Weekly Parent Update

Action Items

Daylight Saving Time Reminder: Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends this Sunday, November 2. Since Utah observes DST, your student’s class schedule will remain the same, but clocks at home may need adjusting. Remind your student to adjust any personal clocks or alarms so they’re on time and ready to learn on Monday!

Announcements

Course/Mentor Feedback: Did you know that you or your student can give feedback about a course and/or mentor at any time during the school year? Giving feedback is available through Canvas. All you need to do is click on the “Help” button on the left side of the screen and then select “WL Course/Mentor Feedback.” It really is that easy!

Explore Our Parent Video Library! Have you checked out our Parent Video Library yet? It’s packed with short, powerful videos designed to help you support your online student—covering everything from breaking free of low-energy habits, boosting motivation, and building willpower, to understanding the Williamsburg Curriculum™ and our 3-Step Parent Support Plan. Dive in today and discover tools to inspire growth, engagement, and critical thinking!

Opportunities for Student Artists and Writers: This season, there are two great opportunities for any aspiring LAU artists and writers:

• Doodle for Google Scholarship Contest: Open now through Wednesday, December 3, this contest invites students to celebrate their unique strengths through original artwork for a chance to be featured on Google’s homepage. Entries can include drawings, paintings, sculptures, or digital illustrations. For instructions, past submissions, and registration details, visit the Doodle for Google web page.
• Story Con In-Person Event: Join aspiring writers at Story Con on February 27-28, 2026, at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, UT. Students will learn storytelling techniques from 80 professional authors, including Brandon Sanderson and Jennifer A. Nielsen. For more information and registration details, see the Story Con informational flyer.

Special Education Family Support Meeting: The LAU SpEd team is hosting a Family Support Meeting for parents and students on Friday, November 14, at 1:00 PM MT. While this session is designed for students with a 504 or IEP, all parents are welcome and may find the information helpful. The Zoom link will be shared in the LAU Hub and via Remind the morning of the event. If you’re interested but unable to attend, contact Special Education Director Julissa Lundquist to request the recording.

Post-High School Planning Events: Our LAU counselors continue to host events designed to help high school students explore post-secondary education and career opportunities! Each event features presentations from industry experts and includes a live Q&A. We encourage parents and high school students to attend and participate!

Please note: The Zoom links will be sent out in the LAU Hub and via Remind the morning of the event. Event recordings will be available in the Weekly Parent Update following the event.

Upcoming Post-High School Events:

• Virtual College Fair - Wednesday, November 5 at 2:00 PM MT
• Virtual Concurrent Enrollment Information Session - Monday, November 10 at 2:00 PM MT
• Virtual Tech School Fair - Wednesday, November 19 at 2:00 PM MT 

Past Post-High School Event Recordings:

• Paying for College Fair

Upcoming Events

November 5: Virtual College Fair —2:00 PM MT

November 10: Virtual Concurrent Enrollment Information Session—2:00 PM MT

November 14: SpEd Family Support Meeting—1:00 PM MT

November 19: Virtual Tech School Fair—2:00 PM MT

November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break (No Live Classes, Offices Closed)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Action Items

MS Digital Safety Course Access: Middle school students now have access to new Digital Safety Course assignments in the LAU Hub. These non-credit assignments are designed to spark meaningful conversations with parents, siblings, or friends about how technology impacts their lives and how to stay safe online. We encourage parents to review these assignments with their students and discuss these important topics together.

Announcements

Post-High School Planning Events: Our LAU counselors continue to host events designed to help high school students explore post-secondary education and career opportunities! Each event features presentations from industry experts and includes a live Q&A. We encourage parents and high school students to attend and participate!

Please note: Event recordings will be available in the Weekly Parent Update following the event.

Upcoming Post-High School Events:

• Virtual College Fair – Wednesday, November 5 at 2:00 PM MT
• Virtual Concurrent Enrollment Information Session – Monday, November 10 at 2:00 PM MT
• Virtual Tech School Fair – Wednesday, November 19 at 2:00 PM MT

Past Post-High School Event Recordings:

• Virtual Paying for College Fair

Upcoming Events

November 5: Virtual College Fair—2:00 PM MT

November 10: Virtual Concurrent Enrollment Information Session—2:00 PM MT

November 19: Virtual Tech School Fair—2:00 PM MT

November 26-28: Thanksgiving Break (No Live Classes, Offices Closed)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Action Items

Last Chance to Complete Student Surveys! Today is your student’s final opportunity to complete their Course Evaluation Surveys, which are available in their Homeroom Canvas course. Please encourage them to participate—these surveys offer a valuable opportunity to provide feedback on their Live and Self-Paced courses and mentors, helping us improve classes.

