Please complete this step to continue. Welcome to the VGO Family We are glad you are here. This training will help you set up your digital backpack and make sure you know how to start strong at Valor Global Online. Before we begin, have these ready: The computer you will use for school most of the year. Your VGO Google account information. About 30 minutes of focused time. Pro Tip: Leave this tab open while you work. Your progress may not save if you close the page. Stuck at any point? Email support@valorschool.org. Let’s start with your name Type your first and last name so we can connect this training to the right student. What grade are you entering? Your grade helps us show the right Advocate, supply list, and any grade-specific setup steps. Select your grade level... 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade I am a parent completing this alone Pro Tip: If you are a parent completing this alone, choose the student’s actual grade if possible. That keeps the Advocate and supply sections accurate. Your Tech Toolkit A dependable school device is essential for daily classes, assignments, messages, and collaboration at VGO. Recommended Device A desktop computer or laptop with video, sound, and a full browser experience. Students should be able to watch, listen, speak, type, submit work, and stay logged in throughout the week. Minimum Requirements Operating system: Updated Windows or macOS. Browser: Google Chrome installed and updated. Camera and microphone: Working webcam and microphone for Zoom classes. Internet: Stable connection with at least 5 Mbps upload and download speed. Zoom: Newest version installed and signed in with the student’s VGO Google account. Headphones: Working headphones or earbuds to prevent feedback during class. Keyboard: Physical keyboard strongly recommended for coursework. Device access: Each student should have their own device when possible, not a shared family device. Not Recommended as a Primary Device We do not recommend Chromebooks, iPads, tablets, phones, Chrome OS, iOS, or Android as the main school device. These may not work with every assignment, platform, or program VGO uses. Pro Tip: Choose a device that fits your student’s age, workload, and programs. Battery life, durability, speaker quality, microphone quality, and long-term performance all matter. School Supplies List A complete school supply list will be emailed in early August. Based on your grade level, here are the starter supplies you can purchase now. Important Note This is not the complete supply list. Final grade-level and course-specific supply lists will be sent in early August. Elementary Grades — 3rd–5th Access to a printer Printer paper Whiteboard, 12x9 or similar size Dry erase markers and eraser Pencils Pens, blue or black ink Highlighters Pink eraser Ruler Scissors Glue sticks Pencil sharpener Required reading novels, to be announced Middle School Grades — 6th–8th Access to a printer Printer paper Lined paper, wide ruled or college ruled Spiral-bound notebooks for each class Pencils Pens, blue or black ink Graph paper Required reading novels, to be announced High School Grades — 9th–12th Access to a printer Printer paper Lined paper, college ruled Spiral-bound notebooks for each class Pencils Pens, blue or black ink Graph paper Required reading novels, to be announced Select the student’s grade level If you are a parent completing this alone, use the student’s actual grade level when possible so the correct supply list appears. Access to a printer Printer paper Notebook or lined paper Pencils Pens, blue or black ink Headphones or earbuds Required reading novels, to be announced Pro Tip: Elective courses such as Cooking Club, Art Masterpiece, Culinary Arts, and ASL may require additional supplies. Those details will be included in the finalized August supply list. The VGO Handbook The Handbook explains school expectations, policies, communication norms, and how VGO works day to day. Open the VGO Help Desk here: VGO Help Desk The Handbook should be reviewed by both students and parents. Yes, I know where to find the VGO Handbook. No, I have not opened it yet. Meet Your VGO Support Team You are not on your own. These are the first people to know. EF Emily Fleming New Family Director Non-academic onboarding and new-family questions. emily.fleming@valorschool.org Your Academic Advocate: Your Advocate is your main contact for academic support, school success habits, progress, and guidance. KLKelly Loftis3rd–5th GradeEmail KTKennedy Taylor6th–7th GradeEmail AGAna Gomez7th–8th GradeEmail GVGretchen Villers9th–10th GradeEmail TTTarra Thomas11th–12th GradeEmail Pro Tip: Academic question? Start with your Advocate. Tech