Weekly Parent Update

Dear LAU Students and Families,

It was a sincere delight to see so many of you at our Splash Summit activity! Gathering as a community and connecting with our amazing parents and students is always a highlight.

I was equally thrilled to see the strong turnout for the scholarship seminar hosted by our dedicated school counseling team. To further empower students on their educational journeys, we have added a dedicated, part-time scholarship specialist this year. They will provide personalized guidance to help students discover new opportunities, unlock their full potential, and confidently step onto their next pathway. Please contact our Scholarship Specialist, Kaili Pitts, if you need additional scholarship information or support.

Among these opportunities, the Legacy Learning Scholarship for Seniors stands out as a powerful initiative. Generously supported by the Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) Board of Directors, this scholarship represents a deep and meaningful investment in our students’ futures. Applications open on Monday, September 14, in the LAU Hub and are due by Sunday, January 31, 2026. I strongly encourage every senior to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. To learn more and get started, please visit the Legacy Learning Scholarship web page.

As another part of our scholarship initiative, we will be reaching out to parents to support fundraising events for each class. This money is intended to fund a scholarship for LAU graduates. We are planning to hire a part-time Legacy Scholarship Coordinator to support this process!

Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jeremiah Rogers and Joseph Neratko for their exceptional service to the LAU community. Their dedication, along with the wisdom and insight they have shared as board members, has been instrumental in shaping our school. We are profoundly grateful for the lasting impact they have made on our students’ experiences and our organization as a whole. Thank you for your incredible commitment to our mission!

Warmly,

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Announcements

Save the Date - Legacy Learning Scholarship Info Session: Mark your calendars! Our Scholarship Coordinator will be hosting a live Legacy Learning Scholarship Info Session for LAU seniors at 2:00 PM MT on Wednesday, September 23. To learn more about this event, check out our Info Session flier. *Please note, this event was previously scheduled to be held on October 7 and has been updated.

No Live Classes on September 17: There will be no live classes on Thursday, September 17, due to a scheduled Mentor Work Day. Encourage your student to use the day to catch up, study, or get ahead on upcoming work. Mentor office hours will be held as usual.

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 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!

Camera Expectations Reminder: Students should remain on camera during all live classes to help build connection, accountability, and a safe learning environment. If your student needs to briefly step away, they should send their mentor a private message, such as “BRB,” and leave their camera on while stepping out of view. Please encourage your student to return promptly and come to class ready to participate and engage.

Virtual Therapy Sessions: LAU offers free virtual individual therapy sessions with our licensed therapist for students who may benefit from additional support. If you’re interested in exploring this resource for your student, please review our LAU Therapy Center flier and use the QR code to complete the parent request form. Our therapist will then contact you to discuss options for your student.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Thursday): Pomodoro-Style Study Lab (Check the LAU Hub for details and the Engageli Link)

Weekly (Tuesday through Friday): Drop-In Math Lab (Check the LAU Hub for the details and Engageli Link)

September 11: LAU Fishin’ in the Dark Event (Ogden, UT)—5:30-9:30 PM MT

September 17: Mentor Work Day (No Live Classes)

September 23: Legacy Learning Scholarship Info Session—2:00 PM MT

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

Action Items

State Testing Registration: As a public charter school, Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) participates in state testing each spring. To help you prepare, we’ve created grade-specific letters with important testing information and registration steps. Please read the letter for your student and complete the registration form inside today. Parents who have not submitted a form will receive further outreach by phone and/or text to finalize testing preparations.

• 6th-10th Grade: RISE Registration

• 11th Grade: ACT Registration

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

Announcements

Online Thursday 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!

September Counseling Update & Mental Health Minute: This month's Counseling Update highlights new scholarship opportunities as well as timely reminders about our new Scholarship Specialist and how to check students' graduation progress. In our Mental Health Minute, we focus on the importance of resilience and why it matters for your students' mental health. Check both resources out today!

