Monday, November 15, 2021

Saying Goodbye...


Dear Families,

Friday, November 19th will be my last day with Visions in Education.

I realize that this is a big message that has a big impact. Please know that this was not an easy or casual decision - It took a lot of time and careful consideration. 

What does this mean for you?

There is nothing that you need to do. You are in great shape. You have your curriculum, semester plans are up to date, fall assessments are complete, grades and progress are on track, and you know what you are doing. Scheduled meetings for this week will go as planned.

You will be assigned a new Visions teacher beginning after Thanksgiving break - at the start of LP4. Your new teacher may even contact you this week. That teacher may do things a little differently, but not much. We all have the same requirements. However, your new teacher might structure meetings differently, they may be more stringent on seeing progress in every subject at every meeting, they may not quite understand everything you have been doing to work towards your educational goals. But that is to be expected. You will be able to work with him or her to figure out a process that works. Just like we did together. 

I will have access to my Visions email and phone until 4:30 pm on Friday. After that Visions will cut off access to those accounts. If you have questions after Friday, or would like to keep in touch, make sure to contact me using my personal phone number: (925) 337-1972. 

Thank you for allowing me to work with your family. It has been an honor and a privilege that I will be forever grateful for. I will miss you and wish you all the best.

Upcoming & Notable


Progress Reports: Grades will be entered by teachers on or before Friday, Nov 19
LP3 Ends: Friday, Nov 19
Ms. Bryon's Last Day: Friday, Nov 19
Thanksgiving Recess: Monday, Nov 22 - Friday, Nov 26
LP4 Begins: Monday, Nov 29 - You will be assigned a new teacher for LP4 onward


Virtual Scholastic Book Fair: Monday, Dec 6 - Friday, Dec 10
LP4 Ends: Friday, Dec 17
Winter Break: Monday, Dec 20 - Friday, Dec 31

LP5 Begins: Monday, Jan 3
MLK Jr. Day (No School): Monday, Jan 17
LP5 Ends: Wednesday, Jan 26
Teacher Work Days (No School): Thursday and Friday, Jan 27 & 28
LP6 (Spring Semester) Begins: Monday, Jan 31

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP3 Agenda - Standards Review and Progress Reports

Monday 11/15
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
1:00 - Uriah, Heileya, Micaiya, & Julianya

Thursday
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Uriah C.

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Last Day Wrap Up/Teacher Meetings

Monday, November 8, 2021

Virtual Scholastic Book Fair

Save the date for Visions Virtual Book Fair! 

  • Fair will be open online from December 6-10, 2021.
  • There is something for everyone with over 5,000 products including Book Fair exclusives, new releases, value packs and more! 
  • Take a moment to click here and browse a few featured items from the 2021-22 Online Book Fair Interactive Flyer.

Open to ALL Visions students from ALL academies

  • Purchases must be made with available Visions student funds up to the following amounts:
  • Homeschool Academy = $92.80 (pre-tax total for $100 maximum)
  • Independent Study & University Prep Academies = $46.40 (pre-tax total for $50 maximum)

Ordering process

  • On Monday, December 6, click on the Online Fair link to access the Visions Scholastic Book Fair page to browse items.
  • For detailed ordering instructions per Academy, please visit the Scholastic Book Fair Event Wire Page.
  • Place orders from December 6-10, 2021.
  • All orders will be shipped to the student’s home.

Questions?
For questions on placing Scholastic Order, please use the Parent/Guardian Help Form.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP3 Agenda - Standards Review and Progress Reports

Monday 11/8
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction (Substitute Teachers)
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Elijah & Hazel
1:00 - Uriah
3:00 - Billy & Ary

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Charlotte
12:00 - Uriah, Heileya, Micaiya, & Julianya

Thursday - Veteran's Day (No School)

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
2:00 - Jezreel
3:00 - Willow L.

Monday, November 1, 2021

Grade Books (6-12th Grade)


I am getting quite a few questions about how to grade 6th - 12th work. I know it can be a little confusing. 

