Are You Struggling?

Are you struggling to complete your work? Unhappy with your grades? 

I can help you, but before I step in, make sure you are doing all you can.

First:

Make sure you are working about 1 hour per day on each subject. Time yourself, set a schedule. Think about what you would be doing in a regular high school and create a class schedule for yourself.

Example Schedule:

8:00 - 8:50 - English

9:00 - 9:50 - Science

10:00 - 10:50 - History

10:50 - 11:00 - PE

11:00 - 11:50 - LUNCH

12:00 - 12:50 - Math

1:00 - 1:50 - Elective Class

+ approx. 1 hr. of homework give or take. 

Don't get bogged down in any one subject. 

If you can't complete an assignment after an honest 50 minutes worth of work, STOP, take a break and go to the next subject. 

Remember, I can see through Launchpad exactly when you sign on, and how much time you are keeping your assignments open. If you aren't signing in every day and attempting to work on each subject, there is not much I can do. 

Second:

Consider working at one of our tutoring centers. There are tutors and other students there that can help. Consider going to the library or a coffee shop to work. Sometimes just getting away from home can help.

Third:

Call the homework helpline if you get stuck on a problem. 

If you are doing ALL that, and you still are struggling, I can work with you one on one to help you succeed. We can set online tutoring appointments on Fridays, or you can come out to Livermore to the library for face to face sessions. I can also modify some of your assignments, if needed.

Benchmark Assessments

If you are in grades 9, 10, or 11, you will be taking the English benchmark assessment at our next face to face meeting. The benchmark assessment this year is an essay. We will spend 5 minutes at the beginning of your meeting on paperwork and collecting work, then you will be given an essay prompt and allowed the remaining meeting time to complete it.

All 9-11 graders in Visions 9-12 Independent Study are taking this benchmark. You can use the results to help you measure your writing skills against a standard rubric, I will use the results to help you to improve your writing skills, and the school will use the results to see, as a whole, where it can improve on writing instruction.

Please make sure to come to your next meeting with all of your work organized and ready to hand over so we can use our time as wisely as possible.

Thank you!

Biology and Earth Science Assignments

There has been some confusion about the "workbook" assignments in Biology and Earth Science. I apologize for not making this clear.

If you are taking Biology or Earth Science you do NOT have to do any of the "workbook" assignments. You only need to complete the assignments that are on Launchpad, including the Labs.

I don't order the science workbooks unless students request them. I believe that there is plenty of work already assigned on Launchpad and the additional workbook pages are busy work.

Please let me know if you have any questions about this. Thanks.

Accessing Past Posts

If you ever want to see a previous Blog post (for example you want to order a student ID and can't remember how, or you want to see information about the Bay Area Harvest festival), you can always find past posts using the "Search This Blog" tool or looking through the Blog Archives. Both are in the right column of the Blog.

A Note About Contacting Me...

One of the great things about Visions is that you can work around the clock, 24/7. It doesn't matter if you do your scheduled Friday work at 2 a.m. on Saturday. This gives you incredible flexibility.

I, however, don't have the same flexibility. I usually work 8:30 to 4:30 (or longer), 5 days per week. During those hours I prep for student meetings, travel to student meetings, hold student meetings, follow up after student meetings, grade work, order books, return books, go to professional development meetings, log assignments on launchpad, update paperwork, tutor online, call students, answer emails, and try my best to be available for anything that my students need to be successful.

It is really, really important to me that you feel that you can ask me for help. That I am available to you. When you call or email me, I may not be able to answer right away, however, I will do my very best to get back to you within 24 hours.

That means 24 business hours. This does not include evening and weekend hours. I think that I may have confused some students by saying "You can call me anytime!" I meant anytime during normal school hours, not on the weekend or late at night.

While you are welcome to work evenings and weekends, I really, really try NOT to. If you absolutely can't wait to ask a question, and you absolutely have to ask on evenings or weekends because you are afraid you will forget, please email me. That way I will see your question first thing the next work morning and be able to answer as soon as possible.

