Online Classes

In the Platte Canyon School District

Why take online courses?

• Schedule conflict
• Explore academic options not available in-building
• Explore career options not available in-building
• Homebound placement
• Credit recovery
• Accelerate graduation schedule

What would an online schedule look like?

• Most common: hybrid (a combination of online classes and in-building courses. In most cases, students have an online course period built into their regular schedule and work on that class during the school day.
• Full-time online: students work from home and have a full-day schedule of online courses. Students are expected to log in every day and work on classes for minimum of close to 6 hours per day.
• Extra course: students have an additional course that they work on outside of the school day.

NOTE: In all cases, students have access to their online courses 24/7.

What courses are available?

• PCHS students are currently taking the following online elective courses that are not offered in our building: Marketing/Advertising & Sales, Law & Order, Applied Medical Technology, Principles of Law/Public Safety/Corrections & Security, Health, American Sign Language 1, Health, Criminology, French 1, Fashion & Interior Design
• PCHS students are currently taking the following core courses online: Biology, Economics, Government, World History, Earth Science, English 10, English 11, English 12, Geometry, Algebra 2, US History, Physical Science
• PCHS students are currently taking the following online elective courses that we also offer in-building: Personal Finance, Human Anatomy, Digital Photography, Forensic Science, Creative Writing, Spanish 1

In addition to these courses, there are MANY other options, including AP, CTE, and language courses!

Online Platforms

• We use 2 different platforms for online classes
• One is Fuel Education. If students take a full semester class, they have two sections of the class to finish. The first session must be finished by the end of the quarter. The second session must be completed by the end of the semester. www.getfueled.com
• The other is Colorado Digital Learning Solutions. Students are required to follow the due dates listed in each of the classes. www.coloradodls.org

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Online Registration Steps

• Contact Ms. Carol Polan, PCHS counselor (x1654, cpolan@pcsdk12.org) to set up a meeting to discuss which online option best fits the student’s needs.
• Meet with Mrs. Kay Genschorck, PCSD Director of Instructional Services (x1019, kgenschorck@pcsdk12.org) to review the online contract.
• Complete and return the online contract.
• Begin your PCSD online experience!
• Students receive an email with information regarding their online registration as well as directions on how to begin. Each site is a little different. Students should READ the email CAREFULLY to know how to proceed.

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Other Online Information

• Students are expected to log in each day and complete work to meet our expected progress.
• Online grades are the same as grades from other classes - they are recorded on student transcripts.
• Online classes count towards extra-curricular eligibility.

Progress Monitoring for Online Courses

• If a student is using the Fuel Ed. site, Mrs. Genschorck emails every student each week with current grade and percentage of course completed. Typically included in that email will be the student’s expected percentage of completion. She does this to help ensure that students finish on time and remain eligible. Percentage complete is taken into account with eligibility.
• If a student is using the Colorado Digital Learning Solutions site, missed assignments are averaged into the student’s grade and could eligibility. Mrs. Genschorck sends weekly updates to students informing them of their current grade(s).

Words of Advice Regarding Online Courses

• Students should spend the same amount of time per day on the class as well as time after school - just as a student would in any other high school class that that they are attending in-building.
• Online classes are NOT easier. They are high school level classes that are rigorous.
• Students should stay “on schedule” in their online class(es). Unfinished work is averaged in as zeros at the end of the quarter/semester.
• Students should ask questions and ask for help. The solutions are normally quite easy and can be fixed within a short amount of time.
• Students should be diligent and read carefully.

Online deadline for Spring semester, 2019

• A completed online contract must be submitted to Mrs. Genschorck no later than January 11, 2019. A completed form requires signatures from parents, Ms.Polan, and Mrs. Genschorck.

If interested, Please contact Ms. Carol Polan, PCHS counselor (x1654, cpolan@pcsdk12.org), to set up a meeting to discuss which online option best fits the student’s needs.

Then, meet with Mrs. Kay Genschorck, PCSD Director of Instructional Services (x1019, kgenschorck@pcsdk12.org) to review the online contract.

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