Semester Plans

Your semester plan is your master lesson plan for the semester. This is where you will record the texts and materials you are using for each subject, and how and when you plan to cover them. A semester plan helps you to see the big picture and gives you a structure for your school schedule. The semester plan needs to be completed sometime before the end of LP1 (9/12).

I have made a template for you and and example of how one parent might fill it out for their 2nd grader. You can view a copy of the template here. The example is here. Please look them over to get familiar with the basic idea.

You do not need to use this format. If you have another way you would like to organize this information, that is totally fine. I just need a copy.

I plan to provide a copy of the template to you during our first meeting, and help you to fill it out. However, if you would like to get started on it now, send me an email or shoot me a text and I will get it to you sooner.

Let me know if you have any questions or need any help.

First Meeting Agenda

• Meet :)
• Approve curriculum, help with ordering (if possible, have your curriculum out and handy)
• Answer questions about vouchers and ordering
• Provide grading policy
• Go over attendance
• Go over work samples
• Collect work samples (2 for each subject per LP)*
• Set up semester plan, discuss assignments and scheduling
• Schedule next meeting
• Answer questions

*If we are meeting the first week of school, I don't expect that you will have 2 samples per subject. I will just collect what you do have and answer questions about work samples for our next meeting :)

This Week's Meeting Schedule

A Group

Monday 8/18
Teacher Work Day

Tuesday 8/19
Teacher Work Day

Wednesday 8/20
First Day of School
Camino/Pollock Pines
Charlotte - 11:00
Alexandra - 12:30
Sarah - 2:00

Thursday 8/21
Ione
Alex & Lucian - 11:00
Phoenix - 1:30
Grace - 3:00

Friday 8/22
Back to School Picnic
Detert Park, Jackson
10:30 to 12:30

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.  

Students and Parents: Please check grades in Engrade today and contact me if you have any questions. It would be a good idea to check them again on Thursday at 5 p.m., as I will make sure that all work received is graded by then. 

Optional - Drop of books and work, sign attendance.
•  Pleasant Hill Library: Between 11:00 and 1:00.
•  Oakley Starbucks: Between 2:30 and 4:30

If you are not done with your textbooks, and need to continue work until Friday, don't stress. There is a Visions book and computer return day on Wednesday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Northgate Christian Fellowship Church at 2201 Lake Herman Road in Benicia.

---

Wednesday

Graduation Day!

A heartfelt congratulations to our graduates:

Brandon
Charis
Hope
Katie
&
Manuel

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.

---

Continue to do any scheduled work.

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

---

Friday
•  Noon deadline for any work!

If you have any questions, ask! There should be no surprises (for me or you) when report cards are sent out:)

---

That's it! The only other thing to do is get ready to have a GREAT summer! If you are continuing with Visions, someone will be calling you the week of August 11th, to check in and set up your first meeting of the 2014/15 school year. School will start up again on August 20th.

Gradpoint Demo

Are you curious about the change to Gradpoint for next year?

If you are interested in seeing a sample of a few courses Visions will be using next year, you can use the link below to access our Demo Gradpoint Account.

There is also a short video on this page that gives an overview of Gradpoint.


http://wire.viedu.org/gradpoint-demo-account/

Community College Classes

Are you currently taking a community college or BYU class?

If so, don't forget to request an official college transcript to be sent to Mr. Naz so he can add your credits to your High School transcript.

If you are thinking of taking a college class next year make sure you apply soon. Most colleges will begin fall classes before we do, and you need to have Mr. Naz send you the correct forms.

Email me or Mr. Naz if you have any questions about college classes.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 5/19
Carmichael
Ms. Bryon at Professional Development

Tuesday
Oakley Starbucks
Kissa - 11:00
Jeremiah - 12:30
Alex - 1:30
Concord Starbucks - Port Chicago Hwy
Levi - 3:30

Wednesday
Office Day
Kaylee - ?