Thanks :)

Volunteer Opportunity for 9-12 Students

Visions In Education Harvest Festivals - Two Locations 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY STUDENTS GRADES 8 -12 

Would you like to volunteer to work at one of our Harvest Festivals??? 

East Bay Harvest Festival: 

 Friday, October 18, 2013 - Actual Event Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm 

Pleasant Hill Community Park, 147 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 

OR 

Sacramento Harvest Festival: 

 Friday, October 25, 2013 - Actual Event Time:11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sunrise Community Church, 8321 Greenback Lane,Fair Oaks, CA 95628 

Job duties will include helping set up games and booths, under CT supervision run a game booth or activity, and event tear down. 

This is a fun opportunity to meet other students from your area. 

Free lunch and snacks. 

Hours 8:30 - 3:00 (or any part thereof.) 

Students will need to provide their own transportation. 

Interested? Contact your CT or Nancy Peterson at 916-971-5518 or napeterson@viedu.org ASAP!

FORM REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE: Participating students will be required to bring a Field Trip Permission Emergency Form completed and signed by their parent/guardian. Students arriving without the form will be sent home.

Get Your Visions Picture ID

Request your ID card through Launchpad:

• Log into your student Launchpad account. Click the "More Info" link on the left hand side. 
• Click the "My Account" link in the main section on the right. 
• Read the instructions for photo requirements under the "My Photo and Student ID" heading. You can also view the requirements below. 
• Click the "Choose File" button, then browse to the image on your computer. 
• Click the "Upload Photo and Request ID" button. 
• An email will be sent to you when the photo has been approved or rejected by your teacher. Once the photo is approved, SkyQ will create your photo ID and mail it to the mailing address listed in Launchpad.

Photo Requirements 

• Photo should be in JPG or JPEG file format. 
• File must be under 2MB in size. 
• Try to use a plain, white or light colored background. 
• Take the photo in a full-face view, directly facing the camera. Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religous purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face. 
• Do not wear dark or tinted glasses/sunglasses. 
• Please think of this photo like a passport or other ID photo. Great examples can be found on the State Department's website, including their Photo Composition Template, and Photographer's Guide. 
• Your CT must approve the photo. You will recieve an email once the photo has been approved or rejected. 
• To request a replacement ID, please contact your CT. If you have any additional questions, please email studentid@viedu.or or call SkyQ at 916-780-7566.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 9/9
Phone Check-ins
Beatrice - 10:00
Janae - 11:00
Tory - 12:00
Allante - 1:30

Tuesday 9/10
Oakley Starbucks
Haven 11:00
Jeremiah 12:00
Alex 1:30

Wednesday 9/11
Concord Library - Salvia Street
Tory - 11:00 (Book Pick-up)
Katie - 11:30
Brandon 1:00
Levi 2:00

Thursday 9/12
Benicia Public Library
Donovan - 11:30
Kiley 12:30
Sophia 2:00
Halie 3:00

Friday 9/13
Office Day/Tutoring
Allante 1:30

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 9/2
Holiday - Memorial Day

Tuesday 9/3
Concord Tutoring Center
Jenae 11:00
Victoria 1:00

Wednesday 9/4
Antioch Public Library
Allante - 11:00
Talise - 12:00
Beatrice - 1:30

Thursday 9/5
Pleasant Hill Public Library
Desiree - 11:15
Isaiah - 12:15
Suzy - 1:15
Charis -  2:30

Friday 9/6
Phone
Levi - 12:00

Did You Know...

that you can find out all sorts of useful information on Visions e-Handbook?

Examples:

• Work Permits
• Transcript Requests
• Videos on how Launchpad Works
• Community College Concurrent Enrollment Information
• School Calendars (Including the Student Events Calendar which lists field trips)
• Directed Project info
• Ordering T-shirts and Sweatshirts...

The list is HUGE!

So, if you haven't visited the ehandbook before, I recommend that you check it out.

