Ohio Virtual Academy Celebrates School Choice Week

ZANESVILLE, OH – This week is National School Choice Week.

To celebrate that, the Ohio Virtual Academy invited students out for a day of fun and bowling at Sunrise Bowling Center.

Tina Denny, a First Grade Special Education Teacher with Ohio Virtual Academy, said School Choice is a public school taught by board certified teachers that students attend virtually.

She says the students receive the same information and materials as the students in a traditional classroom setting.

“They get what they need, it gets sent to them, and they’re kind of on their little island doing school.” Denny said. “Then you have the brick and mortar schools, and everybody knows what that is, and we do what the brick and mortar does, but it’s more concentrated. The kids are getting live instruction, by certified teachers, they also do online lessons.”

Denny said figuring out what works best for your child and how they learn are some of the most important things they focus on.

She said OVA could be a good option for children who are struggling in a traditional classroom or who may have immunocompromised illnesses.

“I hate to say but bullying is a big problem, behaviors in the classroom.” Denny said. “They come and I find these kids with these behavior plans on their individualized education programs, their IEP, and they learn those coping skills and they may stay with us till they graduate or they may go back to brick and mortar.”

Denny said she hopes the kids who attend today’s bowling event left with friends and memories that will last a lifetime.