Academy Transfer and Lottery Information

Academy Transfer Requests (for 8th graders and high schoolers that wish to transfer to the 9-12 Independent Study Academy or the EDGE Academy)

Academy Transfer Requests must be submitted by the family via email to their Principal by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in order to have priority enrollment.

The Lottery
Visions In Education will be conducting our annual Enrollment Lottery on Friday, March 27, 2020. In order to be included in the lottery, applications must be completed with the supporting documents submitted AND verified by our enrollment staff by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.

Continuing Students and Siblings
Continuing students are NOT subject to the lottery.  
Siblings of continuing students must have their applications completed with the supporting documents submitted and verified by our enrollment staff by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 in order to bypass the lottery.

Please see the Wire's 2020 Lottery page for more information.

Ordering Reminders

It is getting closer to the deadline for ordering this year and I have a few reminders...




The last day to order curriculum, vouchers and computer equipment for this year is April 3.

You can order vouchers for services through June 30, with this year's funds, but you need to order them by April 3. 

Voucher Ordering Instructions

You can submit reimbursement requests through Launchpad until June 30, 2020 for community college, enrichment services, parent training, K12 or parent field trip reimbursement.


You can use up to $500 of your school funds to get reimbursed for educational services that are offered from non-Visions vendors.

Enrichment Reimbursement Information

Enrichment Services Approved/Unapproved List

Reimbursement Request Instructions (how to enter in Launchpad)





Family Sponsored Field Trip Policies






Please let me know if you have questions!

Upcoming & Notable

Upcoming Events & Activities on the WIRE
Amador County Homeschool Connection Facebook Page

Have an event, activity or deadline (doesn't have to be Visions' sponsored) you think other families would like to know about? Let me know and I will post it here! 

Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 11
Last Day to Add a New Voucher Vendor - Friday, March 13
Ski Day - Friday, March 13
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp - Monday, March 16 - Thursday, March 19
Curriculum Vendor Fair & Lifetouch picture day - Wednesday, March 18 - Carmichael
LP8 Begins - Monday, March 23
Test Practice and PFT Testing - Monday, March 23, Grace Church in Jackson (PFT is for grades 5, 7, and 9) - More info to come.
Ski Day - Friday, March 27

Last Day to Order Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers! - Friday, April 3
Spring Break - April 6 - 10
LP 9 Begins - Monday, April 20
Early Ordering Begins - Curriculum and partner vendors only, and summer vouchers for July and August services - Monday, April 22 (This date was changed because the "new" Launchpad will be up and running for early ordering. More info to come.)
FAME - Wednesday, April 29th, 9:00 lesson on Monet at 9:00.  Families can still  sign up and attend, contact Traci, at 209-217-6538
Break-Out Box - 10:00  Wednesday, April 29th, Break-out Math Box for students in grades 6-8. Free to attend

High School Preparation - Wednesday, April 29th, 2:30.  Very special presentation by our counselor, Deanna Stevenson, to share information about high school requirements, and high school planning information.  Please respond to Deanna's email sent Feb. 11 and RSVP.  

Testing in Jackson - Tuesday, May 5th - Friday, May 8th,
*8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Wednesday, May 6th, 12:30 - 1:30. (Tentative, more info to come.)
*Jackson Field Day - Thursday, May 14, Minnie Provis Park, 71 Church Street, Sutter Creek, CA (Possible change to presentation day at the Dalton Center in Jackson!) More info to come.
LP 10 Begins - Monday, May 18
Memorial Day - No School, Monday, May 25

*These dates are tentative.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP7 Agenda - Test Prep (grades 3-8 and 11)

Monday 3/2
Office Day

Tuesday 
Virtual
Tiffany, Madison & Logan - 11:00

Jasmine, Roxie & Fiona - 2:00

Wednesday 
Virtual
Jacob - 11:00 
Uriah - 12:05
Ella - 2:15

Thursday
Virtual
Leila - 11:00
Jaxon & Sarah - 12:00
Jacob - 2:15?
Charlotte - 2:30

Friday
Office Day
Virtual
Tiffany, Madison & Logan - 11:00

Save the Date!

