Monday, May 1, 2017

Standards Check (K-8)


Now is a great time of year to be checking for mastery of grade level standards.

Checking the standards now gives you enough time to plan how to cover and/or review standards that your student may not have mastered yet.

Please let me know if you need any help or ideas on how to help your student(s) master any of your standards :)

Here is a link to the Visions folder with the K-8 grade level standards.

I'll be bringing a rough draft copy of your report cards (K-5) to our LP9 meeting for you to fill out for LP10. This is another way to check for areas you want to focus on before the end of the year.


Contact Information Check




Since we are moving to a new Student Information System (SIS) next year, it is super important that Visions has current contact information for you.

All CTs have been asked by the office to verify contact information for their families.

Please sign in to Launchpad and check your address, your phone numbers, and your emails for changes or corrections.

I'm asking everyone to please fill out this form so I can keep track of who I have verified.

Thank you so much for helping me with this!


This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 5/1
CT Professional Development in Carmichael

Tuesday
Ione
Austin & Dylan - 10:00
Alexis & Tyler - 12:05
Gage - 2:30

Wednesday
Jackson Library
Isabeau & McKenna - 11:00
Wyatt - 1:30
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Ione (Clark's)
Jezreel - 12:00
Jaye - 1:00
Hunter - 2:05
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, April 24, 2017

Changes for Next Year



New Student Information System (SIS) - Visions is implementing a new SIS. We will still have Launchpad to place your orders through, but all of the rest of the student information will be moving over to a new system. This is a good thing. Attendance and most other forms will be a thing of the past as we will be able to do them all online. YAY! Also, you will have increased access to student records (assignments, transcripts, grades, progress, etc.) Please double check all of your contact info on Launchpad. Especially your email address, as that is how Visions will provide your new sign-in information to the new SIS. Please email me any updates so I can get them taken care of. Thanks!

Reduction of Visions Sponsored Enrichment Activities - Visions will only be holding sponsored activities in Carmichael, Fairfield, Concord and Galt next year. These activities are scheduled to end altogether at the end of the 2017/18 school year. Since such a low overall % of Visions students was able to participate, the decision was made to increase the budget instead so all students could find vendors and activities that were local.

Increase in Budget - Each Visions student will receive $2,000 for curriculum, supplies and vendor sponsored activities next year (+$200). There will also be opportunities to earn extra funds by taking parent educator courses (+$200 per family) and having students participate in interim assessments ($100 per student).  (Details TBD - will keep you posted on the particulars as they come.)



Early Ordering

Early ordering has begun! This means that you can order curriculum and supplies for next year to get ahead of the crowd.

Things to keep in mind:

  • There is a new purchasing matrix. Please refer to it while ordering. Thanks!
  • Make sure to fully describe the items you are ordering, I am finding that I need to add or clarify descriptions in the notes box pretty often :)
  • Please double check your order before you submit.
  • Let me know if you have any questions, or if you need some curriculum suggestions.

Happy curriculum hunting!

Early ordering ends June 7th.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

This week I will be proctoring the CAASPP and CAST make-up testing in Rescue. All meetings usually scheduled for this week have been rescheduled for the last week of the LP.

Monday 4/24
Office Day
Somerset
Grace - 11:00

Tuesday
Proctoring Testing in Rescue

Wednesday
Proctoring Testing in Rescue

Thursday
Proctoring Testing in Rescue

Friday


Office Day
Pine Grove
Billy - 1:00

Monday, April 17, 2017

8th Grade Promotion - Updated Date for Jackson


From the WIRE...
Completion of 8th Grade signifies transition, a moving on from the elementary and middle school years to high school. At Visions we consider this educational achievement a milestone, worthy of recognition by Visions staff and the student’s family.

Attire & Important Info
  • Casual but nice dress is the suggested attire. Please no formal attire.
  • This is not a formal graduation ceremony, so please no activities suggesting anything more than transition to the next tier in a student’s educational journey.
  • Refreshments will be served.
  • All students will receive a Certificate of Promotion whether or not they attend a ceremony.

How to Enroll
For planning and for processing certificates, sign-up your student on the 8th Grade Promotion Participation Form. Be sure to include the site they wish to attend and number of guests attending.

