Welcome Letter Samples

Welcome to Course Name!

Our course officially begins date, but if you want a sneak peek or have a busy work week, you may want to get started, so I’ll open the course on Saturday around 8 AM for those who want an early start.

If you’re enjoying your last few days before school starts, no hurry! Please plan to log in to our course in Canvas and get started on Monday. Our first assignment is due Wednesday, so please give yourself enough to look through the introductory materials and complete your introduction.

What You'll be Learning

As you can imagine, I have a passion for... ! This semester we will be exploring...

Planning your time

I know your time is important, so I want to give you an overview of what to expect. This 3-unit course is designed to take approximately 9 hours per week. To be successful in the course, you’ll need to complete readings, discussions, written assignments, quizzes, and a project. To help you plan your time and balance the workload of this course, due dates will follow a pattern each week:

• Discussions are due Wednesdays
• Assignments are due Sundays

To learn more about the assignments and due dates, log in to the course and review the Syllabus and the Orientation module. 

Tips for Success

I am dedicated to your success and have a few tips for you as we get rolling: 

• Start the course by reviewing the Orientation module and online Syllabus.
• Work through the modules chronologically. Start with the Module Introduction each week, and then continue through the material in the order provided.
• Set up your notifications in Canvas. I’ll be providing feedback for you individually and as whole class, including weekly announcements. Setting your Canvas notifications will ensure you receive this important information quickly. How do I manage my Canvas notification settings as a student?
• Each week, the discussion forum is designed to spark timely dialogue, exchange of ideas, and sharing of your experiences. I look forward to hearing you ideas and learning from you.
• Due dates help us all stay on track, but we know life sometimes gets in the way. If your work will be late, please let me know ASAP. Our communication is essential.
• Consider installing the helpful Canvas Student app for iPhone or the Canvas Student app for Andriod.
• Use me as a resource—I'm here to help!

West Valley College Student Support

The college has many services designed to support your success. Check out all of the options available to you on the Student Services page.

• Counseling: If you have not yet made an educational plan with a counselor or if you have other questions about your academic pathway, use Online Appointment Scheduling to make an appointment with a counselor right away.

• Disability Support: West Valley College’s DESP program is known for going the extra mile to support students, and they will work with you to establish reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities. Visit West Valley College Disability and Educational Support (DESP) online or on campus in the Student Services building. Call DESP at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY).

Okay, are you ready to get started? I hope so, and I can’t wait to meet you. On Saturday around 8 AM please feel free to log in to the course. If you’re wondering how to do that, you can access the Canvas directly from the West Valley College homepage. 

Again, welcome to Course Name!

Your Name

p.s. Did you know that the WVC Portal offers access to Canvas, your @mywvm.wvm.edu student email, and to Office 365 (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel)? 

Dear Students- 

Welcome to course name! I am so glad you decided to join this community of learners. Our course is unique because it is offered in a HYFLEX format. That means you can either attend the course in-person at room number and building or you can join the Zoom meeting in real-time. 

Taking a hyflex course can be daunting! Do I come to class in person? Do I go over Zoom? What does Your Name expect from me? There are a lot of questions! To that end, I've compiled a short list of some ideas for how you might manage your time.  

• Each new module will be posted in Canvas on a Tuesday, so please plan on taking a quick minute on Tuesday after class to check out what you will need to prepare for the next class session.
• The course does NOT have a purchased textbook, instead, we will be using open educational resources and we will still have readings/podcasts/videos. So, please plan time in your week to read/watch/listen. I would say that taking time on the Thursday each new set is posted to make a plan for when in the next week you will complete each task.  
• The class only meets one day a week, Tuesday, and we will use that time to engage in activities that help us engage with and understand the material we need to learn that week. Plan on being active and engaged during that time, even over Zoom. My goal is that you will be excited to get up and attend class each Tuesday, whether from home or on campus.  
• Consider installing the Canvas Student app for iPhone or the Canvas Student app for Andriod to help you keep track of what's due and of any announcements. 
• If you decide to come to campus, please note the following: 
  • If you use public transit, you can apply now for a free VTA clipper card.  
  • If you will be driving to campus, you can get a parking pass by logging into the WVC Portal, going to Finances and Parking, and selecting the Parking Permit ordering link.  
  • Visit the Campus Maps page to find building and parking lot maps, public transit resources, and more. 

Getting excited to get started? I will open our course in Canvas by date, and in the meantime, I’d like to introduce myself to you in this welcome video [hyperlink to your welcome video].

See you on date and time of first class meeting.  

Your instructor,
Your Name