NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Welcome to November!

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the days grow shorter, our online learning community continues to shine bright with curiosity and creativity. November is a time for reflection, gratitude, and growth.

This month, we are highlighting the power of student voice and imagination in our Creative Corner. We would love to showcase more of your work—whether it’s a drawing, a poem, a project, or a performance. If you have created something you are proud of, we want to see it! Submissions are open, and we cannot wait to celebrate your talents. You can email us at: llvs@iu13.org

We are also looking ahead to some exciting upcoming events designed to spark learning and bring our community together. From hands-on activities to interactive experiences, there’s something for every learner to enjoy. Make sure you check out the upcoming events and register to reserve your spot.

So grab your device, settle into a cozy spot, and dive into this month’s newsletter filled with inspiration, celebration, and opportunities to grow!

Inside this newsletter, you will find:

• Show Off Your Creativity--Creative Corner
• Creative Corner Spotlight
• LLVS Learner Engagement Recent Events
• Learner Spotlight
• LLVS Learner Engagement Upcoming Events

🎨 Show Off Your Creativity in the Creative Corner!

Do you love to draw, dance, write, sing, build, or invent? The Creative Corner is your stage! Each month, we will spotlight the incredible talents of our online learners from across our 18 districts. From colorful artwork to inspiring stories, from catchy tunes to clever inventions—this is your chance to shine and share your imagination with our virtual learning community.

Not sure where to start?

Here are just a few ideas to spark your creativity:

Visual Arts:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Digital Art
• Crafts

Performing Arts:

• Singing
• Dancing
• Acting
• Playing an Instrument
• Puppetry

Writing & Storytelling:

• Poems
• Short Stories
• Comics
• Journaling
• Playwriting

Stem Creativity:

• Building with Legos
• Coding
• Inventing Gadgets
• Science Experiments

Everyday Creativity:

• Baking
• Decorating
• Fashion Design
• Hairstyling
• Gardening

Community & Expression:

• Making cards for others
• Designing posters
• Creating skits with friends

If you want to be featured, you can submit your creative work to the following email address: llvs@iu13.org. You might see your work in next month’s newsletter!

🎨 The Creative Corner Spotlight

This month, we are excited to highlight Josie from Solanco School District in our Creative Corner! Josie’s passion for performing arts and her dedication to her craft are truly inspiring. She recently shared an incredible experience that has shaped her journey:

"When I was chosen for the American Music Theatre Christmas show in 2024, I was immediately full of excitement for what was to come. This show has so much talent, and having the privilege to watch the shows come together over the past two years has been unreal.

For me, my favorite part of this year's show, Deck The Halls, is how much dancing there is. Each act is full of fun choreography, and it makes me feel like such a big part of the show!


Within the rehearsal process, developing professional relationships and making the best of friends has been one of the most amazing parts. Every single person who is involved in the show is truly amazing to work beside.

This show allows for such a special holiday season. Being able to perform for thousands of people every week makes the season so magical. This show also allows my holiday season to begin in October when we begin rehearsing.

Ever since I was young, I have always dreamed of being a Radio City Rockette. Performing in this show has really shed light on how much I truly want to pursue my passion for dancing and working toward this goal.”

Josie is a wonderful reminder that creativity and dedication can open incredible doors. From rehearsals to performing for thousands, her experience shows what it means to chase a dream with passion and purpose. We are excited to celebrate Josie's commitment to her craft and her inspiring journey toward her goals.

Learner Engagement Recent Events

Our LLVS Learners enjoyed an unforgettable visit to the Turkey Hill Experience! We explored interactive exhibits, learned about the company’s rich history, and even climbed into a vintage milk truck. Creativity was in full swing as we designed virtual ice cream flavors and packaging—and filmed our own commercials!

The highlight of the day was the Taste Lab, where we worked alongside a Turkey Hill expert to create custom ice cream flavors from scratch. From choosing a base to mixing in delicious toppings, taste-testing was the best part!

We also learned some fun facts:

• Turkey Hill makes around 50 ice cream flavors.
• They use 40,000 gallons of milk every day.
• And Vanilla Bean recently overtook Butter Pecan as the top-selling flavor after nine years!

It was the perfect mix of learning, creativity, and sweet treats. We left with big smiles—and even bigger appetites!

