It's not always a Winter BREAK for Online Students!


It's almost Winter Break!


For many students, Winter Break is the chance to get outside and enjoy the winter.

Whether it be sledding:

Ice Fishing:

Or Skiing:

These are some ways that students spend their Winter Break. Then there is the way many ONLINE students spend their Winter Break! At a computer!! 


Winter Break is a wonderful time to rest and relax, but it is also a great time to catch up on school work.

One of the AMAZING advantages of Online School, is the ability to work WHENEVER and WHEREVER...even over Winter Break!!

Many online students use the Winter Break as a time to complete assignments before the end of the semester.  

Some things to think about: 

  • We only have 11 school days left in the semester. BUT we have 27 calendar days! 
  • Choosing to work on assignments just one or two days over the Winter Break will increase the amount of work time you have by about 10%! 
  • Working over the break (even if it's just a tiny bit!) will help your brain retain learning and not lose all of the foundation you have been building. 
  • Minnesota winters can be pretty rough...if it's a really cold snowy day, snuggle up with your laptop instead. 
  • Get out and enjoy the hustle and bustle. Take your laptop to a coffee shop or cafe to complete some work. 
  • Grab a group of friends and your computers to study together! It will feel like less work if you socialize at the same time. 
  • I suggest using the break as a time to catch up, but don't forget to take some time for yourself. Rest and recovery are important to a healthy lifestyle. 

The BlueSky blog will be taking a bit of its own advice. There will be limited posts over the Winter Break. Working one or two days is good for productivity, but rest and relaxation are important as well! Happy Winter Break! 

Anonymous

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[Teacher Tuesdays!]: Margo Hanson


It's TUESDAY!!!
I love Tuesdays, because that means I get to spotlight another one 
of the amazing teachers at BlueSky!

This week, I would like to introduce you to Margo Hanson: 

Margo is a teacher in our Special Education department. She has also taught Biology for BlueSky in the past. 

Margo received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology and Earth Science from St. Cloud State University. She also holds a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of St. Thomas. 

When asked why she likes working from home, Margo's response is something that I think many of us can relate to!:  

"Working in my own quiet space really fits my life and the way my brain works."

Margo's HOBBIES: 
Indoors- Watching movies, counted cross stitch, baking pies and cookies, 
and reading murder mysteries! 


Outdoors- Perennial gardens, long bike rides, and nature hikes.


Margo has a rat terrier named Jack that her family adopted from the Humane Society. He is a fun family dog and Margo says he reminds her to PLAY during the day! 

FUN FACT: Margo was supposed to be born on Leap Day (February 29th)! Luckily she was born a few days early, so she gets to celebrate her birthday every year, instead of every four. 

When asked what she likes most about BlueSky, Margo responded: 

"I like that we are relationship-driven. 
We make learning experiences as personal as we are able, 
and we truly go to great lengths to see our students be their best."


One last fun fact about Margo. Her favorite food is.....

TACO JOHN'S!!
"Soft shell with sour cream, thank you!"

Make sure to check back on Tuesdays to meet more of the BlueSky faculty! 




Anonymous

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[Reading Strategy]: Active Reading



Have you ever read the same paragraph over and over again...and it just hasn't sunk in? 

I HATE that. 

Do you want some ideas on how to help that reading to SINK IN? 

Well...you have come to the right place! 

You may remember that our school goal is Reading. And if you don't remember...check out THIS BLOG POST to read about it! 

Let's talk about Active Reading. Active Reading is a term that covers a large set of strategies to help students learn from what they are reading. Below are some ideas to try: 

  • Pre-Read:  Before you start reading, help your brain focus by asking yourself a few questions. Why am I reading this? What is the point of the reading? What am I supposed to be learning by reading this? 
  • Chunk it!: Is the reading long? Try to break it into bite-sized pieces! Read a paragraph at a time, then stop and summarize what you read. 
  • Take Notes: As you are reading, jot down what you think about the passage. Taking notes not only helps you summarize as you go, but it helps you keep focused instead of letting your mind wander...
  • Read Out Loud!: Whether you read to yourself, a friend, a family member, a dog, or a house plant...reading out loud can help keep your mind in tune with what you are reading. 