Visions Curriculum Fair and Lifetouch Picture Day!

When: March 18th, 11:00 to 1:00
Where: Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Ave., Carmichael, CA

Coming to Carmichael on Wednesday, Mar. 18, the Curriculum Vendor Fair opens up the world of curriculum options available to you by bringing together multiple curriculum vendors under one roof. Home School parents will have the opportunity to browse through curriculum and product samples, gather invaluable information, and learn more about our digital vendor offerings.

Intentionally held in March for those who wish to “know-before-they-buy” during early ordering in April, the fairs will also host multiple company representatives from all over the country who are there to discuss their curriculum in detail with you.

Visions will once again have kids activities available for TK-8th grade, Visions-enrolled students. We did this for the first last year and parents reported that it increased the value of the fair greatly by giving them the ability to better focus on exploring vendor tables and talking to curriculum representatives.

We will also be hosting our first ever Spring Picture Day throughout the day at the same locations!

We are still working on gathering our vendor attendee list for the Curriculum Vendor Fairs, so check back in February for a growing list of participants.

Upcoming & Notable

Upcoming Events & Activities on the WIRE
Amador County Homeschool Connection Facebook Page

Have an event, activity or deadline (doesn't have to be Visions' sponsored) you think other families would like to know about? Let me know and I will post it here! 

LP7 Begins - Monday, February 24
Ski Day - Friday, February 28

Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 11
Last Day to Add a New Voucher Vendor - Friday, March 13
Ski Day - Friday, March 13
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp - Monday, March 16 - Thursday, March 19
Curriculum Vendor Fair & Lifetouch picture day - Wednesday, March 18 - Carmichael
LP8 Begins - Monday, March 23
Test Practice and PFT Testing - Monday, March 23, Grace Church in Jackson (PFT is for grades 5, 7, and 9) - More info to come.
Ski Day - Friday, March 27

Last Day to Order Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers! - Friday, April 3
Spring Break - April 6 - 10
LP 9 Begins - Monday, April 20
Early Ordering Begins - Curriculum and Partner Vendors Only - Monday, April 20

Testing in Jackson - Tuesday, May 5th - Friday, May 8th,
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony - Wednesday, May 6th, 12:30 - 1:30 - Tentative, more info to come.
Jackson Field Day - Thursday, May 14, Minnie Provis Park, 71 Church Street, Sutter Creek, CA
LP 10 Begins - Monday, May 18
Memorial Day - No School, Monday, May 25

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP7 Agenda - Test Prep (grades 3-8 and 11)

Monday 2/24
Office Day

Tuesday
Virtual
11:00 - Billy
12:05 - Sterling
1:10 - Wyatt
2:30 - Savannah

Wednesday
Virtual
11:00 - Willow H.
12:00 - Lucas & Elias
2:15 - Camryn

Thursday
Virtual
12:00 - Jonah
3:30 - Jette

Friday

Office Day
Virtual
1:00 - Savannah 

Upcoming & Notable

Upcoming Events & Activities on the WIRE
Amador County Homeschool Connection Facebook Page

Have an event, activity or deadline (doesn't have to be Visions' sponsored) you think other families would like to know about? Let me know and I will post it here! 