How do you get there?
Log into Launchpad and click on the e-Handbook link under the Main Menu items:

What to Do Until Your Meeting

Here is the list of tasks for you to do until our first meeting. If you have ANY questions, please text, email, or call me.




New Students: 
Required: Continue working in the Kick Start Packet you received in the mail. You should complete 2 assignments each day until we meet.
Optional: Sign into ALEKS math, do your initial assessment and start on some topics. (Email me for your login info.)

Returning Students

1. Sign in to your Google account. If you don't have one, sign up for one. We will be using Google Docs often this year.
2. Open the Important Information and Expectations document. Copy it to your Google Drive. (File> Make a Copy). Read it over with your parent or guardian. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. (There are very few changes from last year.) If you agree to it, print the last page and bring it signed to our meeting. 
3. Open the Internet Use Agreement Document. (I know that it is for 2012/13, I will update if and when there are changes.) Copy it to your Google Drive. (File> Make a Copy).  Read it over with your parent or guardian. If you agree to the terms, print out the last page and bring it signed to our meeting.  
4. Organize your Google Drive. Make folders for your school papers. Put the docs you just copied into the folder. Spend some time in your drive figuring out how to create documents and share them. Make a "test" document and share it with me.
5. Open your assignment sheet. Look it over. Is it clear? Do you have any questions? Can you see what you need to do and when you need to have it done by? Bookmark it so you will have it handy. Email me with any questions.
6. Sign into Launchpad. Take a look at your classes and your assignments. Make sure you can access everything and let me know if you have any questions.
7. If you have ALEKS math, sign into ALEKS. Take your initial assessment. (Your log-in info is on your assignment sheet.)
8. If you have PE, open your PE log. Begin doing 50 minutes of physical activity today and log it.
9. If you have a directed project, start thinking about what you want to accomplish and how you will show that you have accomplished it. Look on Amazon for materials you might need. Remember, you have $75 (with shipping & tax) to spend.

Following days:

1. Follow your assignment sheet. Make sure you see what is due for our meeting. Plan to complete all work that will be due. Contact me if you have any questions.
2. Make sure to bring the Information and Expectations, and Internet Use Agreement signature pages to our first meeting.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Tuesday 8/27
Oakley Starbucks
Haven 11:00
Jeremiah 12:00
Alex 1:30

Wednesday 8/28
Concord Library - Salvia Street
Katie - 11:30
Brandon 1:00
Levi 2:00

Thursday 8/29
Benicia Public Library
Donovan - 11:30
Kiley 12:30
Sophia 2:00
Halie 3:00

Friday 8/30
Phone
Allante - 1:00
Beatrice - 2:00

Welcome Back!

Summer is over. A new year begins. Wednesday the 21st is the first day of school.

Take a moment to ask yourself what you want from this year. Where do you see yourself in January? May? Do you have any school goals set? Personal goals? Maybe passing all of your classes? Passing the CAHSEE? Getting all As and Bs? Getting into college?

Everything is possible today.

Initial Meeting Schedule

This Week:
Wednesday 8/21
Antioch Public Library 
Allante - 11:00
Talise - 12:00
Beatrice - 1:30 - (home computer check)

Thursday 8/22
Pleasant Hill Public Library
Desiree - 11:00
Isaiah - 12:00
Suzy - 1:00
Charis - 2:30

---

Next Week:
Tuesday 8/27
Oakley Starbucks
Haven 11:00
Jeremiah 12:00
Alex 1:30

Wednesday 8/28
Concord Library - Salvia Street
Katie - 11:30
Brandon 1:00
Levi 2:00

Thursday 8/29
Benicia Public Library
Donovan - 11:30
Kiley 12:30
Sophia 2:00
Halie 3:00

2013/2014 School Year Calendar

Click here for a printable copy.

Friday's Deadline

Friday, May 31, at 5 p.m., is the deadline to get me any work that you want included in your grade. You have up until then to email me late work, corrections, and current work.

Call, email, or text me with ANY questions!!

The Last Week of School

Here we are, at the last week of school. I hope everyone is planning for a wonderful summer, but before you go here is a list of what you need to do this week. :)

---

Today
Continue work according to your assignment sheet. Many of you have a regular school day today.  


