thank you to the EA team for going above and beyond to ensure every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed. We appreciate all of your hard work at BlueSky and are grateful to have such an awesome team!

This week we would like to show appreciation to the Math Department at BlueSky! Also, Happy Pi Week!

In addition to the math team's normal duties, helping students develop their math skills and grow their positive math mindset, we have been exploring a new math curriculum that will help us and our students meet the expectations of the latest math standards. We are excited to start rolling out these changes over the next few years.

Thank you to our Math Team, we truly appreciate the time and care you bring to your classrooms everyday!

This week we wanted to celebrate our wonderful social work team!

At BlueSky, every student has their very own school social worker; think of them as part mentor, part problem-solver, part professional cheerleader. Our licensed social workers offer confidential support for school, personal, and family concerns, and they’re pros at helping students and families find helpful resources in the community.

The social work team also helps students build everyday mental health skills, like managing stress, strengthening coping strategies, and navigating life’s ups and downs, all in a supportive, skill-building way (not therapy, just practical tools and guidance).

Thank you to our amazing social workers for all that you do at BlueSky!

It’s English/LA Appreciation Week at BlueSky this week!

The English Department plays a crucial role in the understanding of language, literature, and communication. The team offers BlueSky students a variety of courses giving them the opportunity to explore a diverse range of texts, while developing critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills. The teachers use their creativity to create a vibrant and engaging community for the students.

Thank you to this team for the countless hours spent supporting student growth and encouraging excellence at BlueSky every single day!

BlueSky Get Ready to CLIMB! Vertical Endeavors Outing on March 13th!

RSVP here ---> https://forms.gle/1URFcYxmoYqyesAr8

This week BlueSky would like to recognize our amazing Counseling Team!

The BlueSky Counseling team has two priorities: helping students make plans for their futures after high school, including selecting classes that align with their interests, and making sure they have the right credits to graduate while meeting both state and local standards. They assist at Student Support Plan, IEP, and 504 meetings, often coming up with alternate schedule options to fit the individual student's needs. They spend a lot of time with juniors and seniors, helping with the college entrance exams, college applications, financial aid applications, and other job preparation items as needed. Each counselor also has a Required Career Portfolio in Moodle--where students complete activities (assignments) to help them set goals for themselves and explore options and interests for their future careers. These activities culminate in a Career Plan--which is also a graduation requirement.

Thank you counselors for your the continued guidance and support you bring to BlueSky!

This wee we are celebrating our Welcome and Support Team at BlueSky!

BlueSky's Welcome and Support Team is a flexible and dynamic group of staff members, ever-adjusting its membership to meet the needs of enrollment fluctuations throughout the year. The WST provides support to all newly enrolled students as well as students who are re-enrolling at BlueSky and those who are transitioning from our Supplemental program to full-time. Their ultimate goal is to give a warm welcome, teach essential online learning skills, and see students off to a strong and confident start to their academic courses at BlueSky.

Thank you to our wonderful Welcome and Support Team for all that you do at our school!

Valentine’s Day is great and all, but this celebration is about something even better, FRIENDSHIP. That is why we are hosting a PAL-entine’s Day party, and you are invited.

RSVP by Jan 30th here ---> https://forms.gle/H65z6QQFLM84twzW7

BlueSky is celebrating our Middle School Department this week!

The BlueSky Middle School staff provide high-quality interactive instruction to students in 6th-8th grade with a focus on developing their independent learning skills in preparation for high school. The team provides direct instruction in live sessions as well as individual learning opportunities. Throughout the school year they provide dynamic, engaging activities designed to create community and friendships both online and in-person. They are a creative, dynamic, passionate team who genuinely care about student development.

Thank you to our wonderful middle school team for all of your hard work year after year and for the amazing support you provide your students!

Happy Middle School Week!

This week we are celebrating our amazing Office Team at BlueSky!

Our office staff is legendary. We are convinced they have superpowers, because there’s no other explanation for how they manage to answer phones, fix copier jams, solve mysteries, and track down student transcripts from 2006. They remember everything, they know everyone, and they can spot chaos from a mile away—and stop it before it even starts. Plus, while the rest of us are still trying to remember our passwords, they’re over there knocking out supplemental forms and MARSS reporting like it’s just another Tuesday. We don’t know how they keep all those codes, deadlines, and data straight, but we are pretty sure it deserves its own award ceremony. If the school had a heartbeat, it would be the office staff… probably running on caffeine and pure determination. I don’t know how they do it, but we are just grateful they do!

Thank you to our wonderful office staff for all that you do at BlueSky!

It's Special Education Appreciation Week at BlueSky!

BlueSky's special education department is a group of hard working humans. These folks are teachers first who prioritize building positive relationships with students and families in both the academic courses they teach, as well as elective courses in the areas of SEL, Organization, Social Communication, and Functional Skills. In addition to their role as a specialized teacher, each individual is also a case manager; facilitating the IEP process for each of their students. The process includes scheduling at least annual meetings for each student, possibly scheduling multi-annual Support Plan IEP meetings, and continuously progress monitoring to collect data for quarterly reports that guide the writing of appropriate, student centered IEP goals and objectives. They work directly with the full team to support in modifying and accommodating general education curriculum to appropriately meet each students individual needs.

Thank you to our phenomenal SPED team for showing up every day with patience, creativity, and compassion. We appreciate you!