STAR Testing

Excellent job on your STAR TESTING! Most everyone was on time and finished testing without any difficulties. Super job.

LP9 Grade Check

Yep, LP9 already. Wow this year is flying by! Please, students and parents, do a grade check on Engrade if you haven't lately. It is super important at this stage to keep track of your grades so there are no surprises at the end of the year.

If you have forgotten how to check grades on Engrade, drop me an email and I will explain.

If you have ANY questions about a grade, let me know as soon as possible.

Upcoming Spring Events

Did you hear? This is the time of year when we host a variety of locations for our students to present projects of all types (including science exhibits) and to perform their many talents.

Link to form:  Projects, Science Fair, and Performance Enrollment Form

How can students participate in the projects and science exhibits?
Students can be a participant or an observer.  This opportunity affords students a place to present projects, hobbies or science exhibits they have completed in the 2011-2012 school year.  This is also a viewing opportunity for students to see what their academic peers are doing.

How can students participate in the performance events?
Students can again be a participant or an audience member.  This is an opportunity for student to perform their talents before an audience of Visions families and students.  Performers are from all grades and all levels of ability.

Where do these events take place?
As you will see on the flyer linked above, we have three separate locations this year, Concord, Galt and Carmichael. Each event will have the same offerings.

How do we enroll?
Open the linked document at the top of this page.  It is a two page document. Follow Steps 1 - 5.  Submit the completed form as follows:

Galt and Carmichael: 
Email: napeterson@viedu.org
Fax: 916-971-5371
Deliver to: Home School office in Building A of the Visions Main Office
Mail to: Visions in Education, Attn. N. Peterson, 4800 Manzanita Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608

Concord:
Submit the completed form to your CT or email to: mkammerer@viedu.org

NOTE:  For planning and school facility use records, please ask your CT to enroll each participating student in the Launchpad Activity # listed on the form.

If you have any questions contact the following:

Galt and Carmichael locations:  Nancy Peterson at napeterson@viedu.org or 916-971-5518.
Concord location:  Your Visions CT, or email mkammerer@viedu.org, or the contact above.

STAR TESTING STARTS  TOMORROW!

Do you know where you need to be? When you need to be there? Double check this info because the sites and times are not necessarily the same as last year.

The test days for our locations are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. April 23, 24, and 25.

9-11 students take the Language Arts test first on Tuesday and then can take their remaining tests in any order they choose. Students can take as many of the remaining tests as they feel comfortable taking in the time allowed. Students may return on Wednesday and possibly Thursday depending on how much time they need. Please refer to the letter Visions sent out to see how many tests you are scheduled for. If you did not receive a letter, or have misplaced it, email me and I can look it up for you.

Please note that all 9-11th graders are testing in the afternoon on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Please arrive 15 minutes early for check-in!

Community Presbyterian Church
2800 Georgia St.
Vallejo, 94591

Tues. (12:30-4), Wed. (12:30-4), Thurs. (9-1 as needed)
Click here for schedule and directions

Anastassia
Jalila
Sara

New Life Christian Fellowship
3535 Chestnut Avenue
Concord, 94519

(I will be proctoring here Tuesday - Thursday)
Tue. (12:30 - 4:00), Wed. (12:30 - 4:00), Thurs. (9-1)
Click here for schedule and directions

Brandon
Haven
Kaitlyn
Alexander
Anthony
Margaret
Jeremiah
Alissia

 

College Fair on Wednesday, April 18

University of the Pacific, located in Stockton, will host one of the largest college fairs in the Central Valley, giving area students quick access to representatives from hundreds of colleges and universities from across North America. The Western Association for College Admission Counseling College Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 18 in the Alex G. Spanos Center on Pacific’s Stockton campus.

The college fair will offer numerous sessions in the evening to help prospective college students with the search process:
• Sessions detailing the college search process, to help future students search for their ideal school effectively.
• Bilingual session for Spanish and non-English-speaking individuals on the college search process.
• Informational session about the process of applying for different types of financial aid, to help students get the most for their money.

Staff and students may learn more by clicking here.

STAR Testing - Next Week!

Everyone should have received a letter from the Visions office concerning your testing site and the tests you are scheduled to take. Please contact me if you have questions!