Utah Public Education Parent Portal: Looking for more ways to support your student this school year? The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) offers helpful information for families through the USBE Parent Portal. Explore resources on accommodations, parent and student success, and more.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Thursday): Pomodoro-Style Study Lab (Check the LAU Hub for details and the Engageli Link)

Weekly (Tuesday through Friday): Drop-In Math Lab (Check the LAU Hub for the details and Engageli Link)

September 7: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

September 11: LAU Fishin’ in the Dark Event (Ogden, UT)—5:30-9:30 PM MT

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

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 with important information and registration steps for your student. Please read the letter that applies to your student and complete the registration form inside.

• 6th-10th Grade: RISE Registration

• 11th Grade: ACT Registration

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

LAU Fishin’ in the Dark Event: All LAU and Williamsburg students, friends, and families are invited to join us at Cold Springs Trout Farm in Ogden on Friday, September 11, from 5:30-9:30 PM MT, as we celebrate the beginning of a new school year. Spend the evening casting a line, enjoying a catered dinner, and playing yard games. For details and registration, visit our Fishin’ in the Dark event web page. We hope to see you there!

Announcements

Checking Your Student’s Grades and Progress: If you want an easy way to stay updated on your student’s academic progress, be sure to check out our new video, Student Performance Data, on our On-Demand Parent Orientation web page. This video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the parent portal, showing you how to check grades, see when your student last logged into Canvas, and monitor progress in each course. It also covers how to identify missing assignments.

Don’t miss this helpful resource! If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our Customer Support Team.

Did you miss our Scholarship Event? Watch the event recording and catch up on everything you need to know. If you have any additional questions about scholarships, please contact our Scholarship Specialist, Kaili Pitts.

SORA Online Library: All LAU students have access to SORA, a digital reading app offering e-books and audiobooks for K-12 students, including some Williamsburg course books. To get started, visit our SORA Online Library web page for instructions.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Week: Per R277-400, LAU is required to establish general criteria for emergency preparedness and emergency response plans. LAU will hold an Emergency Preparedness Week, Monday, February 22, to Friday, February 26, 2027, to highlight different areas of preparedness.

Due to the online nature of our school, LAU has a non-traditional LAU School Emergency Plan for Families, which includes resources for parents and students to review and implement at home.

Please note that our resource list isn’t comprehensive and is offered as a suggestion—your family situation may call for additional research or information.

my529 College Savings Investment Program: As you plan for your student’s future, consider my529, Utah’s official 529 college savings plan. It’s helped families save for their student’s education for over 30 years. Investing now for future education costs can help you avoid paying back borrowed money with interest. You can find more information about my529 by visiting my529.org.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Thursday): Pomodoro-Style Study Lab (Check the LAU Hub for details and the Engageli Link)

Weekly (Tuesday through Friday): Drop-In Math Lab (Check the LAU Hub for the details and Engageli Link)

September 7: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

September 11: LAU Fishin’ in the Dark Event (Ogden, UT)—5:30-9:30 PM MT

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

Action Items

LAU Add/Drop Deadline: Monday, August 24, is the last day for students to add, drop, or change classes this semester. Please note, middle school students must take at least five Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) classes, and high school students must take at least six. All schedule changes must go through your student's counselor, so please contact them before the deadline with any requests. Students who join a new class will need to make up any missed work from the beginning of the semester.

Student Scholarship Information Event: Want to learn how your student can find scholarships and funding for education after high school? Join LAU’s Scholarship Specialist, Kaili Pitts, and our school counselors at 2:00 PM MT on Wednesday, August 26 for our Student Scholarship Information Event. They’ll walk families through scholarship options and applications and answer questions live. Look for the meeting link that day in LAU Hub, email, and Remind. If you can’t make it, we’ll share the recording in next week’s Parent Update.

Announcements

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.

Introducing A.I.M., Our Approach to AI: Students today have tools that can generate answers, ideas, and even essays in seconds. To help students use AI without letting it do the thinking for them, we’re introducing A.I.M.:

• Acknowledge how and where AI was used.