Thursday
Benicia Public Library
Alana - 11:30
Donovan - 12:30
Sophia - 2:00
Halie - 3:00

Friday
Office Day

---

Next Week Preview (Final Week of School):
Monday - Memorial Day (Holiday)
Tuesday - Book and Work Drop (Pleasant Hill Library 11-1, Oakley Starbucks 2:30 - 4:30)
Wednesday - Graduation
Friday - Last day of school - deadline for ALL work - 12:00

Happy Mother's Day

Yes, I do know it was yesterday, but I'm one of those people who believes in belated wishes for those special days. It makes them last longer :)

For all the mothers, and aunts, and otherwise motherly adults, a special wish for a happy "Day After Mother's Day" in recognition of all that you do!

Upcoming Important Dates

May
May 21, 22, & 23: Graduate Check Out
May 26: Memorial Day - No School
May 28: Graduation Ceremony for Seniors
May 30: Last Day of School

Check Your Grades

It is getting close to the end of the year. There are only 14 school days left!

Students: Make sure to go to Engrade often and check your grades as the year comes to a close. Have you set a realistic goal as to what grades you want to earn at the end of the semester? Have you made a plan to get there?

Parents and guardians: Please make sure you are aware of your student's progress and contact me if you have any questions! We don't want any surprises at report card time. If you can't log in to Engrade, drop me an email and I will provide you more detailed instructions.

Please note: Your grades are most current directly after our meetings.

www.engrade.com

Use your launchpad user name for BOTH your Engrade user name and password.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Student and Parent Surveys

Thank you to everyone who has completed the surveys. It is tremendously helpful in planning how I can improve as a teacher for next year, as well as knowing what is working :)

If you haven't yet had time to leave feedback, please consider doing so now.

I promise to thoughtfully review all of the feedback to see where I can improve as a teacher for next year.

There are separate surveys for students and parents. Surveys are completely anonymous, however, if you want me to know who you are, put your name in the last box. Thanks!

Student Feedback:

---

Parent/Guardian Feedback:

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 5/12
Professional Development - Ms. Bryon in Carmichael

Tuesday
Sacramento
Tupelo Coffee House - Elvas Ave.
Hope - 10:30
Manuel - 11:30

Wednesday
Antioch
Starbucks - Balfour Road
Rey - 12:30
Starbucks - Lone Tree Way
Michelle - 2:00
Allante - 3:00

Thursday
Pleasant Hill Library
Jude - 12:00
Alona - 1:00
Nick - 2:00
Kaylee - 3:30

Friday
Office Day
Alana - Phone - 10:00

2014/2015 Learning Period Calendar

Are you trying to plan for next year? If so, here is a copy of the 2014/2015 Learning Period Calendar.

This calendar and others can also be found on the ehandbook on Launchpad.

First Day of School: Wednesday, August 20

This Week's Meeting Schedule

If you have trouble signing in to Skype at your meeting time, call me :)

Monday 5/5
Office Day

Tuesday
Skype
Kissa - 11:00

Jeremiah - 12:30
Alex - 1:30

Wednesday
Skype
Levi - 2:00

Thursday
Skype
Alana - 11:30
Donovan - 12:30
Sophia - 2:00
Halie - 3:00

Friday
Office Day

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/28
Skype - Reschedules due to Test Proctoring
Nick - 11:00
Michelle - 2:30
Allante - 3:30

Tuesday
Skype
Hope - 10:30
Manuel - 11:30
Visions Offices - Carmichael
Xayla - 2:15

Wednesday
Ms. Bryon Proctoring SBAC

Thursday
Ms. Bryon Proctoring SBAC

Friday - Last Day of LP 9!
Skype - Reschedules due to Test Proctoring
Jude - 12:00
Alona - 1:00
Alana - 2:30 (Math)
Kaylee - 3:30

Rey - 4:30

Independent Study to begin using Gradpoint curriculum

copied from the Visions "Staff Connection...

