Monday, April 2, 2018

Field Trip to Alpha Fired Arts


I'm moving forward with our field trip to Alpha Fired Arts, as It looks as if there is enough interest to make it go. (20 participant min. and a 50 participant max.)

I'm working with Visions to try to get it into Launchpad for sign-ups. Will send out a notice as soon as it is ready to go. 

We will be doing their "Paint a Masterpiece" plate. (Van Gogh's Sunflowers)

Alpha Fired Arts
4675 Aldona Lane
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 484-4424

Wednesday, May 23
10:00 to 11:30

*Attendance on this field trip will count as our LP10 meeting :)

Field Trip to Black Chasm

Traci Muldery has put together a field trip to Black Chasm. Here is a copy of the email she sent out to her families. Feel free to sign up! I'll be there :) And...if you like, you can count this as your LP9 meeting!


Visions Families,

I'm excited to share with you the news that our Amador Students are invited to participate in a field trip to Black Chasm Cavern in Volcano, California (just a few miles from Pine Grove).  I booked a fieldtrip for our group to meet at the Black Chasm Cavern on May 16 at 11:30, ending at 1:30.  The Black Chasm Cavern is an amazing place with the largest display of helcite gemstones in the Western Hemisphere.  This is the reason that it is a National Landmark. We are getting a discounted group pricing, which is $6.50 per student.  For an additional cost of $5.00, we also have the opportunity to have our students go gemstone mining, which is like gold mining, but students get gemstones instead. The costs of the tour, and the gemstone mining will be covered by Visions funding.  The cost for adults to take the tour is $11.00, and will not be covered by Visions.


Here is a link from National Geographic to some information and pictures of the Black Chasm Cavern:
Black Chasm Cavern

I have been working with Visions Sacramento to get everything approved for our group, and enable our students to use their funding.  Friday, this field trip was put on Launchpad.

You can sign up your child now.  Go to Launchpad ---->scroll to bottom and hit New Orders---->Then More Ordering Options----> VIE Activities & Events --->Hit Field Trip on the Dropdown ---> Next----> sign up with the numbers below

Launchpad # for Tour     #27548

Launchpad # of Gemstone Mining     #27549

This trip may fill up fast.  I'm trying to keep it for our local Amador families.   Families are able to go through Launchpad to sign up for field trips until the end of April. If you need help signing up, I can do it for you if you still have funding left.  If not, call Visions, information below.  If you want to sign up, and it is closed, call or text me.    Families need to  sign up and pay for any adult or sibling no later than Friday, April 27th.  On Monday, April 30th, Visions will request a check from the district for the families who have paid. 

Parents that want to participate in this fieldtrip, and I'm thinking that will be most of you, need to contact Marnie Livingstone at Visions at 916-971-5518.  She will put your name on the list and discuss how to pay for it.
If you have maxed out your funding, you and your child can still participate by paying our of pocket.  Again, discuss with Marnie.
If you have siblings that you would like to attend this event, call Marnie.

More information to be coming.

Traci

Here is a link to Traci's flyer.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/2
Office Day

Tuesday
Virtual
Joseph & Alex - 11:00
Billy - 1:30

Wednesday
Virtual
Jaxon - 12:00
Charlotte - 1:30
Khloe & Sadie - 2:35

Thursday
Virtual
Wesley - 11:30
Lucas - 12:30
Hunter - 1:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, March 19, 2018

Looking for a New Math Curriculum?


If you are searching for a new math curriculum for next year, definitely check Eureka Math out.

Melissa Meyer, the Math Revolution leader, has provided a 25 minute video to explain how the program works. The video was made for CTs, but I am sharing it here because it is a GREAT overview.

Warning: This video is pretty comprehensive, and things look complicated at the start, so I would watch it to the end if I was searching for a new math program.

https://zoom.us/recording/play/mP8sipYU-jb_fKexDFxxwh5ZZhjtt5BJje6KehGgJw5wMy39G1ayc_yYUnYhG5cX

Price and ordering info:
Visions Vendor - Great Minds
$150.00 for the Digital Suite
$  29.96 for a set of grade level workbooks (correction from the video, which says they are $29 each book/module)
= $179.96 for Eureka Math- a GREAT deal!

Spring Break is Next Week!