Announcements

Mid-Semester Assignment Deadlines: Midterms are next week! Students in both Live and Self-Paced classes must submit all assignments from the first half of the semester by October 15 at 5:00 PM MT. After this deadline, midterm assignments will lock, and late submissions will not be accepted.

Please note: if a student fails their Self-Paced classes, they may not be eligible to take Self-Paced courses in the future.

Virtual Paying for College Fair: Join our school counselors and special guests for our Paying for College Fair on Wednesday, October 22, at 2:00 PM MT. This event will cover scholarships, the FAFSA, and other forms of financial aid, with time for questions and answers. Attendees will also have the chance to win swag and prizes! We encourage all interested high school students and parents to participate. The Zoom link will be shared in the LAU Hub on the morning of the event.

MS Digital Safety Course now available in the LAU Hub: Middle school students will notice new Digital Safety assignments in the LAU Hub. These assignments are not for credit and are designed to be conversation starters for students and their parents, siblings, or friends to help them understand how technology is influencing them and the measures they need to take to remain safe. We encourage parents to review these assignments with their students and have these important conversations together!

2025 Annual Core Standards Survey: Each year, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) administers an annual survey seeking feedback from educators, parents, students, and other interested community members on Utah’s Core Standards. The survey provides the USBE with key insights into the potential need for revisions to the current standards. You can review the current standards by visiting this page, and complete the survey by October 31. The results are expected to be reported to the Standards and Assessment Committee on December 5, 2026.

Upcoming Events

October 13: Midterms Study Day (No Live Classes)

October 14-15: Midterms Testing (No Live Classes)

October 15: All Pre-Midterm Assignments Due—5:00 PM MT

October 16-17: Fall Break (No Live Classes, Offices Closed)

October 22: Paying for College Fair 2:00 PM MT – Zoom link will be added to LAU Hub the morning of the event.

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Dear Leadership Academy of Utah Parents,

We’re thrilled to share the highlights from the 2024–25 Ends Policy Report, reflecting a year of remarkable student success, dedicated mentorship, and meaningful school growth. Your partnership is invaluable, and we deeply appreciate your active involvement in the Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) community.

This year, we achieved significant milestones that reinforce our commitment to academic excellence and preparing principled leaders:

• Top-Ranked Online High School: For the third consecutive year, LAU was named the #1 Best Online High School in Utah for 2025 by Niche.com.
• Highest Graduation Rate Ever: We achieved our highest graduation rate, which allowed us to exit state oversight through the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) plan.
• Increased College Readiness: Our students earned the highest number of collegiate credits in school history, with 124 Concurrent Enrollment (CE) credits earned by seniors.
• Improved Junior ACT Scores: Scores showed significant improvement, with increases of over 2% in every subject.
• Strong Community Engagement: Enrollment grew to 509 students, a 2.6% increase from the previous year, and 100% of surveyed parents reported feeling welcome at LAU.
• High Satisfaction: Students gave mentors an average rating of 4.41 out of 5 and courses a rating of 4.48 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.

While celebrating our successes, we remain focused on areas for continued improvement and growth, guided by your feedback. Our goals for the coming year include:

• Boosting Math Achievement: Increase student performance on state math assessments by 10% and raise the percentage of 11th-grade students meeting the ACT math benchmark to 40%.
• Graduation Achievement: Increase the number of students who complete their graduation requirements.
• Collegiate Course Access: Expand access to collegiate opportunities, allowing students to earn credits toward both higher education institutions and Applied Technology Colleges.

Without your support, feedback, and dedication, these milestones would not be possible. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing to collaborate with you to provide a vibrant and enriching educational experience. Together, we can continue to foster our students’ growth, curiosity, and long-term success.

Sincerely,

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Virtual Paying for College Fair: Join our school counselors and special guests for our Paying for College Fair on Wednesday, October 22, at 2:00 PM MT. This event will cover scholarships, the FAFSA, and other forms of financial aid, with time for questions and answers. Attendees will also have the chance to win swag and prizes! We encourage all interested high school students and parents to participate. The Zoom link will be shared in the LAU Hub on the morning of the event.

