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In the state of Kansas, virtual schools are governed by the Kansas State Department of Education. As rules and guidelines are established by KSDE, adjustments are made to the BLVS requirements.
Basehor-Linwood Virtual School (BLVS) is an online school which offers parents who have decided to homeschool their children an opportunity to connect with accredited Basehor-Linwood District curriculum, certified teacher support, standardized assessments, textbooks, resource materials, a computer, and much more. We partner with parents who choose to educate their children at home. By using the BLVS support, the parent is able to offer a more structured and standardized education to his/her child. BLVS allows families who have decided to homeschool the flexibility of directing the learning of their children.
The goal of Basehor-Linwood Virtual School (BLVS) is to provide a quality educational choice to students who, for their own unique and personal reasons need an alternative to traditional schools. BLVS was established in 1998 as the first Virtual School option for Kindergarten through 12th grade students in the state of Kansas. BLVS operates as a fully accredited program with 36 certified teachers within the Basehor-Linwood Unified School District 458.
For many students, BLVS has proven to be a successful alternative to traditional education. BLVS connects with students who are being homeschooled and students seeking an alternative education. There is no age limit for enrolling, and all previously earned high school credits will transfer. If you are currently seeking a GED, but would rather earn an accredited High School Diploma, connect with BLVS. We will be happy to meet with you, and develop a plan to help you earn the credits you need. It's never to late to earn your high school diploma, and you can achieve a better future.
Because we want our current and prospective students to be as successful as possible with our school, the following requirements must be met in order to enroll in BLVS.
Enrollment Requirements Checklist
 Students must be provided with a responsible adult who is home to supervise and provide the instruction needed for learning to occur.
For a new student to be eligible for enrollment in BLVS he/she should be registered as a homeschool student with the Kansas Department of Education, or he/she should complete the transfer process at his/her current school. Children must be five years old on or before August 31 to qualify for enrollment in our Kindergarten school. Children must be six years old on or before August 31 to qualify for enrollment in our 1st grade school. For Kindergarten or 1st Grade students a birth certificate is required for enrollment.
BLVS must have a copy of your student’s immunization record. This record must have the following immunizations recorded with the month, day, and year of each shot.
- 4 DPT (with 6 months between 3rd and 4th doses, one dose after age 4)
- 3 POLIO (one must be after age 4 with at least 4 weeks between each dose)
- 2 MMR (first dose after 1 year and at least 30 days before 2nd dose)
- 3 HEPATITIS B
- TETANUS DIPHTHERIA (Td) BOOSTER (This shot will be given as a teenager, ten years after the last Diptheria Pertussis Tetanus of the initial series. The TD booster should become part of the individual's extended health plan and be repeated every ten years throughout their adult life.)
- Hepatitis B and Varicella (chickenpox) are required for school entry for Kindergarten students.
All students 9 and younger entering a Kansas school for the first time must have a physical assessment. This physical assessment must be completed by your local health department or physician.
Establish a time schedule for completing at least 6 hours of school work each day, five days a week. 1st-12th grade students must document 1,116 of academic learning hours from August 15 through July 15 as mandated by the Kansas State Department of Education. Kindergarten students are required to complete 558 hours during the academic year.
Middle and High School Students must complete at least 6 semester credits by December, and at least 6 semester credits by July 15 of each school year. Elementary students must complete their assigned grade level requirements by July 15 of each school year.
Complete the required Timelog as documentation of your academic learning time. The Timelog is meant to be a valuable instrument for aiding in the success of your student. Students are required to maintain the Timelog on at least a daily or weekly basis.
Check the BLVS website and email correspondence on a daily basis. The majority of communication from the BLVS will be through email. This is the nature of our school. To be successful with our school it is imperative that you have the access and aptitude to communicate through email.
BLVS provides orientation training to assist families with the use of our instructional website and school. This training is mandatory for all new students, and follow-up training is recommended and provided to anyone needing to increase their understanding of how BLVS works.
Maintain an active Internet connection at your own expense.
Provide BLVS with updated and correct contact information.
Comply with all required activity and testing days for the current school year:
--- Important Accountability Dates for 2008-09
9th-12th grade students are required to take all course final exams at a proctored location established by BLVS. For students living within an hour of Basehor, the requirement is to schedule finals at the BLVS office.
7th-12th grade students should be ready to take at least 6 semester finals by December, and their remaining 6 semester finals by July 15. Alternative dates for taking final exams can be scheduled through the BLVS administration.
Maintain proper use of leased BLVS materials, equipment, and textbooks. Return all materials, equipment, and textbooks in the same condition as when leased. It is your responsibility to return all leased materials, equipment and textbooks promptly when leaving BLVS.
The progress of all students will be monitored on a weekly basis. A student's enrollment status with BLVS will be regularly reviewed by an administrator. If adequate and regular progress is not maintained, students will be referred back to their local school district. Students are expected to demonstrate daily progress by:
- Logging into course websites
- Completing online tests on a daily basis
- Completing course assignments and requirements on a daily basis
- Completing the required Timelog on a daily or weekly basis
- Completing course final exams in a proctored location
- Participating in all required activity and testing days
Enrollment Procedures
Steps for enrolling in BLVS:
New Students:
1. Before enrolling your student in BLVS it is very important that you have read and have a thorough understanding of all school requirements.
