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.

Great job on getting to the STAR testing! I know it can be stressful. You should give yourself a pat on the back for doing your best.

If you missed a day for some reason, or still have tests to complete, here is the bay area make-up schedule:

Wednesday, April 24th and Thursday, April 25.

1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

New Life Christian Fellowship 

3525 Chestnut Ave. 

Concord, 94519 

Note: This is NOT the same location as most of you were testing at this week, make sure to check the address. All other make-ups will be up at the school office in Carmichael. Please let me know if you need me to share the Carmichael make-up schedule with you.

Spring Dance

Visions is Hosting a Spring Dance  for Our High School Students Update-DJ and Photo Booth Booked!  Dear Visons High School Students, It is our pleasure to invite you to Visions' Spring Dance.  Won't you join us for this event? Update! DJ and Photo Booth booked When:   May 3, 2013  Who:   Students in grades 9-12  Where: Christ Community Church (map)  Time: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm   Cost: $12 (includes refreshments and pictures) Semi-Formal (no jeans, tee-shirts, or flip flops) Sign Up Soon!  To sign up for the event contact your CT. You must be on the Spring Dance RSVP list to gain admittance to the dance. Students not on this list, will not be admitted.   Visions students are permitted to bring one guest if they wish. Guests cannot be over 18 years old and must fill out a Guest Dance Bid which must be turned into the office by May 3, 2013. The Guest Dance Bid form will be emailed to students once they have been added to the Spring Dance RSVP list. See You There Looking forward to seeing you at our Spring Dance. It will be time to have some fun as yet another school year is about to end, don't you think? I hope you can come and celebrate with us. Sincerely, Christina McKinnis Visions In Education Charter School  Links Photo booth-Michael Smith photography Spring Dance flyer Photo Booth at the Dance Photo courtesy Michael Smith photography. Visions will have a photo booth at the dance with props and an attendant to help.  Personalized photo strips will be provided to patrons at the dance! What Does Semi Formal Mean for Girls?    Learn more here about what to wear to a semi-formal dance. And here is a link to tips on how to get ready for a semi formal event. What Does Semi Formal Mean for Boys?   Here is a link for tips on what boys should wear for semi formal dress. Here are tips for getting ready for the dance too.

This Week's Meetings

Remember, due to STAR testing there are no face to face meetings this week. I will be proctoring testing at the Concord site so I may not return texts, calls, or emails right away, but I will get to them ASAP. Thanks for understanding :)

STAR TESTING

STAR testing begins this week. (4/16 - 4/19)

Hopefully, you received the information below in the mail already, if not, please contact me with any questions!


Fair Oaks Baptist Church 
1925 Risdon Rd.
Concord, 94518

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (as needed)
Grades 9-12 will test Wednesday and Thursday from 1 to 4. Get there 15 minutes early. 
As needed Friday testing will be from 9-1.
Schedule and Map
Allison
Andrea
Brandon
Kaitlyn
Brianna
Jeremiah
Aaron
Alexander M.
Desiree
Charis
Tilea
Sophia


Community Presbyterian Church
2800 Georgia St.  
Vallejo, 94591

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (as needed)
Grades 9-12 will test Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:30 to 4. Get there 15 minutes early.
As needed Thursday testing will be from 9-1.
Schedule and Map
Kiley
Donovan
Emma
Halie

Late Work - Please Read

I have been too lenient about late work this semester and it hasn't helped anyone. It is my own fault. I now have many students handing in work late, and piles of late work to go through and not enough time to do it.

So...

We are reverting to the ORIGINAL late work policy.

AS OF NEXT WEEK, Monday, April 15.

(That means you have one week to get me any late work that you want graded.)

If you do not have your work ready for our meeting:

• DO NOT CANCEL YOUR MEETING! (Work is due on our meeting day regardless of whether you come to the meeting or not.)
• Go forward with your regularly scheduled work. Don't get further behind.
• You can turn in late work, however, it will not be graded, it will be checked for completeness and you will earn a D, (65%) for it.

Exceptions: If you have a parent's or doctor's note explaining a valid reason for the late work, or if we arrange a schedule change in advance, I will accept late work at full credit as long as it is COMPLETE AND ORGANIZED at the next meeting.

This week's meetings

Monday
Online or Phone Meetings
Katie - 10:00
Halie - 11:00
Michael - 12:00
Emma - 1:00

Tuesday

Antioch Public Library

Andrea - 12:00 **
Anthony - 1:00

Talise - 2:00

Wednesday

Livermore Public Library

Katie - 11:00**
Tilea - 12:00**
Margaret - 1:00**
Alex -  2:00**

Thursday

Starbucks - 2190 Main Street, Oakley
Jeremiah - 12:30
Haven - 1:30
Alex M. - 3:00
Brianna - 4:00
Allison - 5:00

Friday
Online Tutoring
By appointment
Office Day

New Make Up Meeting Schedule - Important, please read :)

Here is the problem: 
There have been so many missed meetings lately that it has been a big challenge for me to reschedule them all. (8 just last week!) Yes, 8 meetings to reschedule this week. As you can imagine, I just don't have enough time. To say nothing of the pile of late work and paperwork it entails. I know life happens, but I have to have a better way to manage my workload when meetings are missed.