Student Course Evaluation Surveys: Student Course Evaluation Surveys are now live in your student’s Homeroom Canvas course. Your student’s feedback helps us improve our curriculum, mentoring, and our courses each year. Please remind your student to complete the survey for each of their Self-Paced and Live courses by Monday, October 6. Surveys will remain open through Friday, October 10.

Announcements

Mid-Semester Assignment Deadlines: Midterms are right around the corner! Students in both Live and Self-Paced courses must submit all assignments from the first half of the semester by October 15 at 5:00 PM MT. After this deadline, midterm assignments will lock, and late submissions will not be accepted.

Please note: if a student fails their Self-Paced courses, they may not be eligible to take Self-Paced courses in the future.

October 6–10 is Williamsburg Spirit Week! Encourage your student to join the fun by dressing up each day and showing their school spirit.

Monday – Zoom Background: Choose a creative virtual background to show off.

Tuesday – Movie Character: Dress as your favorite character from any movie.

Wednesday – Fancy Day: Break out your best formal wear and dress to impress.

Thursday – Dress up as a Mentor: Outfits, accessories, and mannerisms included!

October Mental Health Minute and Counseling Update: This month’s Mental Health Minute newsletter offers tips on incorporating self-care to help manage stress, while the Counseling Update highlights scholarship opportunities and other important academic guidance. Both resources are also available in the LAU Hub. Please take a few minutes to review them with your student!

Upcoming Events

October 3: Murder Mystery Dinner (Clearfield, UT)—7:00 PM-9:30 PM MT

October 6–10: Williamsburg Spirit Week

October 13: Midterms Study Day (No Live Classes)

October 14–15: Midterms Testing (No Live Classes)

October 15: All Pre-Midterm Assignments Due—5:00 PM MT

October 16–17: Fall Break (No Live Classes, Offices Closed)

October 22: Virtual Paying for College Fair—2:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Action Items

Dual/Split Enrollment: Is your student taking one or more classes at a public school while enrolled at Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU)? If so, they are considered dual/split enrolled—and we want to make sure those credits count toward graduation. Please complete our Declaration of Dual/Split Enrollment form as soon as possible so we can accurately track and apply your student’s credits to their transcript.

Announcements

Student Course Evaluation Surveys Open Monday: Student Course Evaluation Surveys open in your student’s Homeroom Canvas course on Monday, September 29. Your student’s feedback helps us improve our curriculum, mentoring, and our live and self-paced courses each year. Please remind your student to complete their surveys by Monday, October 6. Surveys will remain open through Friday, October 10.

Mental Health Minute: In this second edition of the September Mental Health Minute, our counselors share character and personality assessments to help students identify their strengths and interests. Take a few minutes with your student to explore these tools—and talk about how they can apply their strengths in school and beyond.

Upcoming Events

October 3: Murder Mystery Dinner (Clearfield, UT)—7:00 PM-9:30 PM MT

October 6-10: Williamsburg Spirit Week (Dress Up Themes Coming Soon)

October 13: Midterms Study Day (No Live Classes)

October 14-15: Midterms Testing (No Live Classes)

October 15: All Pre-Midterm Assignments Due—5:00 PM MT

October 16-17: Fall Break (No Live Classes, Offices Closed)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Action Items

Couldn’t make it to Parent-Mentor Conferences? If you weren’t able to attend Parent-Mentor Conferences this week, you can still connect with your student’s mentor for a quick update. Use this helpful guide for simple instructions on how to get in touch.

Announcements

Wheeler Farm Fall Dance: Register today! LAU and WL students, along with friends and family, are invited to our fall dance at Wheeler Farm in Murray, UT, this Saturday, September 20, from 7:00-10:30 PM MT. Enjoy dancing, country games, and catering from Seven Brothers Burgers. For more information or to register, visit our Wheeler Farm Fall Country Kick-Off event web page.

