Robbinsdale Virtual Academy Handbook

Robbinsdale Virtual Academy is a program of Robbinsdale Area Schools. Student behavior is governed by the policies and procedures described in the Robbinsdale Area Schools Student Handbook (PDF).

RVA Course Building Blocks

The philosophy of Robbinsdale Virtual Academy (RVA) is to develop thoughtful digital citizens who are ready for college and career. To develop these traits, all RVA courses include Reflection & Goal Setting, Collaboration, and Standards-based Content. RVA courses are taught by Minnesota-licensed, Robbinsdale teachers who communicate regularly with their students.

Reflection & Goal Setting

Students who set goals and reflect on their learning are successful in school and beyond. RVA courses provide many opportunities for students to develop these important learning traits. Each week, students rate their progress from the previous week. They write about successes and challenges and set goals for the upcoming week.

Collaboration

Students who collaborate with others gain a deep understanding of concepts and retain information. Respectful collaboration with peers and teachers is foundational to all RVA courses. Online discussions and group assignments provide opportunities for students to collaborate.

Standards-based Content

Students can learn anytime, anywhere. All RVA course content is standards-based and is curated by teachers using our learning management systems, Seesaw and Schoology. 

RVA Expectations

While student behavior is governed by the policies and procedures described in the Robbinsdale Area Schools’ Student Handbook, some of the terms used to describe student behavior in our traditional schools need clarification for Robbinsdale Virtual Academy.  

Integrity

RVA promotes a culture of integrity. The International Center for Academic Integrity has identified five pillars of academic integrity - honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Students have an awesome opportunity to learn with and from each other and their teachers. At RVA we stress the importance of each student taking advantage of these opportunities by doing their own work. Logging in as someone else, or misrepresenting someone else’s work as your own is dishonest. By doing so, you deprive yourself of the opportunity to learn and break the trust of your classmates and teachers.

Attendance

Education is the foundation for a successful future. School attendance is essential for academic success. In Minnesota, the law requires students to attend their classes and school daily. At RVA, daily attendance is based on progress in the learning management systems and weekly reflection & goal-setting. Most weeks, you will earn five days of attendance. If you need flexibility, your parent/guardian must coordinate with your instructor ahead of time. Otherwise, you will be counted absent.

Online Behavior

Students must be aware that electronic communication is different than face-to-face communication. When talking in person, words are complemented by non-verbal cues. Those cues can be lost in online interactions. Great care must be taken to communicate clearly and respectfully. Online communication must be positive and respectful; it should not include put-downs, swearing, threatening, or making fun of or negatively talking about a person or their family. 

Progress Reporting

Day-to-day grades are recorded in Schoology(for middle and high school). They are available in Infinite Campus within a week of the mid-quarter, quarter, and semester end dates. Progress is reported to families and the enrolling district.

State Testing

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are taken through your enrolling district.

Technology Requirements

RVA students need reliable internet access. A device with a keyboard and modern web browser is required. Students who enroll in full time can check out a Chromebook from RVA.

RVA students are required to use their Robbinsdale-issued accounts to access coursework and communicate with their teachers. 

Communication

Robbinsdale Virtual Academy views proactive communication as a critical part of the support that we provide to our students, families, and home districts (supplemental students).

Staff initiated communication occurs at least weekly with all students and is focused on course progress (recent assessment results and overall course grades) and each student’s weekly reflection and goal-setting. This communication will review each student’s online coursework in the context of their overall graduation plan. Course teachers and RVA support staff will collaborate on the content of these communications with teachers taking the primary initiative with students in their courses.

When students initiate voice or digital communication (email, LMS messaging), teachers and support staff will respond within 24 hours with rare exceptions (weekdays only).

Daily Student Check-Ins

Students need to check in to each class every day.

They can pick 1 of 2 ways to check-in:

1. Fill out the attendance form for each class every day by 3:00 p.m. (1 form per class)

2. Attend teacher virtual office hours.