Most of you will be testing only one day. Depending on how many tests you are scheduled to take you may have to come back the second day. Usually 9-12 students do not need to test on the third day unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Each student is different. Each student will be taking tests depending on his or her current course schedule.  Please understand that students will need some flexibility regarding pick-up and what time they will be finished.

Good luck! Do your best. If you are testing at the Concord site, I will see you there. 

Meanwhile...
Visions has created a site with some tools to help you prepare. Visit https://sites.google.com/a/viedu.org/visionsstarsupport/ to check it out.

2012-2013 School Year Calendar

Visions' 2012-2013 School Year Calendar is now available. It is also posted in the e-handbook.

Planning for Graduation - June 13, 2012

Congratulations Class of 2012!
Commencement ceremonies will be held at 3:00 pm on June 13, 2012 at the Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento. Students will receive a detailed letter with more information and instructions in the beginning of May.

Senior check-out for graduation is scheduled for June 6, 7, and 8th from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm at Visions' Resource Center in Carmichael. Students will be able to return their books and materials, receive their six graduation tickets and purchase their caps & gowns for the graduation ceremony.

Please note that due to a large graduating class there will be no be extra tickets available, so please plan accordingly.

Students interested in ordering graduation announcements, class rings, and other senior merchandise can visit the Josten's website at www.jostens.com.

Prevent/Stop Launchpad Issues

Please use Google Chrome with Launchpad.

Many students are reporting errors with the updates in Firefox. For some reason the new version of Firefox won't save all of your entries in Launchpad.

Chrome works consistently with Launchpad. So please...if you aren't already, use Google Chrome as your Internet browser when using Launchpad.

How do you get Chrome? Click here.

One Week Until Spring Break!

April 2 through April 6

2012 Visions In Education Writing Contest

To promote the culture of writing on our campus and to celebrate our students, Visions is launching its first writing contest. Students from all academies and all grades are invited to participate. This year’s contest theme, “Where I’m from…” originates from a famous poem by George Ella Lyon. Poet and novelist Wendell Berry once said, “If you don’t know where you’re from, you’ll have a hard time saying where you’re going.” This writing contest will encourage students to explore their own uniqueness and give them an opportunity to create something of themselves to share with all of us.

Contest Details

Writing Prompt: “Where I’m from…”

What makes you who you are? Is it the place you live? Your family and friends? Your music, art, or hobby? Your favorite view of the river in the morning? Your mom’s tacos? Write about what makes you you. Write about what and where you come from and who you are. Your writing may take the shape of a narrative essay about yourself, a fictional short story, or a poem.

For a lesson plan to inspire ideas about how to approach this topic, click here. If you would like a poetry template to help you get started, click here. Check out George Ella Lyon’s original poem, “Where I’m From,” and read her suggestions for how to use this poem as a brainstorm for other types of writing here.

Prizes/Celebration

Prizes will be awarded by academy and grade groupings. Ten students will be selected to win a $50 prize! All Finalists will receive a Certificate of Honorable Mention. All Winners will be published in The Word Squad, Visions in Education’s new online literary magazine that will debut in the fall of 2012. Winners will be invited to attend a celebration event in the fall of 2012.

Categories

1. Narrative: Write a personal narrative of no more than four double-spaced, typed pages.
2. Fiction: Write a short story of no more than five double-spaced, typed pages.
3. Poetry: Write a poem of no more than 50 lines.

Submission Guidelines

• Type the following information at the top of your entry
• First name, Last name
• Email Address
• Grade
• CT name
• Academy (9-12, Home School or EDGE)
• Writing Category (Narrative, Fiction, Poem)
• Title
• Entries and poems must be typed and double-spaced. Single-spaced prose will not be read. Please give your story, essay and or poem a title.
• Multiple submissions are allowed. (You may enter more than one piece to the contest and may enter multiple pieces in each category.)
• Please send your entry attached to an email to thewordsquad@viedu.org with the words “Writing Contest” in the subject line. You may send a document or PDF file.
• DEADLINE: Entries must be received by midnight, May 15, 2012. Winners will be notified and prizes awarded within 30 days of the close of the contest.
• Entries must be previously unpublished and the original work of the student.
• Parents of very young writers may type the writing for their child. Technical ability must be consistent with grade level.
• Entries should be proofread and edited. Have a parent or teacher read your work.
• Students whose work is to be published in The Word Squad will be asked to complete a permission form with a parent/guardian signature.