Visions In Education is launching a new curriculum for Independent Study that will start during the 2014-2015 school year. Currently Visions students in the University Prep (EDGE) Academy use Gradpoint as the chosen curriculum because the blended learning model has proven to work effectively and fits in with 21st century learning. The school has chosen to move forward with this excellent, engaging and challenging curriculum for Independent Study to enhance what students already receive at Visions, one-on-one teacher interaction and a flexible schedule. Along with the new curriculum, Visions Independent Study High School students will receive a Chromebook to be used during their time at the charter school.

Gradpoint is a product of Pearson, the world’s leading education company. Gradpoint curriculum aligns with the new Common Core State Standards and helps prepare students for a successful life after high school. It increases student engagement with courses that incorporate video, interactive activities, immediate feedback and intuitive navigation.

This exciting change at Visions In Education will make getting materials to students a much easier process, since it will be at their fingertips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students will still interact with their teachers one-on-one, in person and are still expected to do a certain amount of hands-on, off-computer work. To learn more about Gradpoint, watch this video. To explore Gradpoint from a student’s perspective, click here.

Have You Chosen Your Classes?

It is time for Fall Master Agreements! Have you chosen your electives yet?
Switching to Gradpoint provides you with a few new elective courses next year. Please visit this link and look over the list of electives and their descriptions. Please be ready with your choices for our next meeting, thanks!

*Please note: The Medical Terminology course has been cancelled. It is not being offered Fall semester.

Arrange to Pick Up Your Chromebook!

You should be able to call for your appointment now! 
Continuing students will get their new Chromebooks BEFORE the end of this year! (If you currently have a Visions computer you will be trading that in for the new Chromebook.) SkyQ is setting up appointments for May. Please view the schedule and instructions here.

Important Information for Continuing Students

First...

At our next meeting we will be creating your Fall master agreement. Switching to Gradpoint provides you with a few new elective courses next year. Please visit this link and look over the list of electives and their descriptions. Choose one or two that interest you so we can decide your classes for next year.

Second...
Continuing students will get their new Chromebooks BEFORE the end of this year! (If you currently have a Visions computer you will be trading that in for the new Chromebook.) SkyQ is setting up appointments beginning in May. Please view the schedule and instructions here.
UPDATE: You should be able to call for your appointment after April 1st. 

For Graduating Seniors

Congratulations!! Well, soon to come anyway.

If you are graduating this year you will soon receive a letter in the mail with information about the graduation ceremony and all the important steps you need to take before then. Here is a copy of the letter that was sent out.

Here are the highlights:

Graduation Checkout Dates are:
May 21, 22, and 23, 8:00 to 4:00.

You will purchase your cap and gown and pick up your graduation tickets (6 tickets per student) when you check out. 

You must return computers to SkyQ, books, and materials to the resource center in Carmichael, and pay any fines from Visions or previous schools before you checkout.

The Graduation Ceremony is on Wednesday, May 28th. There is a mandatory rehearsal starting at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.

Please read through the letter you were sent carefully and email me if you have any questions!

Junior/Senior Enchanted Ball Invitation – May 3, 2014

VIE Juniors and Seniors
you are invited to the
Enchanted Ball

Who: Juniors and Seniors
When: May 3, 2014
Where: La Sierra Community Center (5325 Engle Rd. Carmichael Ca)
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Cost:  Single (student)  $25 Double (student w/guest)  $40

Prepare to be transported into the world of fairy tales, where dreams come true. Dance among royal guests and create your own happily ever after. Photography session included in the price of the ticket. Drinks and desserts will be provided.

Interested juniors and seniors need to purchase tickets before May 3, 2014. Dance tickets cannot be purchased at the door on the day of the dance. Please use the Dance Ticket Order Form link to purchase tickets.

Visions In Education students are allowed to bring a guest if they wish. Guests cannot be over the age of 18 and must submit a completed Guest Dance Bid Form to the Visions office  before 4 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014.

This is a formal dance, therefore students are required to dress in formal attire. For more information, call (916) 971-5518 or email cmckinnis@viedu.org.

STAR Testing

Do you need to take STAR tests this year?

In high school, ONLY 10th graders are required to take the STAR test, and they will ONLY be taking the science grade level test.

