Running the IT department for a virtual K-12 institution can be challenging, especially during the first few weeks of school. New students need assistance getting their online setups in order, and returning pupils need help recovering the passwords they forgot over the summer. Instructors also need assistance, which is why Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School devotes several weeks to pure IT support at the start of every school year.

Crunch Time
“The first two weeks are always complete bedlam as far as IT support goes,” said Michael Rublesky, senior director of technology at the Norristown, PA-headquartered institution, which serves students statewide. “There are anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 new students coming online every year, and they all need help getting up and running.”

For the rest of the article, go to IT in the Virtual World

The Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School recently announced that 44 juniors and seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Of that group, five students came from Franklin County.

The students represented about 10 percent of the 416 11th- and 12th-grade students.

Rayelle Bender, Fayetteville; Amy Fahnestock, Saint Thomas; Elizabeth Martin, Fort Loudon; Sarah Pound, Fayetteville; and Rebekah Sipes, Lemasters, all received the honor.

“Having such a large number of students in our first National Honors Society class clearly demonstrates that the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School is a school of choice for high achieving students,” said Mike Kello, president of the Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School Board of Trustees. “The PAVCS Diamond Model Partnership supports a child with highly qualified teachers, dedicated family support and rigorous challenging curriculum so we all become invested in ensuring students reach their full academic and social potential.”

- SU MBA expansion: Beginning this fall, Shippensburg University’s nationally-accredited MBA program will be available in Harrisburg to both full-time and part-time students.

For the rest of the article, go to Franklin County’s education digest: Charter school honors; MBA expansion; Wilson commencement