These are just a few ideas. There will be many more Reading Strategies to come to the blog! So keep checking back!



Anonymous

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[Teacher Tuesdays!]: David Bjorklund

YES!! It's TUESDAY!

That means it's time to meet another BlueSky teacher. Today I am happy to share David Bjorklund:

David teaches PHYSICAL SCIENCE here at BlueSky. He also served on the School Board in the past. David has been at the school for 7 years!!

David attended both Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University to earn his Bachelor's degrees in General Science and Life Science.

When asked about his favorite part of teaching online, David made a point that I think we can all agree on... 
I like the freedom to work on my own time. I also like not having a gasoline bill.

So true!!

David really enjoys fishing as well as spectating at the sports and arts events of his children. 

David, what do you think makes BlueSky special?
"BlueSky stands above the other online schools for two reasons. First, BlueSky staff create their own courses and are, therefore, more engaged in the content and delivery of their courses. Second, BlueSky’s philosophy revolves around student contact. No other online school offers the same availability of teachers, counselors and social workers as BlueSky Online School."

Student Contact is one of the cornerstones of BlueSky's success with students. 
So that's why you get all of those phone calls, emails, texts, etc.! :) 

David Bjorklund is just one of the AMAZING faculty members at BlueSky Online. Check back most Tuesdays to meet more of your teachers!! 

Anonymous

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BlueSky Field Trip Opportunity!


A chance to hang out with your fellow BlueSky Online classmates and teachers??

AND

It's a trampoline park???

I'm IN!!!

Here are the details! Come join us! 

Field Trip to Sky Zone

Join your fellow BlueSky Online students at Sky Zone in Plymouth on Friday, December 12 from 11am to 1 pm for an active and fun day! The cost per student is $9 and students are asked to provide a bagged lunch.

You can complete the form to sign up and also make sure to fill out the Parental Consent form for BlueSky and the Sky Zone Online Waiver. These forms need to be filled out in order to participate in the event. If you have further questions, feel free to contact amichels@blueskyschool.org.

Deadline for signing up is Tuesday, December 9.

Anonymous

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[For Parents]: How to help your struggling online learner


My child is really struggling with their online courses, what can I do to help? 

Parents often wonder what their role is in online education. And the answer is...it's different for every family. I know. Not the answer you were hoping for! 

I do have a list of suggestions of how a parent can actively play a role in a student's learning in an online environment. Some of these may not apply if your student is a senior and managing their work on their own. Some of these may really apply if your student is in middle school and in need of guidance. 

Here are a few tips! I hope they help! 
  • Whatever your role is BE CONSISTENT. 
    • Some parents make a daily schedule for their child to help them stay on track. While other parents check in weekly with their child's teachers. Whatever path you choose make sure that you consistently follow it the whole school year. 

  • STOP the procrastination.
    • You are your child's most important role model. Help your student understand the importance of consistently working and not procrastinating! 

  • Set BOUNDARIES.
    • Whether the boundary is "no texting during school time" or "no video games...ever", make your rules and stick by them. Learning from home has many built in distractions, try to help your child limit the temptation. 

  • Work through challenges and celebrate SUCCESS!
    • Teenagers still need their parents to help them through challenging situations. Guide your child through their struggles. On the opposite side, take time to celebrate successes! Positive reinforcement can go a long way. 

  • When your child needs HELP.
    • Many parents reach a point where they can't help their child with their school work anymore. There's no shame in this! The best thing you can do is help your child turn to someone who can help them...their teachers! BlueSky Online teachers are here to help. Most of their day is spent providing one-on-one tutoring instruction to students who need assistance. Help your child reach out to their teachers!
Whether in a brick and mortar classroom or online PARENTS play a major role in their child's learning success. Use these tips to help you find the balance that works for your family. 


Anonymous

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Five Reasons to be THANKFUL for Online Education


Happy Thanksgiving!!

What a great week to reflect on some of the reasons to be THANKFUL for online education: 

5. Flexibility
 Online education is SO flexible. At BlueSky Online, you can choose between My Pace courses and Group Pace courses. You can follow a weekly class schedule or you can budget your time the way that you'd like. 