2. Submit preenrollment information online by going to the following link:
http://fmp6.usd458.k12.ks.us/openEnrollment.htm
3. Wait for a telephone call from a BLVS Administrator. During this call the following will occur:
- Student and parent compatibility with school will be determined
- Enrollment information will be confirmed
- Courses and grade levels will be confirmed
- New Student Orientation will be scheduled
- Textbook and computer orders will be placed
4. Fees, birth certificate copy, immunization records are due when you come to your scheduled New Student Orientation Training. We do not want fees to be mailed prior to coming to your orientation training.
5. Your child will not be provided access, materials, or equipment to begin their school work prior to the scheduled orientation date. Students will be able to start their school year on August 15.
6. Meet the requirements of the Mandatory Count Days in September of each year, and all Required Testing and Preparation Days throughout the school year as outlined in the Important Accountability Dates List.
Current Students (Re-enrolling):
1. Before re-enrolling your child in BLVS it is very important that you have read and have a thorough understanding of all school requirements.
2. Confirm your student’s re-enrollment by calling the BLVS office (913) 724-1727.
3. Textbook fees are due when you come to the BLVS office to exchange textbooks. Textbooks are typically exchanged during the months of May-July 15. You can schedule an appointment to exchange textbooks by calling our office (913) 724-1727.
4. Students will be able to start their school year on August 15.
5. Meet the requirements of the Mandatory Count Days in September of each year, and all Required Testing and Preparation Days throughout the school year as outlined in the Important Accountability Dates List.
Equipment and Textbooks
BLVS leases for a fee one (1) Apple Computer per family for use during enrollment in our school. Initial and ongoing training is provided. District textbooks are also leased for a fee per set. Textbook and computer orders will only be provided after receipt of required fees. Textbooks are processed for each new year during the summer months. With the necessary information from our families, books are exchanged for reuse and purchased as needed in time for school to begin on August 15. The BLVS office staff will assist parents as needed with getting access to Teacher Editions. It is the student’s/parent’s responsibility to maintain proper use of BLVS leased materials, equipment, and textbooks. Upon leaving the school, you are responsible for returning all materials, equipment, and textbooks in the same condition as when leased. A retrieval fee may be charged if items are not returned in a timely manner.
Instructional Support
BLVS students have access to 36 teachers who provide instructional and assessment support for kindergarten through 12th grade courses. Students access their BLVS course requirements through password protected websites and the BLVS online testing system. Students and parents have access to monitoring student progress and grades through our student management system (Genesis), and to communicating with BLVS staff through our email system (FirstClass).
Education and Career Counseling
BLVS students have access to the same testing, test preparation, and college/career counseling opportunities as Basehor-Linwood High School students. Students can participate in ACT Test Preparation, ACT and PSAT Testing Days. Students also have access to Careers Software and ACT Practice Software. Our district counselors, as well as the BLVS administrators, are available to assist students in their education and career decisions. Please contact the BLVS office for assistance.
Course Completion
Students must maintain a consistent and ongoing completion of course requirements. The Internet format gives students flexibility in managing when and where they learn without sacrificing the quality of the learning experience. Students may work at a pace which allows the student to best learn the course material. However, students are expected to complete all enrolled courses during the current academic year, and students must demonstrate that daily progress is being made consistently during the year. Middle and High School Students must complete 6 semester credits by December, and the remaining 6 semester credits by July 15 of each school year. Elementary students must complete their assigned grade level requirements by July 15 of each school year.
Academic Credit
To earn high school course credit, a student is required to complete all course requirements and take semester final exams. High School students must take all final exams at the BLVS Office or an approved proctored location. After a student has completed all required assignments, online tests, and final exams, a transcript can be generated. Official BLVS documentation of academic credit earned for graduation is maintained by BLVS. High School students are typically enrolled in 6 courses during an academic year. Each course consists of 2 semesters. First semester requirements including the first semester final are generally completed by December, and second semester requirements including the second semester final are generally completed by July 15.
Incomplete Courses
Courses that are not completed within a current academic year will be reflected as an incomplete/F on the student's transcript. The progress of all students will be monitored on a weekly basis. A student's enrollment status with the BLVS will be in jeopardy if daily progress is not maintained.
General High School Diploma / Graduation
Students enrolled with BLVS can earn an accredited High School Diploma from the Basehor-Linwood USD 458 School District. Graduates are also invited to participate in the Basehor-Linwood USD 458 School District Commencement Ceremony held each May.
Dual Enrollment Opportunities
A student who is dual enrolled receives educational services from more than one public school at the same time. In dual enrollment situations, the public funding for the student is shared between the two public school districts sharing the responsibility of educating the student. Dual enrollment partnerships must be pursued by the parents/guardians, and this type of arrangement must be accepted and agreed upon by the administrators at the student's local school district before the BLVS will consider such an arrangement. After a family has discussed this type of arrangement with their local school district, an administrator from the student's local school district would need to contact BLVS, and discuss the possibility of a dual enrollment status for the student. Dual enrollment opportunities are not available for students receiving special education services from their local school district.
Communication
Communication with BLVS takes place primarily through the exchange of email. Communication through fax, phone, or face-to-face meetings can be arranged through your teacher. It is imperative that communication remain open and regular for students to be successful with our school.
Special Education Services
A student with a Special Education Individualized Education Plan will need to remain enrolled full-time in their local school district.
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BLVS Requirements