Available Locations and Dates
  • Benicia - Thurs., May 18, 6:00 - 7:00 pm - Northgate Christian Fellowship, 2201 Lake Herman Rd, Benicia 94510
  • So. Lake Tahoe - Fri. May 19, 12:30 - 1:30 pm - Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship. 3580 Blackwood Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
  • Carmichael - Wed., May 24, 5:30 - 7:00 pm (Student check-in 5:30, Ceremony begins at 6:00) - Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Ave, Carmichael, 95608
  • Jackson (Amador County) - Wed. May 17, 12:30 - 1:30 pm - Grace Fellowship; 8040 So.Hwy 49, Jackson 95672

Upcoming & Notable

  • Early Ordering - Monday April 10 - Wednesday, June 7
  • LP8 Ends - Friday, April 21
  • CAST Science Test - (5th & 8th Graders) Wednesday, April 26, from 10 to 12 @ Grace Church in Jackson.
  • SBAC Make-Up Testing in Rescue & Carmichael - Tuesday, April 25 - Thursday, April 27


  • LP9 Ends - Friday, May 19
  • Field Day - Friday, May 26 - Detert Park in Jackson, 9:30 to 12:30
  • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Wednesday, May 17, 12:30 to 1:30
  • Memorial Day - No School - Monday, May 29
  • High School Graduation Ceremony - Wednesday, May 31st



  • Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 7th
  • Book Return - Thursday, June 15th - 9:00 to 11:30, Grace Church in Jackson

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/17
Office Day

Tuesday
Pollock Pines
Alex - 11:00
Somerset
Yarrow - 1:00

Wednesday
Ione
Zora - 11:00
Lilly - 12:05
Charles - 1:15
Ione - Clark's Corner
Wyatt - 2:30

Thursday
Jackson - Burger King
Billy - 11:20
Jackson Library
Emma - 12:30
Connor - 1:30
Grace B. - 2:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, April 3, 2017

Spring Break Next Week!


April 10 through April 14.
Have Fun!

Upcoming & Notable

* Retention and Transfer fees have been eliminated *

* Carmichael Book Sale has been discontinued *

  • Sibling Enrollment and Academy Transfer Deadline: Friday, April 7
  • Spring Break - Monday, April 10 - Friday, April 14
  • Early Ordering - Monday April 10 - Wednesday, June 7
  • LP8 Ends - Friday, April 21
  • CAST Science Test - (5th & 8th Graders) Wednesday, April 26, from 10 to 12 @ Grace Church in Jackson.
  • SBAC Make-Up Testing in Rescue & Carmichael - Tuesday, April 25 - Thursday, April 27


  • LP9 Ends - Friday, May 19
  • Field Day - Friday, May 26 - Detert Park in Jackson, 9:30 to 12:30
  • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Friday, May 26, 12:30 to 1:30 - Details to follow
  • Memorial Day - No School - Monday, May 29
  • Graduation Ceremony - Wednesday, May 31st



  • Last Day of School - Wednesday, June 7th
  • Book Return - Thursday, June 15th - 9:00 to 11:30, Grace Church in Jackson


This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 4/3
CT Professional Development in Carmichael

Tuesday
Ione
Austin & Dylan - 10:00
Alexis & Tyler - 12:05
Gage - 2:30

Wednesday
Jackson Library
Isabeau & McKenna - 11:00
Wyatt - 1:30
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Ione (Clark's)
Jezreel - 12:00
Jaye - 1:00
Hunter - 2:05
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, March 27, 2017

Enrollment Deadlines


Sibling Enrollments
If you currently have a Visions student and are enrolling a sibling, the deadline is April 7th. Online application link.

Academy Transfers
If you would like to transfer to the Independent Study or EDGE academies (high school only) the deadline is also April 7th. (Let me know asap, so I can point you in the right direction.)

