Testing Info

Many families have been asking me for information about testing so that they can plan and practice.

Here is what I have. Please keep in mind that things might change:

*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!
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*
Tentative Dates and Times
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
CAST Info
PFT Info

Virtual Meetings - Repost

Using Zoom has worked pretty well so far! I really enjoyed last week's virtual meetings. I'm just reposting this info for those who have meetings this week.

Zoom has some resources on it's website. One of the best is 53 second video on Joining a Meeting. I highly suggest that you watch this one as it walks you through what will happen when you click on the invitation I'll be sending via email. There are also videos on how to configure your audio, use the meeting controls, and share your screen.

How to prepare for our virtual meetings for parents/guardians:

• Expect some difficulties. The first meeting (or two) may need some trouble shooting. The more we expect this possibility, the less frustrating it will be.
• Gather questions and concerns you might have.
• If possible, fill out your PE log and Progress/Grade tab and log attendance before the meeting. If that is not possible, please have your activities and grades ready so we can input them together. Also, have your Launchpad parent account sign in info on hand so I can walk you though logging attendance if you don't get the chance to do it prior to the meeting.
• Have your phone on hand. The worst that could happen is that we have a phone meeting and I help you log onto Zoom at our next face to face.

How to prepare for our virtual meetings for students:

Have your work ready to share. You can do this a number of ways:

• You can hold work, projects or pictures up to the computer to show me
• You can share your screen if you have work or pictures on your computer
• You can play and instrument, sing a song, or show me a dance or PE move
• You can read a book
• You can demonstrate your math skills (Zoom has a whiteboard that you can write on!)
• You can take over the controls and show me a website that you have been using
• You can even ask for help with any of your school work!

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. I'm here to help.

Reminder: Household Data Survey Due Today

Here is a copy of the email Visions sent out:

Hello Visions Family -

We need your help. The State of California requires all schools to collect Household Income Data from families each year. In previous years, Visions collected this data via a Supplemental Student Home Survey Form. This form was a manual process and was always a difficult task to complete. This process has now been greatly improved.

Visions uses this information to qualify for funding that is used for tutoring, field trips, and more. This funding is very significant to our school. By submitting the electronic form, you ensure that Visions continues to provide the following resources and benefits:

• Student budgets
• Tutoring
• Curriculum
• Technology/computers
• Teacher support
• Field trips, field days, and other academic enrichments activities
• College course reimbursement

To qualify for this funding, Visions needs to receive a completed electronic form by a parent/guardian for each student. Please know that this data is kept confidential and is only used to report data to the State for school funding purposes.

We know that you want every resource possible available for your child’s education.  Please review the following instructions and complete the following steps explained below prior to October 24th, so that we can meet the State's deadline of October 31st.

​YOUR ACTION:

First, you will need to login to your parent account via Launchpad and then click on the School Pathways icon (as shown below) to take you into the parent portal. Please note that this will only work via the parent portal. It will not work via the student portal.

If you need your Launchpad login information, please contact your CT for username information.

​ If you have forgotten your password, you can use the "Forgot Password" link on the Launchpad login screen.

After logging in, this is a FOUR step process.  It should only take a few minutes of your time.  

Household Income Collection Process​:​ Click this VIDEO LINK​ for a video tutorial.

​1.  If you haven't already logged into your parent portal as explained in the steps above, here is a link that takes you directly into the School Pathways Parent Portal. 

However, for the link to work you already need to be logged into Launchpad as mentioned above.  

2.  Click on the Household Data Collection Link in the parent portal. Please note that students will not have access to this via the student portal.

3. If the Sign Status shows ​"​Yes"​- no further action is needed. If the Sign Status shows "No", then please click on the "Sign Document" lin​e​. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE STUDENTS, YOU WILL NEED TO FILL OUT, SIGN AND SUBMIT FOR EACH STUDENT.  

4.  The parent then indicates the number of household members(1) and the income level on the form(2)and then signs the form and types their name in the box(3), and clicks SUBMIT AGREEMENT(4).  

Then you are finished.  Remember - if you have multiple students at Visions In Education, a form needs to be filled out for each student.

