My name is Ryan Sims and I am excited to welcome you to my class for the 2025-2026 school year at California Virtual Academy (CAVA). I will begin calling families soon, and I look forward to connecting with each of you.
Learning Coaches can reach me at by email at rsims@caliva.org, or by phone at (951) 236-8248 from 8:30 AM–4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Please add my name, email address, and phone number to your phone/contacts as soon as possible, so my emails and calls come through.
Your first day of school is Thursday, August 16th and we will have a homeroom/orientation session at 8:45 am. Learning Coaches are encouraged to join us for this first session if possible.
Your Independent Study Master Agreement (ISMA) will be sent to you soon from CAVAnoreply@spsis.com (not my school email). It may go to your junk box. It is important that this ISMA is signed and returned as soon as possible. Failure to do so before live classes start can result in being withdrawn from this school. Be sure to type the same name shown on the ISMA and sign with both your first and last name, or it will need to be re-done.
So, what should you be doing now?
1. Continue to check your email for communication from me.
2. Make sure you have a working camera and microphone. Students are required to be on camera with a working microphone during all live classes.
3. Log into your learning coach and student accounts to make sure you have correct usernames and passwords. If you are new to CAVA, please create the Learning Coach account, then the student account. Returning students will need to create an online school account, they are not able to log in like last year. Make sure to write the log-in information down and keep it in a safe place!
4. Unpack your books and computer and organize your school space. You will need a quiet place to work with plenty of light and room to spread out.
5. Purchase the following supplies. *Please note that links are just for reference/convenience. You should be able to buy these supplies at a dollar store on the cheap. (I'm sure Jeff Bezos will be fine without more of your money.)
I am looking forward to working with you this year. We will be meeting soon, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Sims
5. Purchase the following supplies. *Please note that links are just for reference/convenience. You should be able to buy these supplies at a dollar store on the cheap. (I'm sure Jeff Bezos will be fine without more of your money.)
- 4 spiral notebooks: (1 for Math, 1 for ELA, 1 for Science, 1 for History)
- 4, 2-pocket folders
- Student planner book (or print blank calendar pages to use)
- Highlighters
- Pencils with erasers
- Ruler pack
- Printer paper and ink (provided by CAVA)
- Headset with microphone (optional, but a great idea if your workspace is loud)
I am looking forward to working with you this year. We will be meeting soon, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Mr. Sims