Here is what I'd like you to keep in mind:

  • If you attended public school, you will remember that all teachers graded differently. Some were "easy" graders, some were "hard" graders. They all have some leeway in how they grade -- as do you as a parent educator. 
  • The goal is to assess your students as to their progress towards reaching the standards. Those assessments (in grades 6-12) should include daily work, graded assignments, tests, quizzes, written assignments, projects, and labs where appropriate. Generally NO more than one graded assignment daily, and AT LEAST one or more weekly graded assignments. Which assignments you grade, which ones you allow students to redo, which ones have more weight, is up to you - but they must follow your semester plan.
  • Think of it this way, all public school teachers are required to keep a lesson plan (akin to our semester plan) and a grade book. If your students were attending public school and they received a grade that you disagreed with, you might ask the teacher to show you how they came up with that grade. That teacher would need to provide reasonable evidence. That is what you as the parent educator need to do. If we were ever audited, you would need evidence of how your student earned the grade that you provide. How you do that is really variable, as long as you can justify it.
  • In online curriculum, most things are graded for you and you just add the provided grades to the grade book. When you are using a supported curriculum, it is generally pretty simple to grade assignments. If you are using all project based work, it gets a little trickier. You just need to document evidence of how you come up with your grades.

I have made an example grade book that you can refer to if you are looking for ideas on how to grade. It has 2 examples for middle school and 2 examples for high school. It by no means encompasses all of the options, but it might give you some ideas.

Please let me know if you have questions or comments!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP3 Agenda - Standards Review/Progress Reports

Monday 11/01
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Jonah & Joshua
2:00 - Rhys, Skyler, & Piper

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Hunter
1:00 - Annabella

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Jasmine, Roxie, Fiona, & Edith

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Monday, October 25, 2021

Upcoming & Notable

How is it late October already?
LP3 Begins: Monday, Oct 25


Daylight Saving Time Ends: Sunday, Nov 7
Veteran's Day (No School): Thursday, Nov 11
Progress Reports: Grades will be entered by teachers on Friday, Nov 19
LP3 Ends: Friday, Nov 19
Thanksgiving Recess: Monday, Nov 22 - Friday, Nov 26
LP4 Begins: Monday, Nov 29


LP4 Ends: Friday, Dec 17
Winter Break: Monday, Dec 20 - Friday, Dec 31

Student ID Cards (Repost)

Get your student a Visions ID card. It is easy!

All you have to do is email or text me a picture that follows these guidelines. I will take care of the rest. IDs will come in the mail to the address you have on file.

Why get an ID card? Student ID cards are necessary for students who need photo identification for any of the following: jobs, testing, field trips, enrolling in community college and receiving student discounts. On top of that, they are just great to have.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP3 Agenda - Standards Review

Monday 10/25
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
All Day Teacher Professional Development

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Willow H. 
1:00 - Jacob
2:00 - McKenna

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Akira
1:00 - Tiffany, Madison, & Logan

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Wyatt
1:00 - Lucas & Elias
3:00 - Ella

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Monday, October 18, 2021

Vaccination Update


Here is the Wire link on the subject.

But what you need to know is:

  • On October 1, 2021, Governor Newsom announced that all students at public and private K-12 schools in California will be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19
  • This mandate will be a condition of in-person attendance. A student who is not vaccinated may remain enrolled at Visions In Education.
  • As of now, the requirement still leaves open the possibility for families to opt out. Since the mandate comes from the governor, and not the Legislature, it allows exemptions for medical, religious or personal reasons
  • As of now, Visions will be waiting until we receive further direction from the State; therefore, "we do not anticipate taking any further action until that time". 

Assessments Reminder

All assessments are due by the end of LP2, that is this Friday, October 22. Please contact me if you are having any issues completing the assessments.

 


Thank you to all students who completed either the iReady or MAP assessments!

AMAZING JOB!

The results have been so fun to see. Overall, students are doing really well. And now we have some solid information about what to focus on this year for student growth and success. It has been a good thing.

If your student completed their assessment and you haven't gotten the assessment results, please email me and I will send them to you. 

At this time, I am not sure what Visions is planning for students that test below grade level. Last year we were told that all students that tested below grade level would need interventions (iReady curriculum or other). I will provide more information as to what this means after our next professional development on Monday the 25th.

New Phone Number (Repost)


Visions has provided all teachers with a new work phone that we are now required to use for ALL work related purposes. 

My work number is:

916-908-9798

Please update the new number in your contacts and use it for calls and texts from now on. 