• Inspect its output for accuracy.

• Make it your own by showing your thinking.

A.I.M. helps students use AI responsibly while building critical thinking, judgment, and ownership of their work. When questions come up, Mentors will start with a conversation and presume good faith. Learn more about A.I.M. on Williamsburg Family of Schools’ AI Policies web page.

Study and Math Support for All Students: LAU provides a Pomodoro-style study lab Monday through Thursday from 1:00 PM MT to 2:30 PM MT, and Friday from 10:00 AM MT to 12:00 PM MT. We also offer a drop-in math lab Tuesday through Friday from 3:00 PM MT to 5:00 PM MT.

Links to join both study labs are in the modules section of the LAU Hub. If your student is struggling, please encourage them to join us for these group study sessions to meet other students and get academic help.

Back-to-School Parent Orientation Recording: We had a great Back-to-School Parent Orientation on Monday night! If you missed it, please be sure to watch the recording. We also put together a Q&A Parent Back-to-School Night sheet with answers to the questions parents asked most.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Thursday): Pomodoro-Style Study Lab (Check the LAU Hub for the Zoom Link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:00-2:30 PM MT

• Friday—10:00 AM-12:00 PM MT

Weekly (Tuesday through Friday): Drop-In Math Lab (Check the LAU Hub for the Zoom Link)

• Tuesday through Friday—3:00-5:00 PM MT

August 22: Splash Summit Back-to-School Party (Provo, UT)–10:00–6:00 PM MT

August 24: Course Add/Drop Deadline

August 26: LAU Scholarship Information Event –2:00 PM MT

September 7: Labor Day—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.

Dear Families,

Welcome! We’re thrilled to kick off another inspiring school year at Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU). Our mentors and staff 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 and new student email, 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, scholarships, and student mental health.

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

We’re committed to your student’s success and look forward to supporting you every step of the way. Please contact us if you have questions!

Warmly,

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To ensure continued access to their Canvas courses, all LAU students must complete their Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas by Tuesday, August 18. Students who have not completed these by that date will not be able to access their classes on Wednesday, August 19.

Please work with your student to complete Orientation 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.

Live Parent Back-to-School Night: All LAU parents are invited to our live Parent Back-to-School Night on Monday, August 17, from 6:00 PM MT to 7:00 PM MT. We’ll email you the Zoom link that day. Come meet LAU staff, hear what to expect this year, and connect with other LAU families. We hope to see you there!

Splash Summit Back-to-School Party: LAU students, friends, and families are invited to join us at Splash Summit Water Park in Provo, UT, on Saturday, August 22, from 10:00-6:00 PM MT. This is one of our most popular events and tends to fill up fast. Registration closes on Friday, August 21—or sooner if capacity is reached. For more information or to register, visit our Splash Summit event web page.

Upcoming Events

August 17: Live Parent Orientation & Back-to-School Night—6:00 PM MT

August 18: Student Orientation/Benchmarks Deadline to Complete

August 22: Splash Summit Back-to-School Party (Provo, UT)–10:00-6:00 PM MT

August 24: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 7: Labor Day—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.

Action Items

2026-27 Class Registration: If your student has not yet registered for 2026-27 courses, please do so by today, Friday, May 15. Students with no class schedule on file will have their application withdrawn from LAU on Monday, May 18. If your student is returning next school year, please ensure you have completed their Returning Student Application in SIS and have registered for their classes. If you have any questions about applications or class registration, please contact your student's school counselor.

End-of-Semester Assignment Deadline: Students in both Live and Self-Paced classes must submit all assignments by Friday, May 22, at 5:00 PM MT. After this deadline, all assignments will lock and late submissions will not be accepted. With just one week to go, now is the perfect time to sit with your student, review any remaining assignments, and finish the semester strong!

Returning or Renewing Your Student's Chromebook: If your student has an LAU Chromebook, please complete the 25-26 Year-End Chromebook Reporting Form to let us know whether you plan to keep it over the summer or return it.

