Member Handbook

No, your child does not have to be homeschooled in order to register with Kaleidoscope. Kaleidoscope accepts four categories of students:

CLK Virtual Programs: Shared-Time Student

A shared-time student is able to take up to five non-core electives through CLK’s Virtual Programs Partners, funded by CLK. Students who are enrolled in an online public school (such as Connections Academy, K-12, or other state-funded online public schools) are NOT considered homeschooled students. 

CLK Virtual Programs: Full-Time Virtual  Student

A full-time student is able to take at least one non-core elective through CLK’s Virtual Programs Partners, funded by CLK.

Traditional CLK Student

A CLK student is able to use one of their non-core school electives through CLK’s Virtual Programs Partners, funded by CLK.

Self-Pay Student

A Self-Pay student does not need to be enrolled in any CLK programs and can pay out of pocket for any Kaleidoscope electives or classes. Any student who has reached their maximum of electives funded through CLK may enroll in additional electives as a Self-Pay Student. This is also an option for students who are enrolled in public school, virtual or not, that is not associated with CLK or UPVA.

• Your child’s name, date of birth, grade, and address.
• Contact information for up to two parents/guardians for your child.
• The number of electives that your child will be enrolling in through Kaleidoscope.
• The specific electives that your child will be enrolling in through Kaleidoscope.

Additional information collected by the CLK School District is not retained by Kaleidoscope.

Yes, your child can be registered with both Kaleidoscope and another CLK Virtual Programs Partner. CLK Students and CLK Virtual Programs Students may not exceed their allocated funded electives. For example, a CLK Virtual Programs: Homeschool Student could choose to take one elective with a partner other than Kaleidoscope, and would then only be able to take four funded electives through Kaleidoscope. Self-Pay Students are not limited by elective restrictions.

Your child will have access to weekly virtual content via the learning platform Seesaw. Each elective will have 28 weeks of content, 14 weeks per semester. The assignments for the whole semester will be available at the beginning of each semester so that a student may complete the work at his or her own pace.  This content primarily serves two purposes:

• It demonstrates the content, duration, and rigor expected by the State of Michigan for electives.
• It offers a starting point for students who may want to expand their studies of a particular subject beyond what is taught in class. Many of the virtual resources provided can be used to further independent study.

Seesaw is the learning platform that Kaleidoscope uses to manage our virtual content. 

You will receive Seesaw login information for your child at the beginning of the school year. In order for your child to use Seesaw, you will need to follow the Seesaw tutorial most applicable to your device. 

Seesaw Tutorial for Desktops and Laptops

Seesaw Tutorial for Mobile Devices

Each semester’s assignments will all be available at the beginning of the semester. Your child can log in to complete the assignments once per week or create their own schedule for completing the work. To do the assignments,  your child will need to log in to Seesaw and check their activities in each class. They will be asked to engage with virtual content (either directly on Seesaw or through an external link) and submit an activity response using one of the following options:

• type a response within Seesaw
• draw a response within Seesaw
• record an audio response within Seesaw
• record a video response and upload it to Seesaw
• take a photo and upload it to Seesaw
• create a file and upload it to Seesaw

An instructor will respond to your child’s activity response using Seesaw’s comments feature.

You can request technical support at any time. If you encounter a technical issue that cannot be overcome, Kaleidoscope administration will work with you to find other ways of completing the activities.

We understand that there could be a variety of reasons for a child not completing a virtual activity. Please contact us so we can discuss the situation and work out an alternative plan.

Basecamp Optional Learning Experience classes meet once a week at Kaleidoscope L’Anse or Kaleidoscope Hancock and include hands-on activities led by an instructor in a small group setting. Classes may take place online (via additional online content, live-streaming with the instructor, or other similar scenarios) in case of school closures, snow days, or other emergencies.

Explorer Optional Learning Experience classes are based at either Kaleidoscope L’Anse or Kaleidoscope Hancock, meet at varying times and locations, and include hands-on activities led by an instructor in a small group setting. Classes may take place online (via additional online content, live-streaming with the instructor, or other similar scenarios) in case of school closures, snow days, or other emergencies.

Solo Optional Learning Experiences are student-led and are ideal for students who want to take lessons or classes in the community or expand on their Virtual Elective in their own homes. Students and families plan these OLEs themselves, and Kaleidoscope provides funding, resources, and support.

There are no specific restrictions on which Community Experts can teach your child. All instructors hired by Kaleidoscope have completed background checks.

