Tag Archives: ilead antelope valley

Studio

5 Ways to Set Up for Online Learning Success!

Originally published by iLEAD Online

Learning online has many benefits. Flexibility in where and when you learn and the ability to design your own learning space are two of them. But successful online learning requires some thought. Unlike a traditional classroom, online learning requires learners to take more ownership of what and how they learn. For many, this is a big shift and takes some adjustment. Read below for some tips on how to make the transition easier and have a successful semester.

Set Up a Designated Work Space

Where will you learn? Even if this answer may change from time to time, it’s important to set up a designated space in your home or where you plan to spend the most time.

For younger learners, think about a space where parent and learner can work together comfortably. A nook in the kitchen or living room with a small storage bin will do. Keep it simple. Minimize distraction. Make it fun and comfortable for both child and adult.

For teens, think about a space where you are really comfortable and feel like your best self. However, distraction is a problem. Do not set up your work space near your TV or where you play video games. Your brain is already programmed in that space. Think about flexible seating options so you can mix it up through the day. If you have them accessible, hang a bulletin board or wall calendar for you to keep track of important things. Have snacks and water handy. Make it a place you really want to be every day. Check HERE for some inspiration.

Supplies to have at your work space:

  • Pencils, pens, highlighter
  • Notebook for notes (one for each course or one large one organized by tabs)
  • Planner or calendar
  • Computer
  • Printer (optional)
  • Sticky notes
  • Something to do that doesn’t distract you from work. A fidget spinner, jar of play dough, stress ball, or doodle pad are all great ideas.

Remember, it doesn’t have to be fancy, and you don’t have to buy anything. Think about what you already have, and make it work for you!

Set Your Schedule

It is recommended you learn about four to six hours, five days a week. Make sure to plan out your learning times. Work with your parent/guardian and your academic coach to brainstorm what will work best for you. Write it out and stick to it. If you miss an hour here or there, make sure you add it on to a different day to make up that missed time. Setting your learning schedule will help you stay on track or even finish courses early! Make sure to check each course in PowerSchool for live virtual workshops, on-site science labs, and other events that you may have to schedule in.

Eliminate Distractions

It is so easy to get distracted when learning online.

StayFocused is a free Chrome extension that allows you to block certain websites, set time limits on others, and track your time. Limiting the time you spend on YouTube, Facebook, and other fun sites to 10 minutes gives you a quick brain break and then reminds you to get back to schoolwork. Make sure you have Google Chrome installed as your internet browser, and then click HERE to install. Then change your settings by clicking the icon in the upper right-hand toolbar and finding the settings link.

What other distractions do you think you need to eliminate to be successful? Make a list of possible distractions and and then brainstorm some specific ways to stay focused below.

  • List possible distractions:
  • List ways to stay focused:

Gather Your Technology

You don’t need much to learn online. A laptop or desktop will do. It can also be helpful to have a mouse (our wrists were not designed to use a touchpad all day every day). Using a mouse can eliminate wear and tear on your body. A printer may come in handy if you prefer to print out your assignments and write them by hand. You will also need steady WiFi. Contact your facilitator if you need support getting a laptop or WiFi for learning.

Set up your virtual learning space (AKA your computer)

Suggested Bookmarks

  • School Website
  • PowerSchool

Suggested Chrome Extensions

  • Grammarly (helps you correct your spelling and grammar with one click of a button)
  • HERE are 10 more we love!

Google

We highly recommend all learners have a Google Account. This allows them access to email, Google Drive, and more. Learners will need to use Google Docs for their school work. You can register for an account for free, or request one through the school.

Learn on the Go!

PowerSchool has an App for Apple devices. Click HERE to download to your iPhone or iPad. This is great if you want to check discussion boards, do some reading, or submit an assignment when you are not around your computer.

Use Accountability

Holding yourself accountable for success in online learning is important. Here are some things to think about to ensure you have lots of support for success:

  • Meeting with your parent/guardian: Set a regular (weekly or monthly) meeting time to go over your grades with your parent(s)/guardian. Talk about what you are doing really well and enjoying and where you are struggling. Brainstorm ways you and your parent can work together to meet your goals.
  • Meeting with your facilitator: Your facilitator is here to help you be successful in school and life. Make sure to reach out wherever you are struggling. They can help you brainstorm solutions and offer resources.
  • Find a study buddy. There are lots of online learners just like you! Reach out to your peers in your classes to find someone to connect with.
  • Reward yourself! Whether it is little rewards throughout the day (a gummy bear for every assignment completed) or big rewards (a trip for As and Bs at semester), creating a system of external rewards helps keep you focused on getting through.
  • Make checklists. Log in every morning to make a list of everything you need to do that day at school. Here are some suggested daily to-dos for success:
    • Read your checklist from the previous day. Transfer over any tasks you did not complete to today’s checklist.
    • Check email and respond to each important one received.
    • Check announcements. Write down things you need to do.
    • Check gradebook for feedback and comments from your facilitators. Write down any assignments you need to redo or fix.
    • Check calendar.
    • Check agenda for that week.
    • Make a list of all coursework, assignments, discussions, and projects you need to work on today.
Culture and Curriculum, Studio

Exploring iLEAD Antelope Valley Culture: Habit 7 of the 7 Habits

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of articles on the pillars of iLEAD Antelope Valley’s educational philosophy and approach. 

So here we are. We’ve explored six of the seven habits and why they’re important to us and our learners at iLEAD Antelope Valley, and hopefully by this point you feel more equipped and empowered to approach your own life and work with clearer focus and vision. 

But how do we maintain that energy? 

