VAR Quarterly Newsletter!
March, 2024
🎊 Edison Student Celebration!
Celebrations have always been the norm at Edison Tech within the VAR department. Perhaps the biggest celebration we have, which was started in 2018, is the “VAR HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA.” The brainchild of Ms. Dixie, the magical winter holiday celebration is an event that creates a buzz for months to come. To be invited to this event, students must finish a course. For each course a student completes before Halloween, they receive 50 raffle tickets, after 11/1, 25 tickets. Students have up to the day of the celebration to complete a course and be eligible to win some amazing gifts prior to the winter holiday recess. In early October, Ms. Dixie surveys our classes and asks students to fill out a list of 10 items they need/want (basically a wish list).
Through donations, Ms. Dixie secures many items off students’ lists and big-ticket gifts like, PS5’s, TV’s, Apple products, laptops, and many more sought-after items. Students use their raffle tickets and hope to win the prizes they want. We also provide a catered lunch to all the students at the celebration. Once the meal has finished the drawings for the gifts begin. The excitement, anticipation and camaraderie among the students truly is a sight to see. This has been a great success for our program and has allowed us to develop even closer relationships with our students and future students to come.
New York AP Day
Several VAR students and VAR teachers joined other RCSD and other school districts across New York to urge lawmakers to maintain funding to cover AP exam fees for low-income students and expand access to schools with few or no AP courses.
The students attended meetings with members of the local state delegation.
Come and Shop
Head's up! Your NEW 24/7 Virtual Academy of Rochester Sideline Store is officially up and running. Stop reading and start shopping to score the latest fan wear and accessories. Then get out there and cheer on your team.
Check us out on social to learn more. Go Virtual Academy of Rochester!
Davion Ayala
Davion has a dedicated work ethic that sees him through each science course with integrity and consistency. Davion doesn't look for short cuts and does everything outlined in the course, unless told otherwise. He was wonderful to work with and a very motivated learner.
Nominated by: Ms. Trifeletti
Jonayris Gonzalez
Jonayris did an outstanding job completing her Health OCR course. She asked questions when she needed help and maintained focus at all times in the lab. She also turned in thorough work, finishing her course with a 93%! Great job, Jonayris!
Nominated by: Mr. Screen
Malachi & Tobias Holmes
Congratulations to the Tobias brothers for finishing their Spanish course! It was such a pleasure seeing their smiling faces in the NE lab. I always looked forward to supporting them on Tuesdays. Great job!!!!
Nominated by: Ms. Sanfratello
Samantha Housel
It has been a pleasure to work with Samantha this year in AP Art History. She is consistently engaged in the coursework and shows strong motivation. Samantha asks great questions about the content of art history and shows great interest. Keep up the outstanding work, Samantha!
Nominated by: Ms. Rudy
Starasia Marion-Nash
Starasia is such a STAR that she was nominated twice!
Starasia has done an absolutely amazing job with her English OCR courses this year. She has finished English I OCR with a 95% and English II with a 90%. Starasia's work ethic has been outstanding this year, giving 100% effort on every single assignment. She has consistently completed her assignments with thoughtful and insightful responses. I am so proud of the work she has done and all that she has accomplished so far this year! Congratulations Starasia!
Nominated by: Ms. Mundorff
Starasia has shown tremendous growth over her time in VAR. She comes into class and consistently gets right to work. She is prepared with questions, works through the lessons, and always does her best. Model OCR student!!
Nominated by: Ms. Spitzer
Kaysali Morales
Kaysali genuinely grasps the content of Art History. Her beautiful and thoughtful written responses and reflections show a special interest and understanding of art and history. She consistently engages with the coursework and is always on track, polite, and positive. I am very proud to have Kaysali in class this year. Congratulations, Kaysali, on a wonderful job!
Nominated by: Ms. Rudy
Naiyelis Ortiz
Naiyelis is a hard worker and shows tremendous effort in her work. She completes work on time and is motivated. Naiyelis is always positive and pleasant. She stays in touch and is consistently engaged in class. Great job, Naiyelis!
Nominated by: Ms. Rudy
Jakeem Riggs
Jakeem is creative and hard working. He communicates on a college level and his work in AP Computer Science A is solid. He puts forth an exemplary amount of effort, energy and time to accomplish his goals. His ability to stick to a task, then revisit the task when others would have given up is truly commendable. His work ethic and self motivation combined with his intelligence, puts any goal he sets his sights on, within reach.
Nominated by: Mr. Noeth
AP Exam Updates
Students should reach out to their teachers for more information about the exams, exam prep sessions, and their classwork.
6 Tips to Build Confidence for Your AP Exams
Whether you’re taking your first AP® Exam or your last, here are some proven tactics that will help you be successful and build confidence now and in the future:
1. Stay committed
When you commit to something, you’ve given yourself a path to follow through—which often leads to motivation for success. Set your eye on the prize and go for it.
2. Positive self-talk
It's easy to let your nerves get the best of you when tackling something new. Don’t be your harshest critic. Write how great you are on a sticky note or on a mirror to remind yourself you can do it!
3. Move your body
Whether you’re an athlete or you enjoy getting outdoors or walking your dog, moving your body will pay off. It’ll boost your endorphins and give you a break, so you’ll feel refreshed when you return to your work and responsibilities.
4. Get enough rest
While you think studying all night will make you smarter, you may be making it harder on yourself. Take time for rest and prioritize getting a full night’s sleep.
5. Ask for help
Just because you don’t have the answer doesn’t mean you aren’t resourceful enough to find it. The most successful people know when to ask for help—and take it when it’s given.
6. Utilize resources available to you
- Watch AP Daily: Practice Sessions, a video series focused on practicing FRQs (free-response questions) and MCQs (multiple-choice questions).
- View upcoming assignments and track your progress in AP Classroom.
- Connect with your peers and support each other along the way. You’re all in similar classes, so set up study groups, in-person or virtual, to study for your AP Exam.
- If it’s your first time taking an AP Exam, learn what to expect so you’ll feel confident and prepared on test day.
- Use these additional free resources to help you prepare.
For more tips on building confidence and succeeding in AP, check out this blog.
February 13, 2024