Today or Thursday will be the last day you will have your textbooks, so plan accordingly.

Drop of books and work, sign attendance.
•  Benicia Library: Between 11:30 and 12:30
•  Concord New Life Christian Church: Between 1:30 and 3:30

---

Wednesday

Graduation Day!

A heartfelt congratulations to our graduates:

Alexander
 Anastasia
Anthony
Audrey
Jalila
Margaret
Michael
&
Sara

I will be busy with the graduation ceremony in Sacramento all day so I may not be able to return any calls, emails, or texts until Thursday morning.

---

Drop of books and work, sign attendance.
•  Antioch Library: Between 12:30 and 1.
•  Oakley Starbucks: Between 1:30 and 3:00

As of 5 pm on Thursday, all grades will be current. The grades you see on Engrade after 5 will be your final grade if you submit no further work on Friday.

---

Friday
•  Check your grade in Engrade and email me that you have done this and are aware of your final grades. If you have any questions, ask! There should be no surprises (for me or you) when report cards are sent out:)
•  If you haven't done so already, take the survey below. There is one for your parents, too. Responses are totally anonymous and the survey is to help me to see any areas I could to improve on for next year.

---

That's it! The only other thing to do is get ready to have a GREAT summer! I will be calling you the week of August 12th, to check in and set up our first meeting of the 2013/14 school year. School will start up again on August 21st.

Student Survey

Parent/Guardian Survey

This Week's Meetings

Monday
Office Day - LP9 Progress Grades will be posted in Launchpad by 4:30

Tuesday
Antioch Public Library
Anthony - 1:00
Talise - 2:00

Wednesday
Livermore Public Library 
Charis - 3:30

Thursday
Oakley Starbucks
Jeremiah - 12:30
Haven - 1:30
Alex- 3:00
Brianna - 4:00
Allison - 5:30

Friday
Office Day - Good day to request online tutoring or ask for help!

ROP

The Regional Occupational Program (ROP), also known as Career Technical Education (CTE), offers tuition-free career preparation training in more than 100 occupations throughout the regions that Visions serves. Programs include high demand training such as automotive, construction, office computer skills, information technology training (database design, Web authoring, network administration, and computer repair), health occupations (nurse assistant, dental assistant, EMT, etc.), retail sales, careers with children and other occupational areas.

Most of the training is offered on a high school campus and has an “on-the-job” internship at an employer job site in addition to the classroom training.

Now is the time for next year’s 11th and 12th grade students to review the different ROP options that are offered at campuses near them.  To review those options prepared by Visions’ counselors, please visit the link HERE. Considerations for students who participate in the ROP program should include:

• Student is teacher recommended;
• Student is demonstrating good attendance;
• Transportation can be arranged-Visions can assist with bus passes to attend ROP;
• Student demonstrates at least average grades; and in particular,
• Student meets the grade level for the ROP course–some  are only available to 12th grade students, for example, medical and dental ROP courses through San Juan Unified.

Transferring Next Year?

Steps for Transferring to Another School Next Year

If you are planning to withdraw and transfer to another school next year, please read the below-listed actions as soon as possible. This process is for transferring students only and does not apply to graduates.

More information is located on the e-Handbook HERE(please log into Launchpad first).

To Be Shared With Students and Families

Before Withdrawing from Visions In Education:

1. Discuss your plans with your teacher.
2. Determine which school you are planning to attend.
3. Contact the school to make sure they can enroll you.
4. High School students should schedule a meeting with a counselor at the school they want to enter. This will determine if you will be able to attend classes to meet your goal.
5. Confirm acceptance at the new school with your teacher, and finish final business (attendance and outstanding work).
6. Return any Visions computers and other equipment to SkyQ.
7. Return all books to the Resource Center.
8. Come to the Visions main office with your parent/guardian to fill out the withdrawal form. The withdrawal date entered on your withdrawal form needs to be at least one day before your first day of school at your new school.