Getting Started

Email: First, check your email for communication from your student’s teacher. K-5 teachers will email the primary address on file to introduce themselves and give you more information. This communication from your K-5 teacher will include information about first day meetings and how to log in.  

Launch: To support the beginning of the year, TOL learners will engage in a Launch of sorts. Much of this will be done asynchronously; learning coaches may engage and learn alongside students.  

Teams: Students should log in to their district computer and Office 365. Student login username is their student number @tps10.org. Example: 1234567@tps10.org. Once logged in to Office 365, students should open Teams. Shortly before school starts, their class team will appear. This is where students will access live meetings.  

Flexible: TOL K-5 schedules will be different than in-person school schedules. At K-5, each class will have a whole group, community PACE meeting at 9AM daily. Each student will schedule one 15-minute meeting with their PACE coach. Aside from these regularly scheduled meetings, your student’s day will vary based on teacher recommendations and the learner experience your family selects. You can expect there to be approximately 30 hours of school work each week; some of this time will be live in small group meetings, some of it will be working online or with paper and pencil on asynchronous lessons. Additionally, TOL K-5 staff plan to host optional in person events. 

Weekly PACE 1:1 Meeting: Since Tacoma Online is an alternative learning experience (ALE), the attendance requirement is different than in-person schools. TOL teachers will take attendance on a weekly basis following their 1:1 PACE or PLP meetings. Students, with the support of their at home learning coach, will be expected to fill out a short, weekly form in advance of their 1:1 meeting.  

Monthly PACE PLP Meeting: Close to every 4th week, the PACE meeting will be a review of the student’s Personalize Learning Plan. A summary of this meeting will be emailed to families.  

Learning Space: First, ensure that your student has a quiet, comfortable place to complete their schoolwork. Students should be able to plug in their laptop, and also write comfortably on paper. Ideally, this could be a desk or table in a quiet room.   

Supplies: TOL will provide some supplies for students. Each trimester, TOL K-5 will host a supply pick up event where families may pick up a packet of learning materials to support that trimester’s content. Please let your PACE coach know if an in-person pick up does not work for your family and we may make alternative arrangements to support your needs. Our first  

Communication: Regularly checking your email for updates from your student’s PACE coach and Tacoma Online is a vital part of success at TOL. It will also be vital for K-5 families to use their Schoology access codes to log in to Schoology to gauge student progress. We are excited to partner with you and your student. Please notify TOL office of any changes to your contact information.  

The first days of school are designed to help students build community, learn Tacoma Online's digital tools, create strong study habits, and connect with their PACE Coach. Students should check their TPS email for meeting links and other information from their PACE Coach.

### Day 1 - Wednesday, September 9

**Activity**

- Welcome and camera-confidence activity
- Meet the PACE group and practice participating in an online meeting

**Tech Message**

- Log in to Edgenuity
- Learn how to stay on pace and prioritize work in Edgenuity

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Review PACE whole-group meeting norms and expectations
- Learn how using cameras, microphones, chat, and reactions can help build a welcoming online community
- Explore [prioritizing tasks]

**Announcements**

- There are no content meetings today.
- Make sure you know how to find tomorrow's PACE meeting.

### Day 2 - Thursday, September 10

**Activity**

- Emotion check-in
- Practice coming off mute, speaking, and returning to mute in a supportive group activity

**Tech Message**

- Learn how to create [quick access to frequently used websites]
- Practice taking [screenshots and snips]

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Learn how to [set up a workspace](that supports focus and learning

**Announcements**

- Pin or bookmark the websites you will use regularly.

### Day 3 - Friday, September 11

**Activity**

- Participate in a "This or That" icebreaker
- Discuss habits that help online students succeed

**Tech Message**

- Practice screen sharing
- Review [Using Office 365]

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Learn how to [create a daily schedule]
- Review an [example schedule template]

**Announcements**

- Content meetings begin next week.
- Create or think through your personal schedule and be ready to discuss it during your weekly one-on-one PACE meeting.

### Day 4 - Monday, September 14

**Activity**

- Participate in a virtual-hand-raising activity and discover shared interests with classmates
- Practice using chat and reactions to participate

**Tech Message**

- Content meetings open today. Practice finding the meetings you should attend.
- Review this optional video about [joining Teams meetings]

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Learn why and when to complete the PACE Weekly Form
- Learn how weekly one-on-one meetings support attendance, goal-setting, and the monthly Personalized Learning Plan

**Announcements**

- Your weekly one-on-one meeting will happen this week. Check your calendar and TPS email so you know when to attend.
- Complete your PACE Weekly Form.