Thank you!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP2 Agenda - Work Samples & Assessment Results

Monday 10/18
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Uriah, Heileya, Micaiya, & Julianya
3:00 - Billy & Ary

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction
Principal Meeting

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Monday, October 11, 2021

ARC Automotive Program


Open to students from all academies who are 16 years or older with a 2.0 GPA or better.

See the Wire post here.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP2 Agenda - Work Samples & Assessment Results

Monday 10/11
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Tuesday
9:00 - 9:30 - TK Synchronous Instruction (Substitute Teachers)
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Wyatt
1:00 - Uriah

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
1:00 - Charlotte
2:00 - Jezzy
3:00 - Willow L.

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
3:00 - Rhys, Skyler, & Piper

Monday, October 4, 2021

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP2 Agenda - Work Samples & Assessment Results

Monday 10/4
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Tuesday
9:00 - 9:30 - TK Synchronous Instruction (Substitute Teachers)
PERSONAL DAY

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Hunter
1:00 - Annabella

Thursday

9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Jasmine, Roxie, Fiona, & Edith

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Group Meeting (Pioneer Park)
11:00 - Jonah, Joshua, Elijah, & Hazel

Monday, September 27, 2021

Assessment Updates


Thank you to all students who completed either the iReady or MAP assessments in LP1!

AMAZING JOB!

The results have been so fun to see. Overall, students are doing really well. And now we have some real information about what to focus on this year for student growth and success. It has been a good thing.

Don't forget to email me when your student completes the assessments, so I can email you the reports.

If you have NOT completed your assessments yet, please try to do them this week. They NEED to be done by the end of LP2, but the earlier, the better!

Fall Semester Work Samples Due Soon!

 


What and Why...
Twice per school year, (once each semester) Visions collects official work samples from students. These samples are intended to show our auditors that our enrolled students are actually enrolled, and that they are engaging in the academic activities on their master agreement and semester plan. They are also used to demonstrate that there is a responsible adult who is reviewing and/or grading their work.

When..
Due on or before your LP2 meeting. 

How...
Samples must be work completed in LP1. You may submit samples from your own curriculum, use the provided samples (grades K-8), or any combination of the two. (9th - 12th grade courses are so variable that it is impossible to create packets.)

Please provide one written sample from each subject.

Instructions for using provided samples (K-8th grades): 

  • Download and print the work sample packet or individual pages you intend to use.
  • Have your student complete the worksheet(s).
  • Grade and or comment on each sample in a different color than the student worked.
  • Please do not put dates or LP#s on worksheets.
  • Please leave upper right corner blank for the school's generated label.
  • Match the standard code on your semester plan drop-downs for LP1 to the one on the sample. (Change the code if you need to, or we can do it together at the meeting.)
  • Either scan and email the samples to me or take a clear, square picture of the entire sample with your phone and text it to me. I will confirm that I received them and let you know if I need anything else. If you choose to do a work sample via Google Docs, just share the document with me allowing me to edit it.

If you would rather submit samples from your own curriculum (and all 9-12th graders):

  • Samples cannot be from a religious publisher (handouts, worksheets with publisher’s name on them). 
  • Match the standard drop-downs on your semester plan for LP1 to the samples. You can make your best guess here, and I will help you when I collect the samples.
  • Samples cannot be a test or multiple choice, they must show student work. (Samples where student just matches, underlines, or circles items are not sufficient, there must be some written work on the page
  • Grade and or comment on each sample in a different color than the student worked.
  • Please do not put dates or LP#s on worksheets.
  • When possible, please leave upper right corner blank for label.
  • Either scan and email the samples to me or take a clear, square picture of the entire sample with your phone and text it to me. I will confirm that I received them and let you know if I need anything else. If you choose to do a work sample via Google Docs, just share the document with me allowing me to edit it.

Please don't hesitate to call, text, or email with questions about work samples.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP2 Agenda - Work Samples & Assessment Results

Monday 9/27
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Teacher Professional Development - All Day

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
12:00 - Willow H.
1:00 - Jacob
2:00 - McKenna
3:00 - Billy & Ary

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Akira
1:00 - Tiffany, Madison & Logan

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction
Student Meetings (Virtual)
11:00 - Wyatt
1:00 - Lucas & Elias
3:00 - Ella

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day/Teacher Meetings