March 16, 2020
Dear Parents and Students of Innovations Academy:
In light of the recent school closings as preventative measures for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, Innovations Academy will be continuing our educational excellence through the online platform Odysseyware. Odysseyware provides an interactive learning environment where teachers and students can work together to achieve the students’ academic goals. However, online learning, or E-learning, is a new program for many of our students. In the following letter, we at Innovations Academy will outline and address many of the questions and concerns you may have in regards to this mode of learning.
First, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) currently does not plan to extend the semester due to the recent closures which is likewise reflected here at Innovations Academy. Instead, we are using E-learning to continue our students’ educations in order to meet the expectations for course completions and graduations. With that in mind, students must log in to their Odysseyware accounts daily in order to remain in compliance with state education requirements. Please see the information sheet on page 2 for instructions on how to log in.
At this time, students will be expected to complete approximately 10% of work per course each week. Progress can be tracked through both student and teacher accounts and our teachers will be in regular contact with parents to ensure that our students are maintaining these expectations. Teachers will also keep track of the work students are doing and are available during regular school hours through the Odysseyware messaging system to assist students in their work. Please keep in mind that students will be expected to continue working on each assignment until they pass at a 60% or higher score. However, students will not be expected to maintain course work during our Spring Break from March 23rd-27th.
Finally, at Innovations Academy we strive to reward our students for their diligent work through a point system that they can then use as currency. Students can continue to earn points when they login each day and meet the 10% course work expectation. When we return to school, students will be awarded these points and can once again spend them on rewards including the school store, breakfast club, and/or specially provided lunches.
In the coming weeks, the staff at Innovations Academy will continue to remain in contact with parents and students to maintain our service and academic excellence. If you have any further questions regarding Odysseyware, please contact the student’s case manager and/or teacher. Please feel free to contact me for any other questions at (630)540-3900 ext. 2774.
Thank you,
Dr. Ariel Correa
Director of Education
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Odysseyware Access Information
- Go to innovationsacademy.owschools.com (omit www. at the beginning).
- Have your student login using the following information
Username: theirfirstname.theirlastname
Example: john.doe
Password: abc123
OR if they have used Odysseyware before, they should use their old login information. - Initially, there may be a video explaining the Odysseyware software. If they would not like to see this video each time, uncheck the box at the top.
After the initial login, they will arrive at their home page (called “Learn”)
3rd through 8th grade Program (Program Codes 277 and 297 – Intensive)
Therapeutic school programming for students ages 8 to 14 who have been diagnosed with:
- Intellectual Disability
- Specific Learning Disability
- Emotional Disability
- Other Health Impairments
- Multiple Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Traumatic Brain Injury
High School and Vocational Education Program (Program Codes 306 and 348 – Intensive)
Extended day therapeutic and vocational school programming for students ages 13 to 21 who have been diagnosed with:
- Intellectual Disability
- Specific Learning Disability
- Emotional Disability
- Other Health Impairments
- Multiple Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Traumatic Brain Injury