Elementary Online Academy Handbook

If you have questions or concerns, please contact:

Enrollment:

In order to ensure that learners have the best online learning experience possible, it is strongly recommended that learners follow the enrollment process below. Enrollment into MCOA outside of the suggested enrollment period will be reviewed by Administration, MCOA staff, and Student Services to determine steps for a seamless enrollment and transition into MCOA.

Please note: All online learners MUST attend an in-person mandatory orientation and training with the Coordinator for Online Learning.

Enrollment Period:

• Elementary learners may enroll during the summer for the upcoming school year.
• If you wish to have your child return to school face-to-face, a meeting will be held with the school administrator and the Elementary Coordinator for Online Learning to discuss a transition plan.
• Enrollment will occur three days after a transition meeting takes place.

Inactivity Period:

If a learner fails to complete work or log in to their required learning platform for 7 consecutive school days, the administrative team has the right to require a learner return to face-to-face instruction.

A conference will be scheduled with the learner, their parents/guardians, and with an administrator and/or counselor to determine a face-to-face schedule.

Non-Resident Learners, Learner Withdraw/Transfer

Refer to MCSD Board Policy #202 & #208 available via the District’s Policy Manual on the District’s website.

A learner who moves out of the Manheim Central School District has two options for continuing their education.

• Option 1: Parents will need to withdraw the learner from the Manheim Central Online Academy/Manheim Central School District and enroll in the new local school district.
• Option 2: Parents may elect to pay tuition to continue their child’s education at MCSD. Parents must contact both the current school and the future school to make arrangements for the learner to continue with online courses.

To withdraw from Manheim Central Online Academy, a learner must be enrolled in another educational entity. Upon notification of the withdrawal, the district will contact the parent to ensure all appropriate equipment is returned to the school district.

Refer to MCSD Board Policy #204 available via the District’s Policy Manual on the District’s website.

Online attendance is reported for the previous week on the first day of each new school week. Attendance is based on the number of days our face-to-face learners are required to be in class and follows the school/district calendar.

• Example:
  • During a 5-day school week, online learners must log in to their online courses 5 days a week.
  • During a 3-day school week, online learners must log in to their online courses 3 days a week.
• Weekly attendance runs from 12:01 AM Sunday to 11:59 PM Saturday.  You have 7 calendar days to log the number of days school is in session for attendance purposes. 
  • If you fail to log into all classes on a school day, then you will receive an "illegal absence" for that day.
  • Even if you have completed all of your work for the week, you must still log in for the required number of days to ensure accurate attendance records.
  • What does it mean to “log in?”
    • Log into Genius, click on the course, click on a course, click on a course card, and click into an activity for at least 5 minutes.
• Parents shall submit parent excuse notes, doctor excuse notes, and educational travel forms following the district policy as noted on the district website and coordinating school handbook. Excuse notes can be submitted to your child’s coordinating school attendance office:
  • Baron Elementary: BEAttendance@manheimcentral.org
  • Doe Run Elementary: DRAttendance@manheimcentral.org
• Learners are required to participate in all school and state-mandated assessments and learning targets. This includes PSSA (Grades 3-4) and College and Career Readiness Targets. Learners/parents will communicate with their School Counselor/Building Administration for further information.
• Fully online learners are required to check in virtually on a video conference with a designated staff member.

What is a Learning Coach?

This is the adult in the home who assists the learner in completing their daily tasks. They play an active and important role in the learner's education and, in large part, their success.

• Spend 4 to 5 hours per day working with your learner. At this early stage, it is important to be very hands-on and available.
• Help your young learner understand what to do each day and how to do it.
• Lead offline activities and help your child develop foundational reading and writing skills.
• Make sure your learner attends all required synchronous sessions.
• Gather and organize course materials as needed.
• Keep your learner motivated and on track, teaching them to manage their time and helping them become an independent learner.
• Communicate with the online learning facilitator to help support and advocate for their learner.
• Build a daily schedule for the online learner to follow consistently.
• Build in healthy breaks throughout the day and identify ways for the learner to be social outside of the school experience.
• Follow the attendance policy and communicate with both the learning facilitator and the attendance clerk when the learner is absent. Log in five (5) out of the seven (7) days in a normal week (following the school calendar).
• Help the learner set up a "school" location in the home where they can monitor the learner, minimize distractions, and have resources close at hand.
• Keep the iPad charged and away from pets and younger siblings to keep it in working condition. Report any technology problems and/or breakage to the learning facilitator and the technology help desk immediately.
• Check email messages daily. Read (and respond as needed) to all communication from the learning facilitator or other district personnel.
• Monitor mental/emotional health of the learner and communicate with the learning facilitator and school counselor about concerns.

