“You can’t control the waves, but you can learn how to surf”Jon Kabat-Zinn
For me, this quote sums up the 20-21 school year. Personally and professionally, the waves of COVID-19 came in all directions.
Even though the SVUSD Virtual Academy (SVA) is an online school, the waves caused by COVID-19 forced SVA to learn to surf. To name just a few areas, SVA significantly increased the number of students enrolled, built a school community 100% online, and implemented a new learning management system, a new K-6 curriculum, new learning applications, and new curriculum tools to better support our students.
Fortunately, by surfing the waves caused by COVID-19, SVA improved. In partnering with parents and students, collaborating as a team of educators, and working to align our actions with our mission and vision, SVA has improved our ability to:
- engage students in a relevant, personalized, and flexible online curriculum,
- to empower students to take ownership of their education,
- and to keep community as the foundation of our school so that students feel supported and that they belong.
I am both impressed and grateful for the strength of our community and the committed and innovative SVA staff. Our teachers, school counselor, and office staff work tirelessly to create meaningful and engaging learning experiences for students, to support student academic and social-emotional development, and to build the skills and knowledge necessary for students to live fulfilling and responsible lives.
If you are interested in learning more about the SVUSD Virtual Academy, please sign our interest form or contact the SVUSD Virtual Academy.
Keep surfing,
Glenn Giokaris
Principal - SVUSD Virtual Academy