If you're planning on returning your student's Chromebook, you have three convenient options:

1. Drop it off at our Clearfield office. Please contact our IT Equipment Specialist in advance to confirm availability.

2. Return it in person at LAU Graduation on Thursday, May 21, in Lehi, UT.

3. Ship it back using a return shipping label, available to families living 25+ miles from the Clearfield office after completing the form.

Announcements

End-of-Year Lagoon Event: Lagoon Day is just around the corner! Join us at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, UT this Wednesday, May 20, from 9:30 AM-4:00 PM MT to celebrate the end of a great school year. Registration closes Tuesday, May 19, so don't wait! Once registered, you will receive a promo code for discounted group-rate tickets. Visit our Lagoon Day event web page for details and to sign up.

May Mental Health Minute: As the school year wraps up, it is normal for students to feel a mix of emotions. This week's Mental Health Minute offers some wonderful guidance on embracing endings, staying connected with friends, and looking forward to what is ahead. Take a few minutes to read through it with your student!

Dear Families,

Cheers to another school year of growth and adventure! We are proud of our Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) community and committed to protecting and nurturing this unique, transformative educational experience.

To expand opportunities for our students, LAU is excited to launch our Legacy Learning Scholarship Foundation, which will award a cash scholarship to every qualified graduating senior who applies. The Foundation will be led by a board of parents and students who will guide fundraising efforts. Every dollar raised and every minute given reflects our hope and trust in the remarkable students and families who make transformational learning possible.

If you are interested in helping build the Legacy Learning Foundation, please contact our Executive Director, John Tripp. We believe this Foundation will deepen relationships and enrich learning for generations to come, and we look forward to working alongside our families to make it a success.

Warmly,

Molly Foster

LAU Board Chair

Action Items

End-of-Semester Assignment Deadline: Students in both Live and Self-Paced classes must submit all assignments by Friday, May 22 at 5:00 PM MT. After this deadline, all assignments will lock and late submissions will not be accepted. With just two weeks to go, now is a great time to sit with your student, review outstanding assignments, and make a plan to finish strong.

Returning or Renewing Your Student's Chromebook: If your student has an LAU Chromebook, please complete our 25-26 Year-End Chromebook Reporting Form to let us know whether you plan keep it over the summer or return it. Chromebooks can be returned in any of the following three ways:

1. Drop it off at our Clearfield office - Please contact our IT Equipment Specialist in advance to confirm availability.

2. Return it in person at LAU Graduation on Thursday, May 21, in Lehi, UT.

3. Ship it with a return shipping label - Available to families living 25+ miles from the Clearfield office and sent after you complete the form.

Announcements

Canvas Update: After multiple cybersecurity attacks, Canvas is back up and running, and all classes, clubs, and office hours will resume as normal on Monday. As a reminder, families and students should stay alert for phishing attempts, including unusual emails, unexpected links, or password reset requests that appear to come from Canvas or school-related accounts. While we have not received reports of specific incidents, these are common tactics following breaches like this, so please use caution with unexpected communication.

May Counseling Update & Mental Health Minute: This month's Counseling Update highlights new scholarship opportunities and important academic guidance, including a change to Language Arts 11 credits. In our Mental Health Minute, we focus on the power of endurance. Take some time to read and discuss with your student how this skill helps them navigate challenges.

End-of-Year Lagoon Event: Join us on Wednesday, May 20, from 9:30 AM-4:00 PM MT at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, UT, as we celebrate the end of another great school year! Register by Tuesday, May 19, to attend. Once registered, you will receive a promo code to purchase discounted group-rate tickets in advance. Visit our Lagoon Day web page for details and to register!