Jams & Jellies Event - Thursday, February 20
LP7 Begins - Monday, February 24
Ski Day - Friday, February 28

Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 11
Last Day to Add a New Voucher Vendor - Friday, March 13
Ski Day - Friday, March 13
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp - Monday, March 16 - Thursday, March 19
Curriculum Vendor Fair & Lifetouch picture day - Wednesday, March 18 - Carmichael
LP8 Begins - Monday, March 23
Test Practice and PFT Testing - Monday, March 23, Grace Church in Jackson (PFT is for grades 5, 7, and 9)
Ski Day - Friday, March 27

Last Day to Order Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers! - Friday, April 3
Spring Break - April 6 - 10
LP 9 Begins - Monday, April 20
Early Ordering Begins - Curriculum and Partner Vendors Only - Monday, April 20

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP6 Agenda - 2nd Semester Work Samples 

Monday 2/18
President's Day - No School


Tuesday
Office Day

Wednesday
Jackson Library
11:00 - Hailee & Lyla
Jackson - Home visit
1:30 - Savannah
Jackson Burger King
3:00 - Camryn

Thursday
Office Day


Friday
CT Meeting Day

Testing Preview

Because public schools use taxpayer funds, they are required to participate in state testing to assess how they are meeting the needs of their students. All states that adopted the common core curriculum use the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) to test Language Arts and Math.

California's testing umbrella is called the California Assessment of Performance and Student Progress (CAASPP), it includes the SBAC, the California Science Test (CAST) and the Physical Fitness Test (PFT).

_______________________________________

Who takes what tests?

Students in grades 3 - 8 and 11 take the SBAC (Language Arts and Math)
Students in grades 5, 8, 11 (and 12th graders who did not take it last year) take the CAST (Science)
Students in grades 5, 7 and 9 take the PFT (Physical Fitness Test)

When is testing for our area?
SBAC and CAST testing will be held at Grace Church in Jackson Tuesday, May 5 - Friday, May 8 from 9 to 12. Remember, many students will only need to test Tuesday and Wednesday, or Tuesday through Thursday. The test is not timed, however, and students have Friday to finish if they choose to.

PFT testing is being held in various locations. The closest to us is in Jackson at Grace Church on Monday, March 23th at 12:30.
Link to PFT information
Here is a link to the other PFT testing locations and days

Support
Free virtual classes offered by Visions - Register SOON!
Practice Testing in Jackson Monday, March 23 before the PFT. More info to come.

Testing Info:
SBAC Site
Practice Tests (Just click "Sign In" to sign in as a guest). Choose the Smarter Balanced Practice Tests or the California Science Test Practice Test
Practice Test Scoring Guides

I HIGHLY recommend that students and parents begin practicing online now (maybe doing as little as one question per day). That way you can do it in small bites and not overwhelm students. Research has shown that students that spend time practicing for the SBAC earn higher scores. This is probably because they are familiar with the context. The test may present material in a very different way than you do at home, but with guidance and practice, students will understand what is being asked and can do their best at test time without anxiety.

*Note: when you sign in to the test practice as a guest, the practice tests do not save your progress from day to day or give you scores. You will need to keep track of your previous answers or just put in anything to get back to the question you stopped at. You will also need the scoring guide from the link above to assess your students progress as they go. This is not ideal, and can be a little frustrating, but with a little pre-planning it is still worth it.

Questions? Let me know :)

Upcoming & Notable

Upcoming Events & Activities on the WIRE
Amador County Homeschool Connection Facebook Page

Have an event, activity or deadline (doesn't have to be Visions' sponsored) you think other families would like to know about? Let me know and I will post it here! 

Lincoln's Birthday - No school - Monday, February 10
Ski Day - Friday, February 14
President's Day - No school - Monday, February 17
Jams & Jellies Event - Thursday, February 20
LP7 Begins - Monday, February 24
Ski Day - Friday, February 28

Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 11
Last Day to Add a New Voucher Vendor - Friday, March 13
Ski Day - Friday, March 13
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp - Monday, March 16 - Thursday, March 19
Curriculum Vendor Fair & Lifetouch picture day - Wednesday, March 18 - Carmichael
LP8 Begins - Monday, March 23
Test Practice and PFT Testing - Monday, March 23, Grace Church in Jackson (PFT is for grades 5, 7, and 9)
Ski Day - Friday, March 27