4. Scheduling Freedom
 Online education gives students the ability to schedule their day in any way they would like. Like to sleep in until 11AM and then do school work until 10PM? You can! Students can also choose which classes to work on each day, how many classes to work each day, and which days to take off! 

3. Personalized Lessons
Each class can be learned at a student's own pace. The lessons are mostly asynchronous. So, if a student needs to pause, rewind, or rewatch an entire lesson, they can! And teachers can easily share more resources with students to truly personalize the learning experience. 

2. One-on-One Help
 The teachers are online schools are here to help their students. Many hours of the day are set aside for one-on-one tutoring help with students. Teachers use email, chat, phone calls, text, online whiteboards, etc. to help students. 

1.  Schoolwork in PAJAMAS!!
 YES!!!! Pajamas!!! ALL....DAY....LONG! Now that's a reason to be THANKFUL! 

Anonymous

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[Teacher Tuesdays!]: Brittney Bailey


Another Tuesday..and another BlueSky teacher to showcase!

I'm happy to highlight Brittney Bailey:

Brittney wears two hats at BlueSky Online:
Physical Education Teacher (Group Pace Class)
Student Services Advisor

Brittney received a BS in Health Education from Minnesota State University in Mankato and a BS in Physical Education from Concordia University in St. Paul. 

When asked what her favorite food is, Brittney responded: 

"My favorite food is probably french fries (I know, not very healthy for a health/phy ed teacher)."

Brittney enjoys teaching for BlueSky because: 

"I love the flexibility we offer to our students. I also love being able to interact with students and their families one on one to give them the support they need to be successful."

 In her spare time, Brittney enjoys spending time with family and friends. Shopping, going to the movies, playing with her cat, and watching Minnesota sports teams. She also plays Co Ed Football and Kickball! 

Why Brittney chose to be an Online Educator: 
"Online education is a great option for students who have not been successful in a "traditional" setting. I love being able to help students succeed in new ways where they weren't succeeding previously."

Check back most Tuesdays to meet more of our BlueSky personnel! 

Anonymous

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Learning: The Importance of PACING Yourself


It seems like every time you talk to your Student Services Advisor, or one of your Teachers, or your Counselor, they mention PACING.

Am I right? 

But...why?? Why is pace such an important part of learning?

In the article The Science Behind How We Learn New Skills, Thorin Klosowski notes:
"When we're picking up a new skill or learning something entirely new, it's easy to binge-learn and obsessively work on it over time. However, that's not always the best idea. In fact, spreading out learning, also known as distributed practice, is thought to be a better way to learn." 

Many of us are guilty of "binge learning"...there is even an Urban Dictionary entry: 

homework binge
doing the whole week, month or sometimes semester's homework in one night. 
often occurs on sunday night
Hey wanna go out tonight? 
No im gonna homework binge
Learning is one place where binging 
isn't the best option. 
As researchers spend more time learning about how we learn, they have concluded that it's similar to building muscle: 

If you just walk in the gym and try to pick up the heaviest weight, you won't be able to. But, if you spend time each day doing reps with increasing amounts of weight...you will soon be able to lift the heaviest one! 
So...PACE yourselves! Instead of waiting until the end of the week and trying to complete all of your work in one sitting...do some EACH DAY. 
Looking for ways to schedule your school work? Check out the post: A 'Bag of Tricks' for Scheduling your School Work!


Anonymous

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[Teacher Tuesdays!]: Katie Roorda


On Tuesdays, check the blog to read about one of our amazing teachers!!

This week I begin with the lovely and talented Katie Roorda:

Katie is BlueSky's Family and Consumer Science Teacher. She teaches: 
Interior and Architectural Design
Fashion Design
Parenting
Life Skills
Culinary Arts 1 and 2

Katie received her BS in Family and Consumer Science Education at Minnesota State University in Mankato, MN. 

When asked how she likes to spend her free time, Katie replied: 
"I enjoy spending as much time with my family as possible. Love going on fun adventures together. I also love decorating my house and enjoy helping others put their visions to life. And don't forget.. shopping! Love to shop."