### Day 5 - Tuesday, September 15

**Activity**

- Discuss when it is appropriate to turn a camera off during an online class
- Participate in a group conversation or small-group activity

**Tech Message**

- Check for and complete computer updates
- Learn how to log in to SchooLinks

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Introduction to SchooLinks: learn how it supports planning for school, careers, and life

**Announcements**

- Complete the Career Interest Inventory in SchooLinks.

### Day 6 - Wednesday, September 16

**Activity**

- Participate in a decision-making activity using nearby objects
- Discuss when and why note-taking is useful

**Tech Message**

- Review Edgenuity pacing and determine whether you are on track using the [Edgenuity calendar]
- Learn how to [download assignments]

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Practice effective [note-taking]

**Announcements**

- Complete the Edgenuity check-in form shared by your PACE Coach.

### Day 7 - Thursday, September 17

**Activity**

- Discuss how to communicate confidently with a teacher
- Think about future goals and what you hope to be doing in 2045

**Tech Message**

- Learn how to [contact your teacher]
- Review an [example of how to write an email]or watch the [email-writing video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuBF0z1nx-E)
- Learn how to [contact the Help Desk]; restart your device before requesting help

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Check for and read [teacher feedback]

**Announcements**

- Email your PACE Coach with either a question about TOL or something you like about online school.

### Day 8 - Friday, September 18

**Activity**

- Share an example of teacher feedback or schoolwork you are proud of
- Discuss plagiarism and why academic integrity matters

**Tech Message**

- Introduction to Microsoft Copilot

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Learn about [academic integrity]

**Announcements**

- Be ready to explain what "academic integrity" means.

### Day 9 - Monday, September 21

**Activity**

- Participate in a virtual scavenger hunt
- Share something you have learned about another member of your PACE group

**Tech Message**

- Learn how to organize [folders and OneDrive]

- Learn how to [title and store assignments.   

**S/EL or Study Skills Message**

- Learn how to interpret grades and progress using [Understanding Grades and Progress](https://tps10-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/klewin_tacoma_k12_wa_us/EcFjjZ9tzOxAl7aGQrMebzIBp6_4EKcftCTRTAVSA20fWw?e=ptsaRE)

**Announcements**

- Complete the online-skills reflection shared by your PACE Coach.

For High School Students:

The beginning of the school year will look a bit different for you than it will look later. The idea is to get you connected with your PACE Coach and PACE group and to give your resources and skills that we know will help you to be successful in school at Tacoma Online. Your PACE Coach will email you specific instructions and links for you so please check your TPS email. Below is an outline for what PACE Coaches will be covering for each of the first few days.

TOL High School Launch  
September 9–18, 2026 
Daily Plan 

DAY 1 – Wednesday, Sept 9 
Theme: One City, One Community 
8:45 am – Whole School:  Welcome to 2026-27 
Theme: Building Self, Community & Support Systems 
9:00 am - PACE Whole Group 

• Introductions  

• Icebreakers 

• Forms Questionnaire (Duplicate and Change the School Year) 

• TECH Focus:  

• Using Office 365 

• Using TEAMS for Meetings 

• Contacting Help Desk 

• Screenshots/snipping 

• PACE Focus: 

• Intro to SchooLinks – What is it?  How will it prepare me for School and Life? 

• DELIVERABLE: Completed Forms Questionnaire 

DAY 2 – Thursday, Sept 10 
Theme: Exploring Tools & Support 
9:00 am - PACE Whole Group 

• Reconnect + new student intros 

• Revisit Skills from Day 1 – Skill Reflection Form  

• TECH Focus:  

• Edgenuity Access 

• Understanding grades and progress 

• PACE Focus:   

• SchooLinks Interest Inventory 

• Set-up 1:1 Meetings for Next Week 

• DELIVERABLE:  SchooLinks Interest Inventory 

DAY 3 – Friday, Sept 11 
Theme: Map Your Support 
9:00 am – PACE Whole Group 

• Reconnect + new student intros 

• TECH Focus: 

• Discuss Skills form if needed 

• Setting up your space 

• Folders and OneDrive 

• Titling and storing assignments 

• PACE Focus 

• Set-up 1:1 Meetings   

• Introduce PACE Weekly form 

• One-on-One Meetings 

• DELIVERABLE: Complete PACE Weekly Form for Next Week 

DAY 4 – Monday, Sept 14 
Theme: Communicate with Confidence 
9:00 am – PACE Whole Group 

• Reconnect + new student intros 

• TECH Focus:   

• Edgenuity calendar 

• How to write an email 

• PACE Focus:   