Last Day to Order Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers! - Friday, April 3
Spring Break - April 6 - 10
LP 9 Begins - Monday, April 20
Early Ordering Begins - Curriculum and Partner Vendors Only - Monday, April 20

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP6 Agenda - 2nd Semester Work Samples

Monday 2/10
Lincoln's Birthday - No School


Tuesday
Somerset - Crossroads Cafe
11:00 - Elijah
12:00 - Aria & Akira
River Pines
2:30 - Angel


Wednesday
Jackson Library
11:00 - Jezreel
12:00 - McKenna
1:00 - Hunter
2:00 - Ana & Baruch


Thursday
Jackson Library
11:00 - Skyler
Jackson Burger King
12:30 - Camryn
Jackson Library
2:30 - Lillian


Friday
Office Day 

Prodigy Math

Are you looking for a fun way to supplement math? Try Prodigy! Recommended by one of my most astute parents, Prodigy takes advantage of a student's love of the computer and games to reinforce math standard mastery. It is recommended for 1st through 8th graders.

You can try it for free, and if you want to upgrade to the Premium Membership they are a Visions vendor so you can use your student funds.

Upcoming & Notable

Upcoming Events & Activities on the WIRE
Amador County Homeschool Connection Facebook Page

Have an event, activity or deadline (doesn't have to be Visions' sponsored) you think other families would like to know about? Let me know and I will post it here! 

Lincoln's Birthday - No school - Monday, February 10
Ski Day - Friday, February 14
President's Day - No school - Monday, February 17
Jams & Jellies Event - Thursday, February 20
LP7 Begins - Monday, February 24
Ski Day - Friday, February 28

Last Day to Add a Voucher Vendor - Monday, March 9
Rescue Project and Performance Fair - Wednesday, March 11
Last Day to Add a New Voucher Vendor - Friday, March 13
Ski Day - Friday, March 13
Alliance Redwoods Environmental Science Camp - Monday, March 16 - Thursday, March 19
Curriculum Vendor Fair & Lifetouch picture day - Wednesday, March 18 - Carmichael
LP8 Begins - Monday, March 23
Test Practice and PFT Testing - Monday, March 23, Grace Church in Jackson (PFT is for grades 5, 7, and 9)
Ski Day - Friday, March 27

Last Day to Order Curriculum, Computers & Vouchers! - Friday, April 3
Spring Break - April 6 - 10
LP 9 Begins - Monday, April 20
Early Ordering Begins - Curriculum and Partner Vendors Only - Monday, April 20

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP6 Agenda - 2nd Semester Work Samples

Monday 2/3
Office Day

Tuesday 
Ione
Tiffany, Madison & Logan - 11:00
Jasmine, Roxie & Fiona - 2:00

Wednesday 
Jackson Library
Jacob - 11:00
Uriah - 12:05
Wyatt - 1:10
Ella - 2:15

Thursday
Ione Cafe
Leila - 11:00 
Pizza Factory
Jaxon & Sarah - 12:00 
Ione
Charlotte - 2:30

Friday
Office Day

High School Planning

Middle School Parents – Register for High School Planning Webinars!

As you and your student wrap up your middle school experience, we want to provide information about our high school options. We understand that homeschooling at the high school level can be challenging. Luckily, we have three academy options for 9-12th grade students.

Picking the right academy can be confusing. To help you decide, Visions counselors and Administrators are hosting a series of informational webinars in January, February and March for each of our academies:

• Home School high school
• Independent Study
• University Prep

Each webinar will include information about academy expectations, budgets, graduation requirements, curriculum, and much more. We welcome you to register for more than one to learn about all the great options we offer!

Click here for more information.

Note: Students must submit an academy transfer to their principals by the end of March. Please stay tuned to the Wire for the date of the Academy Transfer Deadline.

Parenting Through Love & Logic

Interested in learning practical parenting skills you can put to use immediately?

