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News

May 15

CVA Students Part of Winning ROV Team

Featured Student Work

Submitted by Ashley McConnaughey Whidbey Island’s Atlantis Inc. ROV Team beat out fourteen other underwater robotics teams to win first place at the annual MATE ROV Pacific Northwest Regional Challenge on Saturday, ensuring that they would compete in the MATE International ROV Competition in June.  Their Regional competition was one of 22 globally, and they’ll be facing teams from Egypt, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Scotland, and more next month. This is Atlantis Inc.’s fourth year competing in the ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) competition. ...read more

May 15

DEEP BLUE: Marine-Biology

General

  Many people interested in the ocean and animals choose to study Marine Biology. Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather than on taxonomy. Marine biology differs from marine ecology as marine ecology is focused on how organisms interact with each other and the environment, and biology is the study of the organisms themselves. ...read more

May 02

International Exchange

General

I am pleased for the opportunity to share an incredible family experience with the greater “CVA Family.” This year, my family partnered with EF Foundation for Foreign Study to welcome an exchange student named Johannes from Germany into our home. It was one of the best things we have ever done as a family. Our kids are now excited about learning a foreign language and they even dream of traveling and studying abroad in the future. Learning another language has a relevance we could not have achieved any other way.  ...read more

Apr 19

CVA Educational Feature: DEEP BLUE

Education

Over the next couple months we’re going to dive into the fascinating depths of the deep blue sea. Join us as we learn all about oceanography, marine biology, early ocean exploration and amazing literature inspired by the sea. We’ll meet famous explorers like Magellan and Jacques Cousteau and surreal creatures that actually exist! ...read more

Mar 29

Featured Student Work by Chloe Davis, Grade 2

Featured Student Work

From CVA teacher Jeannette James: “Chloe Davis is a young lady who absolutely loves science. She is the second grade and is doing amazing science work beyond her grade level. Mom says, ‘Chloe loves science so much she would do it in her spare time.’” ...read more

Mar 06

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 10

Education

Perhaps I may be biased. Okay, I will openly admit I am beyond biased, guilty as charged and completely blinded by my own child on this one. Thea, my three-year old daughter, has the most gorgeous mane of blonde hair known to toddler-kind. So soft, so amazingly long and so, so very difficult to get a brush through without a major tantrum on both our parts. Have you ever been there? ...read more

Mar 05

Starting a Garden

Education

We've been talking about gardening all this month. Before you get your hands in the dirt, there are some things to think about before starting a garden. ...read more

Mar 01

Scientific Ocean Adventures!

Education

O.A.R. Northwest is hosting an incredible learning opportunity online. Read more about it here and follow along their exciting journey at home! ...read more

Feb 20

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 9

Education

Let the unlearning begin! Of what? Well, all that is of classical type of course…classically conditioned that is! ...read more

Feb 13

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 8

Education

Ivan Pavlov, with his signature long, white beard and slightly rotund figure, could have played a perfect Santa in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He even had a penchant for ringing a bell! But instead, our dear Pavlov cut a path deep and wide in the field of psychology that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize for Physiology and Medicine in 1904.  ...read more

Feb 13

Featured Student Work by Anna Scott, Grade 7

Featured Student Work

This week I did a Science Lab on Astronomy with my Dad. Our task was to find the center of the Milky Way, via Google Earth. The hardest part was working with Google Earth. It was a little difficult with the format, but Dad downloaded it and then we worked with the settings to find the right format. The center of the Milky Way is the center of our galaxy. We used a chart out of my middle school Astronomy book, and it's a chart that helps you see the constellations. What you need to do is to find the three constellations with the most globular clusters. The highest number of globular clusters in them, which is what I did. The three constellations with the highest globular clusters are Scorpius with 20 globular clusters, Ophiuchus with 25, and Saggitarius with 34. Once you have this knowledge, you try to find the middle of these three constellations. ...read more

Feb 06

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 7

General

by Gretchen Cruden Remember the great Barbie debacle of 1992 where newly released Talking Teen Barbie’s sweet voice sing-songed, “Math class is tough!” as she stood in bent-elbowed awe of all that was algebraic. Oh Barbie – how could you? So horridly predictable you!   ...read more

Feb 06

Food and Gardening!

