As a part of the extensive elective course options available to students in grades 9-12, PA Distance offers a variety of computer science courses, including Game Design. Taught by Business Technology teacher, Mr. Gates, Game Design teaches students the foundations of creating video games using JavaScript. 

The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools (PCPCS) named PA Distance 4th-grader Payton Duncan as a Fourth Annual Essay/Picture Competition winner for the artwork part of the contest. The contest invited charter school students across Pennsylvania to draw (grades K-4) and write about (grades 5-12) “a charter school teacher who inspired me and why”. 

Regular school attendance is vital for students’ academic and social-emotional success. Research shows that when students are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, succeed in middle school, and ultimately graduate from high school, according to the Attendance Awareness Campaign. 

Setting up productive learning spaces for students is one of the most important parts of a successful school year. While PA Distance provides all of the important tools and materials that each student needs to succeed, it’s up to each family to provide a productive, supportive, and positive learning environment for academic success. 

Ms. Amber Fox is starting her first year at PA Distance as the K-2 art teacher. As a Pennsylvania native, Ms. Fox is excited to kick off her teaching career with an eager group of kindergarten, first-, and second-grade students.