Curriculum Fair - Vendors and Raffles

From the WIRE...

We are happy to announce the full list of curriculum vendors for the Curriculum Vendor Fair on May 9 in Carmichael and May 11 in Concord.

1. A Brighter Child

2. Acellus Academy*

3. Acorn Naturalists

4. All About Reading/All About Spelling

5. Art in History*

6. Art of Problem Solving*

7. Blackbird and Company**

8. Book Shark**

9. Brave Writer

10. Britannica School* **

11. Cengage Learning (National Geographic)* **

12. Essentials in Writing

13. Exploration Education*

14. Family Time Fitness*

15. Growing with Grammar

16. Handwriting Without Tears

17. Highlights

18. HMH School (Houghton Mifflin/Harcourt)* **

19. Home Science Tools*

20. Institute for Excellence in Writing

21. Kids Discover

22. Lakeshore Learning

23. Mango Languages*

24. Math-U-See

25. MBS Direct* **

26. Moving Beyond the Page**

27. My Homeschool Math Class*

28. Naviance*

29. Oak Meadow

30. Raddish Kids

31. Right Start Math

32. Singapore Math

33. Staples**

34. Starfall/More Starfall

35. Superkids**

36. Teaching Textbooks*

37. Thinkwell*

38. Time 4 Learning/Time 4 Writing

39. The Virtual Instructor*

40. Visions In Education Classes

41. The Well-Trained Mind*

42. Zoo-Phonics At Home

*New vendor and/or first-time appearance

**Representative from the company in attendance

The above vendors are working in coordination with Visions to provide curriculum samples, pamphlets, and/or valuable information about their products. The fairs are your chance to browse through samples, view vendor websites, and speak to company representatives or knowledgeable teachers about curriculum vendor options, all in an effort to aid your decision of what to order in the 2016/17 school year.

We are also excited to announce we will be holding a raffle with prizes for both parents and kids. We have a huge selection of books from Scholastic to raffle to students of all ages. And, for the parents, the following vendors have generously donated gift certificates, gift bags, or kits:
• Acellus
• Acorn Naturalists
• Art in History
• Art of Problem Solving
• Oak Meadow
• Right Start Math

Dates & Locations for the fairs are:
Carmichael – Monday, May 9, 10am – 12pm @ 5025 Manzanita Ave., Carmichael, CA 95608 (More Info)

Concord – Wednesday, May 11, 10am – 12pm @ 1925 Risdon Road, Concord, 94518 (More Info)

We hope to see you at the fairs!

CONGRATULATIONS!

To all students who have already completed testing! (Some locations began already).

For everyone testing in Jackson this week, how about some last minute practice?

CAASP Practice Tests

http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/

CST Practice Tests

Grade 5 Science

Grade 8 Science

Grade 10 Science

This Week's Meeting Schedule

There are no regularly scheduled meetings this week as testing continues in Jackson. I will be proctoring in Jackson all week.

Monday 5/2
Office Day

Tuesday
Jackson - Grace Church - 9-12
Science Paper and Pencil Test (5th, 8th, and 10th Grades only)
Haley, Emily, Xanett, Alexis, David, Matthew

*After testing meeting: Haley, Riley, Madeline, Paige: ~ 12:30

Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church - 9-12
Math and Language Arts Performance Tasks (3rd - 8th and 11th Grades)
Jasmine, Baruch, Xanett, Tyler, Lillian, Wyatt, Luke, Marie, Matthew, Gage

*After testing meeting: Gage ~ 12:30, Wyatt ~ 1

Thursday
Jackson - Grace Church - 9-12
Math and Language Arts Regular Tests

Jasmine, Baruch, Xanett, Tyler, Lillian, Wyatt, Luke, Marie, Matthew, Gage

*After testing meeting: Emily ~ 12:30

Friday
Jackson - Grace Church - 9-12

Extra time for students who did not complete testing on Tuesday-Thursday.

Field Days!

One of the highlights of Visions’ annual events is Spring Field Days, a fun day of field games and activities organized by Visions staff and held at a variety of parks throughout our service area. This is a great opportunity for students and families to get to know and network with other home school families. And for kids to expend some energy!