The STAR science test will be held on Tuesday, April 1 from 8:45 am to 12:00.

If you are supposed to take the STAR test, I will send you an email later today confirming your testing site.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/10
Ms. Bryon at Professional Development

Tuesday
Tupelo Coffee House - Elvas Ave.
Hope - 10:30
Manuel - 11:30
Cedar - 1:00
Carly - 2:00
Xayla - 3:00


Wednesday
Starbucks - Balfour Road
Rey - 12:30
Starbucks - Lone Tree Way
Jeremiah & Kissa - 1:00
Michelle - 2:00
Allante - 3:30

Thursday
Pleasant Hill Library
Nick - 11:00
Jude - 12:00
Alona - 1:00
Charis - 2:30
Kaylee - 3:30

Friday
Office Day

CAHSEE Tomorrow and Wednesday

March CAHSEE (11th and 12th Grade Only)

English: Tuesday, March 18

Math: Wednesday, March 19

Test begins at 9:30a.m.

The test is not a timed test. Most students will be done in 2 to 3 hours.

Please make sure to bring a picture ID or have your parent/guardian sign you in. Find for your initials below to check your testing location.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

M.B. (Wed. Only), N.K. (Both Days), A.S. (Both Days) :
New Life Christian Church

3525 Chestnut Street, Concord, CA

H.B. (Both Days)
SDA 6045 Camelia Ave., Sacramento, CA

C.B. (Wed. Only)
Bethany Presbyterian Church
5625 24th Street, Sacramento, CA

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good Luck!
And remember:
Do the easy ones first.
Relax and take your time.
Use process of elimination for the questions you don't know.
If you don't know the answer, guess. You will have at least a 25% chance of getting it right!

LP 6 Grades

LP7 Progress grades have been posted on Launchpad. Please check your progress grades and let me know if you have ANY questions!


Just a reminder about my online gradebook...

You can check your grades at anytime on Engrade.

To do this, go to www.engrade.com (the link is also to the right of this post in the "Links" column)

Use your launchpad user name for BOTH your user name and password. You should be able to sign in and see your current grades, also any missing assignment and your scores for recorded assignments.

These grades are most current right after your meetings.

Parents: If you can't access Engrade for any reason, feel free to email me and I will walk you through it :)

Let me know if you have any questions!

PE Test for all 9th Graders - UPDATE

The Visions Home School Academy is holding the Physical Fitness test in Martinez and in San Ramon!

Martinez on Wednesday, April 2 from 10 to 12

San Ramon on Friday, March 28 from 10 to 12

I will get the exact location soon. However, if you are a 9th grader, please arrange to attend one of these sessions. (All 9th graders must take this test :)

I will contact you individually to find out which session would be more convenient for you.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Remember, all meetings this week are on Skype. If you don't already have a Skype account, get one before your meeting here. Then, add me as a contact. My Skype ID is: tamsen.bryon

If you have trouble signing in to Skype at your meeting time, call me at 925-337-1972.

Monday 3/10
Office Day

Tuesday
Skype
Morgan - 11:30
Makayla - 1:00
Karolina - 7:00

Wednesday
Skype
Rey - 12:30
Michelle - 2:00
Allante - 3:30

Thursday
Skype
Nick - 11:00
Jude - 12:00
Alona - 1:00
Charis - 2:30
Kaylee - 3:30

Friday
Office Day
Skype Tutoring
Allante - 10:00
Makayla - 11:00
Alana - 12:00

Stuck? Need Help?

If you are working hard, trying your best 4-5 hours everyday, and you still need help getting your work done:

1. Call, text, or email me
2. Access the homework help line
3. Go to the Concord Tutoring Center on Tuesdays (9:00 to 3:30) or the Vallejo Tutoring Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays (9:00 to 3:30).

See the links on the right for instructions to access the homework help line and the tutoring center flyer. I will keep them there all year so you can find them.