March 26th - 30th.
School office will be closed and CTs will be on break.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/19
Office Day

Tuesday
Carmichael
CT Professional Development Day
Vendor Fair

Wednesday
Jackson
Wyatt - 11:00
Hunter - 12:15
Lilly - 1:20
Jezreel - 2:30

Thursday
Office Day

Friday
Office Day

Monday, March 12, 2018

Upcoming & Notable


  • High School Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 4 - 11am - 1pm - Grace Church in Jackson. Sign up here.
  • Ordering Deadline (Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers)Friday, April 6
  • Early Ordering Begins  - Monday, April 9
  • CASSP and CAST Testing in Jackson - Monday, April 10 through Friday April 13
  • CASSP and CAST Testing in Rescue - Tuesday, April 17 through Friday April 20
  • End of LP8 - Friday, April 20
  • LP9 Begins - Monday, April 23

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/12
Virtual
Sterling 11:00
Somerset
Yarrow & Alder - 1:00

Tuesday
Pollock Pines
Alex M. - 10:00
Somerset - Crossroads Cafe
Justin - 11:30
Virtual
Wesley - 2:00

Wednesday
CAASPP Test Practice & PFT Testing - Grace Church - Jackson 9 - 1
Grace Church
Emily - 1:30
Virtual
Akira - 3:30

Thursday
Jackson Library
Lucas - 10:30
Emma - 11:30
Connor- 12:30
Wyatt - 2:00

Friday
Somerset
Maya - TBD

Monday, March 5, 2018

Sibling Enrollments




Enrolling a sibling for next year? To ensure your spot, don't miss the deadline!

Sibling applications must be complete by 4:30 pm on March 16th.

Ordering Deadlines & Curriculum Vendor Fair

The deadline for ordering curriculum, vouchers and computers for the 2017-18 school year is
Friday, April 6.

Early ordering for the 2018-19 school year begins Monday, April 9.



Looking for curriculum ideas for next year? Come to the vendor fair in Carmichael on Tuesday, March 20 from 11 to 1. More info and a list of participating vendors click here.

Upcoming & Notable


  • High School Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 4 - 11am - 1pm - Grace Church in Jackson. Sign up here.
  • Ordering Deadline (Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers) - Friday, April 6
  • Early Ordering Begins  - Monday, April 9
  • CASSP and CAST Testing in Jackson - Monday, April 10 through Friday April 13
  • CASSP and CAST Testing in Rescue - Tuesday, April 17 through Friday April 20

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/5
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Grace & Faith - 1:30

Wednesday
Jackson Library
Billy - 11:00
Isabeau & McKenna - 12:05
Rescue Project Fair 3 - 6

Thursday
Jackson Library
Leila - 11:00
Charles & Ella - 1:30
David - 3:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, February 26, 2018

Upcoming & Notable

**I still haven't heard about the ordering deadlines, but they will be coming up soon!**




  • High School Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 4 - 11am - 1pm - Grace Church in Jackson. Sign up here.
  • Early Ordering Begins  - Monday, April 9
  • CASSP and CAST Testing in Jackson - Monday, April 10 through Friday April 13
  • CASSP and CAST Testing in Rescue - Tuesday, April 17 through Friday April 20

Student Testing Location Assignments


The testing location assignments have been posted.

Please check your assignment below and let me know if you have questions or need to request a change of location/time (Jackson is AM only, Rescue is both AM and PM). If you would like to request a change of location, please let me know ASAP as Visions is trying to organize for materials and proctors for each site. Deadline for location change requests is March 16.

Remember, not all students will need to test all four days. Some students take only two days to complete testing, some take longer. Tests are not timed, so students can take as long as they need.

Thank you!

-->
StudentTesting DatesTimeLocation
AustinApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
WilliamApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
GraceApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
EmmaApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
JasmineApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
RoxieApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
HunterApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
MadisonApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
TiffanyApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
LeilaApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
CharlesApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
LillianApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
EllaApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
AkiraApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
JezreelApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
IsabeauApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
McKennaApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
WyattApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
YarrowApril 10 - 139 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
DavidApril 109 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
EmilyApril 109 to 12Grace Fellowship - Jackson
MayaApril 17 - 209 to 12Foothills United - Rescue
AlexApril 17 - 201 to 4Foothills United - Rescue



-->

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/26
Office Day
Wyatt - 11:00 - Virtual

Tuesday
Ione
Joseph & Alex - 11:00
Tiffany, Madison & Logan - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione - Pizza Factory
Jaxon - 12
Ione
Charlotte - 1:30
Khloe & Sadie - 2:35

Thursday
Ione
Austin - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:00

Friday
Office Day/CT Meeting

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Upcoming & Notable

**Semester 2 official work samples to be collected during LP6 meeting**




  • High School Information Meeting - Wednesday, April 4 - 11am - 1pm - Grace Church in Jackson. Sign up here.
  • Early Ordering Begins  - Monday, April 9

Testing Practice

Students who are familiar with the test interface and can navigate it comfortably have a definite advantage going into testing in April.