Games are supervised by Visions CTs and staff, and the day ends with a family barbecue of hot dogs, chips, and lemonade. You won’t want to miss this day of fun and activities!

Important Details
Where: Detert Park, Jackson
When: Thursday, May 26, from 9:30 to 12:30

Come Prepared to Play
•WEAR ATHLETIC SHOES! Students will compete in a variety of field games, so it’s important they come prepared to play. All participating children must wear closed-toe, sports shoes.
•Adults are also asked to wear athletic shoes for a planned child-parent activity.
•Visions will provide water and snacks for participating students.
Networking & Family Barbecue
•While your kids are playing, take advantage of the opportunity to network with CTs, Administrators and other Visions home school families.
•A family barbecue will be offered from 12-12:30. Vegetarian option is available. Please RSVP your food choice in Registration Form below.
Home School Curriculum Preview
•Visit with a Visions curriculum expert and preview some of the newest Home School curriculum for 2016-17.

How to Enroll
The Spring Field Days are FREE for all students, siblings, and family members to attend.
So that we may appropriately plan for food and staffing, please register your student(s) by filling out the Field Day Registration Form.
To save time on the day of the event, bring a completed permission slip (one per household).

Interested in attending a Field Day in another location? See the WIRE post for information on all Field Day locations and dates.

Enrollment Updates: Lottery, Siblings, Transfers, Children of Employees

From the WIRE...

LOTTERY
Due to the interest in our program, Visions in Education will be implementing a lottery for enrollment.  It is outlined here for you as a way to keep you informed and, to the degree that our families may have questions, so that you can respond to them.

WHY A LOTTERY?

Each year we monitor our enrollment by county and academy to ensure we can accommodate students seeking enrollment at Visions.  This year it is apparent that in some counties interest will now exceed our available space (capacity).  In our Charter we state that when our application pool exceeds capacity we will conduct a public random drawing (lottery).

HOW WILL THE LOTTERY WORK?
Continuing students and students that have been enrolled are not subject to the lottery. The completed applications (ensuring there has been submission of all supporting documents) are randomly sorted by the computerized Enrollment lottery and are not based on a first-come first-serve basis, so that when we enroll students they are in randomly-selected-order and not based upon when applications were completed.   If there is more than one student applicant in a household and one student is randomly selected, then the remaining applicants in that household fill the next openings. Following the deadline to submit applications on May 6, 2016, families will be informed of their acceptance into the requested program and school. Those who do not receive a placement through the lottery will be placed on a waiting list. Families will be informed of their number on the waiting list via phone or email by June 2016. All eligible applications following our enrollment deadline date of May 6, 2016 will be accepted or placed on a waiting list based on county and a first-come first-serve process...

Read the rest of the article on the WIRE post:
https://wire.viedu.org/enrollment-updates-lottery-siblings-transfers-children-of-employees/

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/25
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Leila - 12:30
Jaye ~ 1:35
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30

Wednesday
Plymouth
Jezreel - 11:00 - 11:30
Jackson - Grace Church
Ana & Baruch - 12:30
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Jackson Library
William - 11:30
Wyatt - 12:30
Matthew & Marie - 2:00

Friday
Office Day

Upcoming...

• Pre-ordering - Began April 11th and continues through June 3rd (Info on Pre-ordering)
• Testing in Rescue - Wednesday, April 27th through Friday, April 29th, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Link to Testing News Blog Post)

• Testing in Jackson - Tuesday, May 3rd through Friday, May 6th, 9:00 to 12:00 (Link to Testing News Blog Post)
• LP 9 Ends - Friday May 5th
• Mother's Day - Sunday, May 8th
• LP 10 Begins - Monday, May 9th
• Curriculum Vendor Fair in Carmichael - Monday, May 9th, 10:00 to 12:00
• Jackson Field Day - Thursday, May 26th, 9:30 to 12:30 (Info on Field Days)
• Memorial Day - No School - Monday, May 30th

• Last Day of School - Friday, June 3rd
• Remote Book Return - Thursday June 9th - Jackson 9:00 to 11:00; Rescue 1:00 to 3:00
• Book Sale in Carmichael - Thursday, June 16th