Upcoming Events

September 20: Wheeler Farm Fall Country Kick-Off (Murray, UT)—7:00-10:30 PM MT

October 3: Murder Mystery Dinner (Clearfield, UT)—7:00 PM-9:30 PM MT

October 6-10: Williamsburg Spirit Week (Dress Up Themes Coming Soon)

October 13: Midterms Study Day (No Live Classes)

October 14-15: Midterms Testing (No Live Classes)

October 15: All Pre-Midterm Assignments Due—5:00 PM MT

October 16-17: Fall Break (No Live Classes, Offices Closed)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Announcements

Wheeler Farm Fall Dance: LAU and WL students, along with friends and family, are invited to our fall dance at Wheeler Farm in Murray, UT, on Saturday, September 20, from 7:00-10:30 PM MT. Enjoy dancing, country games, and catering from Seven Brother’s Burgers. Registration closes on the day of the event—or sooner if capacity is reached. For more information or to register, visit our Wheeler Farm Fall Dance event web page.

LAU Murder Mystery Dinner: LAU students, friends, and family are invited to join us for a night of intrigue, twists, and theatrical fun on Friday, October 3, from 7:00-9:30 PM MT. Step into the scene of a wedding-turned-crime and help uncover the culprit by searching for clues, interviewing witnesses, and piecing together the mystery. Guests are encouraged to dress in their best wedding attire.

Registration closes on Wednesday, October 1—or sooner if capacity is reached. All guests must be 8 years or older. For more information or to register, visit our Murder Mystery Dinner event web page.

Parent Mentor Conferences: Parent Mentor Conferences begin Monday, September 15, and run until Friday, September 19. An email was sent earlier this week with instructions on how to sign up. Be sure to check your inbox for more details. If you missed the email, please contact our Customer Support Team.

No Live Classes September 18: To accommodate Parent Mentor Conferences, there will be no live classes on Thursday, September 18. Please encourage your student to take this day to study and work on assignments.

Mental Health Minute: In our September Mental Health Minute, our counselors share practical tips for building resilience. Take a few minutes to read with your student—and then talk together about ways to practice resilience in daily life.

Upcoming Events

September 15-19: Parent Mentor Conferences—No Live Classes Sept. 18

September 20: Wheeler Farm Fall Country Kick-Off (Murray, UT)–7:00-10:00 PM MT

October 3: Murder Mystery Dinner (Clearfield, UT) - 7:00 PM-9:30 PM

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Dear Leadership Academy of Utah Families,

Thank you for helping us launch the 2025-26 school year with so much energy and connection! As a virtual school, opportunities for our students to connect in person are incredibly meaningful for building friendships that go beyond the screen. Your participation in our recent kickoff events has set a wonderfully positive tone for a new year of growth, leadership, and learning.

Splash Summit Adventure

The school year kicked off with a fun-filled event at Splash Summit Waterpark. We had the best turnout yet for a kickoff event, with 257 guests in attendance! I enjoyed seeing each of you at the entrance gate. It was the perfect way to enjoy one last summer adventure together, as students and families cooled off on the slides and water features, shared meals, and engaged in conversation. The afternoon was filled with fun and connection, creating memories that will surely carry forward into the school year.

Welcome Back Carnival

Our celebrations continued with one of the largest events in our history, the Welcome Back Carnival on Friday, August 29. It was fantastic to see 265 guests come together in Kaysville, UT, for an evening of fun. The carnival was packed with activities, including face painting, a food truck, game booths, and balloon animals.

A special thank you to our student leaders who helped make the event a success. Our Class Presidents greeted families at the entrance, while the Burger Meets team skillfully ran the game booths and handed out prizes. The highlight for many was the dunk station, where we kept the crowd laughing as mentors bravely took turns getting soaked by students. We also extend our gratitude to Board Member Jeff Walsh for his key assistance at the dunking station!

The entire evening was a reflection of the strong, supportive community we have at Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU).

Supporting Our Families

We want to ensure our families have the resources they need. One valuable tool is the Parent Portal developed by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). In the parent portal, you’ll be able to access resources and materials to support your student. To get to know the Parent Portal better, please review a helpful Parent Portal Flyer and the Family Engagement Newsletter from the USBE.

Thank you again for choosing LAU and for being a vital part of what makes this community so special. These events have set a positive tone of unity and excitement, and we can’t wait to see what our students will achieve this year.

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Create your parent Canvas observer account today! With a Canvas observer account, you can see firsthand which assignments your student has submitted, whether they have been graded, and access other important information. Watch our Setting Up a Canvas Observer Account video to learn how to set up your account.

Announcements

Parent Mentor Conferences: Parent Mentor Conferences begin Monday, September 15, and run until Friday, September 19. Stay tuned for an email with instructions on how and when to sign up!

No Live Classes September 18: To accommodate Parent Mentor Conferences, there will be no live classes on Thursday, September 18. Please encourage your student to take this day to study and work on assignments.