This might include teacher manuals, student manuals, workbooks, and books.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B to create a violin class. I’m buying music lesson books, music theory books, sheet music, and composition paper.
• Example 2: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m buying bird identification manuals.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Skiing C. I’m buying a book on how to ski.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Cultures B. I’m buying a book about how to learn French.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in STEAM A to create a puzzles class. I’m buying a book on logic puzzles strategy for kids.

This might include any physical resources and manipulatives that could be used in the class, that would be reusable after the completion of the class.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B. I’m buying a violin and a music stand.
• Example 2: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m buying binoculars.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Skiing C. I’m buying a pair of skis.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Cultures B. I’m buying a French dictionary.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in STEAM A. I’m buying puzzles.

This might include any physical resources and manipulatives that could be used in the class, that would be depleted during the course of the class.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B. I’m buying rosin.
• Example 2: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m buying a sketchbook and colored pencils.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Skiing C. I’m buying a notebook for journaling about ski lessons.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Cultures B to study French. I’m buying ingredients to cook a French meal.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in STEAM A. I’m buying a 3-D puzzle that will be glued together.

This might include ongoing lessons and classes, or individual events, that are taught by someone in the community or online.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B. I’m enrolling my child in violin lessons with a local teacher.
• Example 2: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m enrolling my child in a local bird-watching class.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Winter Sports C. I’m enrolling my child in ski lessons.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Languages B. I’m buying access to an online French class for kids.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in Build A. I’m paying a local Community Expert to help my child with puzzles strategy.

This might include performances, workshops, or presentations. Tickets can be reimbursed for the child enrolled in the class as well as one adult chaperone.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B. I’m buying tickets for my child and me to attend an orchestra concert.
• Example: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m buying tickets for my child and me to watch a presentation by a visiting scientist.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Skiing C. I’m buying tickets for my child and me to watch a downhill ski competition.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Cultures B. I’m buying tickets for my child and me to attend an international food festival.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in STEAM A. I’m buying a visit to an escape room for my child and myself.

This might include magazines, kits, or online resources that include a monthly fee.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B. I’m buying a subscription to a youth music magazine.
• Example 2: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m buying a subscription to a monthly nature activity kit.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Skiing C. I’m buying a subscription to an online youth ski magazine.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Cultures C. I’m buying a subscription to a monthly kit with resources to cook international foods.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in STEAM A. I’m buying a subscription to a monthly puzzle club.

This might include museums, science centers, arts centers, sports centers, or other facilities that require a fee. Fees can be reimbursed for the child enrolled in the class as well as one adult chaperone. Family memberships are acceptable.

• Example 1: I have enrolled my child in Music B. I’m buying a membership to a History of Music museum.
• Example 2: I have enrolled my child in Nature A. I’m buying tickets for my child and me to visit a natural history museum.
• Example 3: I have enrolled my child in Skiing C. I’m buying a membership to use the local ski hill.
• Example 4: I have enrolled my child in World Cultures. I’m buying a membership to a natural history museum.
• Example 5: I have enrolled my child in STEAM A. I’m buying tickets for my child and me to go to a science museum.

Group Experiences are activities outside of regular electives that allow a group of Kaleidoscope students to participate in an Optional Learning Experience together. Any Kaleidoscope parent/guardian, staff member, or instructor may choose to facilitate a Group Experience.

Kaleidoscope’s goal is to offer at least one special event per year related to each elective. Most special events are available to families either free or at a low cost. Families will be informed of special events via Kaleidoscope’s website, newsletter, social media, mailing lists, Seesaw, and by instructors.

Be sure that your child meets the qualifications for purchases:

• Enrollment in Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw (CLK) School District’s Virtual Programs or enrollment with Kaleidoscope as a scholarship student
• Registration with Kaleidoscope
• Completion of CLK Count Month requirements (not applicable to scholarship students)
• Consistent completion of virtual assignments

Items purchased for a class must be used by the student to actively further their knowledge in that subject, must not be considered “core material,” and must be within the values of Kaleidoscope. 

Kaleidoscope identifies core material as follows: “Curricula that an instructor would use as a primary source in teaching their child skills appropriate to their ability level in mathematics, science, social studies, or English language arts.”

If you are unsure if an item would be considered “core,” please contact us for clarification.

Kaleidoscope can reimburse purchases made for both goods (consumable and non-consumable physical items) and services (lessons, classes, etc.) 

