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Mark Your Calendar
Important Dates for August
August Events coming up!
- August 8 – K-2 Parent Orientation, 5:30 EST via Teams
- August 9 – New Parent Orientation, 5:30 EST via Teams
- August 10 – Meet the Teacher, 12:15-1:45 EST and 5:30-7:00 EST via Teams
- August 14 – Social Hour in VR for 4-9 and Teams for K-3, 3-4:00 EST
- Check the newsletter for instructions for accessing ENGAGE & navigating to the VR social hour.
- August 15 – First Day of School
Other important school information will become available soon (log-in credentials, school schedule, etc.) The next school newsletter will be sent Monday. Please also be on the lookout for emails from the academic team.
If anyone has any questions, please reach out to the front office at oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com
What is the first day of school for OAO (Optima Academy Online) for the 2023-24 school year?
August 15th, 2023
What is the bell schedule for LIVE courses with OAO?
What are the school supply needs?
Where can I find the Academic Calendar?
Important Info
What is the school dress code?
What school supplies are needed?
When will I receive my child’s class schedule?
Class schedules will be emailed over the summer, sometime in mid to late July.
When will I receive my login credentials for Canvas and ENGAGE?
- Credentials will be emailed to parents prior to the start of school.
- ENGAGE credentials will be provided first so students have the opportunity to play and explore in VR.
- Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates related to login credentials and other information.
When will VR headsets be provided?
- VR headsets are scheduled to arrive late July to early August for those who have completed registration and paid VR headset fees.
- Once enrollment is completed, an email will be sent with the next steps to obtain a VR headset.
Can I use my own VR headset?
- Yes, a student may use their own VR headset.
- ENGAGE Credentials: Please note before school starts student login credentials, along with directions on downloading the ENGAGE app will be provided for each student registered using their own device or desktop only.
- Limited IT support: If a personal VR headset is being used and not borrowed or purchased by the school, there will be limited support that the IT team can offer. The headsets sent by the school are managed by the school, including the ones purchased. This allows our staff to fully support families with technical issues.
- Managed VR headsets: There is an option to manage personal headsets. We highly encourage this. If the school has not already been notified, please email oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com to let the school know. IT will work with the family on this process. This is reversible on the VR headset.
What equipment is required to attend Optima Academy Online?
- Laptops are required to complete school assignments in Canvas, our Learning Management System, whether on demand or live. Also, to join Microsoft Teams for any teacher instruction. Please see System Requirements – Optima Academy Online and Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- VR headsets are required for grades 4-9 to complete teacher-led courses (on demand students can also use VR headsets to enhance the learning experience). 3rd graders will be introduced to VR headset in the Spring semester. Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- Please reach out to the school at oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com with any specific questions related to required equipment.
What equipment is required to attend Optima Academy Online?
- Laptops are required to complete school assignments in Canvas, our Learning Management System, whether on demand or live. Also, to join Microsoft Teams for any teacher instruction. Please see System Requirements – Optima Academy Online and Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- VR headsets are required for grades 4-9 to complete teacher-led courses (on demand students can also use VR headsets to enhance the learning experience). 3rd graders will be introduced to VR headset in the Spring semester. Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- Please reach out to the school at oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com with any specific questions related to required equipment.
Does Optima Academy Online provide school equipment?
- For grades 4 and up, who sign up for 5 or more courses may receive a VR headset with a $99 setup fee.
- For grades 4 and up, who sign up for 4 or fewer courses may purchase a VR headset for $355. This covers cost of VR headset and processing fees.
- Families of 3rd graders will be contacted during the fall regarding VR headsets.
- VR headsets – Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- Emails are sent to families providing opportunities to obtain a VR headset after completion of the school application. If this has not been received, please reach out to oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com We can be sure to provide that information to you.
What VR headset is provided by the school?
Meta Quest 2
What VR headset devices are supported by the school platform ENGAGE?
Supported Devices: Please check to see if your VR headset and/or laptop is supported by Engage: Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
Equipment
What equipment is required to attend Optima Academy Online?
- Laptops are required to complete school assignments in Canvas, our Learning Management System, whether on demand or live. Also, to join Microsoft Teams for any teacher instruction. Please see System Requirements – Optima Academy Online and Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- VR headsets are required for grades 4-9 to complete teacher-led courses (on demand students can also use VR headsets to enhance the learning experience). 3rd graders will be introduced to VR headset in the Spring semester. Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- Please reach out to the school at oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com with any specific questions related to required equipment.
Does Optima Academy Online provide school equipment?
- For grades 4 and up, who sign up for 5 or more courses may receive a VR headset with a $99 setup fee.
- For grades 4 and up, who sign up for 4 or fewer courses may purchase a VR headset for $355. This covers cost of VR headset and processing fees.
- Families of 3rd graders will be contacted during the fall regarding VR headsets.
- VR headsets – Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
- Emails are sent to families providing opportunities to obtain a VR headset after completion of the school application. If this has not been received, please reach out to oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com We can be sure to provide that information to you.
What VR headset is provided by the school?
Meta Quest 2
What VR headset devices are supported by the school platform ENGAGE?
Supported Devices: Please check to see if your VR headset and/or laptop is supported by Engage: Supported Devices – ENGAGE | Enterprise Metaverse Applications (engagevr.io)
General Questions
Where can I find the summer reading list?
Summer Reading List – Optima Academy Online
Please note the asterisk * is for the required reading.
Where can I find the master booklist?
What is the tech/system requirements needed to attend virtual school at OAO?
How do I double-check that my child is enrolled? Or what if I want to change my child’s schedule?
Please feel free to email our enrollment office to verify and confirm enrollment information oao-registrar@optimaed.com
How do I determine placement for scheduling?
Please view student progression to determine placement: Sample Course Progression
Reach out to kabel@optimaed.com with any questions
How are courses accessed?
- The courses are accessed through our Canvas Learning Management System, for all grades.
- Assignments and instructional modules will be released in 2-week intervals. All lessons are pre-recorded.
- Coursework is made available on Friday afternoon for the following week.
- This allows for some structure, but also flexibility for families.
How does my child participate in LIVE courses?
- K-2
- Students will have access to teacher office hours.
- 3-5
- LIVE option offered once a day on Microsoft Teams
- LIVE lessons are recorded to be accessed as needed.
- Grades 4-5 have access to the VR component (accessible by headset or browser).
- 6-9
- LIVE option offered once weekly on Microsoft Teams
- LIVE lessons are recorded to be accessed as needed.
- Grades 6-9 have access to the VR component (accessible by headset or browser).
Contact
OAO School Staff – I completed the enrollment process and have questions about testing, school supplies, VR equipment, orientation, etc.
oao-frontoffice@optimaed.com – please allow 24-48 business hours for a response.