Avon Online Student-Parent Handbook

The Indiana Online Academy utilizes both synchronous learning (at the same time with the teacher) and asynchronous learning (not at the same time with the teacher) for its courses. Students must be motivated, self-disciplined, and have good time management skills. Your online course score will be transcripted by your school and will become part of your permanent school record. Be sure to discuss taking an online course with your parent/guardian and counselor about your readiness for online learning. Consider the following questions to help determine if online learning is right for you:

1. Do you have access to a computer and the internet to work on your courses?
2. Do you have an active email address that you can access? 
3. Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined?
4. Do you have good time management skills?
5. Are you willing to initiate a conversation with a teacher and ask for assistance when needed?
6. Can you use teacher feedback on assignments to improve your work?
7. Do you have good technical skills beyond social media (can upload a document, use a web camera, navigate the internet, etc.)?

Avon Community School Corporation (ACSC) does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. ACSC Career and Technical Education department does not discriminate in enrollment or access to any of the programs available at the high school or career/technical education center. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the activities and programs. The Avon Community School Corporation also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. This notice is provided as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions, complaints, or requests for additional information regarding these laws may be forwarded to the designated compliance coordinator(s).

A student may register at Avon Online (AO) if the following enrollment criteria are met:

1. Proof of Indiana residency (IC 20-19-9-6) and, if appropriate, out-of-district transfer approval,
2. Reliable internet connection,
3. Commitment to attend at least two semesters in the virtual learning environment and abide by the engagement and attendance expectations,
4. Signed and submitted parent/student contract,
5. Registration completed prior to the deadline, and
6. Student and parent/guardian attendance at required orientation meetings (IC 20-19-9-2 & IC 20-19-9-3).

A transition to Avon Online may occur only during allowed registration periods. However, other circumstances may require a transition from the traditional learning environment to the virtual learning space. The following considerations are only examples and do not encompass all possibilities.

1. A family may provide credible documentation from a medical professional stating a virtual learning environment is in the best interest of the student.
2. A case conference committee may decide that a transition to the virtual environment is in the best interest of the student.
3. An expulsion examiner or building administrator, in consultation with a student and their family, may decide that a virtual learning environment is in the best interest of the student.

To remain in the virtual learning environment, students must maintain good academic standing (GPA > 2.0) and good attendance (≤ 5 unexcused absences/semester). Further, high school students must continue adequate progress toward graduation by earning at least six (6) credits each semester. If allowable by Indiana law, the AO administrator may decide if a probationary semester is appropriate.

Indiana Code (IC 20-19-9-3) requires AO to remind families that “a person who knowingly or intentionally deprives a dependent of education commits a violation” under IC 35-46-1-4.

To participate in the virtual learning environment, students must have a reliable internet connection.

Students must sign and comply with ACSC: Responsible Use of Technology and Internet Use Policy.

Students will participate in live, synchronous classes with a certified Indiana Online teacher (not an AO employee). Students will interact with a teacher four (4) days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). Wednesdays are reserved for office hours for students who need additional support. Grades and attendance are recorded by the Indiana Online teacher. 

1. Learning takes place at home
2. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday attendance requirements
3. Daily engagement with Indiana Online Teachers in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies (synchronous attendance in at least 50% of total enrollments); Plus recorded online engagement in asynchronous class(es) or assignments outside of class for at least two (2) hours/day = six (6) hours/day of attendance total
4. Wednesday Attendance Requirements: Recorded online engagement in asynchronous class(es), meeting(s) with teacher(s), remediation, extension, or assignments for at least six hours = 6 hours of attendance
5. Asynchronous elective options provided
6. Grade-level, standards-based material in all subject areas
7. Consistent feedback from and engagement with certified Indiana Online teachers
8. Students must participate in a minimum of seven (7) classes and pass at least six (6) per semester and remain on track for an Indiana Diploma. 
9. Collaborate with the school counselor to develop a schedule
10. Report card issued from AO PowerSchool
11. AO transcript and diploma
12. Accommodations provided for students with an IEP and/or ILP
13. AO staff will serve as Teacher of Record for IEPs and/or ILPs and/or 504 plans
14. AP and Dual Enrollment courses available
15. Must participate on-site for all state-mandated assessments including, but not limited to ILEARN Biology, PSAT, and SAT
16. Communicate with AO via ParentSquare and the student’s AO email account (check regularly)
17. Complete Indiana Graduation Pathways requirements
18. Students may not participate in Avon High School extra curriculars or athletics
19. Participate in AO Graduation exercises

Communication - Most online communication is done through writing or video conferencing. It is vitally important in an online course that you communicate well because your teacher cannot always see the look on your face or hear your voice. You will be responsible for being persistent about asking questions or asking for help when you don’t understand something.

Reading - Because almost all the directions and information in an online course is in the form of written words, it is very important that you read both carefully and thoroughly. Also, keep in mind that your teacher will be reading what you write just as carefully, so take care to proofread what you have written before you submit it!