problem? Email support@valorschool.org. Your Master Key: Google Workspace Your VGO Google account opens the door to Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Zoom, Portal, Buzz, and Google Chat. Open Gmail in a new tab. Type your VGO email address: first.last@valorschool.org Use the password provided by VGO. If instructed, use the temporary password: Valor123 If Google asks you to change your password, choose something secure and memorable. Pro Tip: Save your password somewhere safe. Do not share it with friends or classmates. Let’s verify your email Type the exact VGO email address you just used to sign in. Quick Check How are official VGO student email addresses typed? first.last@valorschool.org firstlast@valorschool.org first.last@valorschool.com firstlast@valorschool.com Google Account Checkpoint Are you signed in to your VGO Google account right now? Yes, I am signed in and ready. No, I am not signed in yet. Need to fix this? Open Gmail, sign in with your VGO email, then return to this step. Install Google Chrome Google Chrome is the supported browser for VGO school platforms. Download Chrome here. Open Chrome. Click the profile icon in the top-right corner. Add a new profile and sign in with your VGO email. Pro Tip: Keep a separate VGO Chrome profile. It keeps school tabs, bookmarks, passwords, and logins organized. Yes, Chrome is installed and my VGO profile is ready. No, I still need to finish Chrome setup. The Portal: Command Central Your Veracross Portal is where schedules, school links, electives, resources, and important information live. Watch: Student Portal Login & Electives Students: Log in through the Student Portal. Parents: Log in through the Parent Portal. Use your VGO Google account and select Sign in with Google. Your action item: If electives are open, go to Electives, make your selections, and submit them. Core classes appear automatically. Sync Your Schedule to Google Calendar Your calendar helps you know when class starts and keeps your school day visible. Watch: How to Sync Your Calendar While signed into your VGO Chrome profile, open this link: Subscribe to My Schedule Google Calendar will open. Confirm you are using your @valorschool.org account. Select Add. Pro Tip: Add your VGO Google Calendar to your phone so you can get class reminders. Schedule Checkpoint Did you log in to the Portal and sync your class schedule to Google Calendar? Yes, my schedule is synced. No, I still need to sync it. Need to fix this? Open the calendar subscription link, add it to your VGO Google Calendar, then return here. Who is your Academic Advocate? Based on your grade level, type your Advocate’s full name exactly as shown. Your Advocate will appear here after you select your grade. Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation matter. Example: Kelly Loftis Say Hello to Your Advocate Your Advocate is one of your main support people. Send a short introduction now. Open Gmail. Click Compose. Send the email to your Advocate. Use the subject: Hello from [Your Name] Share your grade, a few interests, and one thing you are looking forward to. Pro Tip: Start with a greeting and sign off with your name. Clear, kind emails make a strong first impression. Advocate Checkpoint Have you clicked Send on your introduction email to your Advocate? Yes, I sent the email. No, I have not sent it yet. Need to fix this? Open Gmail, send your introduction, then come back and choose Yes. Zoom: Your Live Classroom Zoom is where live classes and school meetings happen. Download the Zoom Desktop Client here. Open Zoom. Choose Sign in with Google. Select your VGO Google account. Pro Tip: Add a clear, school-appropriate Zoom profile photo so teachers can recognize you. Live Class Rules for Success These expectations help every student learn in a focused and respectful class environment. CameraKeep your camera on unless your teacher says otherwise. AudioStay muted when you are not speaking. FocusDo not browse, text, play games, or use social media during class. RespectUse kind language and wait your turn to speak. ArrivalJoin class 1–2 minutes early. PrivacyDo not record, screenshot, or photograph class without permission. Zoom Checkpoint Is Zoom installed, signed in with your VGO account, and are you ready to follow the live class expectations? Yes, Zoom is ready and I understand the expectations. No, I still need to finish this setup. Need to fix this? Download Zoom here, sign in with Google, then return to this step. Buzz: Your Academic Dashboard Buzz is where students view assignments, submit work, watch recordings, and check grades. Open the Buzz Login Page. Select Login with Google. Choose your VGO Google account. Student