General

The days are getting longer. The weather is getting warmer. Spring is just around the corner! It’s a great opportunity to start thinking about plants and gardening. ...read more

Jan 30

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 6

General

"Time is the cruelest teacher; first she gives the test, then teaches the lesson."
      -Unknown I truly believe one of the most joyful aspects of teaching is recapturing the thrill of learning in myself. Perhaps this is why I am fascinated by neuroscience as it relates to education, for this field is constantly changing and providing new ways to approach learning. So many ideas, studies and concepts are out there, just waiting for you to read about them, try them out and see what works for you and your child. It is just so exciting! ...read more

Jan 29

New Scholarship Resource Page for High School Students

Education

For high school students looking for scholarships, CVA has launched a new scholarship page on MyCVA.org. The featured link on the site is to thewashboard.org, which is a giant database of scholarship opportunities that can be searched or matched to user preferences. Scholarship opportunities not listed in the database are listed on our scholarship page. Check it out here! ...read more

Jan 22

How Education is Like Farming and Healing

Superintendent Messages

Every work of art has three components: an artist, a medium, and a finished work of art. Superintendent, Mark Selle, shares his thoughts on how education can be a cooperative art that creates a well-formed human being—a person of learning and character. ...read more

Jan 16

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 5

General

Before we even begin, please get a pencil and paper. Do not do what I do, which is just keep on reading until I see why I need a pencil and paper. Just go do it. Are you still here? Oh goodness! Fine. You need them to help prove a point to yourself. Okay. Go get them now… ...read more

Jan 16

Becoming an Astronaut

General

Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a NASA Astronaut? Find out here! ...read more

Jan 11

Do the Common Core Standards Support the Purpose of Education?

Superintendent Messages

Yong Zhao and Alan Meekings say no. Why? Because, as Dr. Zhao asserted in 2009, they are contrary to the purpose of education. ...read more

Dec 19

Winter Solstice

Education

Did you know that the winter solstice is December 21st? The winter solstice is the day that the sun is the lowest in the sky, this is the shortest day of the year. ...read more

Dec 19

Featured Student Work by Kirsten Scott

Featured Student Work

I stood still and straight, watching the horse show’s judge walk over toward the announcer. I held my breath, my stomach twisting in knots of nervous excitement. Then suddenly the air rushed out of me. My face fell; I was last. As I led Dot, my pony, out of the ring I tried to blink away the tears stinging my eyes. The big pink ribbon they handed to me did little to console me. Once I got back to the horse trailer, I did cry. Discouragement and the hot August sun were melting me like a bowl of ice cream. Salty tears streamed down my face and dripped off my nose. Dot, trusty little Dot, had failed me. My mother’s comforting words were not heard. My whole universe was in despair. “Would I ever get better,” I wondered? ...read more

Dec 05

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 4

Education

The flu of 2009 had visited our home, unwelcomed and demanding. With a merciless fierceness, it had left my body wrapped in a sweated sheet for three days running. Finally, in the delirium of the wee hours of night, my fever had slacked and I could finally open my eyes without the cacophony of noise from my night-light sending me reeling. I was starving. I propped myself up in bed and slowly parted my parched lips. My hands shook slightly as I took the warmed bowl of soup from my husband’s hands. Thin broth; my salvation. The taste of it dizzied me, in a child-at-the circus way, as I felt my life being returned to me. I will never forget that simple meal. ...read more

Dec 04

Space!

General

Winter is settling in and with it comes the short days and long nights we’re known for up here in the Northwest. What a great opportunity to use those extra evening hours for a little stargazing!? ...read more

Nov 28

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 3

Education

Encoding information is the process of getting the outside world into our minds. The outside world can enter though our sense of taste, touch, sight, smell and sound. The sensory organs we use to perceive the world translate the sensory inputs into electrical language our brains can understand, and we are off and running on the process of forming memories. ...read more

Nov 28

Featured Student Work

Featured Student Work

"Thank you," I told the chauffeur said as he opened the door to the limo. I stepped out of the limo, and I could not help but feel like I was in a movie. People dressed in festive holiday minks, dresses and tuxedos were chatting and laughing as they moved toward the entrance of the theater. Snow was gently falling all around me, and it sparkled as it passed through the lights beaming from the enormous building in front of me. ...read more