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk with your CT.  Thank you so much for your time and participation.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 10/30
Office Day

Tuesday
Virtual Meetings
Billy - 11:00
Austin - 12:15
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Virtual Meetings
Isabeau & McKenna - 12:05

Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Virtual Meetings
Lucas - 12:05
Charles & Ella - 1:30

Friday

Virtual Meetings
Wesley - 10:00
Grace & Faith - 1:30

LP2 Attendance

Please take a minute to verify your LP2 attendance. All you have to do is check that you logged attendance for LP2 and that it is accurate.

Thank you!

Zoom Room Meetings

After some challenges with Google Hangouts during our initial virtual meetings last week, I've decided to try something new. It's called Zoom. It has some benefits over Google Hangouts, so we're going to give it a try.

Zoom has some resources on it's website. One of the best is 53 second video on Joining a Meeting. I highly suggest that you watch this one as it walks you through what will happen when you click on the invitation I'll be sending via email. There are also videos on how to configure your audio, use the meeting controls, and share your screen.

How to prepare for our virtual meetings for parents/guardians:

• Expect some difficulties. The first meeting (or two) may need some trouble shooting. The more we expect this possibility, the less frustrating it will be.
• Gather questions and concerns you might have.
• If possible, fill out your PE log and Progress/Grade tab and log attendance before the meeting. If that is not possible, please have your activities and grades ready so we can input them together. Also, have your Launchpad parent account sign in info on hand so I can walk you though logging attendance if you don't get the chance to do it prior to the meeting.
• Have your phone on hand. The worst that could happen is that we have a phone meeting and I help you log onto Zoom at our next face to face.

How to prepare for our virtual meetings for students:

Have your work ready to share. You can do this a number of ways:

• You can hold work, projects or pictures up to the computer to show me
• You can share your screen if you have work or pictures on your computer
• You can play and instrument, sing a song, or show me a dance or PE move
• You can read a book
• You can demonstrate your math skills (Zoom has a whiteboard that you can write on!)
• You can take over the controls and show me a website that you have been using
• You can even ask for help with any of your school work!

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. I'm here to help.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 10/23
Pine Grove
Billy - 10:30
Office Day

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

Wednesday
Zoom Room
Jaxon - 12
Charlotte - 1:15

Khloe & Sadie - 2:35

Thursday
Zoom Room
Jasmine & Roxy - 2:00

Friday
Office Day

Upcoming & Notable

LP3 Begins - Monday, October 23
Sly Park Environmental Camp - Monday, October 23 - Friday, October 27
Visions Blood Drive - Tuesday, October 31

Fame - Wednesday, November 1
Preliminary Spelling Bee - Carmichael - Friday, November 3
Mondavi MOMIX - Wednesday, November 8
Veterans Day - No School - Friday, November 10
Parent Meet-Up - Galt - Tuesday, November 14
Thanksgiving Break - Monday, November 20 - Friday November 24
LP4 Begins - Monday, November 27

LP3 Virtual Meetings - Reminder

This year Visions has allowed all CTs to hold two meetings, per semester, virtually. In order to ease any nervousness about this process and iron out some inevitable issues, I have decided to hold all LP3 meetings virtually. This way we get to try out the process early in the year and get a feel for how it will work for us.

At this point, I'm thinking we will hold the meetings using Google Hangouts. Although if FaceTime or Skype, or even another service seems better, we may change over.

What to expect:

• We will plan to hold your LP3 meeting at the regularly scheduled time (unless it is inconvenient and you would like to change. Just let me know! It is much easier to reschedule virtual meetings than face-to-face meetings.)
• You will need access to a computer or tablet, with a camera and audio capabilities, that is connected to the internet. Although you could use a smart phone if it is the only option you have.
• You will receive an invitation to a Google Hangout via email. All you should need to do is follow the link and the instructions provided. (Hopefully!) If you have never attended a Google Hangout before, you may need to download the app.
• You can expect your invitation email no later than the evening before our scheduled meeting date. Let me know if you would like it further in advance so you can practice accessing the room.

Tentative plan for the virtual meetings:

• Let's try to use the first 20 to 30 minutes for parent/guardian connecting, navigating and troubleshooting as well as other school business (attendance, semester plans, questions, work samples, etc.)
• Let's try to have the rest of the meeting for student show and tell. They show work and talk about what they have been doing. 
• Have your phone ready in case we need to troubleshoot.

