CHRISTINA EICHELKRAUT / PVT. Charles Paarlberg, a sixth grader enrolled in Nevada Connections Academy, sits at his desk and shows how he virtually completes and files assignments for the state-accredited public school. Advertisement

Charles Paarlberg started sixth grade a little differently than most middle-school students.

Instead of packing up school supplies in his backpack and heading off to class, he logged on to the computer and began the curriculum offered by Nevada Connections Academy, a virtual public school.

The academy provides an alternative education option for students in fourth through eleventh grades. It offers an education that meets all the state's criteria (students all take the state standardized test) but allows more flexibility in a home school environment.

That flexibility also allows for a curriculum tailored to each individual student.

"Instead of going to school, sitting in class for 50 minutes, getting work and then coming home and doing the work, he can get his work done quickly and jump ahead," Jon Paarlberg, Charles' father, said. "Or, if he needs to work on something slower, he can just add a day."

As Charles put it, "All your books are right there beside you, and you can go to the bathroom whenever you want."

"We were able to add things in we really wanted to have," Tammy Paarlberg, Charles' mother, said in referrence to the foreign language elective her son is studying.

The curriculum also allows for more advanced work in various subjects, or alternately offers extra practice and exercises for subjects where students may be struggling.

Tammy said Charles spends about five hours a day on academic work, which even includes a P.E. course based on the Presidential Challenge, the standard program for traditional public schools.

The time he spends on schoolwork each day is logged by his parents through their portion of the virtual school system (to which only they have access) and sent to the academy, ensuring the 500 students statewide meet state attendance requirements.

Likewise, Charles can mark work such as papers and assignments as completed but these have to be marked by his parents as well.

The Nevada Connections Academy schedule is loosely based on a traditional academic year, with breaks for Christmas and Memorial Day built into the schedule provided by the school. But the schedule is more of a loose framework families can work around.

If a family trip is planned to start the Friday before Memorial Day, for example, they can take the trip and have the student make up the work on Monday.

Unlike home school, which can be expensive, the student is provided with all the learning materials at no cost to the family.

Students receive a computer, books and even art supplies for their courses. Books that are required reading are also mailed to the students. Funding for Internet access is also provided, and text books are sent back to the school at the end of the year with pre-paid postage.

Another difference between the Connections Academy and home schooling is that parents are not the teachers; instead, they're learning coaches.

Just like a traditional public school, the virtual school is divided into grades and classes.

So, once a week to every two weeks, Charles touches base over the phone with the school's sixth-grade teacher, Deborah Schultz.

Schultz also maintains regular contact with Charles' parents, ensuring everyone is informed about his academic progress.

The school also offers "live lessons" each week, two-hour lessons over the Internet during which the teacher gives a lesson and assignments to the whole class at once. Students are able to virtually raise their hand, have group discussions and ask questions.

The academic year for a Connections Academy student begins with an assessment test, placing the student in one of three general levels.

Certain subjects, such as mathematics, are required each day. Other subjects, however, need to be completed or worked on only a few times a week, allowing the student or learning coaches to determine when the student wants to focus on that subject.

There are unit reviews and daily assessments that get turned in by the students as well.

The school even has a variety of clubs students can join, such as the school newspaper student advisory council, and chess club to ensure a level of socialization.

Because students are all connected into the school, they can e-mail teachers and other students regularly.

Charles may not attend school every day, but Tammy said he has plenty of other extracurricular activities, such as his church group and Boy Scouts, at which he makes friends who provide a healthy social life.

The school has also had field trips and get-togethers, which give students a chance to meet in person.

However, being a learning coach does take some time and dedication. "You are intimately involved in what he's learning, and that takes a lot of time and effort on everybody's part," Jon said.

Still, both parents are happy with their decision to enroll Charles in the academy.

"You get the best of both worlds," Tammy said.

Mosquito season

It's mosquito season and mosquitoes can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus.

Nye County Emergency Services would appreciate assistance with the prevention of breeding mosquitoes.

Please report problem insects, green swimming pools and stagnant water.

Be a part of the solution and call 775-751-4279 for more information or to report a problem.

Nye needs volunteers

The Nye County Emergency Services is accepting applications for an Animal Control Dispatch volunteer, HAZMAT Technicians and firefighter volunteers.

For more information, contact 775-751-4279 or pick up an application at 1510 Siri Lane.

Class of '88 plans reunion

The Pahrump Valley High School class of '88 plans to celebrate a 20-year reunion 7 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Flamingo in Las Vegas.

There will also be a family day 11 a.m. Aug. 10 at Petrack Park.

The reunion Web site is www.pvhsclassof88.com.

Shoes and socks donations

For the Love of Kids and Bikes is taking shoes and socks donations at the Short Branch Saloon in Crystal.

The donation of a pair of shoes will get the donor a steak dinner and a pair of socks will get the donor a meatloaf dinner.

The drive ends Aug. 17.

The Short Branch opens at 10 a.m. and is closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Call 775-372-1717 for more information.

Quilts 4 Cancer meets

The Quilts 4 Cancer volunteers will meet for a "Christmas in July" at 10 a.m. July 26.

Volunteers will gather to make homemade stockings for Christmas and will need help filling them. The goal is 250 stockings. With each filled stocking a gift will be given.

There will be no host food and beverages. Please show group discount for the meeting room.

Finished items will be given to the Senior Center for Meals on Wheels recipients, Nathan Adelson Hospice, Evergreen Nursing Home and the VFW for home-bound veterans.

R.S.V.P. to 751-5356 or e-mail barbquilts@yahoo.com.