Visions T-Shirts and Sweatshirts are Available for Purchase

Class of 2012 t-shirts are now available for $12.00.
Visions' sweatshirts are available for $23.00.
Visions' t-shirts are available for $10.00.





To purchase a t-shirt, class t-shirt, or sweatshirt, students and families may

• Stop by the Human Resources office, in Building C, at 4800 Manzanita Avenue in Carmichael, or 
• call Donna Glenn at 916.971.5526,  or
• Download the order form, fill it out and give the form along with payment to their teachers--who can then pick up the order when they next are here for a professional development meeting.

This Week's Meetings

Tuesday

Online tutoring by appointment

Tylor - 3:30 pm 

Wednesday

Antioch Public Library

Anthony - 12 pm

Haven - 1:30 pm

Angie - 3:00 pm

Thursday

Benicia Public Library

Belinda - 12 noon

Sara - 1:30 pm

Friday

Concord/Walnut Creek

Alissia - 12 noon

Alex - 1:30 pm

Margaret 3:00 pm

Visions to Host ASVAB Exam on April 19

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)  is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps students learn more about career exploration and planning, in both the civilian and military worlds of work. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.

The test time will be from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm in the PDC. A list of students who have expressed interest has been started.

If you are interested, please send me an email.

Your Student’s Doodle Could Win Thousands for School, College

2009 Google4Doodle Winner

Doodle 4 Google is a nationwide contest open to all K-12 students in which contestants not only get a shot at having their art featured on the search engine’s homepage but also at a $30,000 college scholarship grand prize.

The winning student artist also will receive a Google Chromebook computer, a design tablet and a trip to New York City for a May 17 award banquet. And the top-winning student’s school also gets a $50,000 technology grant.

The theme of this year’s contest is “If I could travel in time, I’d visit …”

There are prizes for national and state finalists, too. Visit www.google.com/doodle4google for more information on rules and entries.

The deadline for submissions is March 23.

Great Books

Have you read something great lately? Share your favorite books and help us make a class list of favorites. All you have to do is email me the title and author and I will set up a page on this Blog to keep track of the list.

Campus Tour of Berkeley

Our campus tour of Berkeley is scheduled for:

Monday, March 19 (Next Monday!)
2:00pm to 3:30 pm
Sign up below

If you have already signed up, expect an email tomorrow, (3/13), with details.

Sign up early as there are only 20 spots available!



For more information about what you can expect, go to the Berkeley Visitor Services Page.

LP6 Progress Grades

Learning Period (LP) 6 progress grades have been posted.

To see your Progress grade:

• Log in to Launchpad
• Click on the My Info link (I think this has changed. I can't see what the student sees so please let me know what it is now. I think it might be More Information.)
• Click on My Progress Grades
• Make sure to set the LP. You may have to change the number in the drop down box and click “Set LP”

Look in the progress grade column of your assignment summary

Don't worry about the assignments average and assignments complete columns. They only refer to work done and graded in launchpad. The progress grade column is accurate. 

Your Engrade grade may be different from your Progress grade as it may include work that has been done in the new LP.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Dissection and Microscope Labs to be Offered Numerous Times this Semester

Two Biology Labs (microscope and dissection) are available for 9-12 and EDGE students in the upcoming months.

Students only need to attend one session for each lab. The labs are offered multiple times to accommodate student schedules. Students will need a permission slip for each lab, your CT will provide these.

Where: Visions’ PDC room

Number of students per class: 20

Dissection Lab: 3/14 at 12:30pm-3:30pm; 3/15 at 12:30pm-3:30pm; 3/22 at 9am-12pm; 3/23 at 9am-12pm; 4/16 at 12:30pm-3:30pm; 4/17 at 12:30pm-3:30pm

Microscope Lab: 3/14 at 9am-12pm; 3/15 at 9am-12pm; 3/22 at 12:30pm-3:30pm; 3/23 at 12:30pm-3:30pm; 4/16 at 9am-12:30pm; 4/17 at 9am-12:30pm

How to sign up: Contact Ms. Bryon and let her know which lab(s) you would like to attend.

If you have questions, please contact me.