Don't forget to check your grades often! www.engrade.com (Use your launchpad user name for BOTH your engrade user name and your engrade password)

Upcoming Important Dates

March
Last Day of LP7
Friday, March 7
Daylight Saving Time Begins
Sunday, March 9

April
Spring Break
Monday, April 14 to Friday, April 18

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Remember, all meetings this week are on Skype. If you don't already have a Skype account, get one before your meeting here. Then, add me as a contact. My Skype ID is: tamsen.bryon

If you have trouble signing in to Skype at your meeting time, call me.

Monday 2/3
Office Day

Tuesday
Skype
Kissa Johnson - 11:00
Jeremiah - 12:30
Alex - 1:30

Wednesday
Skype
Katie - 11:30
Brandon - 1:00
Levi - 2:00

Thursday
Skype
Alana - 11:30
Donovan - 12:30
Sophia - 2:00
Halie - 3:00

Friday
Office Day

Visions Scholarships - March 1 Deadline Approaching!

January 22, 2014 Graduating seniors are encouraged to apply for Visions' two internal scholarships. Dear Visions Seniors, The Akademos Achieving Beyond Scholarship is open to all seniors graduating in the 2013-2014 school year. The Steve Phelps' American Dream Scholarship is open to graduating seniors who plan to attend community college. Students must be concurrently enrolled or have completed at least one class in community college, and have been gainfully employed at least part time during their enrollment at Visions In Education. Students interested in applying for either scholarship (and learning about other scholarships) can download an application from Visions' e-Handbook at Available Scholarships.  Applications should be submitted no later than March 1, 2014 to: Visions Counseling Department  4800 Manzanita Avenue Carmichael, CA  95608

Physical Fitness Test for 9th Graders

All 9th graders will be taking the physical fitness test this year.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/

How do we do this in Visions? Well, we can handle it in one of three ways:

• You can have your parent or guardian administer the test for you and provide me with the results
• You can join some home school families and teachers who are administering the test (I will provide more info on that option soon.)
• You can have me administer the test during one of our face to face meeting times.

What I would like all ninth graders and their families to do:

1. Read over the test information. 
2. Decide which option for testing (above) they would like to choose. 
3. Let me know their choice asap, by email.

More information about the test:

Information regarding administration of the test is located here.
• This document shows information on how to administer tests. Please pay specific attention to guidelines relating to push-ups and curl-ups. They should be paced for about 3 seconds repetition.




Administration Videos~


• One-Mile Run Video (4:08 min)
• Walk Test Video (3:47 min) For students ages 13 and older and requires a 60 second heart rate. 
• Curl-Up Video (4:54 min)
• Trunk Lift Video (3:37 min)
• Push-Up Video (3:29 min)
• Modified Pull-up Video (3:14 min)
• Flexed-Arm Hang Video (3:20 min)
• Shoulder Stretch Video (3:27 min)
• Back-Saver Sit and Reach Video (4:40 min)
• Pacer Video (6:15 min) This video does not reflect the recent change to the PACER. This test no longer requires height and weight to determine aerobic capacity.
• Skinfold Measurements Video (3:52 min)
• Body Mass Index Video (3:01 min)
• Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer Video (3:42 min)

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/10
Office Day

Tuesday
Starbucks - Kirker Pass Road
Morgan - 11:00
Starbucks - Pittsburg

Makayla - 1:00

Karolina - 2:00

Wednesday
Starbucks - Balfour Road
Rey - 12:30
Starbucks - Lone Tree Way
Michelle - 2:00
Allante - 3:30

Thursday
In Home
Nick - 10:30
Pleasant Hill Library
Jude - 12:00
Alona - 1:00
Charis - 2:30

Friday
Office Day

Ms. Bryon Moving

Please remember that I will be unavailable on Thursday and Friday, so try to contact me early this week if you have questions or need help.

I am moving from Livermore to Somerset!

This won't effect you much until the end of the year, as I will continue to serve my current caseload through May. It will be extra important that we keep our scheduled face to face meetings, however, since I will be driving about 2 hours down to meet you, and it will be extremely difficult to reschedule missed meetings.