Participation - In an online course, it is not enough just to log in. You need to “speak up” so that your teacher and your classmates know you are there! That means asking questions, reading and sending emails, and posting your comments, questions, and concerns on discussions if applicable.

Patience - As much as you may want your question answered right away, you will often wait up to 24 hours for a response from your teacher. Please try to be patient. Make a note of where you left off in the assignment and where you had a question. Then go on with other coursework until your question has been answered.

Internet & Computer - Make sure that your internet connection and computer are both working and stable! Have a backup plan if it is not. Where else could you go to work? Is the public library or school an option? “My computer crashed” is not an acceptable reason to fail your online course.

Syllabus - Become familiar with the course syllabus and pacing guide that is found within the course. You are responsible for knowing about and meeting the deadlines and requirements!

Modules - All Indiana Online asynchronous course modules must be completed in order. You can skip around within the module, but you must complete all tasks in the module before you can progress to the next module. A module may require a prerequisite.

Backup - Save a backup copy of all assignments that you create in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) or Google (Docs, Sheets, and Slides). You may be asked to revise or edit your work and re-submit it.

Don't give up! - Some students may find taking an online course very challenging for a number of different reasons. Be persistent about trying again and asking for help. Ignoring a problem will never make it go away!

Like traditional students, online students are considered ACSC students and are held accountable to the same policies and expectations.

The Board recognizes that the harm done by the presence and activities of gangs in the public schools exceeds the immediate consequences of such activities such as violence and destruction of property.  Gang activities also create an atmosphere of intimidation in the entire school community. Both the immediate consequences of gang activity and the secondary effects are disruptive and obstructive of the process of education and school activities. School officials will work closely with local law enforcement officials in controlling gang-related activities. The Principal will report instances of gang-related criminal acts or acts of serious disruption to local law-enforcement authorities for further action.

No student on or about school property, or at any school activity shall:

1. Wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any jewelry, emblem, badge, symbol, sign or other item that evidences or reflects membership in, or affiliation with any gang;
2. Engage in any act, either verbal or nonverbal, including gestures or handshakes, showing membership or affiliation in any gang;
3. Engage in any act in furtherance of the interests of any gang or gang activity, including, but not limited to: (a.) Soliciting membership in, or affiliation with, any gang; (b.) Soliciting any person to pay for "protection," or threatening any person, explicitly or implicitly, with violence or with any other illegal or prohibited act; (c.) Painting, writing, or otherwise inscribing gang-related graffiti, messages, symbols, or signs on school property; (d.) Engaging in violence, extortion, or any other illegal act or other violation of school policy; or (e.) Soliciting any person to engage in physical violence against any other person.

In compliance with Federal and State law, it is the practice of Avon Community School Corporation to investigate promptly and resolve equitably all complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex. All incidents of sexual harassment should be reported immediately to the Principal. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual behavior, communications of sexual nature, and any other gender-based harassment. Sexual harassment can occur adult-to-student, student-to-adult, student-to-student, male-to-female, female-to-male, male-to-male, or female-to-female.

Examples of school-related conduct that are considered unacceptable include, but are not limited to, the following: sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, unwelcome sexual invitations, unwelcome and offensive public sexual display of affection, unwelcome communication that is sexually suggestive, remarks or innuendoes about clothing or appearance, sexual jokes, sexual gestures, sexual rumors, name-calling or profanity that is sexually suggestive, unwelcome physical contact, unwelcome and sexually offensive pranks, unwelcome and sexually offensive touching of individual's clothing, unwelcome written or pictorial displays, or any other unwelcome gender-based behavior that is offensive, degrading, intimidating, demeaning, or that is based on sexual stereotypes and attitudes.  Harassment of any kind is grounds for suspension or expulsion from school.

The School Board believes that hazing activities of any type are inconsistent with the educational process and prohibits all such activities at any time in school facilities, on school property, and at any Corporation-sponsored event. Hazing shall be defined for purposes of this policy as performing any act or coercing another, including the victim, to perform any act of initiation into any class, group, or organization that causes or creates a risk of causing mental, emotional, or physical harm. Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subjected to hazing shall not lessen the prohibitions contained in this policy. Administrators, faculty members, and other employees of the Corporation shall be alert particularly to possible situations, circumstances, or events which might include hazing.  
 
If hazing or planned hazing is discovered, the students involved shall be informed by the discoverer of the prohibitions contained in this policy and shall be ordered to end all hazing activities or planned activities immediately. All hazing incidents shall be reported immediately to the Superintendent. Students, administrators, faculty members, and other employees who fail to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and may be held personally liable for civil and criminal penalties in accordance with law.  The Superintendent shall distribute this policy to all students and Corporation employees, and shall incorporate it into building, staff, and student handbooks. It shall also be the subject of discussion at employee staff meetings or in-service programs.