Please consider spending some time with the SBAC practice tests located here (answers and printable test questions here).

Practice sessions will be held at Grace Church in Jackson on Wednesday, March 14th. Info here.

Remember grades 5, 8, 11 & 12 will also be taking the CAST science field test. Info can be found here.

Let me know if you have questions!

Enrollment Deadlines



Visions has many new students waiting to get in, so they have modified the enrollment deadlines this year.

  • Visions began taking Fall applications the first week of February.
  • There will be a lottery for all new students in all areas - Lottery begins 3/20/18.
  • Siblings are exempt from the lottery as long as the applications are complete by 4:30 pm on 3/16/18.
  • Current student academy change request deadline is also 3/16/18.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/20
President's Day - No School

Tuesday
Office Day

Wednesday
Jackson
Charles & Ella - 11:00
Wyatt - 1:00

Thursday
Office Day

Friday
Office Day

Monday, February 12, 2018

Upcoming & Notable

**Semester 2 official work samples to be collected during LP6 meeting**



President's Day (No School) - Monday, February 19
Sutter's Fort Environmental Living Program - Tuesday, February 20 & Wednesday, February 21
Ski Day - Friday, February 23
Crest Center - Pete the Cat - Thursday, February 22
End of LP6 - Friday, February 23
LP7 Begins - Monday, February 26
Mondavi Center – Cudamani: Gamelan and Dance of Bali - Monday, February 26
Mondavi Center – Words Take Wing - Tuesday, February 27
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp (5th & 6th Grades) - Monday, February 26 - Friday, March 2.


Last Day to Add/Drop (HS Students) - Friday, March 2
Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 7
Ski Day - Friday, March 9
Daylight Saving Time Begins - Sunday, March 11
Interim SBAC Test Prep & PFT - Jackson - Wednesday March 14 (More information coming!)
Ski Make-Up Day - Friday, March 16
End of LP7 - Friday, March 23
SPRING BREAK - Monday, March 26 - Friday, March 30

Olympics Resources




Brave Writer Olympic Guide

Education World

Education.com

Flag Rocks



Scholastic

Teacherstarter - most resources require a subscription, but some don't and you can get inspiration from what you can see online.

Have good ones to share? Just email me and I will update this page.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/12
Lincoln's Birthday - No School

Tuesday
Pollock Pines
Alex M. - 10:00
Somerset - Crossroads Cafe
Justin - 11:30
Maya - 12:30
Akira - 1:30

Wednesday
Jackson Library
Sterling - 11:00
Hunter - 12:15
Lilly - 1:20
Jezreel - 3:00

Thursday
Jackson Library
Billy - 10:30
Emma - 11:30
Connor- 12:30
Wyatt - 2:00

Friday
Somerset
Yarrow & Alder - 1:00

Monday, February 5, 2018

Sac State Summer Courses


Exciting Sac State Summer Courses: Take Academic Talent Search (ATS) Exam to Qualify
Interested in getting a taste of the college experience?

Offering of a host of exciting summer courses, Sacramento State’s Academic Talent Search (ATS) program gives current 4th-9th graders the opportunity to take challenging and engaging classes taught by college professors, area instructors, and industry professionals. Students can choose from classes that include LEGO Robotics, law, neuroscience, art, engineering, theater, broadcasting, photography, foreign language, writing and many more.

To join, students must take the ATS qualifying exam, which Visions will be administering on March 2, 2018 at 10 a.m. at the Visions In Education office in Carmichael. You must take the exam to apply for the classes. The test takes a little over one hour and costs $15, payable to ATS on the day of the test.

To sign up for the exam, contact Deanna Stevenson at dstevenson@viedu.org or (916) 971-5523. Additional details including course offerings and financial aid information for qualifying students can be found here.

High School Information Presentation


From the WIRE:
Incoming and current high school students in grades 8 through 11 are invited to attend a High School Informational Presentation to learn about academic planning to meet your student’s post-secondary goals and learn about the resources available to you.