The Solution: 
One day, one location, every other Wednesday, for make-up meetings.

From now on, all make up meetings will be held every other Wednesday, between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, at the Public Library in Livermore. (1188 S Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA 94550). 

The make-up meeting day will show up on the Blog so you can keep track. The first Wednesday make-up meeting day is next Wednesday April 10.

Please remember: 

• Our bi-weekly meetings are a required part of the Visions in Education Independent Study program. 
• Do not miss a meeting because you did not complete your work! It is important that we meet regardless of your progress so we can fill out required paperwork and so I can help you make a plan to get back on track. 
• Job hours, doctor's appointments, dentist appointments, etc. should be scheduled around our meetings. 

Thank you for your understanding about this.

9-12 Summer School for English Credit-Deficient Students

Do you need to make up an English class?

Don't Delay! Applications Now Being Accepted

Visions In Education will be offering summer school for high school English.

Our summer school session is from June 5- July 3. This four-week English course is an online program that will be supported by our staff.

For specific requirements, please access the Summer School Application and FAQs HERE.

Summer school is open to 9-12 Academy students who are deficit in English credit and priority will by given to 12th graders; however, we are accepting applications from students entering 10th- 12th grade in the fall. Placement will be given according to grade level priority.

Students are selected to participate in this program based upon academic priority, CT recommendation, evaluation of the completed application (including all required signatures), and the timeliness/order/date in which the completed application packet is submitted.

Priority Registration 
Students must be deficient in English credits to apply. Students may only take English courses they have previously failed.

• Priority will be given to 5th year seniors 
• Second priority will be given to students entering 12th grade in fall 2013 
• Third priority will be given to students entering 11th grade in fall 2013 
• Fourth priority will be given to students entering 10th grade in fall 2013

Deadline to submit the application is April 26, 2013. If you have questions after reading the application packet, please contact your 9-12 Academy Counselor.

Deficiency Notices

Next week, the Visions office will be sending out "deficiency notices" to all students that have at least one grade that is a D or lower for the 7th Learning Period progress grades.

Will I get one?
To find out if your grades will trigger a deficiency notice to be sent out, go to Launchpad and check your LP7 progress grade. If you have a D or F, you will be receiving a deficiency notice in the mail.

Engrade says I have a B now, will I still get one?
Yes. The school sends out a notice based on your LP7 progress grade. However, your Engrade grade IS YOUR CURRENT GRADE. You may have improved your grade by the time your deficiency notice arrives at your home.

What should I do if I get one?
Getting a deficiency notice should not be a surprise to your or your parents since we go over your grades each week, and you have access to Engrade at all times. We should already have a plan in progress to improve your grades, however please contact me right away if:

• your are a student and you receive a deficiency notice, and we haven't discussed a plan for improving your grades
• you are a parent or guardian and you receive a deficiency notice, and you were unaware of your students' progress

Next steps
If your grades have been steadily declining or you are not making adequate progress, I will schedule a Team Planning Meeting. This meeting usually includes an administrator, a counselor, your parents/guardians and myself. At this meeting we discuss how you are doing, if Visions is the best place for you, and make a plan for your success.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Did you see this??