Benchmark Assessments

All 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will be taking the final Benchmark assessment during our next face to face meeting. Most of you have taken this before and know what to expect. If you haven't, it is a multiple choice language arts assessment that takes up most or our meeting time. Just be sure that all of your work is ready to hand over so I can grade it while you are taking your assessment. If you have any questions or want to go over anything specific, make sure to note it so we don't forget.

Add Drop Deadline + -

Friday, March 2nd is the add/drop deadline for second semester courses. If you are considering dropping or adding a course, please contact me as soon as possible!

Job Workshop

Looking for a Job?
Free Job Workshop with
One Stop Career Center!


Friday Feb 24th @ 1:30-2:30
Visions PDC
4800 Manzanita Avenue,
Carmichael, CA 95608


Learn Job Search Techniques and Develop Employability Skills:

• Figure out what kind of career you would like to pursue
• Decide what to do after high school
• Learn about vocational training and other educational programs
• Find Job Openings
• Learn about programs for teens and youth
• Learn Interviewing Skills and Techniques
• Develop Job-Related Skills
• Create a Resume
• Receive Job Coaching/Career Counseling services

*This workshop is for Visions in Education students only.

Financial Aid Workshops

Counselors Luis Matta and Randy Nazareno are holding a Financial Aid Workshop for January 2012 and June 2012 Graduates in Fairfield (New Hope Church 1891 Woolner Avenue, Fairfield CA) on February 21st from 9:00 to 2:30 PM. It has limited seats and is by appointment only. If you are a graduating senior and need assistance in filling out the FAFSA please make an appointment at 916-971-5540.


Other Upcoming Financial Aid Workshops
February 23rd at Visions.

Cash 4 College/FAFSA WORKSHOPS
Solano Community College (February 22, 2012)
4000 Suisun Valley Road
4:00 to 8:00 PM

Fairfield Civic Center Library (February 28, 2012)
1150 Kentucky Street
6:15-8:15 PM

9-12 Field Trips for Second Semester Available for Sign-Up

Registration is now open for the  two (2) Field Trips sponsored by the 9-12 Academy.

Field Trip #1 The Exploratorium in San Francisco, Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Launchpad Event # 7565

Students will depart the Resource Center by bus to the Exploratorium in San Francisco to interact with an assortment of Hand's On Physical Science exhibits. Students should be at the RC at 8:00 am with a return time of 5pm. Snacks and Lunch is provided.

Field Trip #2 Sutter Buttes Hike, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Launchpad Event # 7566

Students will depart the Resource Center by bus to the Sutter Buttes for an interpretative hike that features the fauna and flora of the world's smallest mountain range. Students should be dressed and have appropriate shoes for the hike. Students should be at the RC at 8:00 am with a return time of 5pm. Snacks and Lunch is provided.

Interested? Email me for more information or to sign up.

English Page Updates

I am working on updating the English page with the wonderful projects that were done last semester. I also have some great photos to put up. Take a look, but I am not done yet! I still have a bunch of work to post. If you did a project, or have a special photo you would like to post, let me know!

Semester 2!

Welcome to Semester 2! Grades are in, assignments are posted. Today begins 2nd semester. If you have any questions about your assignments, courses, or meeting dates and times, contact me as soon as you can so we can sort things out.

A few students have outstanding Master Agreements because we made changes in their courses. I will be sending MAs out in the mail today. If you get one, please sign and return as soon as possible. Thanks.

Beginning of Semester Reminder:

• All assigned work must be completed and ready to discuss/grade at our meetings in order to be accepted. 
• If you have an emergency or an illness that interferes with doing your work on time, have your parent or guardian contact me asap before our meeting. 
•  If you have questions about an assignment, or you do not know how to complete it, get help before the meeting.

Just Because

View of a sunset from inside a wave.

Have a photo, video, article or item that is interesting, unusual, or worth sharing? Email it to me and I'll post it in the Just Because post!

End of Semester 2

The last day of the semester is Thursday, January 26. Semester 2 begins on Tuesday, January 31.

Please make sure all of your LP5 work is complete and in my hands (or on my computer) by 5pm on Thursday.

Friday and Monday are teacher work days. You have off!