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/18
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35 ish
Clark's Corner
Jaye - 3:00

Thursday
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00 12:30
Emma E.- 1:10
Connor - 2:20

Friday
Office Day

New Language Arts Adoptions

Are you looking for something new for Language Arts next year? Check out the newly adopted recommended curriculum:

Reach for reading (K-5)
By Cengage/National Geographic

Projected Pricing:
K - about $220
1-5 - about $110

Bundle Includes:
Student Anthology (hardcopy)
Practice Book
Online Teacher's Edition

Ordering Info:
Order through LPad with the vendor “Cengage Learning.” Tradebook lists will be available when pacing guides are complete in July. These may be purchased through Amazon or checked out of the library.

URL: www.myNGconnect.com
To learn more about the Reach for Reading program, click HERE. For a Virtual Tour, click HERE.

For directions to preview the Reach for Reading program through “myNGconnect” online, click HERE.






California Collections (6-8)
By Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Pricing:
Student Anthology, $67
Close Reading Workbook, $25
Student Online Resources, $15
Online Teacher Edition, $31

Ordering Info:
Order through LPad with the vendor “HMH School.” Novel lists will be available when pacing guides are complete in July.

Note: When pacing guides have been completed in July, there may be adjustments to needed items. For example, you may also want to order the Performance Assessments.

URL: learn.hmhco.com/CASuccess

To learn more about the Collections program, including highlighted features, click HERE. 

For directions to preview the Collections program through “Dashboard” online, click HERE.

Another Note: California Collections also has materials for 9-12. I got the chance to look at them and I was really impressed. If you are have a student that will be in grades 9-12 next year, and are looking for a Language Arts option, this might be for you. Since it is not on the recommended list, there won't be pacing guides available from Visions, but there is no reason you can't use it.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/11
Ms. Bryon in Carmichael for Professional Development

Tuesday
Somerset
Yarrow - 11:30
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxie - 2:30

Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Somerset
Teran - 1:00

Friday
Office Day

Testing News Update - Repost

Student testing assignments are complete.

Where and when will my student test?

Here is a link to my student testing assignment list.

Who will be testing?
Students in grades 3rd through 8th, 10th & 11th will be testing. (No testing for K-2 or 9th or 12th graders.)

What tests will students be taking?
Paper-pencil tests:
• California Standards Tests (CSTs) for Science—grades 5, 8, and 10 (10th graders only take the science test.)
Smarter Balanced Tests:
• English language arts/literacy and mathematics in grades 3–8 and grade 11

Where can we start practicing for these tests?

CAASP Practice Tests

http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/

CST Practice Tests
Grade 5 Science
Grade 8 Science
Grade 10 Science

Other ways to get your child ready include:

• Typing practice 
• Computer navigation practice
• Reading long stories and other text on a computer or tablet screen

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Visions is required by the state to have over 95% of its students test, falling under that number endangers the Charter and puts Visions at risk for state compliance monitoring.

Pre-Ordering Information - Repost

At our last CT meeting, Visions provided us with a slideshow that outlined important pre-ordering information.

This presentation also provides information and dates for the upcoming Vendor Fairs, Book Sale and Remote Book Returns.

Here is a link to that presentation.

The Purchasing Matrix has also been updated. (Sign in to Launchpad to view.)

Note: Some families are having to request permission via Google to access the updated Purchasing Matrix. I have emailed Visions about this and hopefully it will be fixed soon. While you are awaiting the email granting you access to the document, you can use this copy.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/4
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30

Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Ana & Baruch - 12:30
Xanett - 2:15
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Jackson Library
William - 11:30
Wyatt - 12:30
Matthew & Marie - 2:00

Friday
Office Day

Standards Check (Grades K-8)

Are you on track to cover all of your grade level standards by the end of the year?

April is a great time to take another look over the standards and see if there is anything you need to re-plan to cover them all by the end of the year.

How do you find the standards for your grade?

Step 1: Go to your semester plan
Step 2: Click on the link in the upper left corner


The standards can also be found on the Homeschool Hub by clicking on Helpful Homeschool Documents and scrolling down to the 2nd page.