What Katie likes most about teaching for BlueSky: 

"I most like working at BlueSky because it was the perfect fit for what I was looking for professionally and personally. It allows me to work from home, which has always been appealing for me as well as advance professionally in my career. BlueSky allows me to really connect one on one with my students enabling them to reach their goals and succeed! It is so fun to see students who were struggling in a traditional environment succeed at BlueSky- very rewarding."


Why Katie likes teaching online: 
"I became an online teacher because I think it is awesome to be able to give students choosing the online route the same opportunities as those in the traditional setting."

And most importantly...Katie's favorite food? 
CHOCOLATE!

Anonymous

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[Student Commons Discussion]: Staying Focused


Staying Focused: 

What works for you? What are your challenges?

One of the major issues of teenage learners is staying FOCUSED. There are so many distractions! And for BlueSky students who do their school work from home...the distractions can be oooohhh so tempting!

I hit up our Student Commons discussion board to see what students are saying about distractions and staying focused. Here are some of their responses: 

"My friends often come over when I'm doing my homework. They tend to talk to me and want me to have full out conversations with them. taking my time off of my school work." 

"I like to be alone and listen to music to keep me focused!" 

"when I get distracted I normally just take like a 20-30 minute break. then when my break is over I start on assignments." 

"I could have my cellphone off and just allow myself to be on just bluesky instead of facebook or twitter."

"The thought of graduation helps me stay focused"

"The phone gets me distracted so I turn it off when I am doing my homework.  My friends text my alot and tht can be a problem"

Who knows the distractions of online school best? Other online students! 

So many of us (faculty and staff included) have to be aware of the distractions that threaten our focus. 

Many students mentioned turning off their cell phone.
 What a simple idea! Allowing yourself to shut off the constant stream of information, can seriously limit distractions. 

Your fellow students also offered some great suggestions for refocusing. 

"...just take like a 20-30 minute break"

It's so true! A break, a breath of fresh air, some water and a snack...and you're back in business! 

And...probably the most important reason to stay focused: 

"The thought of graduation helps me stay focused"

Make sure to check out the Student Commons discussion board for more about Staying Focused, and for other weekly conversation topics! 

Anonymous

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Creating a Home Work Space

Get ready to spend hours scouring Pinterest....


Creating a Home Work Space


One of the most important needs for an online learner, is a PLACE to work. Sure, students have the computing device that they use for their school work...but where they use that device is also important. 

Online teachers, advisors, and counselors also have to create their own work space in their homes. Here is a picture of my "office". It's a desk in the corner of our family room. It's kind of messy...sorry about that!!


A few elements of a productive workspace (which mine hits the mark on!) are: 
  • Find the perfect space: It's important that your work station is relatively free from distraction. Choose to work in a quiet room, instead of in the middle of the kitchen at dinnertime. 
  • Organize!: Although my desk is a little messy....there's a method to that mess! Make sure that you have an organization to your work. Order increases productivity. 
  • Make it pretty: Well...maybe not "pretty"...but make your work space somewhere that you want to work. Decorate with things that are inspirational or motivational for you. 
  • Create a schedule: Did you see my blog post A 'Bag of Tricks' for Scheduling your School Work? The post offers a number of ideas to help you organize your school day. Create a schedule for yourself and POST IT in your workspace. It will help you stay focused! 
Having trouble coming up with some ideas? Seriously...look at Pinterest!!! It's ridiculous what inspiration you can find. 

A happy workspace creates a happy (and successful!) learner! 

Go forth and decorate! 

Anonymous

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Our School Goal: READING!


Did you know that our school has a goal? 



Every school year, our faculty and staff come together and choose a goal to help our students. 

This year, we have decided to focus on READING. 


Think about all of the times during the day that you read: 
  • You read the time on your alarm clock.
  • You read any emails or texts that you receive. 
  • You read signs while you are driving. 
  • You read menus at restaurants. 
  • You read posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. 
  • You read your school work...right? 
  • You read various things on the internet...like this blog! 
  • You read for pleasure: books, magazines, newspapers, catalogs, etc. 
Reading is one of the most important things we do each day. And we do it ALL DAY LONG.