Community College Classes

Are you taking community college classes? If so, remember to:

• Let me know your schedule as soon as possible
• Keep all of your receipts, Visions may reimburse you for class fees and books
• Make sure you request an official transcript to be sent to Mr. Naz at Visions at the end of each college semester
• Remember that your Visions classes come first, you must keep your Visions grades up to be eligible to attend college courses while enrolled in high school

Never thought of this before? Interested? For more information about enrollment in community college courses while attending Visions, sign in to launchpad and then go to https://community.viedu.org/node/646. Or search for community college courses on VIE community.

Welcome Back!

I hope you had a relaxing break. I know I did. It can be hard to get back into the swing of things so take it slow and make sure you are working everyday. The semester is almost over and you will want to finish strong.

I have been busy today ordering books for semester 2 courses. I will be sending out an email copy of your Master Agreement this week so you can look over your planned courses and make any changes as soon as possible.

Check your grades and your progress, and make sure you know exactly what you need to do to get the grades you want this semester.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, January 16 - No school - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Thursday, January 26 - Last day of LP5 and end of semester 1

Friday, January 27 - No school, teacher work day

Monday, January 30 - No school, teacher work day

Tuesday, January 31 - First day of semester 2, first day of LP6

UC Berkeley Visit

I am working on scheduling a group tour of the UC Berkeley Campus. Berkeley begins to accept tour reservations for Spring term on January 17.

If you are interested in the tour:
1) Email me any absolute times and days you can't come.
2) Email me if you will need transportation.
3) If you are taking college classes next semester, email me your schedule as soon as you have it

When we return from break, I will begin organizing.

Meanwhile, take a look at the UC Berkeley site to see what they offer in terms of campus tours and information.

UC Berkeley Visitor Information

Google Map - UC Berkeley Location

Have a wonderful, cozy, relaxing Winter Break!

Your vacation starts Friday, December 23rd, and your first day back to school will be on Monday, January 9th. When we return, there will be three weeks left in Semester One.

Google Docs

I love the way you are using Google Docs! It is a super way to share assignments with me.

It can get confusing though. So..

I have some guidelines I would like you to follow when submitting your assignments by Google Docs.

Please title your pages like this:
FirstNameLastInitial
Subject
Assignment #

Example:
TamsenB Eng4 #12

Also, please consolidate as much as you can from each assignment into one document. You can put many parts of an assignment in the same document. For example, if you are working on English, go ahead and put all of one assignment in one document and make subtitles for the sections.

This will make it much easier to grade and keep track of your work.

Thanks!

Welcome Back

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. It can be difficult to start back up with work on these chilly dark days, but we must. Grab a cup of hot chocolate, settle in with your computer and your books and knock out a few assignments. Trust me, getting behind will not help :) You should be starting up with your LP4 work today. Your assignments are up in Launchpad and if you have any questions, give me a call. Remember to check your grades in Engrade regularly and contact me with questions. See you soon!

BTW...At our next meeting we will be deciding on the classes you will take for Spring semester and creating your Spring MAs. Give a thought to what you might like as electives so we can make sure you are getting the best from your year!

Book Fair and Student Pictures

Scholastic Book Fair
December 6 - 9, 2011
Tuesday - Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Carmichael Resource Center
4762-A Manzanita Ave, Carmichael, CA 95608


Click here to see the flyer for the Book Fair!

Lifetouch Photography - Student Picture Opportunity
When: Thursday. December 8, 2011
Time: 10:00 am- Noon and 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Main Visions Offices. Building A.
(Home School Orientation Room)

Once again, Lifetouch Photography will be on campus if you would like to have portraits taken of your student(s) and siblings. To purchase with a credit card, go online and purchase your picture package before coming to the school.

Bring your printed receipt for the photographer. Online purchasing gives you a much bigger selection of backgrounds to choose from to create the perfect picture package.

Visit www.mylifetouch.com and enter Visions picture day ID number CR011461Y0. Packages purchased the day of the photo shoot must be paid in cash or check. See linked order form for pricing.

You can also get student school pictures at the book fair from Lifetouch. Click here for the Lifetouch order form.

Word Squad

Visions Students,

The Word Squad, a new online publication of VIE student writing, is seeking student writing submissions. The Word Squad will be a digital publication that will showcase our student writers. We need your writing! We are looking for exemplary writing from any of the English 1, 2, or 3 major writing assignments. Your CT has a complete list of all of the categories for which we are seeking submissions. You can submit writing that you have already completed this school year or any upcoming assignments. You are encouraged to submit writing from more that one category.