Home School Academy parents are invited to our Parenting Through Love and Logic course designed to teach effective and compassionate parenting strategies. The course is comprised of six sessions  being held between February 18 and March 24, the first session will be at our main office in Carmichael the other five will be online.

Parents will learn:

• How to stay calm when kids do upsetting things
• How to help kids learn from their mistakes
• How to set enforceable boundaries
• How to avoid enabling bad behavior
• How to avoid un-winnable power-struggles and arguments with children
• And More!

Details
Dates: February 18 (In Person), February 25, March 3, March 10, March 17, & March 24 (Online)

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

In-Person Location: 5030 El Camino Ave, Carmichael, CA

Cost: $15 for the course payable through student funds.

Sign Up: Sign up using Launchpad Event #29957.

If you have questions about the event, go to the WIRE page and post a comment. If you have questions about how to sign up, I can help you with that.

Spring Work Samples

What and Why...
Twice per school year, (once each semester) Visions collects official work samples from students. These samples are intended to show our auditors that our enrolled students are actually enrolled, and that they are engaging in the academic activities on their master agreement. They are also used to demonstrate that there is a responsible adult who is reviewing and or grading their work.

When..
I will be collecting Semester 2 samples at our LP6 meeting.

How...
You may submit samples from your own curriculum, use the provided samples (K-8), or any combination of the two. Samples must be work from work listed on the LP6 portion of your semester plan.

Please provide one written sample from each subject.

Instructions for using provided samples (K-8th grades only): 

• Download and print the work sample packet or individual pages you intend to use.
• Have your student complete the worksheet(s).
• Grade and or comment on each sample in a different color than the student worked.
• Please do not put dates or LP#s on worksheets.
• When possible, please leave upper right corner blank for the school's generated label.
• Match the standard code on your semester plan drop-downs for LP6 to the one on the sample. 
• Submit to CT at next meeting.

If you would rather submit samples from your own curriculum (and all 9-12th graders):

• Samples cannot be from a religious publisher (handouts, worksheets with publisher’s name on them). Handwritten work on blank or lined paper that is from religious curriculum, but is not addressing religious themes, is fine.
• Match the standard drop-downs on your semester plan for LP6 to the samples. You can make your best guess here, and I will help you when I collect the samples.
• Samples cannot be a test or multiple choice, they must show student work. (Samples where student just matches, underlines, or circles items are not sufficient, there must be some written work on the page.)
• Grade and or comment on each sample in a different color than the student worked.
• Please do not put dates or LP#s on worksheets.
• When possible, please leave upper right corner blank for label.
• Submit to CT at next meeting.

K-8 Sample Packet Folder

Please don't hesitate to call, text, or email with questions about work samples.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP6 Agenda - 2nd Semester Work Samples

Monday 1/27
Office Day

Tuesday
Jackson Library
11:00 - Billy
Jackson Starbucks
12:10 - Sterling
1:10 - Wyatt

Wednesday
Jackson Library
11:00 - Willow H.
12:00 - Lucas & Elias
Jackson Burger King
2:15 - Camryn

Thursday
Somerset Crossroads Cafe
12:00 - Jonah
Placerville Starbucks

3:00 - Jette

Friday

Office Day 

Wrapping Up the Semester

The fall semester ends tomorrow. Spring semester begins on Monday.

I will be uploading final Fall Semester Plans and submitting/checking final report cards tomorrow and Thursday.


Acellus students: I will be taking your final grades at noon tomorrow. Please make sure your semester courses are complete (100%) and your year long courses are at 50% for full credit.

High School Students: Please make sure your final LP5 grades (not Acellus) are entered into your semester plans by noon tomorrow.

Parents: Please make sure your LP6 assignments are entered into your Spring Semester Plans by Monday. Also, please submit any extra credit work, that you would like to have factored into semester grades, via email by noon tomorrow.

If there are any changes to middle school student grades or elementary student report cards, please email me by noon tomorrow.

Thank you!