Lori
06-02-2004, 07:40 AM
Source: NJ.com
Virtual school expects growth
Program can serve variety of students, area parents told.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
By BETH BRAVERMAN
The Express-Times
HANOVER TWP. -- Administrators of the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School expect more than 5,000 students next year, said Michael Maslayak, a representative of the school.
Maslayak visited the Holiday Inn to answer questions from local families interested in sending their children to the school next year.
"We've been pretty successful in showing that we have a curriculum that meets the needs of a wide variety of students," Maslayak said.
The school serves students from kindergarten to seventh grade and can cater to gifted and special-needs children, he said. The school will add an eighth grade next year and high school programs in the future.
PAVCS is a statewide, public charter school in its third year of serving students.
"For families today who can work from home, who want to be more involved with their children's education, this is an environment they can select," Maslayak said.
In PAVCS, students work at home with a parent or other adult and receive instruction and guidance from certified public school teachers, who operate via the Internet.
Regional groups of parents, teachers and students gather twice a month for field trips and get-togethers. Each teacher has about 50 students, and teachers live in every county in the commonwealth, Maslayak said.
Students who enroll in the free program are loaned a computer, monitor, printer, lessons, books, materials and other planning tools. The school also arranges for technical support and troubleshooting for the computer. The computers are upgraded and replaced as needed.
Macungie resident Patty Kujas currently home-schools her eighth-grade daughter because the girl is a competitive gymnast and her schedule does not allow her to attend regular school. Kujas said she is interested in PAVCS because it will offer curriculum that will guide her daughter through high school.
Emmaus resident Camie Perrin has been home-schooling her first- and second-grade children since kindergarten. Her family recently moved to the Lehigh Valley from London, and she is considering whether to continue with the home-schooling or send her children to school. She said she sees PAVCS as a combination of the two.
"I like the structure of it and the accountability," she said. "And it fits in line with the education that I'm giving my children right now."
Reporter Beth Braverman can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at bbraverman@express-times.com.
Virtual school expects growth
Program can serve variety of students, area parents told.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
By BETH BRAVERMAN
The Express-Times
HANOVER TWP. -- Administrators of the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School expect more than 5,000 students next year, said Michael Maslayak, a representative of the school.
Maslayak visited the Holiday Inn to answer questions from local families interested in sending their children to the school next year.
"We've been pretty successful in showing that we have a curriculum that meets the needs of a wide variety of students," Maslayak said.
The school serves students from kindergarten to seventh grade and can cater to gifted and special-needs children, he said. The school will add an eighth grade next year and high school programs in the future.
PAVCS is a statewide, public charter school in its third year of serving students.
"For families today who can work from home, who want to be more involved with their children's education, this is an environment they can select," Maslayak said.
In PAVCS, students work at home with a parent or other adult and receive instruction and guidance from certified public school teachers, who operate via the Internet.
Regional groups of parents, teachers and students gather twice a month for field trips and get-togethers. Each teacher has about 50 students, and teachers live in every county in the commonwealth, Maslayak said.
Students who enroll in the free program are loaned a computer, monitor, printer, lessons, books, materials and other planning tools. The school also arranges for technical support and troubleshooting for the computer. The computers are upgraded and replaced as needed.
Macungie resident Patty Kujas currently home-schools her eighth-grade daughter because the girl is a competitive gymnast and her schedule does not allow her to attend regular school. Kujas said she is interested in PAVCS because it will offer curriculum that will guide her daughter through high school.
Emmaus resident Camie Perrin has been home-schooling her first- and second-grade children since kindergarten. Her family recently moved to the Lehigh Valley from London, and she is considering whether to continue with the home-schooling or send her children to school. She said she sees PAVCS as a combination of the two.
"I like the structure of it and the accountability," she said. "And it fits in line with the education that I'm giving my children right now."
Reporter Beth Braverman can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at bbraverman@express-times.com.