• Teacher feedback 

• Contacting your teacher 

• One-on-One Meetings 

• DELIVERABLE: Write a professional email to your PACE coach  

DAY 5 – Tues, Sept 15 
Theme: Organize Your Time, Build Your Plan 
9:00 am – PACE Whole Group 

• Reconnect + new student intros 

• TECH Focus:   

• Quick access to websites 

• PACE Focus: 

• Creating a schedule, example schedule template– Edgenuity and Support Sessions 

• Who can help you meet this week’s goals? (Discussion) 

• SchooLinks Check-in/Update  

• One-on-One Meetings 

• Deliverable: Personal schedule  

DAY 6 – Wed, Sept 16 
Theme: Innovation and Learning 
9:00 am – PACE Whole Group 

• Reconnect + new student intros 

• TECH Focus:   

• Downloading assignments 

• PACE Focus: 

• Taking notes 

• Academic integrity 

• One-on-One Meetings 

• Deliverable: None 

DAY 7 – Thurs, Sept 17 
Theme: Connection and Relationships 
9:00 am – PACE Whole Group 

• TECH Focus:  

• Computer updates 

• PACE Focus 

• Prioritizing tasks 

• One-on-One Meetings 

• Deliverable: Update Computer 

DAY 8 – Friday, Sept 18 
Theme: Connection and Relationships 
9:00 am – PACE Whole Group 

• TECH Focus:  

• Computer updates 

• PACE Focus 

• Review all learned tasks from the prior week (optional form for gathering comfort level with skills – please duplicate to use) 

• Record student competencies for each learned task in the Skills Rubric 

• One-on-One Meetings 

• Deliverable: Skill Review Form and Feedback 

TOL staff and instructors use Outlook email as our primary method of communication. The info you are looking for is more than likely been emailed to you. On your TPS laptop, you can open the Outlook app (Microsoft’s email program).

Tacoma Online uses the Edgenuity platform in partnership with Imagine Learning. Once you’re signed onto your TPS laptop, open your laptop’s Edge Internet Browser and go to: https://auth.edgenuity.com/Login/Login/Student . Your username is the same as your TPS email, StudentID@tps10.org (ex. 1234567@tps10.org). Your PACE Coach will tell you your password. Please email them. 

Be flexible and patient with yourself and your child. It can take a week or two to adjust to the program, how the curriculum works, and pacing. Some days, you may zip through work. Other days you may not, and that’s okay! Have fun learning and ask lots of questions.

We have learned that there are THREE critical success factors for students at Tacoma Online.

·      Check your TPS Outlook email daily – this is a habit you’ll need to build.

·      Communicate with and rely on your PACE Coach. They’re the first point of contact for students and families, know what’s going on, and can help you navigate anything TOL. Stay connected to them!

·      Develop and refine a schedule for doing your schoolwork. When you went to a traditional school building, the schedule was set for you and bells and adults moved you through your school day. At home doing online school, you need to manage your time and setup a schedule to do school. It can look quite different than traditional school and maybe even quite different than other TOL students – what’s important is that you have a schedule that works for you. Successful students build a schedule that provides at least 30 hours of schoolwork each week.

TOL’s PACE Program is the heart and soul of TOL. We connect every student to a mentor teacher who acts as their advocate and coach for online learning. Your PACE coach will be a teacher at TOL Middle or High School but may not be the teacher of one of your classes.

Your PACE Coach will hold (optional, but strongly suggested!) whole group PACE meetings for all their students on Monday and Friday mornings. There will be additional whole group PACE meetings as we launch each school year. This is a great way to meet other students in your grade at TOL! Community can be hard to find in online school and it can get lonely at home. These meetings are both fun and helpful!

Your PACE Coach is also your first point of contact at Tacoma Online and the very best person to ask a question about TOL. They will help you establish a schedule, monitor your progress, and help you succeed. They will meet with you each week for 15 minutes on MS Teams (videochat). This meeting is mandatory, required by state law for online schools, and counts as your attendance at school. If you fail to attend these meetings, it’s like missing school and you’re considered truant. Continuing to miss these meetings will require you to be removed from Tacoma Online.

You’ll work with your PACE coach to establish and adapt as you find a schedule that works for you. The key is that your schedule establishes at least 25 hours of schoolwork time per week.

Some students find success with a schedule that mimics the traditional building schedule where they do about an hour of each class, every day. Others find that it works better for them to do two hours of half of their classes every other day – a kind of block schedule.

What matters most is that you establish a schedule and stick to it. After a week or two, you might want to try another schedule. Go for it – just stick to what you design!