*Students who wish to continue homeschooling with Visions do not need to do anything. We will sign your Master Agreement during our LP8 or LP9 meeting.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/27
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Justin - 11:00
Joseph - 12:05
Tiffany & Madison - 1:10

Wednesday
Ione
Grace D. - 11:00
Bonnie - 12:10
Charlotte - 1:30
Khloe & Sadie - 2:35

Thursday
Ione - Clark's
Leila - 11:00
Lucas - 12:05
Ione
Jasmine & Roxie - 1:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, March 20, 2017

Upcoming & Notable

* Retention and Transfer fees have been eliminated *

* Carmichael Book Sale has been discontinued *



  • First Day of Spring - Monday, March 20
  • SBAC Testing in Rescue - Tuesday, March 21 - Friday, March 24 - (1:00 - 4:00)
  • Parent Meet-up in Galt - Wednesday, March 22, Real Life Church - 9:30 to 11:00 am
  • LP 7 Ends - Friday, March 24
  • Last day to order curriculum, computers and vouchers - Friday, March 31
    • For other ordering deadlines click here

  • Spring Break - Monday, April 10 - Friday, April 14
  • Early Ordering - Monday April 10 - Wednesday, June 7
  • LP8 Ends - Friday, April 21
  • SBAC Make-Up Testing in Rescue & Carmichael - Tuesday, April 25 - Thursday, April 27

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/20
Office Day

Tuesday
Pollock Pines
Alex - 11:00
Somerset
Yarrow - 1:00

Wednesday
Office Day

Thursday
Ione - Clark's Corner
Zora - 11:00
Madelynn - 12:30
Gage 1:30
Billy - 2:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, March 13, 2017

Student Budget Increase Information



From the Wire...

Visions is pleased to share with our Home School Academy families that for the 2017-2018 school year we plan to add the following enhancements for our students:

  • Annual budgets for each student will be increased to $2,000
  • For the 2017-2018 school year we are offering a parent educator bonus of $200 per household, for completion of a Visions’ sponsored parent training to augment student budgets
  • For the 2017-2018 school year, for completion of approved student assessments, to prepare for testing administered in the spring, we are offering a student assessment bonus of up to $100 per student to augment student budgets
  • Continued free dual enrollment for students taking courses at a community college, students may receive a reimbursement of up to $500 per year of additional funds for approved expenses
  • Parents may be reimbursed from student budget(s) for attending approved conferences, up to $250 per year per student
  • No Retention or Transfer fees for curriculum items families wish to retain over the summer after the school year ends
  • Purchasing Matrix has been simplified to provide greater purchasing options
  • Expansion of our enrichment/service vendor providers (est. of 1,200-1,300 vendors for next year) to include driver’s training and gym memberships
  • Extension of our purchasing deadlines to later in the school year

We will continue to offer great teachers, seamless ordering systems, enrichment activities, vendor fairs, field days and other extracurricular opportunities for our students and families.

We know our partnership with you is one of the most important decisions you make as a parent educator. Please know that we will continue to work hard to make available the best programs and opportunities that we can for your student(s). Please look for more detailed information to follow around these exciting new enhancements for the 2017-2018 school year. Thank you for the confidence you have in Visions.

Upcoming & Notable


  • SBAC Testing in Jackson - Monday, March 13 - Wednesday, March 15 - (9:00 - 12:00)
  • SBAC Testing in Rescue - Tuesday, March 21 - Friday, March 24 - (1:00 - 4:00)
  • LP 7 Ends - Friday, March 24
  • Last day to order curriculum, computers and vouchers - Friday, March 31
    • For other ordering deadlines click here

  • Spring Break - Monday, April 10 - Friday, April 14
  • LP8 Ends - Friday, April 21
  • SBAC Make-Up Testing in Rescue & Carmichael - Tuesday, April 25 - Thursday, April 27

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 3/13
Testing - Grace Church

Tuesday
Testing - Grace Church
Emily - 12:00

Wednesday
Testing - Grace Church
Charles - 1:15

Thursday
Jackson - Burger King
Billy - 11:15
Jackson Library
Emma - 12:30
Connor - 1:30
Grace B. - 2:30

Friday
Office Day

Monday, March 6, 2017

New Vendors for 2017-18


Here is the list of the new and deleted vendors for next school year.

New Vendors:

Here is a link to the  Vision's document with descriptions of the services and plan prices.

Deleted Vendors:

  • Britannica School - VIE is purchasing a Britannica School license
  • California Driver Ed Course - Replaced with Freedom Driving School
  • Family Time Fitness - Replaced with Adventure to Fitness
  • Homeschool Programming - Products have become obsolete