With over 8,100 students connecting on Zoom, the Colonial Virtual Academy continues to provide access to countless opportunities! “Giving parents options during this unique school year is crucial to student success and the remote educational model has come through with flying colors,” said Dr. Pete Leida, Deputy Superintendent. “This success is attributed to the unwavering commitment of our students, staff, and parents….the Power of WE!” Leida exclaimed. Colonial Parent Shavonne Ballard also shared her happiness with Colonial’s remote offering saying “I love this remote learning! I’m hoping it stays an option because my kids are really progressing and all of their grades are actually great. I plan on participating in remote learning as long as it’s an option.”

With 60% of our students learning remotely in Colonial’s Virtual Academy, teachers are being praised for their determination to keep students engaged and excited about learning. Carrie Downie Principal Doug Timm sent a note of kudos to his remote learning teachers saying, “The parents that I have spoken to have shared feelings of comfort in knowing they can keep their children at home for now and still receive the highest quality experience we can provide them.  I spoke to one parent after school last week.  She was very appreciative of how much she has learned and grown with your help…  Our families have shared their feeling of comfort that any Carrie Downie teacher is going to be a great teacher for their child,” Timm wrote.

With amazing participation by students, unprecedented partnerships by parents, and innovative teaching practices by staff, there is no doubt that the Power of WE can handle any challenge that comes our way.

Some of the virtual academy successes:

  • Each school day, Colonial averages over 9,000 Chromebooks connecting to the internet to access learning!
  • Each school day, Colonial average(s) over 8,500 students connecting to learning using Schoology (Schoology is used in grades 2-12)
  • Each school day, Colonial average(s) over 2,100 students connecting to learning using SeeSaw. (Seesaw is an online instructional tool used in grades PreK-1)
  • Each school day, Colonial average(s) over 8,100 students connecting to learning using Zoom.
  • Over 10,900 devices have been deployed and/or replaced to Colonial students since remote learning began in March.
  • Over 145 mobile internet hotspot devices have been provided to students without internet access at home to support remote learning since remote learning began in March.
  • Over 4,300 Technology Assistance tickets have been resolved for students and staff by our Technology team since remote learning began in March.

“The parents that I have spoken to have shared feelings of comfort in knowing they can keep their children at home for now and still receive the highest quality experience we can provide them.  I spoke to one parent after school last week.  She was very appreciative of how much she has learned and grown with your help…  Our families have shared their feeling of comfort that any Carrie Downie teacher is going to be a great teacher for their child,”

Doug Timm

Principal, Carrie Downie