Wheeler Farm Fall Dance: LAU and WL students, along with friends and family, are invited to our fall dance at Wheeler Farm in Murray, UT, from Saturday, September 20, from 7:00-10:30 PM MT. Enjoy dancing, country games, and Seven Brother’s Burgers catering. Registration closes on the day of the event—or sooner if capacity is reached. For more information or to register, visit the Wheeler Farm Fall Dance event web page.

Additional Tutoring Options for Students: If your student needs help with their math homework, has questions about another course, or would benefit from extra support, they can join our drop-in tutoring sessions offered each Tuesday-Friday:

Math Tutoring (all levels) - 3:00-5:00 PM MT

Pomodoro Study Group - 1:30-3:00 PM MT

No pre-registration is required. Students can access the sessions directly through the link in the LAU Hub.

September Counselor Update: This month’s Counseling Update includes important details on the Daniels Fund Scholarship, registration dates for Utah colleges, additional scholarship opportunities, and more. Check it out today!

SafeUT: SafeUT is a free, confidential support for parents and students 24/7. It brings together expert resources and licensed counselors and makes it easy to submit safety concerns. We encourage families to review the SafeUT website together and download the app for quick access when needed.

Thursday Night Activities: Each Thursday, students can connect with peers and get inspired through our alternating events—Thursday Night Live and Inspiration Hour. These weekly gatherings are a fun way to engage with the Williamsburg community while fueling personal growth. The Zoom link can be found on the front page of your student’s Homeroom Canvas course. Encourage your student to join each week and make the most of these events!

Upcoming Events

September 15-19: Parent Mentor Conferences—No Live Classes Sept. 18

September 20: Wheeler Farm Fall Country Kick-Off (Murray, UT)–7:00-10:00 PM MT 

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Action Items

State Testing Registration: As a public charter school, Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) participates in required state testing each spring. To help you prepare, we’ve created grade-specific letters that include important information and the registration steps for your student. Please read the letter that applies to your student and complete the registration form inside:

6th–8th Grade: RISE Registration

9th–10th Grade: Aspire+ Registration

11th Grade: ACT Registration

Students with significant cognitive disability: DLM Testing

Completing registration early supports the extensive planning and coordination that state testing requires and ensures the process runs smoothly for your family.

For more details, please see our Assessments web page. If you’re unsure which registration applies to your student, please contact our Assessment Director, Ashley Cabrera.

Upcoming Events

August 29: Back-to-School Carnival (Kaysville, UT)–6:00-9:00 PM MT

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

September 15-19: Parent Mentor Conferences—No Live Classes Sept. 18

September 20: Wheeler Farm Fall Dance (Murray, UT)–7:00-10:00 PM MT (More Details Coming Soon)

LAU Families,

August is always energetically charged with lots of new beginnings. It is a new season for all of our interests: college football, harvest, hunting, high school athletics, theater, and so forth. I have a daughter who is a seasonal expert. She categorizes movies, books, foods, drinks, and activities as natural to their season and gently encourages us to live seasonally. This can lead to some comical moments as a family when we try to cross into another season too early!

I think we can all benefit from L.M. Montgomery's words in Anne of Green Gables: "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will." As a board, we are grateful for the exceptional administration, staff, mentors, and families that create Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU). With Montgomery’s words in mind, we will enjoy every experience in this upcoming school year. Our minds are made up!

Molly Foster

LAU Board Chair

Action Items

IEP & 504 Support: If your student has an IEP or 504 plan and you have not heard from an LAU staff member about their services, please contact us immediately:

For questions about IEPs, contact our Special Education Director, Julissa Lundquist.

For questions about 504s, contact our Student Success Coordinator, Michele Elliott.

August 29 is the LAU Add/Drop Deadline! Students have 14 days from the start of the semester to determine if they want to continue with, drop, or change a class. When planning your student’s course load, please note that middle school students must enroll in at least five classes, while high school students must enroll in at least six. 

Announcements

SORA Online Library: SORA is a digital reading app with e-books and audiobooks for K–12 students, including some Williamsburg course books. All students can access this resource by following the instructions on our SORA Online Library web page.

