Student/Parent Resources
Student/Parent Handbook
We are honored that you have selected us as a partner in supporting your educational journey. BlueSky has a rich history as Minnesota’s first 100 percent online charter school, and has been a pioneer in providing a quality online education tailored to students’ unique needs and creating a model that provides students the support they need to succeed.
Student Support
At BlueSky, online learning is very personal. We get to know you. We learn about your goals, your particular learning style, and personal circumstances. That allows us to provide one-on-one support that fits your unique needs.
In addition to the teachers of your classes, you have your own personal support team eager to help you. Your advisor, counselor, and school social worker will all work with you to help you earn your high school diploma. They will help you achieve your goals and dreams.
Teachers
At BlueSky, our teachers care about your personal and academic progress. We are here to help you, so you can be successful in your courses, and in your life!
The teachers of your classes:
- Design engaging lessons for their courses.
- Provide one-on-one help on assignments.
- Communicate with you by phone, e-mail, text messages and online chats.
- Let you know about expectations, requirements and deadlines.
- Will work with you to figure out how you can be successful.
- Write comments, encouragement, and suggestions in your lessons.
- Keep you updated about your progress in their class.
- Sometimes hold “live” sessions in which you interact with the teacher and your classmates online.
Advisors
Your advisor is your first line of support at BlueSky.
Your advisor:
- Calls you frequently, and is in touch through email, text, and online chats.
- Gets to know you and your family.
- Provides encouragement and support throughout your time at BlueSky.
- Helps you problem-solve when obstacles get in the way of your learning.
- Monitors your academic progress and provides updates to you and your family.
- Keeps track of your attendance in your classes.
- Keeps you informed about BlueSky events, deadlines, and requirements.
- Acts as an advocate for you with other teachers.
Counselors
Your counselor helps you plan your path through BlueSky, from enrollment to graduation, and beyond.
Your counselor:
- Informs you about the credits you need for graduation.
- Helps you choose your courses according to your interests and credit needs.
- Can assist you in exploring college credit options while at BlueSky.
- Provides guidance and resources for exploring career interests.
- Provides guidance and resources for exploring learning opportunities beyond BlueSky, including community and technical colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities.
- Helps you with financial aid applications.
- Works as a team with your advisor and school social worker to support you both personally and academically.
School Social Workers
Each student has a designated school social worker. Our licensed social workers can provide confidential help with school, personal, or family concerns and can connect you with resources in your community.
Our school social workers help in the following areas:
- School concerns (motivation, goal setting, scheduling, attendance).
- Family concerns (divorce or separation, serious illness or death, any other family issue that would cause stress or concern).
- Personal concerns (relationships, self esteem, mental health, substance abuse, exposure to violence, anger management, grief and loss, behavior management).
- Resource and referral (financial assistance, legal assistance, prenatal care, county medical health, housing, mental health care, etc.).
- Crisis assistance (any major event or issue that needs immediate assistance).
- Facilitate support groups and offer group courses for elective credit related to the topics above
Student Learning Center
If there is a need to come to the BlueSky campus, please fill out the “Learning Center Registration” form. Once the form is filled out, someone will reach out to confirm the time and date and other information for the learning center.
Student Devices
Learn about Student Device Care
Read about Student Device Care
Attendance FAQ
Attendance Policy
Attendance Line: 651-202-2020
Parent Access
Below you will find links to video tutorials and other information that will help you support your student. The tutorials will help you navigate BlueSky’s support, information, and learning systems. You will learn how to monitor your student’s progress and to whom to go for help.
School News
Forms
Student forms can be accessed through the parent portal, they are important for the school’s records, and must be completed each year by new and continuing students. This information is required by the state of Minnesota for funding purposes, and is also critical for good communication between school staff and students and parents/guardians.
Parent/Guardian Form Instructions
The Parent Portal can be accessed at bluesky.powerschool.com/public
Contact the BlueSky office with any questions regarding the completion of these forms. The forms include:
- Form A – Demographics
- Form B – Family
- Form G – Directory
- Form H – Testing
- Form I – Educational Benefits
- Form J – Digital Equity Survey
- Form K – Acknowledgement
Testing
BlueSky’s 2022-2023 Testing Calendar
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The reading and mathematics tests are used to determine whether schools and districts have made adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward all students being proficient each year. Science tests are required by ESEA but are not included in AYP calculations.
For more information on MCA testing, visit the Minnesota Department of Education Web site.
BlueSky Parent Guide to Statewide Testing and Refusal to Test Form
BlueSky MCA Testing Options
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessment Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements. Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the alternate assessment MTAS instead.
BlueSky’s online format and the large geographic area of our state present several challenges that have to be addressed to ensure that each student has ample opportunity to satisfy the Minnesota science, reading, and mathematics testing requirements.
To help meet these challenges, BlueSky offers several different testing opportunities. During April, the primary MCA testing window, BlueSky staff arrange and host a number of different testing locations across the state.
Testing will take place between April 3rd and April 28th. If additional testing is needed, makeup sessions may be arranged and scheduled until May 5th.
Grades 6 and 7 test in two subjects, Math and Reading, which can be done in one day. Students in 8th grade are recommended to test over two days of three subjects, Math, Reading and Science. Students in grade 9 do not need to take the MCA. Grade 10 will test in Reading and Grade 11 in Math. Once in high school, students currently enrolled in Biology B will also take Science.
- Reading: MCA or MTAS (grades 6, 7, 8, 10)
- Mathematics: MCA or MTAS (grades 6, 7, 8, 11)
- Science: MCA or MTAS (grades 8, and once in high school)
Opportunities are scheduled in areas nearest to students at least once per year, with retesting notifications being sent out a month before testing begins.
BlueSky will also email or telephone students in regards to testing dates. Any additional questions or concerns regarding assessments can be directed to BlueSky’s dedicated testing coordinator, Melissa Vang, through e-mail at melissa.vang@blueskyschool.org or by phone at 651-202-2011.
Community & Family
Self-Help
If you need some extra support in your life, please remember that the counselors and social workers on staff at BlueSky are available to help. Please contact either your school counselor or school social worker if you have some specific needs. If you are interested in viewing online resources, please look over the following websites.
- Partnership to End Addiction This is a great website for parents or anyone concerned about the influence of drugs.
- SAVE. Suicide prevention information and depression awareness.
- SAMHSA. Substance abuse and mental health resources.
Links for Parents
Minnesota Health Care Programs
MN Healthcare Programs and Medical Assistance
Resources by County
Please click on the link below and select your county of residence. You can find very helpful resources such as food shelves, WIC, food stamps, housing assistance, child support, child care/daycare etc.
Driver’s Ed
List of all locations available across the state: Driver and Vehicle Services
Financial Aid
The FAFSA can be completed online or by mail. It is much easier to complete online. You will only have to answer questions that apply to you, and there are interactive instructions and live help. Even better, your application is submitted instantly.
The earliest you can submit your FAFSA application is October 1st. The final deadline is usually in June, but if you wait that long you will miss out on some financial aid. Many schools and states have earlier deadlines, so it’s a good idea to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. FAFSA Application