School officials may find it necessary to discipline students when their behavior interferes with school purposes or educational functions of the School Corporation. Any or all reasonable techniques may be used; however, certain acts of misconduct will subject the student to suspension or expulsion from school. In accordance with the provisions of Indiana Code, administrators and staff members may take the following actions:

1. REMOVAL FROM CLASS OR ACTIVITY ‑ TEACHER: A teacher may remove a student from the teacher’s class or activity for a period of up to one (1) school day if the student is assigned regular or additional work to be completed in another school setting.
2. SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: A Principal or Principal’s designee may deny a student the right to attend school or take part in any school function for a period of up to ten (10) school days.  
3. EXPULSION: A student may be expelled from school for a period no longer than the remainder of the current semester plus the following semester.  In cases where the student is being expelled for possession of a firearm, a destructive device, or a deadly weapon, the maximum length of the expulsion period is listed under the Grounds for Suspension and Expulsion, Section B.

Grades can be monitored in the relevant online platform at any time, but the grades are entered into PowerSchool at the close of the grading period each nine (9) weeks. Semester grades for high school courses will be documented on the Avon Online School transcript. 

Grading Scale: The following grading scale will be used for Avon Online.

A = 93% and above
A- = 90% - 92%
B+ = 87% - 89%
B = 83% - 86%
B- = 80% - 82%
C+ = 77% - 79%
C = 73% - 76%
C- = 70% - 72%
D+ = 67% - 69%
D = 63% - 66%
D- = 60% - 62%
F = Below 60%

Students will be emailed a login and instructions to establish a password during the enrollment process. The student’s login information is emailed to the email account provided at the time of registration. Students must have an active school email account at the time of registration to receive their login information.

Students are urged to speak with a school counselor whenever they need help. Parents also are encouraged to confer with the counselor on a regular basis. Specific areas in which the counselor is trained to help students:

1. Planning a meaningful educational program
2. Interpreting the results of tests/assessments
3. Establishing career plans
4. Providing information about colleges, universities, trade schools, scholarships, financial aid, etc.
5. Applying for jobs or colleges

Students must participate in district and statewide assessments on-site. By law, statewide assessments must be completed in person and will be administered by trained, certified AO staff. AO will collaborate with students, families, and online partners to communicate testing schedules in a timely manner.

1. Students should establish a dedicated workspace that is free from distractions.
2. Students should check their email, as well as teacher communication tools, daily.
3. Students working with Indiana Online Academy must complete all activities in the Welcome (Start Here) Module during the first week of the school year.
4. Students need to complete the Indiana Online Academy Onboarding Activity, which links to the Indiana Online Academy Onboarding website. The website explains how to navigate through our student information system, Genius, and our learning management system, Canvas. The onboarding website also helps you when you have questions about how to submit a file or record a video, how to start a thread in a discussion or see what you missed on quizzes.
5. Upon reviewing the Indiana Online Academy Onboarding website, students will need to complete the Indiana Online Academy Onboarding Quiz.
6. The final activity in the Welcome (Start Here) Module is to sign off on the Indiana Online Academy Academic Integrity Contract.

1. The camera should be turned on unless directed by the teacher otherwise.
2. The student’s school dress code should be adhered to.
3. The student’s learning space should be free from excessive noise or distractions.
4. Only the student should be on camera unless approved by the teacher ahead of time.
5. Appropriate classroom behavior is expected (no sleeping, eating food, listening to music, etc.)
6. Participation in all activities, applications, etc. is expected.
7. Teacher chat guidelines should be followed (on topic, classroom appropriate, kind, etc.)
8. At no time should students be recording lessons, teachers, other students, or any classroom activities without the explicit permission of the virtual teacher.
9. Attendance will be reported daily.
10. To report an absence, please follow procedures for absence reporting.

1. Students should utilize the asynchronous course(s)’ Pacing Guide and target dates for completing assignments to help progress through the course within the semester time frame.
2. During asynchronous learning days and/or weeks, students are expected to log in for the expected number of days and complete all assigned activities and assignments.
3. Students should consider that an online course requires additional time and effort. Time management is essential. Online learning is more convenient and flexible, but is in some ways more difficult.

The unique learning environment Indiana Online provides is a valuable alternative for students who benefit from a non-traditional school setting. Our courses are designed to be accessible to students with a variety of learning preferences. Parents/guardians and school staff may utilize the Online Readiness Information in the Parent Guide as one indicator to determine if online is an appropriate placement for their student. Indiana Online is an option for high school students, including those who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, or Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), to take courses that meet state academic requirements. If a student with an IEP/504/ILP is enrolled in an Indiana Online course, it is the responsibility of the School of Record or homeschool parent/guardian to ensure all requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 and Title III are being met. Since Indiana Online courses are aligned with state education standards, content cannot be modified, however, Indiana Online will provide the accommodations documented in the IEP/504/ILP. If there is an accommodation Indiana Online cannot provide, our staff will reach out to the School of Record to develop a plan for meeting the student’s needs.

Each student will be receiving a school owned Windows laptop for use while enrolled in Avon Online. Students are responsible for maintaining their laptop in good condition.