How are the teachers, counselors, advisors, and administrators at BlueSky working to help your READING? 
  • Teachers are increasing the amount of READING strategies that they use in their lessons. 
  • Teachers are using rubrics and outlines to help READING and writing skills. 
  • Counselors and Advisors are increasing the higher-order questions that they ask you. 


You may be asking...WHY should I read? I have a few good reasons: 
  • Reading is fun and entertaining! 
  • Reading is relaxing and reduces stress. 
  • Reading increases your creativity and imagination. 
  • Reading improves not only your intelligence, but also your memory. 
  • Reading increases your success in SCHOOL! Yeah!!! School!!! 


Look for all of the ways that BlueSky is helping to increase your Reading abilities while working in your classes. 
Ask anyone at BlueSky if you need help with Reading.  

And PICK UP A BOOK! 

Anonymous

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Parent-Teacher Relationships in an Online Setting


It's that time of year! 
Parent-Teacher Conferences!! 

Everyone at BlueSky Online is pretty excited about Conferences this week. We really look forward to meeting our students and parents IN PERSON!!

The relationship between teachers, students, and parents has a totally different dynamic in an online setting. And that relationship is oh so important. 

At BlueSky Online, communication is one of our main goals. Advisors, Counselors, Teachers, and Administrators spend a great portion of each day contacting students and parents. And even though we have the pleasure of reaching many of you, nothing can replace meeting face-to-face! 

Here is a list of FIVE REASONS why parents (and students!) should attend Parent Teacher Conferences:

 1. Get your questions answered! - Nothing beats a real live meeting to have an actual conversation and get your questions answered!

2. Establish a relationship! - Build a rapport with the teachers and staff. Students are more likely to feel comfortable contacting teachers if they know them a little!

3. Understand the Class Expectations! - Take the guesswork out of what teachers are looking for in their courses.

4. Get some constructive feedback! - Learn what your student is doing well, and what areas can use some work.

5. Never underestimate the power of the In Person Meeting! - Online learning has some different hurdles than the classroom experience. Teachers can't see if students are struggling by just looking at their face. Meeting in person gives teachers and students the chance to foster their relationship. And for both sides to clarify the best ways to communicate with each other.

Technology has created some amazing pathways in education, but it still has its limits. And nothing can replace the Face-to-Face interaction of Parent Teacher Conferences.

So, make your way to our school office on Wednesday!!!


Anonymous

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Boo! Some SPOOKY Colleges!







Thinking about college? 
Maybe think twice about these SPOOKY schools!!

Fall is the time of year when soon-to-graduate students start researching their after high school plans. For some, those plans can mean a 2-year Community or Technical College. Other students opt to head straight into the workforce. Many students choose to attend a 4-year College or University. 

There are so many routes to go....

How does one decide what is right for them? 

Get in touch with your BlueSky Online Counselor. Your Counselor can help you see what options are out there, and what may best fit your needs. Your Counselor can even help you take a Career Assessment, where through a series of questions you are guided towards a career that fits your interests!  

Whether you are looking at a job, a 2-year school, or a 4-year degree program, your BlueSky Online Counselor can help. 

Now...for the SPOOKY schools!!

Education Dive recently posted a list of 10 College Campuses that are among the most HAUNTED. 

This should get you into the Halloween spirit!! CLICK HERE to see if your future school made the list! 

Anonymous

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A 'Bag of Tricks' for Scheduling your School Work

In honor of Halloween...


A "Bag of Tricks" to help you schedule your Work Time!

I know...it's a bit corny. But I was trying to tie into one of my favorite holidays coming up this week! Did you know that your Student Services Advisor has a Bag of Tricks for you to try, when scheduling your work time with school?

Every student has a different pace that works for them. And sometimes, the key to success is simply finding the way that works best for you!

Here are few suggestions from your Student Services Advisors:

 Create a Schedule:

  1. Set aside specific blocks of time to work on your school work. 
  2. Print out a schedule and post it in your workspace. 
  3. Use the Google Calendar with your blueskyschool.org Gmail account to create a schedule. 
  4. Even schedule in a lunch break and a "recess" to your day!