Led by Visions’ Home School Counseling Department, the presentation will cover several topics that are focused on preparing students for high school graduation and beyond.
Topics include:
High school graduation requirements
4-year university A-G admissions requirements
Honors classes and grade point averages (GPA)
PSAT, SAT, and ACT information/prep
Community service
Concurrent community college enrollment
How to academically plan for high school and post-high school goals

Upcoming dates, locations, and times are:


  • March 6 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Pleasant Hill Tutoring Center, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, 1601 Mary Dr., Pleasant Hill (RSVP by 3/2)
  • March 7 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Lodi Tutoring Center, Century Assembly, 550 W. Century Blvd., Lodi (RSVP by 3/2)
  • March 12 – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Cameron Park Library, 2500 Country Club Dr., Cameron Park (RSVP by 3/8)
  • March 13 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Carmichael Office, 5030 El Camino Ave., Carmichael (RSVP by 3/9)
  • March 15 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., St. Luke’s Tutoring Center, 7595 Center Parkway, Sacramento (RSVP by 3/13)
  • March 19 – 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Carmichael Office, 5030 El Camino Ave., Carmichael (RSVP by 3/15)
  • March 22 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Vallejo Tutoring Center, Community Presbyterian, 2800 Georgia St. Vallejo (RSVP by 3/20)
  • April 4 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Jackson Tutoring Center, Grace Fellowship, 8040 CA-49, Jackson (RSVP by 3/30)


To RSVP for this valuable presentation, please fill out the High School Informational Presentation Sign-Up Form.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 2/5
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Wesley - 12:00
Grace & Faith - 1:30

Wednesday
Jackson Library
Billy - 11:00
Isabeau & McKenna - 12:05
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Jackson Library
Leila - 11:00
Lucas - 12:05
Charles & Ella - 1:30
David - 3:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, January 29, 2018

Upcoming & Notable

**Semester 2 official work samples to be collected during LP6 meeting**



LP6 Begins - Monday, January 29
Mondavi Center - Circa's Carnival of Animals - Monday, January 29



Ski Day - Friday, February 9
Lincoln's Birthday (No School) - Monday, February 12
President's Day (No School) - Monday, February 19
Sutter's Fort Environmental Living Program - Tuesday, February 20 & Wednesday, February 21
Ski Day - Friday, February 23
Crest Center - Pete the Cat - Thursday, February 22
End of LP6 - Friday, February 23
LP7 Begins - Monday, February 26
Mondavi Center – Cudamani: Gamelan and Dance of Bali - Monday, February 26
Mondavi Center – Words Take Wing - Tuesday, February 27
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp (5th & 6th Grades) - Monday, February 26 - Friday, March 2.

Last Day to Add/Drop (HS Students) - Friday, March 2
Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 7
Ski Day - Friday, March 9
Daylight Saving Time Begins - Sunday, March 11
Interim SBAC Test Prep - Jackson - Wednesday March 14 (waiting on more info)
Ski Make-Up Day - Friday, March 16
End of LP7 - Friday, March 23
SPRING BREAK - Monday, March 26 - Friday, March 30

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 1/29
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Joseph & Alex - 11:00
Tiffany, Madison & Logan - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Jaxon - 12
Charlotte - 1:30
Khloe & Sadie - 2:35

Thursday
Ione
Austin - 12:30
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:00

Friday
Office Day

Monday, January 22, 2018

Virtual Meeting Survey

Testing, Testing...

Now is a great time to start some no stress practicing for state testing.

CAASPP Practice and Training Tests
Scoring Rubrics (Answers) to CAASPP Practice Tests


Here is a refresher of the testing info I have so far...

*CAASPP - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (Language Arts and Math)
*CAST - California Science Test
*PFT - Physical Fitness Test

Which Grades Take Which Tests?
PFT - Grades 5, 7 and 9
CAASPP - Grades 3 - 8 and 11
CAST (field test) - Grades 5, 8, 11 and 12

CAASPP Interim Test Prep - NEW THIS YEAR - More info in this should come soon!
Jackson - Grace Church - March 14
Rescue - Foothills Methodist Church - March 7

CAASPP/CAST* Testing
Jackson - Grace Church - April 10 - 13
Rescue - Foothills Methodist Church - April 17 - 20
Make-ups (Carmichael, Concord, Fair Oaks, Lodi, Rescue) - May 8 - 10

PFT*
Dates and Times - Working on a Jackson testing day - will keep you posted
El Dorado Hills - Promontory Comm Park - 3/13 @ 9:00 am
Lodi - Katzakian Park - 3/22 @ 9:00 am
Elk Grove - Derr-Okamoto - 3/22 @ 1:00 pm
Sacramento - Howe Park - 3/21 @ 9:00 am
Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks Park - 3/7 @ 1:00 pm

CAASPP Practice and Training Tests
Scoring Rubrics (Answers) to CAASPP Practice Tests
Info on CAASPP Score Reports
CAST Info
PFT Info

Rescue Area Project Fair


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. For more information, see this link on The Wire.