If you need a hard copy of the standards or the standards checklist, please email me and I can bring one to our next meeting.

Important Information on CDE Student Records Disclosure - UPDATE

Excerpt from the WIRE:

As a result of overwhelming public protest, it now appears that any disclosure of student records by CDE will be more restricted than initially represented. Federal judge Kimberly Mueller has ordered that CDE maintain custody of the most sensitive of its databases, the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, also known as CALPADS. The CDE will assist attorneys in running searches for information requested by the plaintiffs. According to the CDE, the court also reiterated that no student’s personally identifiable information will be released to the plaintiffs unless and until they demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court the security of the student data.

The extent of the disclosure of student data is still being litigated. In the meantime, parents with concerns about the release of student data are still encouraged to submit an Objection Form. The form must be printed out and sent via US mail to:

United States District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller
c/o Clerk of the Court
Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse
501 I St., Room 4-200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attn: Document Filed Under Seal

The whole article can be found here:
https://wire.viedu.org/update-on-cde-student-records-disclosure-lawsuit/

(sign into Launchpad to view)

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/28
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35 ish
Clark's Corner
Jaye - 3:00

Thursday
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Emma E.- 1:10
Connor - 2:20

Friday
Office Day

Last Visions Ski Day!

Place: Squaw Valley Ski Resort
When: Friday April 1st
Time: 8:45am for lessons
Student Cost: $77 for lesson, rental (including helmet) and all day ski pass.
Adult Cost: $77 for rental (including helmet) and all day ski pass
Adults can get a lesson for an additional $22 = $99

Sign up in Launchpad by 3/18 under Field Trips and contact Cindy Huisking (916) 223-7646, with student name, ability and ski or snowboard package. Please include sibling information and if parents are skiing/snowboarding.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/14
Office Day

Tuesday
Somerset
Yarrow - 11:30
Ione
Gage - 2:00
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxie - 2:30

Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Somerset
Teran - 1:00

Friday
CT Group Meeting

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Field Trip

From The Wire...

It’s not too late to sign up for the Alvin Ailey performance field trip.

Whether introducing your students to this unique art form or instilling in them a love of dance, it’s not too late to experience the power, elegance, and strength of the Alivn Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT).

Performing in Berkeley on March 31, AAADT is an acclaimed modern dance company that was founded in 1958 by choreographer and dancer Alivn Ailey. Visions has organized a theater field trip to Cal Berkeley to see the company which is, according to Cal Berkeley’s website, “consistently prized for the unmatched athleticism and exuberance of its dancers.”

Tickets are only $8 for both students and parents. Student tickets may be purchased with student funds. Parents must attend and will be responsible for providing their own transportation. If desiring to purchase a sibling or extra ticket, they are available on a first come first serve basis.

Don’t miss the unique theater opportunity that Visions is excited to offer Home School families!
For more information, visit the Alivn Ailey American Dance Theater event page.

The Event Coordinator, Jeanne McCormick, may be reached at (916) 971-5518 or hsevents@viedu.org.

Upcoming...

• LP 7 Ends: Friday, March 11
• Last Day to Add a Voucher Vendor: Friday, March 11
• Daylight Saving Time Starts: Sunday, March 13
• LP 8 Begins: Monday, March 14
• St. Patrick's Day: Thursday, March 17
• Spring Break: Monday, March 21 through Friday, March 25

• Last Day to Order Vouchers and Computers: Friday, April 1
• LP8 Ends: Friday, April 8
• Pre-ordering Begins: April 11 (through June 3)
• LP9 Begins: Monday, April 11

This Week's Meeting Schedule

*This is one of those few LPs with four school weeks, so there are no regularly scheduled meetings, just make-ups and special circumstances. 

Monday 3/6
Jackson Library
Matthew & Marie - 11:00
Xanett - 1:00
Wyatt - 2:00

Tuesday
Office Day

Wednesday
Plymouth
Haley, Riley, Madeline & Paige - 12:30

Thursday
Jackson
Emma - 11:30 (Round Table)
Emily - 12:30 (Starbucks)
Plymouth
Jezreel - 2:15

Friday
Office Day

High School Academic Planning

During our next meeting, I will be helping all high school students and their families choose classes for the fall. 