Health Care Volunteer   and ROP Allied Health Opportunities  for High School Students In This Issue Contra Costa Regional Medical Sacramento Mercy General Carmichael Mercy San Juan Shriners Hospital Sacramento Roseville Sutter UC Davis Sacramento Lodi Memorial Hospital Allied Health ROP Opportunities So, What Are Allied Health Professions? Allied health professions are health care professions distinct from dentistry, optometry, nursing, medicine, and pharmacy. One estimate reported allied health professionals make up 60 percent of the total health workforce. They work in health care teams to make the health care system function by providing a range of diagnostic, technical, therapeutic and direct patient care and support services that are critical to the other health professionals they work with and the patients they serve. Try Volunteering or  ROP Allied Health See if it's a good fit for you! ROP Sports Medicine ROP Medical  Front Office ROP Dental Careers So, what is the Regional Occupational Program (ROP)? The Regional Occupational Program (ROP), also known as Career Technical Education (CTE), offers tuition-free career preparation training. 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. Learn more about ROP in eHandbook HERE (sign into Launchpad first.)  Or contact your Visions counselor for assistance about courses near you. March/2013 Dear Visions High School Students: Are you one of our many students who are interested in a career in the allied health care field? Or might you like to volunteer to gain experience and see if this could be a career for you? Visions counselors are gathering information from medical centers, health clinics and hospitals who provide volunteer opportunities for high school students. Counselors are still building resources, but as some application deadlines are coming soon--we want to send this to you now. Additionally, the counselors are in contact with school districts that offer Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) in the allied health care field. Check out our resources to see if something might work for you! Student Volunteer Opportunities "Everybody can be great.  Because anybody can serve.  You don't have to have a college degree to serve.  You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love."  ~Martin Luther King, Jr..  Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Clinics 2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA 94553 (map) Description: Offers a complete array of patient-centered health care services located throughout the county. Volunteer Opportunities: Surgery Recovery, clerical, art/activity cart, environmental services, healing arts, infusion clinic, gift shop, ambassadors, and spiritual care. Commitment: Minimum of one 4-6 hour shift per week/200 hour commitment per calendar year  LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE > > > Sacramento Mercy General Hospital 4001 J Street Sacramento, CA (map)   **Only accepts applications through March 31st Description: Offers a wide range of medical services - both inpatient and outpatient. Volunteer Opportunities: All junior volunteers start off at an entry level volunteer position at the Hospital Information Desks and/or taking the Hospitality Carts to waiting areas. After a volunteer provides services for a minimum of three months and have volunteered a minimum of 36 hours they are eligible for other volunteer opportunities.       LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE > > > Carmichael Mercy San Juan Medical Center 6501 Coyle Avenue Carmichael (map) Description: Mercy San Juan has added key specialty areas such as cardiac services, the cancer center, center for breast health, the sleep center, the neonatal intensive care unit, home health, hospice, as well as the trauma center. Volunteer Opportunities: May volunteer on the Oncology/Neurology floors, Medical/Surgical Units, Family Birth Center and various other areas. Mercy San Juan also provides scholarship opportunities for junior volunteers who have met certain criteria and plan to pursue a career in the healthcare field. LEARN MORE  HERE > > > Sacramento Shriners Hospitals for Children 2425 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento CA (map) **Application Deadline: April 1, 2013 (24 positions) Description: Pediatric healthcare system which provides excellent no cost medical care to children with orthopedic problems, spinal cord, or burn injuries. Volunteer Opportunities: Recreation therapy, medical records, nursing, environment services, out patient clinic, school room tutors and special events. Commitment: Summer (June-August): This program is designed for young volunteers 16-17 years old providing work experience in a healthcare setting. LEARN MORE HERE > > >  Roseville Sutter Medical Center One Medical Plaza Drive Roseville, CA (map) Description: A medical center including: rehabilitation institute, brain injury unit, spinal cord unit, inpatient gym, daily living treatment room, private therapy treatment rooms, and independent living apartments. Volunteer Opportunities: Admitting/information clerk, cancer registry, charts, cancer center, emergency department, fund raising sales, gift shop, navigator, physical rehabilitation, surgery information, inpatient surgery recovery, outpatient recovery, labor and delivery, neonatal, nursery and pediatrics. Commitment: Four hour shifts with a one year commitment. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE > > > Sacramento UC Davis Health System 4900 Broadway, Suite 1150 Sacramento, CA (map) Description: Hospital, medical school, medical group, the cancer center, as well the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Volunteer Opportunities: Patient care clinics, inpatient units or in the area of services to patients and/or families. Commitment: Four to six hour shifts for at least a four-month commitment. LEARN MORE HERE > > > Lodi Memorial Hospital 975 South Fairmont Avenue Lodi, California (map) Description: Offers a wide range of medical services - both inpatient and outpatient. Volunteer Opportunities: Lodi Memorial also has a Junior Volunteer Program for youth 16 - 18 years old.The hospital offers volunteers the opportunity to work in a variety of areas within the hospital and beyond, including its clinics and a number of community services. Volunteers receive a comprehensive orientation/training period in specific areas of interest, including the:Gift shop.Adult day care, Courtesy desk, Business services department, Central supply, Pharmacy department, Medical records department, Patient-advocate program, Wayfinding assistant, Medical library LEARN MORE HERE > > > Student Allied Health ROP Opportunities (Fall 2013) Students may enroll in any district Regional Occupational Program (ROP) course as long as there is room and the student has transportation. A list of course descriptions and offerings is available. Not all counties list their course offerings, however a phone number and website has been provided by county. In a typical ROP course, students receive classroom orientation before they are placed at a training site four to five days a week. ROP applications should be submitted to the admissions and counseling assistant or the student's counselor.  Students can earn 5, 10, or 15 credits (depending on the hours of the class) in addition to the 30 credits they are enrolled in at Visions. You may also call your Visions counselor for more information. LEARN MORE ABOUT ALLIED HEALTH ROP OPPORTUNITIES HERE > > > Please contact your counselor if you have any further questions about preparing yourself for a career in the allied health professions. Sincerely, The Counseling Team Visions In Education Charter School