If you are continuing with Visions for the 2014/2015 school year, you most probably will be assigned a new CT. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact me.  Thank you.

A special thanks to my Benicia students who graciously changed their Thursday meeting schedule to accommodate my move :)

Online Meeting Update

Excellent job on your online meetings so far! Thank you for helping me work out the bugs.

Blackboard Collaborate has proven too "buggy" for us to use consistently. Also, it will not be supported by your new Chromebooks next year. As a result of this, we will continue to use Skype for our online meetings.

If you haven't already done so, please sign up for a Skype account and add me as a contact (tamsen.bryon). When it comes time for your online meeting, just sign into Skype and initiate a call. For privacy, we will not use the video option.

Thanks!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/17
President's Day - No School

Tuesday 2/18
Oakley - Starbucks
Kissa Johnson - 11:00

Jeremiah - 12:30

Alex - 1:30

Wednesday 2/19
Concord - Library
Katie - 12:00
Concord - Starbucks
Brandon - 1:00
Levi - 2:00

Thursday 2/20
Ms. Bryon moving - unavailable

Friday 2/21
Ms. Bryon moving - unavailable

Are you Ready for Your Online Meeting This Week?

Online meetings start this week! Are you prepared?

Right before your meeting: 

• make sure you are signed in to your email account
• have all of your work handy
• get your phone so we have an alternate means of talking if needed
• log into the Blackboard Collaborate Room by clicking on the "Online Meeting Room" link on the right side of the blog page. Follow the directions. 

At least one day before your meeting:

For the first online meeting we will use Blackboard Collaborate. Please make sure you complete the following three steps before your first scheduled online meeting. Try to complete all three at least one full day before our meeting so we can troubleshoot any issues you might have. Let me know if you have any questions.

Before our first scheduled online meeting, please do the following:

Step 1) Check your computer set up for Blackboard Collaborate. Go to the Blackboard Collaborate first time users portal at: http://support.blackboardcollaborate.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8336&questionID=1473&task=knowledge
Complete steps 1 and 2 check your system configuration and join a test room.

Why Blackboard Collaborate? I have an online Blackboard Collaborate classroom and have five years experience using it to conduct online group and one-one one classes. I use it often for virtual tutoring. The "online meeting room" link on the right side of this page takes you directly to the sign in page for my Blackboard Collaborate classroom, so it is convenient.

Step 1) If you don't already have one, create a Skype account. It is easy and free. Go to www.skype.com and sign up. Once your Skype account is active, add me as a contact. My skype name is tamsen.bryon

Why Skype? Skype is easy and free. It is the preferred method of conducting online meetings for the EDGE academy and it is approved for use by Visions. We can use Skype as a backup if the Blackboard Collaborate room is experiencing technical difficulties.

Step 3) Make sure you have a gmail account so we can use Google Chat and Google Docs if we have any technology issues with the above systems.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/10
Holiday

Tuesday
Online
Morgan - 11:00
Makayla - 1:00
Karolina - 2:00
Christiana - 3:00

Wednesday
Online
Kaylee - 11:00
Rey - 12:30
Michelle - 2:00
Allante - 3:30

Thursday
Online
Nick - 11:00
Jude - 12:00
Alona - 1:00
Charis - 2:30

Friday
Benicia Library
Alana - 11:30
Donovan -  12:30
Sophia - 2:00
Halie - 3:00

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/3
Online
Kissa Johnson - 11:00
Starbucks on Balfour
Rey Claude - 1:30

Tuesday - (CAHSEE 10th & 12th only)
Online
Jeremiah - 12:30
Alex - 1:30

Wednesday - (CAHSEE 10th & 12th only)
Online
Katie - 12:00
Brandon - 1:00
Levi - 2:00

Thursday
Online
Alana - 11:30
Donovan - 12:30
Sophia - 2:00
Halie - 3:00

Friday
Office Day
Sophia - 8:15 - Phone
Phone Check-Ins (10:30 to 12:30)
Jude, Alona, Christiana, Michelle, Nick