TodayBack to School: School prep in the virtual world
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While most school districts work on decorating classrooms and ordering materials for inside, one online school is sending everything out.
Instead of shopping for school supplies, Commonwealth Connections Academy, an online high school of sorts, will be mailing and e-mailing students what they need for the upcoming school year.
CCA provides all of its students with textbooks as well as desktop computers or laptop computers depending on the age range. In an effort to make sure all students will receive an equal education, printers, ink cartridges, headsets and reimbursements for Internet usage will also be handed out to those taking online classes.
“Most of the work is done online for high school students,” said Shari Bonura of student records. “The computer grades the tests, but there are some assignments that need to be mailed every couple of months.”
CCA, which served over 1,200 students last year, includes a staff of teachers that will oversee the online education at its two locations in Mechanicsburg and Philadelphia.
“All of the teachers come into work in Mechanicsburg or Philadelphia,” Bonura said. “Most of the Philadelphia teachers have Philadelphia students, but we also use AOL Instant Messenger to converse back and forth between schools.”
Since CCA works a little differently than other public schools, the teachers need extra preparation before they get to their classrooms.
“Our teachers are certified in Pennsylvania, but we also have orientation for our teachers, and they have to take an online class at Boise State about online schools,” Bonura said.
The school is recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a public school and serves students in grades kindergarten through 11, with a move to serving students in grade 12 next school year.
On top of academics, CCA also offers extracurricular activities. Some of the online activities that are available include a book club, chess club, debate club, quiz bowl, newspaper and literary magazine and poetry club.
Parents can enroll their children online at www.connectionsacademy.com or by mail by calling 1-800-382-6010 to receive an enrollment package.