There are basically three paths through high school:

• Graduating with basic requirements (high school diploma and/or community college bound)
• Graduating with minimum 4 year university requirements
• Graduating with highly competative 4 year university requirements

Here is a link to a draft of High School Academic Plans created by the Vision's High School Counselor. I will be going each choice for all incoming High School Students at our next meeting as we plan for your Fall MA.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Rescue Area Project Fair - This Wednesday!

You are invited to participate in a homeschool Project Fair in Rescue.  It is open to Visions students of all grades.  This fair will be a wonderful opportunity for students to display their work and for families to connect with each other.   Please bring a completed project to display.  Projects may be from any subject area, not just science.

When:  Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016, 3:30 – 5:30 (setup begins at 3:00)

Where:  Foothills United Methodist Church
               3301 Green Valley Road, Rescue, CA 95672

Students will have table top space (or floor if needed) to display their results/ models/ diagrams/ photos.   There is no cost to participate!

Link to the flyer

Click here to sign up!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/29
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00 (Ms. Bryon Sick)
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30  (Ms. Bryon Sick)

Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Ana & Baruch - 12:30

Thursday
Jackson - McDonalds
William - 11:20
Jackson - Starbucks
Wyatt - 12:30

Friday
Office Day

Important Information on CDE Student Records Disclosure

From the WIRE...

Recently the United States District Court for the Eastern District of the California - Sacramento Division, ruled to hand over California public school records to attorneys of a parent group suing the state. The two parent groups that have filed the lawsuit against the California Department of Education (CDE) are a parent association group from the Morgan Hill Unified School District and California Concerned Parents Association, a group with members in 80 school districts throughout the state. The parent groups have accused CDE of alleged widespread, systemic non-compliance by local education agencies with special education laws. The suit also alleges the CDE fails to monitor, investigate and correct such non-compliance in accordance with the law. The CDE denies these allegations and is actively defending the litigation.

Visions In Education is not involved in the lawsuit and is not the subject of any of the suit’s allegations.  Nonetheless, as a part of this lawsuit, CDE has been ordered by the court to release all data it has collected on general and special education students since January 1, 2008. The data will include names, addresses, social security numbers, test scores, disciplinary records, health and mental health records and more.

This release of information impacts the following groups of students/parents:

• The parent or guardian of a child (including an infant) with disabilities
• The parent or guardian of a student who is attending or attended a California school at any time since January 1, 2008
• Person over the age of eighteen who is attending or attended a California school at any time since January 1, 2008.

The court order can be found here: Notice of Disclosure of Student Records.

Parents have the right to file an objection form requesting that their children’s information will not be released. If you wish to object to the disclosure of your child(ren)’s personally identifiable information, the CDE provides an Objection Form  (Update: CDE has shared that the “County” question in the form is referring to the county the school district is located in) that must be filed by April 1, 2016. Please note that if your children have attended multiple schools, and you choose to object, you will need to complete the form for each school they attended.

For more information regarding the release of this data and how you can file an objection with the court to not release your data, visit CDE’s Web site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/morganhillcase or contact CDE at 916.319.0800.

Physical Fitness Test (5th, 7th & 9th only)

All students in grades 5, 7, and 9 are required to take a physical fitness test. The PFT.

Information about the test can be found here.

The easiest way to fulfill this requirement is to attend the Visions Park and PE Testing Day, in Cameron Park, that CT Callie Johnson is hosting. Here is the flyer. If you do plan to attend this event, please let me know as soon as possible, so I can tell her you are coming and she can put you on the list.

Alternatively, I can administer the test at one of our upcoming meetings, or you may do it yourselves at home. The test results are due on or before April 8th.