I'm open to all questions and comments. This process is usually simple and fun, but we may need to have some patience in the beginning :)

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 10/16
Ms. Bryon at Professional Development in Carmichael

Tuesday
Virtual
Leila - 11:00
Connor - 12:30

Wednesday
Office Day

Thursday
Office Day

Friday

Virtual
Khloe & Sadie - 10:00 - Pending reschedule

Share of the Week

Have something cool to share? A resource, a field trip, a class, activity or vendor to recommend? Email me, and I'll post it on the blog under Share of the Week.

This week's share is from Shelly Zabawa.

It is a super cool (and free) calendar binder pack  produced by motherhoodonadime.com

There are 38 printable pages included in the calendar binder pack.  Just print what you need!

• 2017-2018 Calendar with dates for tracing (12 pages)
• 2017 – 2018 Calendar without dates (so your child can fill them in)
• Fix the Sentence
• Number of the Day Math and Calendar page
• 100 Days of School
• Today’s Date
• Days of School Tally
• Weather Graph
• Word of the Day Form
• Place Value Words
• Phone and Address Sheet
• Months and Days of the Week Sheet
• Weekly Calendar
• Goal Sheet
• Idea List
• Reading List

Suitable for K-3, some pages suitable for grades 4 & 5 as well.

Thank you Shelly!

Student IDs

Getting a Visions student ID is easy! All you have to do is take a picture that follows these guidelines, and text or email it to me. I will take care of the rest. IDs will come in the mail to the address you have on file.

Currently, there is no deadline on ordering a student ID.

Harvest Festival This Friday!

From the Wire...(edited)

Visions is excited to invite Home School families to join us for autumn fun and harvest games at our biggest event of year.

To be held in Sacramento on October 13, the Harvest Festival gives kids the opportunity to participate in a multitude of games and activities that include tossing games, fishing booth, cake walk, face painting, crafts, bowling, and a whole bunch more. Kids will receive tickets at each booth to exchange for prizes at the end of the event.

Carnival-style cotton candy and popcorn will also be available for the day that is topped off with a barbecue lunch of hot dogs and chips.

How to Register
The Sacramento-area festival will be held at First Baptist Church, 4401 San Juan Ave, Fair Oaks, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a no-fee event, but we need a people-count to help us plan for games, food, and staffing. Register your family by filling out the registration form on the Harvest Festival – Sacramento page.

Don't forget to bring a completed Field Trip Permission Form to the event.

We Need Help - Student Volunteers Needed
To make this a fun and successful event for kids, we’re calling on 8-12 grade students to volunteer. Students will get to be a part of the excitement of the day with duties that include running a game booth or activity (with CT supervision), craft oversight or face painting, and helping with event set up and tear down.

This is the best kind of community service because it helps put a smile on kids’ faces. This is also a great opportunity to meet other students from your area with a free lunch and snacks provided. AND volunteers will be entered for a chance to win a raffle prize!

To sign up to volunteer, fill out the Volunteer Opportunity Form here.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 10/09
Office Day
Somerset
Yarrow & Alder - 3:30

Tuesday
Pollock Pines
Alex M. - 11:00
Somerset
Maya - 1:30

Wednesday
Ione
Justin - 11:00
Ione - Clark's

Hunter - 12:15
Lilly - 1:20
Jezreel - 2:30

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

Friday

Harvest Festival

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 10/2
Office Day

Tuesday
Ione
Wesley - 11:00
Austin - 12:15
Grace & Faith - 1:30
Plymouth
David - 3:30

Wednesday
Jackson Library
Billy - 11:00

Isabeau & McKenna - 12:05
Emily - 2:30

Thursday
Ione - Clark's
Leila - 11
Lucas - 12:05
Charles & Ella - 1:30

Friday

Office Day - Available for questions!

FAME

From Traci Mulderry...
Fine Arts Mini Experience

Join us at the Amador Center (Grace Fellowship – 8040 S. Hwy 49, Jackson, 95642) for fun and informative sessions about music and art. This event is open to grades K - 8+. Each FAME session includes a lesson about an artist and a musician, which will be followed by a hands-on art lesson with materials provided for each student. This is a relaxed atmosphere where students and parents can come together to meet other families. Kirstin Leggett will be sharing her talents with us for this event.