During the 2011-2012 school year, we will collect writing submissions. In the spring, a group of teachers will decide which of these submissions will be published in our first edition of The Word Squad. Students whose writing has been chosen for publication will be notified before the end of this school year. In the fall of 2012, Visions in Education will launch The Word Squad with a celebration event that all published writers will be invited to.

Students whose work is selected for publication will receive a certificate of achievement, an invitation to our celebration event, entrance into a raffle for a chance to win a variety of prizes, and best of all...the pride that comes with being a published writer.

There are two easy steps to submitting your writing:

Step 1) Fill out information about yourself and your writing in this Google form. Be sure to read the information at the top of the form.

Step 2) Send your submission to thewordsquad@viedu.org. You can email your writing to this Word Squad email address or "Share" it with this email address through Google Docs.

Please include your name, category(writing assignment description), grade, and teacher's name on your writing.

That's it! Once your writing has been received, you will receive a confirmation email and a certificate of participation.

Come on....send us your writing. By next fall, you could be a published writer! We can't wait to read your work!

The Word Squad Staff

Student Work

Make sure to check out some great student work. Just click on the links to the pages under the Blog heading. I will keep adding things all year!

Upcoming Important Dates

• Friday, November 18 - Last Day of LP3
• Monday, November 21 through Friday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Break
• Monday, December 25 through Friday, January 6 - Winter Break

Student Work

I am so impressed with the quality of work I am seeing in the English projects and writing assignments! You are all doing such an amazing job. I will be sharing some student work on the blog next week. Make sure you came back to take a look!

This Week's ONLINE Meetings

Remember, meetings this week are online. Make sure you have followed the instructions on how to prepare, then just click on the "My Elluminate Room" link on the left at your meeting time. 


Tuesday - Online
Audrey - 12 noon
Jalila - 3:30 pm

Wednesday - Online
Ana - 9:00 am

Thursday - Online

Haven - 12:30
Michelle - 1:30
Tylor - 2:30


Friday - Veteran's Day!

Progress Grades

Learning Period (LP) 2 progress grades have been posted.

To see your Progress grade:

• Log in to Launchpad
• Click on the My Info link (I think this has changed. I can't see what the student sees so please let me know what it is now. I think it might be More Information.)
• Click on My Progress Grades
• Make sure to set the LP. You may have to change the number in the drop down box and click “Set LP”

Look in the progress grade column of your assignment summary

Don't worry about the assignments average and assignments complete columns. They only refer to work done and graded in launchpad. The progress grade column is accurate. 

Your Engrade grade may be different from your Progress grade as it may include work that has been done in the new LP.

Let me know if you have any questions!

This Week's ONLINE Meetings

Remember, meetings this week and next are online. Make sure you have followed the instructions on how to prepare, then just click on the "My Elluminate Room" link on the left at your meeting time.

Monday
Christy - 1:30

Wednesday
Anthony - 11 am
Andrea - 12 noon
Angie - 3:00 pm

Thursday

Belinda - 12 noon
Sara - 1:30 pm


Friday
Alissia - 12 noon

Alex - 1:30 pm
Margaret - 3:30

Upcoming Online Meetings - This Week and Next!

 

How to prepare:

Meeting online is easier than it looks. There are a few things to do to make sure your computer is ready though. These things take about 15 minutes, but it is important to do them way in advance of our meeting time so you have plenty of time to troubleshoot if you need to.

• Go to: http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336&task=knowledge&questionID=1279  
• Step One: Check system requirements. The page will do this automatically and give you recommendations or let you know you are ready. 
• Step Two: Configuring Your System. Visit the configuration room to see what our classroom will look like and set up your audio. 
• Step Three: Training and Resources. Click on the link that says “Recorded Introduction”. Your computer may ask you if you want to accept the files. Make sure to say yes. 

