Options Virtual Charter School

As a part of the 6-12 Blended Learning Thursday program, Options Virtual Charter School students are able to participate in a Digital Innovation class taught by Gina Rand, Technology Integrator. This class provides students with the opportunity to become proficient and certified on all machines in our makerspace. Skills taught include knowledge and use of the 3D printer. Students are also taught how to use the vinyl and heat transfer creation, sublimation, and video production. Students also have the opportunity to become proficient in using Google and other applications that enhance their employability. Upon successful completion of the course and testing certification, the students are able to earn both the NC3 and 3D printing certification. Here students made Valentine's day boxes using the 3D printer. Depending on the size, they can take anywhere from 3-10 hours to make using the 3D machine.

Calling All Three-Year-Olds! Elkhorn’s Playgroup is looking for you! This program is a playgroup consisting of five students with special needs and five typically developing students. It meets twice a week for two hours a day at Jackson Elementary School in Mrs. Kitzmiller’s classroom. During this program, play-based learning will expose students to literacy, gross and fine motor, and language development activities. This model allows for enrichment for all children who participate in the program. Research shows that these blended classrooms provide benefits for all children who participate. To be eligible to attend: Children should be age three by September 1, 2023, and toilet trained. Registration is limited to five students per session, and a lottery system will be utilized to determine placement. The lottery will be held on May 15, 2023, and families will be notified by May 19, 2023, if their child is selected to attend. Families of peer models will need to provide their own transportation to and from school. Playgroup Sections: Tues/Thurs 9:00-11:00 am Wed/Fri 9:00-11:00 am Tues/Wed/Thurs 1:00- 3:00 pm. Register online at tinyurl.com/playgroup-23-24 Please contact Jill Kitzmiller at kitzji@elkhorn.k12.wi.us if you would like further information.

Last week our Options students and families could choose to participate in the Traxside Skating Field Trip. Our parent-led activities our for our Options students and families to get together for a social event. Students can be in Academy, online, or more traditional book-based schooling at home. Upcoming Options events are Milwaukee Brewers Weather Day and Game, Timber Ridge Waterpark, Options Open Gym, The Madison Capitol & Zoo, AKF Martial Arts, and WCGC Gymnastics and Ninja Classes! Check your email for more information or to sign up for these amazing opportunities!

The EASD Maker Faire on Saturday, Feb 18th, was an AMAZING event! So many activities to learn from and participate in. This is Options VCS 5th year participating in the Maker Faire. Jean Grochowski, Options Science /STEM teacher, and her students have prepared and ran booths that had Crafts, Star Wars Light Sabers, Sphere Bowling and Stop Motion Film. This year Mrs. Grochowski and the Options students instructed Faire participants in making Harry Potter Wands and Lightning Bug Paper Circuits. Thank you EASD Maker Faire, Mrs. Grochowski, and all of our student helpers Ella Ligman, Jameson & Brecken Skibba, Sasha & Myranda Lindquist, Eve Dahl, Giselle Venegas, and Maddie Constable, for another great year at the Maker Faire!!

Online Registration for Summer Academy 2023 is now open! Visit us online at tinyurl.com/EASD-Summer to view the course guide and start planning your summer. Next, log in to your Family Access account to start the registration process. Online registration closes on March 23. All classes are on a first-come-first-served basis, so don't wait! If you've got questions, contact Erica Bills at biller@elkhorn.k12.wi.us.

Due to the current conditions we will call school off for today, Thursday, February 23, 2023. We will be able to have buildings available for school activities and community use by 2:30 p.m. Please check your email for more information. Stay safe!

Congratulations and welcome to Devin Gatton, who has been selected by the Elkhorn Area School District Board of Education to fill the vacant seat on our School Board. Thank you to all of the candidates who applied to serve our community. Your willingness to volunteer your time and expertise is what truly makes us 1Herd! Mr. Gatton has been appointed to serve on the Board of Education until April 21, 2024.

Happy National School Resource Officer Day to Officer Termaat! Thank you for all you do for our students, staff, and community!

The EASD Resiliency Coalition invites you to join the conversation on Wednesday, February 15, at Jackson Elementary School. This month's conversation will focus on raising a lifelong learner. Find out what makes your child want to learn, how to keep them engaged, and how to know what makes them happy. Staff from Jackson Elementary will share their expertise with you. Register to attend this FREE event online at https://forms.gle/bBBKJeZzJwJwxJtz7.

EASD is looking for substitute teachers to join our team! Visit tinyurl.com/EASD-Sub to learn more. Substitute teachers earn $125 per day and enjoy flexibility in scheduling.

