There’s more to Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School than online schoolwork. Just like a brick-and-mortar school, PALCS has student clubs and organizations starting at the elementary level. For younger students, that includes cooking club, board game club, and animal club. These clubs offer students an opportunity to socialize and make friends; some clubs even meet in-person.
“The kids get to hang out with us in person,” Mr. Steven Cooper, a fifth grade teacher at PALCS, said. “It’s so cool. They go, ‘you’re real!’”
“It’s almost a little bit like being a celebrity,” PALCS fifth grade teacher Mr. Cory Packer joked.
In-person and virtual clubs are among the many ways to get involved with PALCS beyond typical coursework. There are field trips and various events throughout the year, including back-to-school picnics held in multiple locations across Pennsylvania.
Building relationships with virtual teachers
These events help students and teachers build connections that span years. Mr. Cooper says he’s been able to see one of his former students years later because her younger brother is a current PALCS student.
“She’s grown up. She’s graduated from high school. And every year she comes to the [back-to-school] picnic because she comes with her brother and her family. And I see her every year and I’m like, oh my gosh, you were my first class ever,” Mr. Cooper said.
“This happens again and again,” Mr. Packer added. “It’s not just an isolated thing.”
Getting assignment help in an online classroom
Teachers have many ways to connect with students one-on-one in a cyber learning environment.
Mr. Cooper and Mr. Packer say they use Canvas Inbox the most. In online courses, there’s a “redirect” button students can click that sends a message directly to the teacher, asking for extra help or just checking in mid-lesson.
In addition to resources in Canvas, phone calls and text messages home are valuable and often-used tools for PALCS teachers. This communication outside of the classroom is important in building student-teacher relationships.
“Three to five live lessons per week are mandatory for elementary students,” Mr. Packer said. “But if I’m getting to see you four or five times a week, our relationship grows even more.”
PALCS also regularly offers teachers new technology, with teachers having a say over which resources they integrate into their classrooms.
Interested in discovering how PALCS can transform your student’s educational experience? Contact us today to learn more!