Nov 14

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 2

Education

One of my all-time favorite principles of physics governing our universe is that energy is never created or destroyed, it just changes form. This is easy to understand when you burn a log of wood. The energy from the wood becomes heat energy. It is gets a little more abstract when you think about the energy of the world interacting with your mind. ...read more

Nov 07

The Brains Behind Learning, Part 1

Education

Would a mountain climber ever think to ascend Mount Everest without first undergoing intense physical training and gaining the necessary knowledge to ensure not just survival, but success? Definitely not; to do so would result in almost certain failure. Yet, many people approach the process of learning in much the same manner as the unprepared climber. They do not equip themselves with the information they need to be the most effective learner or teacher they can be and find themselves, perhaps not shivering on the side of a mountain, but certainly sidelined and uncertain of how to proceed. So, where to begin? In the words of Julia Andrews, let’s begin at the very beginning. It is a very good place to start... ...read more

Oct 31

Civics and Your student

Education

Washington State has outlined five major areas (Essential Academic Learning Requirements or EALR) students should explore in their undertaking of social studies. These requirements are categorized as civics, economics, geography, history, and social studies skills.  The EALR are broken down further into components that guide the teaching of these areas.  In connection with our recent student election surveys, we shall focus on the EALR of civics. ...read more

Oct 24

Free Event for Gifted Students in Tacoma!

Announcements

Free day-event in Tacoma on November 4 for advanced learners (grades 3-12) and their families. ...read more

Oct 01

Get Into Civics!

Education

A presidential election year provides remarkable opportunities for real-life civics lessons on a near daily basis. It can also provide a lot of somewhat ugly chatter. A well informed citizen can elevate the level of discourse and effect change by appreciating and working within the system.  We’ll be highlighting civics here on CVA.org, MyCVA.org and in the weekly E-Zine up until the week of the election. You can also find daily civics postings on our Twitter and Facebook feeds. ...read more

Sep 26

Practice Test for the SAT and National Merit Scholarship Program

Announcements

The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT, a standardized test required by most four-year universities for admission and scholarships. By taking the PSAT, students will learn valuable information about their academic strengths and weaknesses and how to take the SAT. ...read more

Aug 28

Lopez Island Joins CVA

Announcements

The Lopez Island School District is the newest district partner to offer the Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) program. “CVA is glad to welcome Lopez Island to its consortium of partners who are committed to keeping virtual learning fully public,” said CVA Superintendent Dr. Mark Selle. “Superintendent Bill Evans and his staff have a deep commitment to offering quality educational alternatives to their community and will be an excellent partner.” ...read more

Aug 09

Whooping Cough Update

Announcements

Washington State is in the midst of a whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic. Nearly 3,300 cases have been reported so far this year—more than the State has recorded in seventy years. Read more... ...read more

Jun 28

Families Flock to CVA Roadshow

General

Families turned out in force at Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) Roadshow events across the state over the last month where they met face-to-face with teachers, looked over instructional resources, tried out online classes, perused the new course catalog, and got answers to their questions. ...read more

Jun 27

CVA Welcomes New Partner District

Announcements

Beginning this fall, the Cascade School District will offer an alternative to brick-and-mortar classes to area students through a statewide, public program called Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA). “We were looking for an experienced partner that could help us get started,” said Cascade Superintendent, Steve McKenna. “We want an opportunity to better serve all students in our community.” ...read more

Jun 14

Multiple Measures of Educational Achievement

Superintendent Messages

What do educators and parents really think about K-12 assessments? Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) and Grunwald Associates LLC recently released a study answering this question. ...read more

May 24

Whooping Cough Epidemic

Announcements

The State of Washington has declared a whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic, a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing that makes it hard to breathe. It is potentially fatal for young children, and infants with severe cases should be hospitalized. ...read more

May 17

Featured Curriculum: Singapore Math

Featured Curriculum

Singapore Math is a teaching method based on the primary textbooks and syllabus from the national curriculum of the country of Singapore. It uses a visual approach in teaching math. Students learn how to model mathematical problems using bar graphs. ...read more

