Leading Virtual School, Connections Academy, Launches Blog
The Connections Academy Blog, Virtual Learning Connections, Serves as a Virtual School Resource for Families to Support K–12 School from Home
Baltimore, MD (Vocus) December 10, 2009
Connections Academy (https://www. connectionsacademy. com/), a leading national operator of K-12 virtual public schools, announced today the launch of a new blog geared toward families interested in K-12 virtual education and school from home. The blog is called Virtual Learning Connections (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/blog) and will offer insightful commentary about virtual school and learning from home, helpful tips for parents, celebrity guest bloggers, and more. Connections Academy presently operates fifteen public virtual schools (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/) in fourteen states as well as a national private virtual school (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/private-school/home. aspx).
“Virtual Learning Connections is an online destination for anyone currently enrolled in a virtual education program or just exploring their education options,” said Michele Clark, Director of Online Marketing for Connections Academy. “Our goal is to provide a valuable sharing place for all families participating in online school or just exploring the option of cyber school and the virtual learning community at large. We are very excited to share unique insights and useful tips and ideas on our new blog and look forward to fostering the discussion about what is becoming an increasingly important part of the educational landscape – virtual learning.”
According to new research by Evergreen Consulting, nationwide, a record number of K-12 students—almost 2 million—are getting their public educations virtually. The new Connections Academy blog will appeal to this growing audience that includes families attending a virtual public or private school on a full-time or part-time basis, as well as families who are learning in traditional school settings or homeschooling.”
Virtual Learning Connections (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/blog) will be an inspirational and lively blog, and Connections Academy plans to publish new blog posts two to three times each week. Readers have the option to subscribe (http://connectionsacademy. com/blog) to email alerts and RSS feeds. Current posts cover topics like the recent iNACOL conference in Austin, TX, a personal story about dealing with student procrastination, as well as advice for Learning Coaches (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/our-program/parents/involvement. aspx), Connections Academy’s designation for the in-home parent or other adult who supervises learning in the home. In the upcoming months a wide variety of guest bloggers will provide commentary on everything from health and wellness for students in the home to creative writing in the digital age.
The lead blogger for Connections Academy’s new blog, Virtual Learning Connections, is Carrie Jean Ross (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/blog/posts/2009-11-04/Introducing-Virtual-Learning-Connections. aspx). Ross is the Parent Support Manager for Connections Academy but is also a Connections Academy Learning Coach. Her daughter is a junior at INSPIRE, the Idaho Connections Academy (http://www. connectionsacademy. com/idaho-school/free-online-public-school. aspx), and her son was among last year’s first graduating class of seniors. Seeing the benefits of virtual education first hand, Ross brings an, “I’ve been there and I’m right there with you” perspective to the blog and a genuine desire to support other virtual school parents and those seeking more information. “Placing my children in a virtual school was the best decision for my family,” Ross commented. “And that is what was important to me—having a choice.”
About Connections Academy
Connections Academy is a leading national provider of high-quality, highly accountable virtual public schools in fourteen states operated in partnership with charter schools, school districts, and state departments of education. Connections Academy schools deliver top quality, personalized education for students that combines certified teachers, a proven curriculum, technology tools, and community experiences to create a supportive and successful environment for children who want an individualized approach to education. In Connections Academy's Personalized Performance Learning® approach, students use daily lesson plans and curriculum materials provided by Connections Academy. Teachers develop a learning plan for each student, utilizing a proprietary, web-based Learning Management System to deliver, track, and administer the learning. In 2009-10, Connections Academy will serve students in Arizona, California (Southern and Central), Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Connections Academy offers grades K through 12, though some schools do not offer all grades. Connections Academy also serves K-12 students in all states through its private virtual school, National Connections Academy. For more information, call 800-382-6010 or visit www. connectionsacademy. com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Allison Bazin
Abazin(at)ConnectionsAcademy(dot)com
(609)247-0275
Sandy Burke, Athena Public Relations
Sandy(at)athenapr(dot)com
(203) 655-3475
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