Some Different Scheduling Ideas:

  1. Work on each class for 45 minutes each day. 
  2. Set your week up like a Block Schedule by working on half your classes each day for 90 minutes each. 
  3. Only work in each class once per week, but for a large chunk of time like 4 hours. 
  4. Front load your week by working on your most challenging classes on Monday. 
  5. And leaving your most enjoyable class as an end of the week reward. 


Make a Checklist:

Use the Pacing Guides in each course to create a "To Do" list for your week.
Check off each item as you complete it.

Ah....nothing feels better than a totally checked off To Do list!!  There are a variety of ways that students find to keep themselves on pace.  The best thing you can do is find what works for you and stick to it.  Make sure that you make your school work your number one priority! Scheduling your days will help you with this tremendously.

Most importantly...if you are struggling with creating a schedule for yourself, contact your Student Services Advisor! They can help you create a plan specific to you and your needs. Do you have a scheduling idea in your Bag of Tricks that you would like to share? Please leave a comment below!

Anonymous

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Students and STRESS: Tips on how to deal!



A 2010 study by the American Psychological Association found that one-fifth of children worry a great deal.
That's 20% of kids!! 

Stress is the reaction to the demands placed on us, and kids these days have a lot of demands.

School, sports, extracurricular activities, community and church programs, homework, illness, and many more stressors are part of our students' everyday lives.


Just the sheer overscheduling that many teens deal with is enough to cause stress. Going from school, to practice, to homework, and then straight to bed, doesn't leave much time to relax, unwind, and allow for stress relief!

So, how can parents help their children deal with stress? Here are few strategies:


  • Stop the over scheduling! It's ok to not be on every sports team. It's ok to not have an after school activity every day of the week! Leave some free time for kids to relax and let off some steam. 
  • Get some rest! The National Sleep Foundation has found that most teens need 9.25 hours of sleep per night to be able to perform at their best. Make sleep a priority! 
  • Eat your veggies! Nutrition is a huge factor in the stress level of teens. The rollercoaster that a diet high in sugar and processed foods can cause, increases stress levels immensely. Avoiding sugar and caffeine also means avoiding the crash that can come from such foods. Remember what Michael Pollan says "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."
  • Talk about it! Kids learn by watching their parents. So parents should model how they deal with stress effectively in front of their kids. And parents and kids should talk about stressful situations.  

The students at BlueSky Online are very lucky. Not only do they have their parents to help them with stress, each student also has a three-person team looking out for them! The Students Services Advisor, Social Worker, and Counselor that make up the three-person teams are all ready and able to help students with their stress level. 

As a Student Services Advisor, helping students deal with stress is part of my every day. 

Students: Are you feeling stressed? Reach out to your parents and your Student Services Advisor! 

And make sure to eat your veggies and go to bed on time :) 


Anonymous

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We Day Minnesota!! - November 12, 2014

Are you going to WE DAY??


Magic Johnson?? The Band Perry?? Martin Sheen??
And that's just for starters. 

We Day Minnesota is going to be a HUGE party for an AMAZING cause. 
And you can be part of it! 

How? Complete THIS GOOGLE FORM and you can represent BlueSky Online School at this event.

What is We Day? 
We Day is an event that brings together young people to celebrate the actions taken in their community (and all over) and to inspire future efforts towards making the world a better place.

What is the event?
CHECK OUT the lineup! All of the performers will be there to celebrate the change that young people are helping to make in our world.

Can I go with BlueSky? 
Are you a currently BlueSky Online student? If you are, then you can join us!! Complete this FORM. 


Anonymous

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Hello World!

BlueSky Online School is excited to enter the world of blogging!

BlueSky Online School is an Online Charter School in Minnesota with students in grades 7-12.
We are excited to share our blog with students, parents, teachers, and the greater educational community.

Exciting features to look for on the blog:

  • Upcoming BlueSky events. 
  • Accomplishments of our students and staff. 
  • Current events and research on Education and Online Learning. 
  • Tech Tools that can change the way students approach their classwork. 
  • Guest Posts by our esteemed faculty, staff, and administration. 
  • And so much more! 
You can also follow BlueSky Online on Google+, Facebook, and Twitter @BlueSkyOnline

Anonymous

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