Back-to-School Carnival Reminder: Join us for LAU’s first-ever Carnival on Friday, August 29, from 6:00–9:00 PM MT at Pioneer Park in Kaysville! Enjoy food, games, face painting, and even a dunk tank with mentors. LAU students attend free, and friends and family can join for a $5 cover fee. Registration closes Wednesday, August 27, or sooner if full—visit the Back-to-School Carnival web page for details and to save your spot.

Assessment Insight for Parents: The state of Utah requires LAU to administer certain tests each year in order to receive funding. These assessments also give us valuable data to evaluate our programs and better support student success. The more students participate, the more accurate and useful the information becomes—helping us make stronger decisions for our school community.

Upcoming Events

August 29: Back-to-School Carnival (Kaysville, UT)–6:00-9:00 PM MT

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

Dear LAU Parents,

The 2025–26 school year is officially underway! We’re excited to see new and returning faces in our Zoom rooms and look forward to joining your student on their educational journey.

As Mentors and support staff, our greatest desire is to support you in educating your students. Our mentors are licensed, well-trained, highly qualified, and they genuinely care. We focus on teaching students how to think, not just what to think, and know that working with you leads to the best outcomes.

We ask for your help in setting your student up for success this year. Research shows that students are more successful when parents are actively involved in their education. Below are four focus areas that can greatly boost your student’s success:

FOCUS #1: Help Students Create a Quiet Area for Class and Homework

A quiet, distraction-free area helps students focus during class and while completing homework in Canvas. Each live class is only 50 minutes long, so a dedicated space allows them to be fully present and get the most out of their learning time.

FOCUS #2: Encourage Note-Taking

Note-taking improves learning, concentration, and memory. Active note-taking during class and while reading deepens understanding and helps students recall material for out-of-class assignments. Encourage note-taking to become a habit by providing adequate notebooks and offering praise during your weekly check-ins with your student.

FOCUS #3: Establish a Regular Reading Routine

Our educational model centers on interactive classes, engaging discussions, meaningful projects, and the original works of history’s greatest thinkers—making reading essential. While not all students love to read, what they read forms the foundation for learning. Students are best prepared when they read in advance and take their own notes on the material. Spreading reading throughout the week, rather than cramming into long sessions, improves engagement and preparation.

FOCUS #4: Implement the 3-Step Parent Support Plan

We have seen great success from parents who implement the 3-Step Parent Support Plan with their student. Following this plan can positively impact your student’s learning and often turns parents into co-mentors in the process. When parents, mentors, and support staff work together, we can better ensure student success.

Thank you for partnering with us in your student’s education. Please reach out to your student’s mentors with any information that can help them better support your student’s success this year.

Sincerely,

The Williamsburg Learning Academics Team

Action Items

Order Your Student’s Fall Books! Parents are responsible for ordering all books through our Amazon book order process. For step-by-step instructions, visit our Ordering Books & Materials web page. ​​If you need help, contact the LAU Supply Coordinator after you have your book list ready and have confirmed your shipping address in SIS.

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To ensure your student starts the year off strong, they must complete Orientation in Canvas. Students in grades 6–11 must also take three Benchmark Assessments in Canvas. These assessments are used internally to help personalize your student’s learning experience and improve our course curriculum.

If they haven’t already, please work with your student to complete these assignments as soon as possible. Additional details about Orientation and Benchmark requirements are available on Page 6 of the LAU Welcome Packet.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete Orientation and Benchmarks. If they haven’t created one yet, you can find setup instructions on Page 5.

Announcements

Update to Digital Literacy (MS) and Digital Studies (HS) Requirements: In April 2025, the LAU Board approved that students can earn a Digital Literacy/Studies credit by completing LAU live online classes, rather than taking a separate Digital Literacy/Studies course. This change takes effect this school year (2025-26).

The following comes directly from the Digital Studies Requirements Policy:

Middle School Students who successfully complete five credits (one school year) of LAU online courses will be awarded the 0.5 credit required for the Digital Literacy Credit.

High School Students who successfully complete six credits (one school year) of LAU online courses will be awarded the 0.5 credit required for the Digital Studies Credit.

Note: “Successfully complete” means the student earned a C- or higher in their LAU live online courses.

Back to School Carnival: Kick off the school year at LAU’s first-ever Carnival on Friday, August 29, from 6:00–9:00 PM MT at Pioneer Park in Kaysville, UT. Enjoy corndogs, cotton candy, face painting, games—and even a chance to dunk your student’s mentors! LAU students attend free; friends and family can join for a $5 cover fee. Registration closes Wednesday, August 27, or sooner if full. Visit the Back-to-School Carnival web page for details and to save your spot.