note: Courses may not appear until the first day of school. Parent note: Parents should use the Veracross Parent Portal instead of Buzz. Buzz Checkpoint Have you opened Buzz and signed in with your VGO Google account? Yes, I signed in to Buzz or understand courses may appear later. No, I have not signed in yet. Need to fix this? Open Buzz, sign in with Google, then return to this step. Where to Turn for Help Knowing how to ask for support is part of being successful at VGO. Student Support AppUse this to request help, schedule meetings, ask about retries, or request extensions. VGO Help DeskUse this for school resources, common processes, Handbook access, and help articles. Pro Tip: Bookmark both pages now. On Mac, press Command+D. On Windows, press Ctrl+D. Support System Checkpoint Do you know where to access the Student Support App and VGO Help Desk? Yes, I know where to get help. No, I am not sure yet. Need to fix this? Open the Student Support App and the VGO Help Desk, then return here. Your Connect Group Connect Group is VGO’s chapel-style gathering. It is a space for worship, biblical encouragement, community, and meaningful conversation. Connect Group helps students pause during the week, grow in faith, hear from leaders, and connect with other VGO students. Pro Tip: Come ready to participate. Connect Group works best when students show up with attention and openness. Connect on Google Chat Google Chat is one of the ways students connect, communicate, and participate in school spaces. Open Google Chat here: chat.google.com Use respectful language. Keep school spaces school-appropriate. Do not share private information. Do not post screenshots or unkind messages. Pro Tip: Treat Google Chat like a school hallway. Friendly, respectful, and clean. Participating in Events VGO events help students build friendships, celebrate school culture, and stay connected beyond class. Watch for event announcements in school communication channels. Check your Portal calendar and weekly emails. Register on time when registration is required. Read event details before joining. Pro Tip: Add important event dates to your Google Calendar as soon as you see them. Join Student Clubs Student Clubs help you explore interests, meet other students, and build community. Watch for club announcements near the start of the school year. Review available clubs and meeting times. Join the correct club space or meeting link. Participate consistently and follow community expectations. Pro Tip: If you do not see a club that fits your interest, ask your Advocate what it would take to start one. Meet the Extended VGO Staff Beyond your Advocate, VGO has teachers, administrators, leaders, and support staff serving students and families. Visit the full VGO team page here: VGO Team Webpage ClassDojo for Elementary Elementary families may use ClassDojo for classroom communication, updates, and teacher connection. If your teacher uses ClassDojo, parents will receive an invitation or setup instructions before or near the start of school. Pro Tip: Parents should turn on notifications so they do not miss teacher updates. One2One One2One connects VGO students to a larger mission: helping make education possible for students around the world. Your education at VGO is connected to impact beyond your own classroom. As you learn, VGO also helps support education for students in developing nations. Pro Tip: Pay attention when One2One stories are shared. They are a reminder that school is not only about grades. It is also about purpose. Valor Global Pathways Classes Pathways classes help students discover interests, build practical skills, and connect learning to future goals. Explore strengths and interests. Build useful real-world skills. Connect learning to future opportunities. Watch your Portal and school communication for available Pathways options. Final Check Before you submit, confirm the essentials. Portal is where I submit assignments. Buzz is where I view and submit assignments. Google Chat is where I submit assignments. I should contact my Advocate first for academic support. I should not ask anyone for academic support. I should join early, keep my camera on unless instructed otherwise, and stay engaged. I can join late, keep my camera off, and multitask. You are ready for VGO Your digital backpack is set up, your school tools are connected, and you know where to get help. Click the button below to send your training completion to VGO. Complete Training Back Continue Training Submitted Your onboarding verification has been sent successfully. Next Step: Check your VGO email and watch for communication from your Advocate. You may safely close this window.