• Information regarding administration of the test is located here (remains unchanged from last year)
• 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)

Washington DC 8th/9th Grade Excursion

Visions in Education would like to invite our 2016-17 Home School Eighth and Ninth Graders to join us on An American Adventure.  We will depart Northern California and travel by plane to our nation’s capital, Washington DC.  We will spend five days and four nights touring such sites as:

• The National Air and Space Museum

• The Lincoln Memorial

• The Vietnam War Memorial

• Ford’s Theater (Site of President Lincoln’s Assassination)

• Mt. Vernon (Home of George and Martha Washington)

• The National Museum of American History

• The US Capitol Building

• The National Museum of Natural History

• Arlington National Cemetery

• The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

• The Library of Congress


See Flyer for more info.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/22
CT Professional Development in Carmichael

Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Clark's Corner
Jaye - 2:00
Lillian - 3:00

Thursday
Pioneer
Connor - 11:00
Xanett - 12:00
Emma E.- 1:10

Friday
Office Day

Proposal to Eliminate Charter Schools

From the WIRE, posted on February 12, 2016 by Jody Graf:

PROPOSED ANTI-CHARTER INITIATIVE IN THE NEWS

Visions has received numerous inquiries from our families and staff about a potential ballot measure, the Elimination of Charter Schools Initiative that has been cleared to begin collecting petition signatures for possible inclusion on the November ballot. The initiative calls for the elimination of charter schools by repealing all laws governing charter schools, effective July 1, 2017. It would require charter schools to convert to traditional public schools or close, at local school districts’ discretion. All remaining funding and property would be transferred to the state. Secretary of State Alex Padilla made this announcement this past Monday, February 8. The initiative is in its beginning stages and would need at least 365,880 valid signatures, by August 8, 2016 before it could qualify for the ballot.

The backers of the initiative are focused more on for-profit organizations and for-profit charters, which is a very small fraction of the charter schools in California. Visions is, as are the vast majority of California charter schools, operated as a non-profit public school; it is tuition-free and open to all students. Also, as with all charter schools, Visions is held accountable to state and federal academic standards.
In the meantime here are some things you can do:

1. Share your experience about the benefits of charter schools with friends, family, your legislator, etc. The more voices that support parent choice in education, the harder it will be for misrepresentations about charter schools to take hold.
2. Help inform your friends and family members that your school is a public school and that charter schools are public schools.
3. Read the fine print in any ballot measure to make sure you understand what you’re signing. Sometimes the wording to get your attention is misleading.

We will continue to monitor this and keep you informed if there are further developments.
-Jody

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/15
President's Day - No School

Tuesday
Plymouth
Jezreel - 10:00
Somerset
Yarrow - 11:30
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxie - 2:30

Thursday
Somerset
Teran - 1:00
Camino
Alex M. - 3:30

Friday
Office Day

SBAC Test Prep Classes (Grades 3-8 & 11)

Visions In Education is offering free Smarter Balanced Prep classes for grades 3-8 and 11 in ELA and math. Make sure your student feels prepared to take the Smarter Balanced Assessments this year by signing up for the classes. Now open for enrollment, the classes are free and are offered in multiple locations throughout our service area. Students will become familiar with SBAC test-taking procedures through topics covering exposure to the technology that will be utilized and what to expect in the performance task portion of the test. The classes will also offer a short time for student and parent questions.

The Prep classes must have a minimum enrollment of five students, 48 hours prior to the date or it will be canceled.  If a class is canceled, parents/guardians will be notified by email 24 hours in advance.

Prep Classes will be offered in Carmichael, Lodi, Concord, Fairfield, Rescue, Jackson, and South Lake Tahoe on a variety of dates towards the end of February and beginning of March.

Note: SBAC Prep Classes will not review grade-level content—test-taking procedures will be the primary focus.

Click here to find the schedule for 2016 SBAC Prep Classes. The schedule will be finalized soon and registration for the classes will take place in Launchpad.Write down the Class ID numbers, double check for accuracy and go to LaunchPad to register.

For questions regarding SBAC Prep Classes, contact our Class Coordinators James Mayo (916-971-5193) and Christina Jonsson (916-971-5192).

If you are looking for more materials to prepare your student for the upcoming SBAC test, please click here.

Another great resource is SmarterBalanced.org.

College: Making it Happen Event

Sacramento State is hosting its annual “College: Making It Happen!” college information day on Saturday, April 2, 2016. This program, intended primarily for 6th through 9th graders and their parents, is designed to convey the importance of early academic preparation and to inform families that a college education is still both affordable and attainable. The program is free and open to the public.