Upcoming Events

May 20: Finals Study Day (No Live Online Classes)

May 20: LAU & WL Lagoon Day (Farmington)—9:30 AM-4:00 PM MT

May 21: LAU Graduation—5:00-7:00 PM MT (Reservation Required)

May 21-22: Finals Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 22: Final Day to Submit Post-Midterm Assessments—5:00 PM MT

June 5: Final Grades Available

June 1-5: Summit Leadership Adventures Session 1

June 8-12: Summit Leadership Adventures Session 2

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

Dear Parents,

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to reflect on the heartbeat of our school community. While many traditional schools focus on the “teacher” as the primary source of information, the essence of our educational model centers on our Mentors.

At Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU), we believe that true education is more than a transfer of facts—it is a journey of personal growth. This is why we lean so heavily into the Williamsburg Family of Schools Mentor model. Our Mentors do not just deliver curriculum—they build meaningful, individual relationships. They care deeply about each student’s unique path, ensuring no one is just a name on a roster, but a person with potential to be unlocked.

Williamsburg and LAU are working even harder to support our Mentors as they refine the specialized skills needed to deliver a transformative learning experience. By focusing on mentorship over simple instruction, we create a space where students feel seen, challenged, and inspired to take ownership of their education.

I want to personally thank you for trusting us with your students and invite you to join me in celebrating the incredible men and women who show up each day to guide, challenge, and champion them.

Warmly,

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

End-of-Semester Assignment Deadline: As we approach the end of the semester, now is a great time to check in with your student about their progress and review upcoming assignment deadlines. All post-midterm assignments are due by Friday, May 22, at 5:00 PM MT. Staying on top of final due dates can help your student finish strong and avoid last-minute stress—thank you for your support!

Returning or Renewing Your Student’s Chromebook: If your student has an LAU Chromebook, please complete the 25-26 Year-End Chromebook Reporting Form to indicate whether you will keep the Chromebook over the summer or return it.

If you plan to drop off the computer at our Clearfield office, please contact our IT Equipment Specialist in advance to confirm availability. If you live 25+ miles from the Clearfield office, a return shipping label will be sent after you complete the form. You may also return the computer on Thursday, May 21, at LAU Graduation in Lehi, Utah.

Update on LAU Student Email Addresses: Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, all LAU student communication will be sent through student LAU email accounts. To prepare, please have your student update their SIS email address to their LAU email if they are currently using a different account.

Announcements

End-of-Year (EOY) Benchmark Testing is on Monday, May 4! Your student’s EOY Benchmark Assessments are now available in the LAU Hub course in Canvas and must be completed by the end of the day Wednesday, May 6. Students in grades 6-11 who do not complete these required assessments will lose access to Canvas and will not be able to take finals until they are done.

Monday, May 4, is a dedicated Benchmark workday, though students are welcome to begin this weekend—encourage your student to complete them early to finish the semester strong.

End-of-Year Parent Satisfaction Survey: Earlier this week, we sent our End-of-Year Parent Satisfaction Survey via Remind. We encourage all parents to take a few minutes to complete it—your feedback is reviewed by our team, the LAU Board, and the Williamsburg Family of Schools and helps guide program improvements. If you need access to the survey or have questions, please contact our Communication Specialist, Sharla Nelson.

End-of-Year Lagoon Event: There’s still time to join us for a day at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, UT, on Wednesday, May 20, from 9:30 AM-4:00 PM MT. Come celebrate the end of another great school year with a fun-filled day at the park. Registered participants will receive a promo code to purchase tickets at a discounted group rate. Visit our Lagoon Day web page for details and to sign up.

Upcoming Events

May 1: LAU & WL Prom (Salt Lake City)—8:00-10:30 PM MT

May 4: Benchmark Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 20: Finals Study Day (No Live Online Classes)

May 20: LAU & WL Lagoon Day (Farmington)—9:30 AM-4:00 PM MT

May 21: LAU Graduation—5:00-7:00 PM MT (Reservation Required)

May 21-22: Finals Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 22: Final Day to Submit Post-Midterm Assessments—5:00 PM MT

June 5: Final Grades Available

June 1-5: Summit Leadership Adventures Session 1

June 8-12: Summit Leadership Adventures Session 2

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