May 16

CVA Roadshow is Coming to Town

Announcements

If you haven’t already heard, CVA is coming to a town near you to show off tables and tables of curricula, a host of online classes, the new CVA Course Catalog and a dedicated, knowledgeable staff to answer all your questions. “This is an excellent opportunity for families to see for themselves how great the next year will be at CVA,” said CVA Principal, Dave Vail, “The Roadshow will be particularly valuable for families who are new to CVA or interested in the program.”  ...read more

May 04

Featured Curriculum: Saxon Math

Featured Curriculum

Saxon Math is a curriculum that teaches math concepts in small increments. Each lesson begins with a new concept and then will review previous concepts. With this type of an approach, every lesson assignment and assessment is a cumulative review of all materials that have been covered.  ...read more

Apr 19

Whooping Cough Information from the Department of Health

General

The Department of Health recently announced that whooping cough has reached epidemic levels in Washington. We’ve already had almost 900 cases this year, and it shows no signs of slowing.  We’re on a pace to have the highest number of cases in decades. Babies that catch whooping cough are most at risk for serious disease, and they’re too young to get enough doses of the vaccine to be protected. So, it’s up to all of us—families, caregivers, and communities—to protect them by getting vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis). ...read more

Mar 29

Make Your Bed and Clean Your Room

Superintendent Messages

Education is the development of good habits. Those begin at home. And character is more important than anything. Having good habits of behavior, the moral virtues, gets you farther in life than anything. ...read more

Mar 27

Teaching Generosity

Community

The Valley School District collected 1,258 pounds of food for the Valley Food Pantry thanks to the efforts of students, the staff, generous members of the community, and the Valley School Pep Club, who organized the food drive. ...read more

Mar 20

Standardized Testing is "Check" Not "Mate"

Superintendent Messages

Valley Superintendent, Mark Selle, relates his perspective on standardized testing through his chess experience. An insite into why testing isn't the end all answer to eduction.  ...read more

Mar 09

CVA Student Wins Essay Contest

Student Stories

Congratulations to tenth grader, Brandon Spicer, for winning the national Being an American Essay Contest sponsored by the Bill of Rights Institute for his essay, “Limited Government.” “I was so surprised to win,” Brandon said. There were about 6,300 entries in the western region (nine states in all) and a $1,000 prize.  ...read more

Mar 08

Art Contest for 2012 Voters' Pamphlet

Announcements

Calling all 4th - 5th grade artists! The Office of the Secretary of State is accepting art from Washington State students, grades 4 - 5, for the 2012 Kids' Art Contest. The winning picture will be featured in the 2012 General Election Washington State Voters' Pamphlet and seen by 3.5 million voters.  ...read more

Feb 28

Some Thoughts about the Charter School Movement Based on Its History

Superintendent Messages

Valley Superintendent Mark Selle shares his thoughts regarding the charter school movement and the concept of subsidiarity.  ...read more

Feb 22

Don't Assume—An Educational Maxim

Superintendent Messages

I guess the aphorism is simple. Most are. We shouldn’t make assumptions that might not be true. Education does require patience, taking time to talk, explaining details. ...read more

Feb 17

TBI Survivor Finds Learning Success

Student Stories

In 2006, Jason McDonald and his family chose CVA for its accelerated courses and flexible curriculum. Not only did he excel in his classes, he was doing work well beyond his grade-level. Two years later, Jason (then 16) fell down a flight of stairs in his house, hitting his head on the bannister, causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI).      ...read more

Oct 26

CVA Student Wins Junior Ladies Title at Regional Figure Skating Event

Student Stories

Figure skater Alison Jeffers, a 17-year-old CVA senior, is the Junior Ladies Champion of the Pacific Northwest region. ...read more

Oct 26

Your Democracy

Advocacy

In 2010, I shifted from an administrative role within CVA to a district-level position that focuses on Government Relations. Periodically, I will offer brief articles in your weekly CVA e-zine, just to keep you informed about what's happening in state and national politics regarding education, and of course, what might be of interest to our CVA families. ...read more