Other things to keep in mind when we have online meetings:

• Make sure you are organized and ready to go when the meeting starts. Have all of your work available, and make sure your folder is easily accessible for your assignment sheet and any logs you need.
• You may need to print new assignment sheets, logs or other paperwork, make sure you have a printer available if possible. 
• Use Google Docs for journals, essays, and as much other written work as possible. This way we can both view it during the meeting.
• Do as much of your work as possible on launchpad. This way I can have it graded and ready for questions during the meeting.
• Scan photos, pictures of projects, paperwork, etc. We can share files and images in the classroom.
• You can also share links with me and we can look at things together. For example, if you have created a Prezi, a Glogster, a timetoast, or any other web based project, have the link ready for out meeting so we can look at it together.

GoAnimate!

GoAnimate4Schools.com: English Project by Tamsen Bryon

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate4Schools. It's free and fun!

Holiday Card Contest

Check out the prizes:

• First prize - 9-12: $500
• Second prize - 9-12: $350
• Third prize - 9-12: $150

Download the Flyer

Celebration for Student Success

Visions students who scored proficient or advanced on either the ELA or Math section of last year's CST have been invited to a celebration of their success. This year there were over 900 Visions students receiving this honor. Visions is holding one celebration in Sacramento this evening and the other, for those of us who live in the Bay Area, in Concord on Thursday.


Join me in congratulating the students from our class that have been invited:

Alissia

Ana

Jalila

Margaret 

Sara

I hope to see you there!

Google Docs (repeat post from last week!)

Are you using Google Docs yet? If not, try it out. We will be sharing work using Google Docs more and more as the year progresses.

You need a Google account. If you don't have one, please get one before our next meeting.

Go to:
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=49008
To get an overview of Google Docs.

And go to:
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=47597
To learn how to set up an account.

Make sure you have an account set up by our next meeting so I can show you how to create a document, presentation, or spreadsheet and share it with me!

Worth Watching

"The death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has renewed interest in the commencement address he gave at Stanford University in 2005, which drew considerable attention for its content and because Jobs so rarely spoke in public about himself." ~ NPR

I found it very inspiring :)

SAT/PSAT

What is the SAT?

The SAT is an important step in applying for college and making your college dreams a reality. It is the most widely used college admission test.

When is the Best Time to Take the SAT and Subject Tests?

The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are offered several times a year. Most students take the SAT for the first time during the spring of their junior year and a second time during the fall of their senior year.

Where do you Take the Test?

You register through the college board website and choose a location near you when you register. 

How do you Register?

Go to http://sat.collegeboard.com/home for information about registering, test schedules and more.


PSAT
If you are interested in the PSAT click here: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html

Comment Test

I just want to see if you can comment on a post. I might use that ability this year. See if you can comment on this post for me please?

If you could add a course to Visions curriculum, what would it be?

GoAnimate! for English 3 Projects

Are you in English 3 and considering using GoAnimate for your project?

It is super fun!
Check it out:
http://goanimate4schools.com/school/visions

Your user name is your first initial and last name.
Your password is your launchpad user name.
Make sure to bookmark the site and write your user name and password down!

Once you get in, click on the button that says "Create an Animation" and it will show you a tutorial on how to use the program.

If you have any questions, drop me an email :)

Internet Explorer and Launchpad

It has come to my attention that Internet Explorer is not compatible with Launchpad.

Some of the issues students have encountered with Internet Explorer are:

* student answers that contain raw html code.

* missing functions in the students' text editor toolbar.
* disappearing student answers when the worksheet is submitted.
* start and end times indicated in the Quiz/Test Overview but no blue dot or student answers to indicate completed work.

Please use the most updated version of either Firefox or Chrome instead. Thanks!

Tdap

Have you sent Visions proof of your Whooping Cough immunization?

If so THANK YOU!!

If not, please do it soon. The school's deadline is October 5th and we need everyone's paperwork in by then.

Here is how:
    •    Get immunized
    •    Get proof of immunization from your doctor
    •    Get it to Visions

By Fax: 916.971.5578
By Email: Sue Dominguez at sdominguez@viedu.org
By mail:
Visions In Education Charter School

c/o Sue Dominguez

4800 Manzanita Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608 

If you have any further questions, please contact Sue at 916.971.5525 or toll free at 1.877.971.7037.

Workbooks Are In!

Many of you will be happy to know that the back-ordered workbooks have come in!

If you have been waiting on an English 3, Psychology, or Earth Science workbook, I will bring it to our next meeting.