Ohio Connections Academy students, families and staff visit Western Reserve Historical Society

More than 500 students, parents, learning coaches and staff from Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) recently visited the Western Reserve Historical Society to learn more about the history and culture of northeastern Ohio.

The field trip to northeastern Ohio was one of the five regional Family Engagement Activities that OCA organizes for the students and their families throughout the year. From the Underground Railroad and hallowed Indian burial mounds to the various world-class science, art and history museums in Ohio, each year the online public charter school plans events for students to have the opportunity to learn about the different regions of the state and visit with their classmates and teachers in-person.

Ohio Connections Academy is a fully-accredited and highly accountable virtual K-12 school with more than 3,000 students across Ohio. At OCA, Ohio-certified teachers provide a rigorous, individualized curriculum designed by national education experts and customized to meet the specific standards set by the Ohio Department of Education.
Since OCA serves students in grades K-12, the Western Reserve Historical Society was a perfect venue for a field trip as it offers activities for students at every grade level. The students were able to experience exhibits and take part in activities that explore how the entrepreneurs and innovations in northeast Ohio shaped industry and culture. Among the exhibits, students were able to see clothing fashions ranging from the 1870s thru the 1930s, see how NE Ohio impacted the automotive and aviation industries and put the rest of the world in motion. Students also enjoyed the exhibit that showed how the 1964 Cleveland Browns made the city “Title Town.”

Michelle Brown, a sixth grade math teacher, said she really enjoys the field trips as it gives her the opportunity to connect in-person with her students. She added that despite the online environment, teachers can still have a strong working relationship with their students.

“When I recognized a few of my students from across the room, I shouted out the words that I typically start each of my classes with every morning,” Brown said. “Right away the students recognized my voice and turned and yelled, ‘Ms. Brown.’ So these field trips are special for me. Not only do I have the chance to visit with my current students, I can also reconnect with my previous students. It always amazes me to see how they are becoming outstanding young adults.”

Pictured from l-r: Emily Robinson (10th Grade), Sarah Robinson (9th Grade), Helen Bukowski (8th grade), Michelle Brown (6th Grade Math Teacher ).

About Ohio Connections Academy
Ohio Connections Academy (OCA) is a tuition-free, K-12 public eSchool that provides a fully accredited, high-quality and highly accountable virtual education experience for approximately 3,200 students from all over Ohio. OCA combines Ohio-certified teachers and a rigorous, individualized curriculum designed by national education experts and customized to meet the specific standards set by the Ohio Department of Education. For more information, call 800–382–6010 or visit www.ConnectionsAcademy.com. Connections Academy and its parent company, Connections Education, are part of the global learning company Pearson (NYSE:PSO) www.Pearson.com