Our learners had an unforgettable encounter with the world of reptiles during the Reptile Invasion event! This interactive presentation went beyond the scales and tails—students explored the importance of responsible reptile care, learned how past human decisions have shaped the future of these fascinating creatures, and discovered the incredible diversity within the reptile world.

One of the most exciting takeaways? Each reptile had its own unique personality! After the presentation, students had the chance to get up close and personal during hands-on time with the reptiles, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of these amazing animals.



It was a perfect blend of science, environmental awareness, and curiosity-driven learning!

Thank you to Accelerate Education for sponsoring this event!

LLVS Online Learners had a fantastic time during our Autumn Adventure, filled with learning, laughter, and local flavor. The day began with a visit to Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, founded in 1861. We explored the fascinating history of pretzels and discovered some surprising facts:



• Pretzels were first invented in 610 AD
  
• Lancaster, York, and Berks counties account for 80% of all pretzels sold in Pennsylvania.

• Residents of these counties consume an impressive 22 pounds of pretzels per person each year, compared to just 2.2 pounds per person nationwide.

After our tasty tour, we headed to Lititz Springs Park, where our online learners enjoyed a relaxing afternoon. They fed the ducks, ate lunch together, and shared great company in the beautiful autumn setting.

To wrap up the day, we treated our online learners to a sweet surprise — homemade ice cream from Greco’s! It was the perfect ending to a memorable adventure.

 Learning Spotlight:

The Pretzel Twist

This month, our spotlight is all about pretzels! Since we visited the Sturgis Pretzel House in Lititz—the oldest pretzel bakery in America—we decided to use this tasty tradition as a springboard for learning. Can you believe they have been baking pretzels there since 1861?

But pretzels go back even further—over a thousand years! They originated in Europe and were brought to America by German immigrants. Today, Pennsylvania is known as the “Pretzel Capital of the World”, producing more pretzels than any other state.

To keep the learning going at home, why not try making your own soft pretzels?

Try It at Home: Make Your Own Soft Pretzel

Even if you couldn’t join us in person, you can still get in on the fun by making your own soft pretzels at home. Here is a simple version to try:

👉 Click here for a kid-friendly pretzel recipe

The Science Behind the Snack

• Yeast makes the dough rise by releasing carbon dioxide.
• Egg wash adds shine and helps the salt stick.

Fun Fact

Pennsylvania produces about 80% of America’s pretzels—so you are right in the heart of pretzel country!

Get Ready! Exciting Upcoming

Learner Engagement Events

🎄✨ Winter Wonderland 🎄✨

Join Us for a Magical Winter Wonderland Celebration!

LLVS Online Learners, the holidays are here—and we are inviting YOU to step into a world of seasonal joy at our Winter Wonderland event! This heartwarming celebration is packed with festive fun, creative cheer, and opportunities to spread kindness.

Here is what is waiting for you:

❄️ Create winter crafts and decorate your own holiday ornaments

🎶 Enjoy the sounds of the season with festive music

🍪 Indulge in delicious holiday cookies

🖍️ Relax at our coloring station filled with cozy winter scenes

💌 Make heartfelt cards for nursing home residents

This is more than just an event—it is a chance to celebrate together, share joy, and make memories that sparkle like snowflakes. So grab your holiday spirit and join us for an afternoon of warmth, wonder, and winter magic!

We cannot wait to see you there!

🦖 North Museum of Nature and Science

🔍 Discover, Explore, Imagine! 🌍

Join us for an unforgettable adventure at the North Museum of Nature and Science—a field trip designed to spark curiosity and inspire learning! This hands-on experience will immerse young learners in the wonders of science, nature, and technology.

Interactive Exhibits: Dive into fascinating displays on geology, biology, and more! Every exhibit is designed to be hands-on, making learning exciting and memorable.

Planetarium Journey: Blast off into space in the museum’s state-of-the-art planetarium! Explore stars, planets, and galaxies in a breathtaking show that brings the universe to life.

Collaborative Learning: Students will share ideas, ask questions, and engage in group discussions—building connections while deepening their understanding of the world around them.

Don’t miss this chance to combine fun and learning in one amazing experience!

Thank you to Harris Digital Learning for sponsoring this exciting event!

Connect with us on Social Media

Just a reminder: we are excited to expand our social media presence, and we want YOU to be part of it! Following us on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to stay updated on the latest news and events! You will see real-time updates on important announcements, deadlines, and events.

Click on the links below to follow us!

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Don't miss out on the chance to be more involved and informed.