2014/2015 School Calendars

Click here for a printable copy

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. :)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:)

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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

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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:

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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.