1. The learner will not cheat, plagiarize, or use others’ work when completing schoolwork. This includes Googling answers and copying and pasting them.

2. The learner will work hard and do their best with online learning each day.

3. The learner will be respectful to their learning facilitator and classmates when learning online with them.

4. The learner will be responsible with their iPad and use it for schoolwork only.

5. The learner will communicate with parents and learning facilitators when they are struggling or have questions.

Where do I go to access my classes?

1. Click on the “Genius” app on your home screen.
2. Enter your username and password found on the back of your iPad.
3. Once in Genius, click on one of your courses.  This will take you to Accelerated Ed.
4. Click on a “course card” to get started.

What is my login information?

Refer to MCSD Board Policy #212 and 213 available via the District’s Policy Manual on the District’s website.

1. Each online course's content and assignments are aligned with Pennsylvania’s content standards and/or other nationally accepted content standards. They are written by highly qualified teachers and have been through a rigorous multi-step review process.
2. Each lesson of each online course may contain multiple methods for learners to learn the material. Online courses may have an online textbook that was written specifically to accomplish the lesson objectives. Furthermore, lessons have an assessment to gauge the learner’s understanding of the lesson objectives. Note: Third-party courses may not have all of these features.
3. Each learner will have an online learning facilitator who will monitor the learner’s progress and provide help as necessary for the learner to master the lesson objectives.
4. Learners are required to attend all state and school-mandated assessments. Parents/Learners should contact the building for dates and times of required assessments.

Learning facilitators will send an update at the beginning of each week outlining the lessons that should be completed for the week in each course.  Learning coaches should ensure that their learner stays on pace with the lessons and should contact the learning facilitator if they are struggling to keep up.  Learners have the flexibility to complete their lessons in any order they would like.  It is recommended that you establish a schedule that works for your learner.

Academic Pacing Intervention Steps

In order to ensure that learners continue to move forward in their academic progress, the district has established the following procedures for learners who fall behind in pacing/lesson completion.

• Intervention 1 (Learners more than 20% behind in a week): An email will be sent to the parent with a date by which all missed work is to be completed by the learner.
• Intervention 2 (More than 20% behind for a second week within marking period and/or not meeting Intervention 1 deadline): A phone call and/or email will be made to the parent with a date by which all missed work is to be completed by the learner
• Intervention 3 (Continuing/Ongoing pacing concerns): A conference or phone call will be held with the parent, learner, building administration, etc. to discuss returning to face-to-face instruction and/or an alternative plan. Building administrators and the K-12 Online Administrator reserve the right to revoke online learning privileges when in the best interest of the learner and their access to education.

NOTE: These steps may vary by learner based on individual need.

Learners are assessed on a multitude of criteria, such as assessments, quizzes, essays, tests, and forum discussions. Learners and parents have immediate and continuous access to grades by logging into the system. Grades for assessments and tests will be posted within Genius each Wednesday by 3:05 PM. When the learning facilitator provides feedback, learners should follow their feedback and resubmit assignments when necessary.

Learners struggling academically need to do the following with their parent:

1. Contact their learning facilitator for help/guidance.
2. Reach out to the Coordinator(s) for Online
3. Contact the Administrator of Online Learning.

If all of the above options have been completed and the learner continues to have academic needs, we may need to reassess the value of continuing with the Manheim Central Online Academy with the learner and parents.

Refer to MCSD Board Policy #113 available via the District’s Policy Manual on the District’s website.