Aug 09

CVA Getting the Word Out

Announcements

The staff at Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) would like to send a special thanks to the parents, students and prospective families for attending the Parent Orientations across the state of Washington. ...read more

Jul 21

CVA Family Update

Announcements

CVA made a preliminary announcement on July 1st regarding how changes to the Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) rules would affect your CVA program. This update, originally promised by August 1st, is ahead of schedule because we have great news! ...read more

May 26

News from Olympia Regarding ALE

Advocacy

Today, we have news for you about the legislative session, the state budget and legislated changes to alternative learning experience programs and CVA in particular. ...read more

May 11

I Heart CVA

Announcements

We’ll be highlighting submissions from teachers, students and families on our new website coming out later this year. ...read more

May 04

Young Robotics Team Hits the Water

Student Stories

Team Atlantis, Inc., who has been plying the waves of the Island Athletic Club pool, prepares to pilot their underwater robotic vehicle in the Pacific Northwest Regional Competition on Saturday, May 7th at the King County Aquatic Center. ...read more

Apr 06

ALE Budget Update

Advocacy

We are in the “final stretch” of the Legislative Session, and one of the most important phases of the legislative process. ...read more

Apr 01

CVA Student Paging, Possible Presidential Run in 2034

Student Stories

CVA Student, Erin Kitchens, had the opportunity to serve as a page in the Washington State Legislature from January 10th-14th. ...read more

Mar 31

CVA Day in Olympia

General

CVA families from all over Washington convened in Olympia for a wonderful, dual-purpose event on Tuesday, March 22nd. More than just a field trip, Online Learning Day in Olympia allowed CVA students and their families an opportunity for a Capitol Campus tour, the chance to explore and the opportunity meet other distance and online learning students in the state.   ...read more

Mar 18

CVA Logo Gets Facelift for the Future

Announcements

CVA has a new logo! ...read more

Mar 11

My Democracy

Advocacy

This weekend, many state legislators will be back in their district, meeting with constituents in a town hall format. ...read more

Jan 26

CVA Student Ranked Fastest 14-Year-Old in the World

Student Stories

Hannah Cunliffe spends her time as most ninth graders do—shopping, talking with friends on the phone and hanging out with her sisters—but don’t let that fool you. ...read more

Jan 21

CVA Students Visit State Legislature

Student Stories

CVA students Hannah and Haley McConnaughey made an exciting trip to the Washington State Legislature to attend a student panel on Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs, where they participated in an open exchange of ideas with Legislators. ...read more

Jan 14

Your Democracy

General

In November, we asked CVA students to submit posters in honor of Veterans Day 2010. ...read more

Jan 12

Teachable Moments

Advocacy

Many of you know how important education and civic involvement are to me, our district and our partnerships. ...read more

Nov 09

From Afar

Student Stories

Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA) student Sally Fournier is what some would call the quintessential all-American teenager.  ...read more

Oct 27

CVA Students Win Big at National Dance Competition

Student Stories

Two CVA students stepped up on the world of dance with their big wins at the National Ballroom Competition. ...read more

Oct 22

CVA: Cooperation for the Common Good

Advocacy

CVA saw threats to the existence of K-6 Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs last spring, and we responded. ...read more

Oct 14

We're Talking Long Distance

General

Besides being the new speech-language pathologist (SLP) for Columbia Virtual Academy (CVA), Laurie Kertesz isn’t your usual district therapist. Not only is she certified through the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, she’s worked for districts in Stevens County for more than 30 years.  ...read more

Oct 06

There and Back Again: A Journey in Education

General

Beth Fowler shares her story to encourage CVA parents ...read more

Sep 13

Building Dedication & Open House

Announcements

The Valley School District Office & Columbia Virtual Academy held a building dedication and open house in honor of the new home for VSD and CVA offices. ...read more

Mar 18

CVA Provisionally Accredited by Northwest Association

Announcements

Columbia Virtual Academy is pleased to announce that it has recently been provisionally accredited by The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. ...read more

Dec 31

Scientific Ocean Adventures!

Activities

O.A.R. Northwest is hosting an incredible learning opportunity online. Read more about it here and follow along their exciting journey at home! ...read more