The program includes motivational sessions, practical hands-on workshops, career exploration, campus tours, and information sessions on preparing academically and financially for college. Representatives and counselors from local colleges and universities, tutoring programs, community agencies and other student support services will be available to answer questions and provide information about their services.  Some presentations will be offered in Hmong and Spanish.

The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2 at Sacramento State University, Union Ballroom. Due to its growing popularity, pre-registration is required.

Register  at www.csus.edu/cmih
Flyer

“College: Making It Happen!” is sponsored by Sacramento State, UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions & Early Academic Outreach Program, Los Rios Community College District, ScholarShare, CAL-SOAP Consortium, Breakthrough Sacramento, and other educational and community based organizations.

Upcoming

• Lincoln's Birthday (No school): Monday, February 8
• LP 6 Ends: Friday, February 12
• Valentine's Day: Sunday, February 14
• President's Day (No school): Monday, February 15
• LP 7 Begins: Tuesday, February 16
• Last Day to Add/Drop Classes: Friday, February 19
• Last Day to Order Curriculum and Materials: Friday, February 26
• Alliance Redwoods Environmental Camp (5th and 6th Graders): Monday, February 29 to Friday, March 4th

• Rescue Project Fair: Wednesday, March 2
• LP 7 Ends: Friday, March 11
• Last Day to Add a Voucher Vendor: Friday, March 11
• Daylight Saving Time Starts: Sunday, March 13
• LP 8 Begins: Monday, March 14
• St. Patrick's Day: Thursday, March 17
• Spring Break: Monday, March 21 through Friday, March 25

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/8
No School - Lincoln's Birthday

Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30

Wednesday
Jackson - Grace Church
Connor - 11:30
Ana & Baruch - 12:30
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Jackson - Round Table
William - 11:30
Jackson - Starbucks
Wyatt - 12:30
Xannett- 1:30

Friday
Carmichael
Gage - 2:00 ?

Staples Ordering

Visions is excited to announce a new partnership with Staples! Starting on January 21st, you will be able to order educational materials and supplies from Staples. Not only will Staples be a new vendor, but the Staples ordering process will be convenient and quick.

You can now use the Launchpad Order Wizard to start a Staples order. You will then be routed to the Staples website where you can shop for items and add them to a shopping cart, and then checkout. (You will not need to type in the item numbers and descriptions into Launchpad as is done with other vendors.) 

When checkout is completed, you will be routed back to Launchpad, where the order can be approved by your CT and reviewed by resource center staff. Please see the specific instructions on how to order from Staples by clicking here.

Once an order has been approved and reviewed, Staples will process the order within a day or two, and ship items very quickly.

Please keep in mind that the Supplementary Materials Purchasing Matrix still applies when adding items to the cart for purchase. Staples may have items available in their store that are not approvable, so please do not order these items.

Visions is excited to be able to offer this new ordering opportunity to more efficiently serve our wonderful homeschool families and students!

Key Ordering Deadlines

• Last day to order curriculum: February 26, 2016.

• Last day to add a new voucher vendor: March 11, 2016.
• Last day to order computer or voucher: April 1, 2016.
• Pre-ordering for 2016-17 school year starts April 11, 2016.
• Last day to request a parent field trip reimbursement: June 3, 2016.
• Last day to turn in Textbook Transfer: June 6, 2016.
• Last day to request a community college reimbursement: June 3, 2016.
• Last day to return all returnable items: June 10, 2016.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/1
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35
Clark's Corner
Jaye - 3:00

Thursday
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Emma E.- 1:10
Connor - 2:20

Friday
Office Day

Ski Days

Visions students and immediate family members are invited to enjoy a day of skiing or snowboarding at Sierra-at-Tahoe.

With multiple dates to choose from, students will be able to use student funds to learn the sport, and family members and non-lesson students will get the advantage of discounted rates.

Visions CTs Shelby Shupe and Ty Beekman are coordinating this annual event.

Remaining Ski Day Dates are:
Friday, February 5
Friday February 26
Friday, March 11

Click here for more information.
(This link will take you to the WIRE, so you will need to be logged in to Launchpad to view.)