The Manheim Central Online Academy is required under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to ensure educational services to learners with disabilities. Learners with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans will be accommodated within the courseware. The Manheim Central Online Academy will work with the parent and learner to ensure proper procedures are followed and achieve the desired outcomes. Communication between the learner’s School Counselor and online learning facilitators will ensure the learner receives the proper modifications outlined in the IEP or 504 plans. If a learner requiring special education services enrolls in Manheim Central Online Academy, a team meeting should be held to determine potential revisions to accommodations.

Technical Support

1. When encountering an issue with their iPad or courseware, please follow these steps:

• Email your online facilitator and/or the Coordinator for Online Learning to let them know what the problem is and so that they know you are working to find a solution.
• Email the Manheim Central Tech Team at helpdesk@manheimcentral.org or call the tech help desk at 717-664-1865. 

2.   Technical Support will be provided to online learners, but is limited in scope to the iPad and software provided under the full-time online program. Technical Support cannot and will not be provided on local area networks in the home, computers not given to the learner by the online program, or to any learners/families not enrolled in the online program.

3.   The online program will provide a learner with an iPad, charging brick, charging cord, and the appropriate programs needed to support the learner’s curriculum. This equipment remains the property of Manheim Central School District and must be returned upon termination of the learner’s online learning.

iPad Set-Up (Orientation)

1. Technical support staff will be available to assist the learner/parent with understanding how to use the iPad and access the online courses.
2.  The learner/parent should report any malfunction of the iPad as soon as possible. The staff will discuss the specifics with the learner/parent to determine a plan of action.
3. DSL or Cable Internet connection is the recommended internet connection speed, while a 56Kbps modem connection is the minimum recommended. Slower dial-up connections, while feasible, are not recommended. If Internet access is a concern, please communicate with a counselor who can assist in resources for obtaining internet access. 

Lost/Damaged Property

1. The learner/parent must notify the school within three days of the occurrence or discovery of any theft, damage, destruction, or other loss of any school-owned technology equipment. The learner/parent may be responsible for any costs associated with repairing or replacing lost, stolen, or damaged equipment while in the learner’s possession.
2. Families/learners are generally financially responsible for their equipment. In most circumstances where there has been loss or damage, parents will file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance carrier. The school will assist with this process by submitting all information related to cost and value of the equipment. The family/learner must immediately forward copies of the police report, fire report, insurance claim, and any other applicable reports to the learner’s Advisor/School Counselor who will then forward the information to the appropriate personnel.
3. In the event that the equipment is damaged by the learner, all payments made by the family will be used to replace the damaged equipment.  All equipment that is damaged or replaced is the property of MCSD and will not be issued to the family.
4. Replacement Equipment: MCSD will arrange for replacement equipment only after:
   1. Copies of all applicable reports and claims have been received;
   2. Appropriate arrangements have been made by the family/learner to compensate the school for the loss;
   3. The family/learner signs a revised agreement that reflects the issuance of new equipment;
   4. The damaged equipment is returned, if applicable.

iPad Part	Cost
iPad	$329.00
Case (Grades Pre-K - 2nd)	$42.00
Case (Grades 3-4)	$120.00
Charger and/or USB Cable	$19.00
Keyboard	$45.00

 

Refer to MCSD Board Policy #216 available via the District’s Policy Manual on the District’s website.

A cumulative file will be maintained for the learner while enrolled in the Manheim Central Online Academy. This record shall contain only verified information of educational importance and may be used only for the benefit, promotion, or welfare of the learner. All material in each learner’s file shall be confidential and access thereto strictly limited to personnel at the local school, LLVS, and parents.

Full-time online learners are encouraged to participate in school-sponsored activities. Learners must comply with all Manheim Central policies and not be on disciplinary action. Learners wishing to attend field trips or social activities must first notify their building principal and make proper arrangements with the Manheim Central School District. Once arrangements and permission are granted, learners/parents will then notify their online learning facilitator of their excused absence. Learners are responsible for completing missed work during the field trip or social activity.

Full-time online learners should remember that they are members of the Manheim Central School District and therefore should dress appropriately. Manheim Central dress code policy will be enforced, and any learner found in violation of the dress code policy will not be allowed to participate in the field trip or social activity. Learners should also be aware that when they attend a Manheim Central-related function, they are representing their local school and community. They should conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times, as their conduct is a direct reflection on themselves, their families, and their school.