Class Time: 9:30 - 10:45
Cost for four classes: $20 – Enroll in Launchpad Event ID #24715
Each lesson consists of:

• Introductory segment (skit, presentation, etc.)
• Information about a selected composer and artist of same genre, timeline
• References to elements of art (line, texture, composition, etc.)
• Large reproductions of featured art, featured music, pictures of artist/composer
• Individual student art projects emphasizing the same featured concepts

Class #1 – October 4:
(FAME IV "St. Louis Blues" by W.C Hardy, and "Marilyn Monroe"
by Andy Warhol Lunch provided (open to all students.)







Class#2 – November 1:
(FAME IV) "The Four Seasons: Spring" by Antonio Vivaldi, and
"Woman in Blue" by Jan Vermeer

Gingerbread Houses December 6: Additional Fee - $15.00 - **Please enroll in Launchpad - Event ID #24713

• Gingerbread Houses from 9:30 – 11:30
• Party & Talent Event following at 11:30
• Refreshments provided

Class #3 – April 4:
(FAME IV) "Ritual Fire Dance" from El Amor Brujo by Manuel
de Falla, and "Portrait of a Woman" by Pablo Picasso



Class #4 – May 9:
(FAME V): "Air" from the "Water Music Suite" by
Frederich Handel, and "Breezing Up by Winslow Homer
Lunch provided (open to all students)


If you have any questions, please contact Traci Muldery, CT (209) 217-6538.

Homework Help for Grades 6-12

Visions Offers FREE Virtual or Phone Homework Help for All Students in Grades 6 -12!


This hotline allows students to receive tutoring if they are unable to travel to one of our sites for face-to-face tutoring.

INSTRUCTIONS
Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to use the Homework Hotline for both telephone and virtual tutoring.

REQUEST TUTORING
Please submit a request through the form below and you will get a call back (usually within 30 minutes) to schedule your tutoring session.
Homework Help Form  

Policy for use of this service:
This service is to help students who encounter difficulties working through their homework. This service is not for students who need extensive help with their homework; students who need additional help must contact their CT and arrange for other support.

This service is only for students in grades 6-12. Students in grades 6-8 must have a parent present in the room to speak with the tutor.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

Monday 9/25
Ione
Luke, Alex & Jacob - 11:00
Jasmine & Roxie - 2:00

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

Wednesday
Ione - Clark's
Jaxon - 12
Ione - Home

Charlotte - 1:15
Khloe & Sadie - 2:35

Thursday
Personal Day - I will be available for help and questions, but responses may be delayed.

Friday
CT Meeting

Amador County Farm Day

Each year, Amador County Farm Day hosts nearly 400 students to teach and show them the diversity of products that are made from agriculture. Students spend the day learning about farms, ranches, and how food gets to the table. They also learn about the biodiversity of Amador’s regions, from timber forests to croplands. There are several interactive stations that satisfy state curriculum standards, demonstrating to the children how agriculture gets from the farm to their forks.

http://ucanr.edu/sites/AmadorFarmDay/

Sutter's Fort Registration Now Open

From the WIRE...

Up for an Unforgettable Experience: Sutter’s Fort Registration Now Open

Experience what life in early-California felt like at the historically immersive Sutter’s Fort Environmental Living Program.

For 24 hours, students and parents will have the unique opportunity to portray characters of 1840s California while partaking in various trade activities and entertainment. Open to K-8 students and hosted by Sacramento’s Sutter’s Fort, the overnight program will make the era that defines California history come to life!

One parent per family is required to attend with their student and to work at a station assigned by the group coordinator. In order to fully capture the Gold Rush experience, families are invited to come dressed in period clothing.

The cost to participate is $140, payable with student funds. There is also an opportunity for 9-12th grade Home School students to attend as an apprentice who works at a station, the cost of which is $80, also payable with student funds. There is no fee for participating parents.

To learn more and to register, fill out the enrollment form on the Sutter’s Fort Environmental Living Program page (note: do not register on the living history website!).