Author: J.R. Cox

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MVSD – VTVLC Online Academy

Missisquoi Valley Schools are working in partnership with Vermont Virtual Learning Cooperative to provide a fully remote learning option for students in grades K-12. Since staffing and resources for remote learning may be limited, we will prioritize students with medical needs. We will do our best to accommodate all learners, but cannot guarantee we will be able to honor all requests.

This survey should be completed separately for each child in your family. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday August 11th. You will be notified of your acceptance by August 21.
https://tinyurl.com/vtvlcregistration

A webinar explaining the VTVLC program took place on 8/6/20 and a recording will be available on our MVSDSCHOOLS.ORG website or https://www.facebook.com/MissisquoiSchools

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GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO HELP MORE VERMONTERS ACCESS BROADBAND

Department of Public Service Will Distribute Through Line Extension Consumer Assistance Program

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today announced that the Vermont Department of Public Service has launched a Line Extension Customer Assistance Program (LECAP). LECAP provides up to $3,000 in assistance to help consumers extend telecommunications lines to their homes, with $2 million in total funds available. 

“We know how important access to reliable internet has been during this pandemic,” said Governor Scott. “While expanding access has been a longstanding challenge in Vermont, I appreciate the efforts of the Public Service Department team, the Legislature and many private partners to help get more Vermonters connected. This assistance program is another step forward in this challenging work, which is critical to increasing equity in education heading into our school reopening this fall.”

This program was passed through Act 137 and developed in response to the COVID-19 emergency to help Vermonters access broadband.

“For the teacher or student living at the end of the dirt road with no internet access, the LECAP could be a lifeline,” said June Tierney, commissioner of Public Service. “This is a great opportunity for qualifying Vermonters who need broadband service but have not been able to afford the full cost of a line extension.” 

Access to broadband (high-speed internet service) has proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for students, patients and teleworkers accessing education, health care services and virtual offices due to closures and other pandemic mitigation measures. Hundreds of Vermonters without 25/3 Mbps broadband service live just out of the reach of current cable and other Internet Service Providers’ networks. Extending these networks to unserved and underserved areas can be expensive and the full cost can be unaffordable for those looking to take this step. 

Under this program, up to $3,000 in financial assistance is available to offset the customer cost portion of a line extension. For details about how to qualify for the LECAP, Vermonters should call the department at 800-622-4496 or visit the department’s Line Extension Customer Assistance Program webpage. All line extensions funded through this program must be completed on or before December 30, 2020. Additional information can be accessed at https://publicservice.vermont.gov. 

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MVSD Reopening Update 7-29-2020

MVSD School Community;

I am sure you have heard that Governor Scott has issued an Executive Order pushing back the start of school until September 8th.  I am pleased that there will be additional time for you all to plan for the return of your students.  There are definitely questions that arise for all of us about our school calendar. 

We still need to provide 175 student days by Vermont Statute.  Only the legislature can make a change to the mandated number of student days.  The legislature will be back in session on August 25th.  We understand that they will be taking up this issue when they return.  I expect that they will reduce the number of days required, but we do not know what that will look like.  We also have no idea if the calendar will need to be adjusted in other ways to minimize the loss of instructional time.  I will let you know as soon as we have answers to these questions.

We have decided that there will be a fully remote option for students who need it and potentially for some who choose that option.  We are going to work with Vermont Virtual Learning Collaborative (VTVLC) to provide that option.   In order to determine the level of need, we are surveying families today.  

Thank you for all you do.  We know how difficult this time of uncertainty is for all of you and we appreciate your patience.

Best,

Julie Regimbal