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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Valley Superintendent Mark Selle shares his thoughts regarding the charter school movement and the concept of subsidiarity. ...read more
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
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
Figure skater Alison Jeffers, a 17-year-old CVA senior, is the Junior Ladies Champion of the Pacific Northwest region. ...read more
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
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
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
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
We’ll be highlighting submissions from teachers, students and families on our new website coming out later this year. ...read more
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
We are in the “final stretch” of the Legislative Session, and one of the most important phases of the legislative process. ...read more
CVA Student, Erin Kitchens, had the opportunity to serve as a page in the Washington State Legislature from January 10th-14th. ...read more
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
This weekend, many state legislators will be back in their district, meeting with constituents in a town hall format. ...read more
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
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
In November, we asked CVA students to submit posters in honor of Veterans Day 2010. ...read more
Many of you know how important education and civic involvement are to me, our district and our partnerships. ...read more
Two CVA students stepped up on the world of dance with their big wins at the National Ballroom Competition. ...read more
CVA saw threats to the existence of K-6 Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) programs last spring, and we responded. ...read more
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
Beth Fowler shares her story to encourage CVA parents ...read more
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
Columbia Virtual Academy is pleased to announce that it has recently been provisionally accredited by The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. ...read more