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 1/25
Office Day

Tuesday
Plymouth
Jezreel - 10:00
Somerset
Yarrow - 11:30
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxie - 2:30

Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Grizzly Flat
Teran - 1:00

Friday
Office Day

Testing News

A few parents have asked questions about upcoming state testing in the spring. Here is the information I have so far. Remember that it is still early days in the planning and dates may change. I do not have testing times yet. I will continue to update you as information is shared with me.

Who is taking tests and what tests will they be taking?
Smarter Balanced Tests:
• English language arts/literacy and mathematics in grades 3–8 and grade 11
Paper-pencil tests:
• California Standards Tests (CSTs) for Science—grades 5, 8, and 10

Where can we start practicing for these tests?

CAASP Practice Tests

http://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/

CST Practice Tests
Grade 5 Science
Grade 8 Science
Grade 10 Science

Other ways to get your child ready include:

• Typing practice 
• Computer navigation practice
• Reading long stories and other text on a computer or tablet screen

Where and when will my student test?

Jackson - Grace Church

May 3 - 6 (CST and 11th grade SBAC Tuesday, SBAC all grades Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday if needed)

Rescue - Foothills United Methodist Church

April 26 - 29 (CST and 11th grade SBAC Tuesday, SBAC all grades Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday if needed)

Visions is required by the state to have over 95% of its students test, falling under that number endangers the Charter and puts Visions at risk for state compliance monitoring.

Upcoming

• LP 5 Ends: Friday, January 15
• Martin Luther King Day (No school): Monday, January 18
• Teacher Work Days (No School): Tuesday and Wednesday, January 19 and 20
• LP 6 Begins: Thursday, January 21

• Lincoln's Birthday (No school): Monday, February 8
• LP 6 Ends: Friday, February 12

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 1/11
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Gage - 11:00
Haley, Riley, Madeline, & Paige- 12:30
Zora - 3:00 (Clark's Corner)

Wednesday
Jackson
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Jackson - Grace Church
Ana & Baruch - 12:30
Emily - 2:30
Tristan - 3:30

Thursday
Pine Grove
Emma N. - 11:00
William - 12:15
Joy & Tobias- 1:30

Friday
Jackson - Starbucks
Xannett - 11:00
Wyatt - 12:00
Jaye - 1:00
Lilly - 2:00

LP5 & LP6 - Friendly Reminder

LP5 ends on Friday, January 15.

LP6 Begins on Thursday, January 21.

During our LP5 meeting we will generate semester grades (6-12), and create the digital copy of official report cards (K-5). K-5 - Please have your draft report cards ready for our LP5 meeting.

During our LP6 meeting I will be collecting official work samples for Visions. All Grades - Please have your LP6 semester plan complete for our LP5 meeting (so we can cement what topics you will cover for official work samples), and the remainder of your semester plan complete for our LP6 meeting.

Thank you!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 1/4
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Khloe & Sadie - 11:00
Tyler & Lexi - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Leila - 11:00
Zora - 12:30
Lillian - 1:35
Clark's Corner
Jaye - 3:00 (12:05?)

Thursday
Pioneer Library
Xanett - 12:00
Wyatt - 2:20
Emma E.- 3:30 - (1:10?)

Friday
Office Day

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 12/14
Professional Development in Carmichael

Tuesday
Plymouth
Jezreel - 10:00
Somerset
Yarrow ~ 11:20
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Ione
Grace - 11:00
Luke & Alex - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:30

Thursday
Camino
Alex M. - 11:00
Grizzly Flat
Teran ~ 12:30

Friday
Office Day

Spelling Bee

Visions invites 1st to 8th grade students to participate in the school-wide Visions Spelling Bee this Friday 12/11 from 9 to 1. More information on the Spelling Bee event page.

Scholastic Book Fair

Join us at our annual Scholastic Book Fair, December 7th – 11th, for a fun opportunity to purchase books and other educational items. Families have two options to make purchases (on site or through Launchpad) and each enrolled student is allotted up to $50 from school funds for the book fair. To learn more visit our Book Fair event page.