You can purchase materials yourself and save the receipts in order to be reimbursed by Kaleidoscope. Receipts can be submitted using our online Elective Purchases Form.

Kaleidoscope can make your purchases for you. Requests for direct purchases can be made using our online Elective Purchases Form. This form is available on each student’s tab on their family’s Kaleidoscope webpage. The following restrictions apply to direct purchases:

• They will only be processed after Count Month Requirements have been met.*
• They will be submitted by  Kaleidoscope Staff 7 to 10 days after requests.
• As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Kaleidoscope can make some purchases without paying tax. If your purchase is being made through Amazon.com you may want to purchase it directly through Kaleidoscope so that the purchase is not taxed.

*Exceptions are made on request for families in good standing, or when Kaleidoscope has organized an event that can be paid for by families as a direct purchase.

Read through our Elective Funding Policy to fully understand which purchases will be reimbursed by Kaleidoscope. 

No, your purchases do not need to be pre-approved. If you prefer to have them pre-approved, however, you can submit an online pre-approval request using our Elective Purchases Form.

You can keep track of your reimbursements for each elective by printing out copies of the Elective Spending Tracker Worksheet. You can also check your student’s funding levels via your family page on the Kaleidoscope website.

See Uses for Optional Learning Experience Funding for examples and ideas.

In-person classes will be most affected by our COVID-19 Plan. All students, staff, and family members in our buildings will be expected to follow the most recent COVID guidelines. Staff will regularly disinfect surfaces. Instructors will adapt their classes as necessary, either by rescheduling or offering additional virtual material.

Optional Learning Experiences in the community may need to be canceled or rescheduled. Kaleidoscope offers support for families that might need to adapt their plans.

Click here to see our current board of directors.

Click here to see current staff.

Is this the right Seesaw login procedure for me?

1. Go to the login page on the Seesaw website.
2. Click on “I’m a Student.”
3. Where it says “Email,” type in your login email (this will be assigned to you by Kaleidoscope.)
4. Where it says “Password,” type in the login password (this will be assigned to you by Kaleidoscope.)
5. Click on “Student Sign In.”
6. You should see your child’s name in the upper left hand corner.
7. Click on your child’s name in the upper left hand corner and read through the list of electives. If any of the electives listed are not what your child is signed for, or any are missing, please email programscoordinator@kaleidoscope-education.org with that information.
8. Click on an elective.
9. Click on “Activities” on the right side of the page.
10. Select an activity that your child has not yet completed.
11. Read through the instructions for that activity.
12. Click on the green “Add Response” button
13. Respond in whichever way the instructor has asked for a response (there may be multiple options.)
14. Submit your response.
15. Repeat as necessary until all elective responses have been recorded.
16. Click two times on your student’s name in the upper left hand corner and select the red “Sign Out.”
17. You have completed your weekly Virtual Documentation.

If you encountered any issues with Seesaw, or have any questions, send an email to programscoordinator@kaleidoscope-education.org with the heading Virtual Documentation so that Kaleidoscope administration can address your concerns.

Is this the right Seesaw login procedure for me?

1. Download the Seesaw Class App (not the Family app)
2. Open the Seesaw Class App.
3. Click on “I’m a Student.”
4. Click on “Google/Email Sign In.”
5. Where it says “Email,” type in your child’s login email (this will be assigned to you by Kaleidoscope.)
6. Where it says “Password,” type in your child’s login password (this will be assigned to you by Kaleidoscope.)
7. Click the blue “Sign In” button.
8. Click on the icon in the upper left hand corner and read through the list of your child’s electives. If any of the electives listed are not what your child is signed up for, or any are missing, please email programscoordinator@kaleidoscope-education.org with that information.
9. Click on an elective.
10. Click on “Activities” on the right side of the page.
11. Select an activity that your child has not yet completed.
12. Read through the instructions for that activity.
13. Click on the green “Add Response” button
14. Respond in whichever way the instructor has asked for a response (there may be multiple options.)
15. Submit your response.
16. Repeat as necessary to complete all elective activities.
17. Click on the icon in the upper left hand corner of the screen to display your child’s name.
18. Click on your child’s name.
19. Click on the red “Sign Out” text.
20. You have completed your weekly Virtual Documentation.
21. If you encountered any issues with Seesaw, or have any questions, send an email to programscoordinator@kaleidoscope-education.org with the heading Virtual Documentation so that Kaleidoscope administration can address your concerns.