Calling All Three-Year-Olds! Elkhorn’s Playgroup is looking for you! This program is a playgroup consisting of five students with special needs and five typically developing students. It meets twice a week for two hours a day at Jackson Elementary School in Mrs. Kitzmiller’s classroom. During this program, play-based learning will expose students to literacy, gross and fine motor, and language development activities. This model allows for enrichment for all children who participate in the program. Research shows that these blended classrooms provide benefits for all children who participate. To be eligible to attend: Children should be age three by September 1, 2023, and toilet trained. Registration is limited to five students per session, and a lottery system will be utilized to determine placement. The lottery will be held on May 15, 2023, and families will be notified by May 19, 2023, if their child is selected to attend. Families of peer models will need to provide their own transportation to and from school. Playgroup Sections: Tues/Thurs 9:00-11:00 am Wed/Fri 9:00-11:00 am Tues/Wed/Thurs 1:00- 3:00 pm Register online at tinyurl.com/playgroup-23-24 Please contact Jill Kitzmiller at kitzji@elkhorn.k12.wi.us if you would like further information.

EAHS Cheer is excited to offer another Youth Cheer Clinic! Sign up today for this March 11, 2023 clinic. Participants will receive 3 hours of instruction, a t-shirt, and will perform at the halftime show during the WIAA Regional Varsity Basketball game! Sign up at tinyurl.com/march-cheer!

Calling all four-year-olds! 4K enrollment for the 2023-24 school year is now open! If your student will turn four on or before September 1, 2023, they're eligible to enroll! Visit tinyurl.com/Elkhorn-4K to learn more about 4K programming in the Elkhorn Area School District and to start the enrollment process.

Interested in Lacrosse? Now that the WIAA has approved Lacrosse as a high school sport, you'll want to get the skills needed to play! Indoor practices are happening in the Agility Center now. Visit elkhornlacrosse.com to register.

Just a reminder that the Love to Read Event & Options Scholastic Book Fair Love to Read Dress Up days is this week!! Thur., Feb 2nd 4-6 PM Please be sure to Sign-up , https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXB0WbJm9-tAJ5pEpXb_Ovk4MeUvj7tuRKcar3MJPofUy7Wg/viewform, we want to be sure to have enough supplies & surprises for all the students attending! Book Fair will be open from 4-7pm, Feb 2nd Come join the Options staff and have a fun filled evening of reading, activities , and the Scholastic Book Fair! Can't come to the Book Fair - NO PROBLEM! You can shop online or set up a wallet for your student to shop while at school. check out the link below! OPTIONS VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL, 534 SUNSET DR, ELKHORN, WI 53121, FAIR DATES Feb 2 - Feb 9 BOOK FAIR ONLINE LINK, https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/options All purchases through the Book Fair benefit our school. Thanks for supporting our kids! Happy reading!

Plans on the 4th? Join Dr. Ryan Brower for Walk with a Doc! Saturday, February 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Elkhorn Area High School. Meet at the main entrance. Walk at your own pace and distance. Learn about Whole Health Reflection Exercise and connect with a health professional in a relaxed setting. Meet new friends and have fun!

The annual Elkhorn Autism Support Team (EAST) Chili & Soup Cook Off returns on Thursday, February 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Elkhorn Area Middle School. Over 30 soups and chilis will be available. $10 all you can eat, kids 12 and under eat for $5. Hot dogs and to-cups also available. The EAST online auction will start one week prior to the event. Stay tuned to event.gives/2023eastchili for updates.

Tuesday, 1/17/23, we were fortunate to have two librarians, Andrea Rohloff & Jessica Dowling, from Matheson Memorial Library come to Options with a mobile library. Each month, they will bring a small mobile library and a craft to do with the Options students grades 4K-5th. Participation is optional and will occur during lunch recess. The books that the students select can be brought back to Options or dropped off at Matheson Memorial Library. Andrea & Jessica will be back at Options on the following dates 2/14, 3/14, 4/11, 5/9. Thanks ladies for stopping over at Options, the kids had a great time!

The Elkhorn Benefit Boutique is collecting clean, slightly used Prom, Snowball, and Homecoming dresses this Friday, January 20 from 4-7 p.m. at Elkhorn Area High School. If you need a dress for any occasion, come back to EAHS on Saturday, January 21 between 8 a.m. - noon! Dresses will be priced between $5 and $15. All proceeds benefit the Junior Class Prom.

SAVE THE DATE! The annual Elkhorn Autism Support Team (EAST) Chili & Soup Cook Off returns on Thursday, February 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Elkhorn Area Middle School. Over 30 soups and chilis will be available. $10 all you can eat, kids 12 and under eat for $5. Hot dogs and to-cups also available. The EAST online auction will start one week prior to the event. Stay tuned to event.gives/2023eastchili for updates.