That’s where Habit 7 comes in — Sharpen the Saw. Incorporating the 7 Habits into your life is all about achieving balance. But living a life in balance means taking the necessary time to renew yourself. It’s all up to you. You can renew yourself through relaxation, or you can totally burn yourself out by overdoing everything.

“Sharpen the Saw” means preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have — you. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. Here are some examples: 

  • Physical: Beneficial eating, exercising, and resting.
  • Social/Emotional: Making social and meaningful connections with others.
  • Mental: Learning, reading, writing, and teaching.
  • Spiritual: Spending time in nature, expanding spiritual self through meditation, music, art, prayer, or service, etc.

The point is, if we don’t take the time to recharge and renew ourselves regularly, we will burn out and find our efforts stale.

As Dr. Stephen Covey said, “Renewal is the principle — and the process — that empowers us to move on an upward spiral of growth and change, of continuous improvement.”

What that sharpening looks like will vary from person to person. For you, sharpening the saw might mean taking a 10-15-minute walk every day where you can decompress and not focus on day-to-day responsibilities. Or maybe it means better structuring your workweek so on weekends you can focus primarily on family time. Whatever your saw-sharpening looks like, find something that works for you. 

As the saying goes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. To make the most of the 7 Habits in improving yourself, your life, and your work, it cannot be a piecemeal effort. Each enhances and strengthens the others. Step by step, find the balance of incorporating each habit — and don’t neglect yourself. Sharpen that saw so that you can truly be your best. 

For more information on the 7 Habits and other leadership resources, click here to visit the FranklinCovey website.

Fundraising, Studio

Mark Your Calendar for iLEAD Antelope Valley Dinner Nights!

Dine out on the following dates at the following locations, and you’ll raise funds for iLEAD Antelope Valley! Thanks for your support!

Chipotle: iLEAD AV receives 30%

March 24
5:00-9:00 p.m.
855 W. Avenue K Suite 101

More dates coming up!

Panda Express: iLEAD AV receives 20%

April 21
ALL DAY
Valley Central Way/W. Avenue J

MC Teacher: iLEAD AV receives 20% 

May 12
4:00-7:00 p.m.
3015 W Avenue L

El Pollo Loco: iLEAD AV receives 20%

June 9
10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Avenue J and Valley Central Way

Campus, Studio

Setting a World Record

Garrett Aitken wants to set a world record for the Guinness World Records by bouncing on a space hopper! He said, “Basically I am going to be bouncing around the track on a space hopper for a long time. I’ve wanted a world record since I was a kid and read the Guinness World Record book, so I looked up records until I found one I thought I could do. It is definitely a weird one, but it is still a record.”

The greatest distance travelled on a space hopper in 24 hours is 16 km (9.94 miles) and was achieved by Martin Mienczakowski in Bristol, UK, on October 31, 2015. Martin is a stroke survivor and attempted the record to prove he could do it, and also to raise money for the Stroke Association. Martin achieved this distance in just 4 hours, 50 minutes, 33 seconds. The attempt took place at the Kip Keino Athletic Stadium. Garrett, a resident of the Antelope Valley, wants to use the iLEAD AV track to accomplish this goal and hopefully break the world record by bouncing on a space hopper. Good luck, Garrett!

Campus, Studio

The Valet Process: Policy Update Regarding Learner Pickup in the Front Office

Dear iLEAD AV families,

As you know, our valet process has changed for the better! Because of this and the fact that we all work together on valet, there will be no learner pickup in the front office after 3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12:15 p.m. on Fridays and minimum days. 

Thank you and we’ll see you in valet!

—–

To make the valet process smooth, learners line up on the field with their facilitators so they’re ready to go. Parents can come between 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. to pick up learners. All learners still here after 4:00 p.m. will be walked to Extended Care. Please note that Extended Care is $3 per hour per learner.

Please take time to review our valet process for drop-off and pick-up.

  1. In the mornings, the valet gate opens at 8:00 a.m.
  2. In the afternoon, the valet gate opens at 3:00 p.m.
  3. Many of you requested the opportunity to walk on-site to pick up your learners in the afternoon. Please park on 22nd Street West, walk onto the valet lot using the exit gate, and present your valet card. 
  4. Please remember the valet traffic flow pattern. There are no left turns to enter or exit the lot.
  5. To help us continue to be good neighbors, please do not block the driveways for Miller Elementary School or KinderCare on 22nd St. West. To assist us with that, our leadership and maintenance teams have designed a new flow pattern to get more of our parents inside the valet area.

Pickup is from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Learners who have not been retrieved by 4:00 p.m. will go to Extended Care, and accounts will be billed at $3 per hour per learner.

Additional Procedures

The owner of the shopping center asked all parents and staff to stop parking there and posted signs warning us that cars would be towed, so that is no longer an option.   

We are using our lot on 22nd Street West for valet before and after school. The lot is very large.  As a result, we no longer have valet in front of the school.

To access the lot, please turn right on K-4 from 20th Street West. You will pass Miller Elementary School, drive right around the bend, and make a right into our lot. At the start of the day, your learner will be greeted and escorted onto campus.  At the end of the day, your learner will be summoned and escorted to your car. Please be sure to post your valet card on the dashboard daily. Once your learner is safely in your car, you will exit the lot and make a right, which will take you to Avenue K. We will have cones, signs, and iLEAD team members on standby to support you and the learners.

In the mornings, the valet lot will open at 8:00 a.m. In the afternoon, it will open at 3:00 p.m. for dismissal. If you are walking your learner to class in the morning, we will have a parking area in the lot just for you.