When:  Wednesday, March 7th, 2018, 3:00 – 5:00

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!

Attendance Change

Pathways updated the attendance (Activity Log) page so there is one extra step to log your attendance.

To log attendance:

  • Go to Launchpad
  • Click on School Pathways
  • Click on Activity Log



If you need to change the Learning Period, under Select Learning Periods, click the drop-down arrow and deselect the incorrect Learning period, then select the correct Learning Period.   






  • Click Review Log. The Learning Log will then appear on the screen.
 Check boxes and click Save Screen. 


This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 1/22
Virtual
Emily - 11:30
Yarrow & Alder - 1:00

Tuesday
Jackson Library
Isabeau & McKenna - 11:30
Ione
Leila - 2:00

Wednesday
Somerset
Maya - 9:30

Thursday - CT Work Day - No School

Friday - CT Work Day - No School

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Spring Semester Work Samples


Here are the optional work sample folders for the official work sample collection at our LP6 meeting. Remember, you do not have to use these. You can also use a combination of your own samples and the provided samples.

Don't worry about the standards matching on your semester plan. Things have been changing with how assignments are being logged with the Visions system (see next post), so we will check that together at our LP6 meeting.

TK/K Samples
1st Grade Samples
2nd Grade Samples
3rd Grade Samples
4th Grade Samples
5th Grade Samples
6th Grade Samples
7th Grade Samples
8th Grade Samples
9-12th Grade Samples

If you have any issues with them, or suggestions on better options, please let me know. I am open.

More Changes




Previously, I was required to create a semester plan with you AND then copy that information into Launchpad (now Pathways).

This year, Visions administration has decided to allow CTs to share (with their admin) and upload (to Pathways) the semester plans instead of duplicating that work.

What this means...
Starting LP6 (spring semester), your semester plan will be an "official" school document that is shared with your Visions administrator and logged on School Pathways.


How this changes things...(for most people, not much at all)

  • Semester Plan titles will include "Semester Plan & AWR" (I added that already)
  • Semester plans will need to be updated regularly, and at the end of each LP they should accurately reflect the work completed that LP (already being done :)
  • Grades and progress will need to be updated each LP (already being done :)
  • For those using religious texts and materials, we will no longer be able to use the titles of those materials on the semester plan. (Example:"Bob Jones English 4" becomes "English 4")
  • Students working above or below grade level will need to have "grade level" standards on the semester plan. (I was putting the standard of the grade level students were working at, but now I won't be able to. I'll be changing this over the next few weeks.)
Please let me know if you have any questions about this change. Thanks!

And remember, you can always make a copy of your semester plan for your own use if you like.

Math Webinar

Hi Visions Families,
Would you like to add more depth and creativity to your student's daily math lessons?  If so, then please join us for Math Webinar #4 on January 29th@ 1:00.  Our Math Instructional Coach, Melissa Meyer, will be hosting this webinar which will look at multidimensional math and how using diamond paper can engage students in higher level math thinking and reasoning.

To Register Please Click Here
To see a schedule of future Math Webinars or watch a recorded Math Webinars, Click Here.


Our goal is first and foremost to make math fun and engaging so that your student is not stressed by math but rather enjoys it and can apply it to real world situations. Remember, “textbooks don’t teach, teachers teach!”

Cool Share

Another cool share from Shelly...


Get it here - 2017 Year in Review Coloring Page
Feel free to use this as a Language Arts or Visual Arts work sample!

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 1/16
MLK Day - No School

Tuesday
Virtual
Alex M. - 11:00
Akira - 1:30

Wednesday
Virtual
Justin - 11:00
Hunter - 12:15
Lilly - 1:20
Jezreel - 3:00

Thursday
Virtual
Emma - 12:00
Connor- 1:00
Wyatt - 2:00

Friday
Office Day