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