LAU School Climate Commitment: LAU is committed to maintaining a school climate that is free of harassment and discrimination. If you have concerns about harassment or discrimination, please contact our Executive Director, John Tripp.

August Counseling Update and Mental Health Minute: Each month, our school counselors share two valuable resources for students: the Mental Health Minute newsletter, with tips for managing stress and maintaining a healthy mindset, and the Counseling Update, which includes scholarship opportunities and other important academic counseling information. These resources will be available in the Weekly Parent Update and the LAU Hub each month. Please take a few minutes to review them!

Upcoming Events

August 15: Splash Summit Event (Provo, UT)–4:00-8:00 PM MT

August 29: Back-to-School Carnival (Kaysville, UT)–6:00-9:00 PM MT

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

Welcome back, LAU families!

We’re thrilled to kick off another inspiring school year at Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU)! Our mentors have been preparing since mid-July to create powerful moments that will inspire and transform your student.

LAU students are dynamic young leaders, each bringing their own talents and drive to the year ahead. It’s truly an honor to work with them, and our entire team is eager to begin this journey with you.

To help you get started, we’ve created a comprehensive LAU Welcome Packet. We encourage you to save it for easy access throughout the year.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need to navigate the first few weeks and beyond, including:

Key Contacts – Reach our Executive Director, IT Specialist, Registrar, and Counselors quickly.

Preparing Your Student – Set up their SIS login, order books, and have them complete Orientation, Benchmark Assessments (grades 6–11 only), and a tech check.

Resources for Parents – Access On-Demand Orientation, our Parent Resource Center, and the Three-Step Parent Support Plan.

Beyond the Classroom – Learn about opportunities like Adventures courses, Early College Enrollment, and Debate.

Counseling Support – Explore how our counselors can assist with academics, college prep, and student mental health.

Top FAQs – Get quick answers about courses, tech support, and supporting your student’s learning.

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Warmest Regards,

John Tripp
Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To be ready for the first day, all students must complete Orientation in Canvas. Students in grades 6–11 must also take three Benchmark Assessments in Canvas. These assessments are used internally to help personalize your student’s learning experience and improve our course curriculum. 

Please work with your student to complete Orientation and Benchmarks as soon as possible. You can find full details about these requirements on Page 6 of the LAU Welcome Packet.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete Orientation and Benchmarks. If they haven’t created one yet, you can find setup instructions on Page 5.

Live Student Back-to-School Night: All LAU students are invited to attend our live Student Back-to-School Night on Thursday, August 14, from 6:00–7:00 PM MT. Students will receive the Zoom link in the LAU Hub course in Canvas. Please encourage your student to join us for games (with prizes!), staff introductions, and time to connect with other students. It’s a great way to kick off the new school year!

Splash Summit Back-to-School Party: LAU students, friends, and family are invited to join us at Splash Summit Water Park in Provo, UT, on Friday, August 15, from 4:00–8:00 PM MT. This is one of our most popular events and tends to fill up fast. Registration closes on Thursday, August 14—or sooner if capacity is reached. For more information or to register, visit the Splash Summit event web page.

Back to School Carnival: Kick off the school year at LAU’s first-ever Carnival on Friday, August 29, from 6:00–9:00 PM MT at Pioneer Park in Kaysville, UT. Enjoy corndogs, cotton candy, face painting, games—and even a chance to dunk your student’s mentors! LAU students attend free; friends and family can join for a $5 cover fee. Registration closes Wednesday, August 27, or sooner if full. Visit the Back-to-School Carnival event web page for details and to save your spot.

Announcements

Parent Back-to-School Night Recording: Our Parent Back-to-School Night was held on Thursday, August 7. If you missed this fun and informative event, you can still catch up by watching the recording here. It’s a great way to get oriented, hear from LAU team members, and feel confident heading into the school year.

Upcoming Events

August 8: Fall Courses Published

August 11-12: Fall Semester Begins (Orientation Coursework Days/Study Days)

August 13: Start of Live Online Classes

August 14: Live Student Back-to-School Night–6:00-7:00 PM MT

August 15: Splash Summit Event (Provo, UT)–4:00-8:00 PM MT

August 29: Back-to-School Carnival (Kaysville, UT)–6:00-9:00 PM MT

August 29: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 1: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed