Assessment Updates

Thank you to all students who completed either the iReady or MAP assessments in LP1!

AMAZING JOB!

The results have been so fun to see. Overall, students are doing really well. And now we have some real information about what to focus on this year for student growth and success. It has been a good thing.

Don't forget to email me when your student completes the assessments, so I can email you the reports.

If you have NOT completed your assessments yet, please try to do them this week. They NEED to be done by the end of LP2, but the earlier, the better!

Fall Semester Work Samples Due Soon!

 

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 and semester plan. They are also used to demonstrate that there is a responsible adult who is reviewing and/or grading their work.

When..
Due on or before your LP2 meeting. 

How...
Samples must be work completed in LP1. You may submit samples from your own curriculum, use the provided samples (grades K-8), or any combination of the two. (9th - 12th grade courses are so variable that it is impossible to create packets.)

Please provide one written sample from each subject.

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

• 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.
• Please leave upper right corner blank for the school's generated label.
• Match the standard code on your semester plan drop-downs for LP1 to the one on the sample. (Change the code if you need to, or we can do it together at the meeting.)
• Either scan and email the samples to me or take a clear, square picture of the entire sample with your phone and text it to me. I will confirm that I received them and let you know if I need anything else. If you choose to do a work sample via Google Docs, just share the document with me allowing me to edit it.

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). 
• Match the standard drop-downs on your semester plan for LP1 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.
• Either scan and email the samples to me or take a clear, square picture of the entire sample with your phone and text it to me. I will confirm that I received them and let you know if I need anything else. If you choose to do a work sample via Google Docs, just share the document with me allowing me to edit it.

• K-8 Fall Sample Packet Folder

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

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP2 Agenda - Work Samples & Assessment Results

Monday 9/27
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Teacher Professional Development - All Day

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

12:00 - Willow H.

1:00 - Jacob
2:00 - McKenna
3:00 - Billy & Ary

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Akira

1:00 - Tiffany, Madison & Logan

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Wyatt
1:00 - Lucas & Elias

3:00 - Ella

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Office Day/Teacher Meetings

iReady Updates (TK-8th Grades)

Monday, September 20:

Assessments are available now, and should be completed by the end of LP1 - Friday, September 24th. 



(There has been some confusion from Visions surrounding the due date. There was a Wire post saying we had until the end of LP2, but now they are asking us to complete them in LP1.)

After your student completes the iReady assessment, you will able to see a score, but not a complete report. If you let me know when your student finishes the assessment, I can download the report from my account and email it to you.

Congratulations to all of the students who completed the iReady assessments last week! WAY TO GO! You can now begin the curriculum if you would like to. The recommendation is 45 minutes per week or 15 minutes 3 days/wk. No more!

CAASPP/CAST Results Available

In case you missed the WIRE post last week about the state testing results from last year and how to access them...

State Assessment Results Now Available Electronically

If you have any trouble accessing your student reports, please let me know. 

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP1 Agenda - What's New & Semester Plans
This is the 4th week of a 4 week LP, so there are no regularly scheduled student meetings this week. I am available for help and tutoring by appointment.

Monday 9/20
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Office Day

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Office Day/Teacher Meetings

iReady Update

Updates regarding the iReady assessments for grades TK-8.

1. You should now be able to log in with either your student Launchpad account OR your parent Launchpad account. Wire page linked here.
2. Assessments should be available now, and need to be completed by the end of LP2 - Friday, October 22nd. I highly recommend doing them at your earliest opportunity.

If you do not see the iReady icon on your Launchpad page, please contact me. Thank you!

Synchronous Instruction Update

 

Synchronous Instruction Update (See previous post for basic info)

I have been surveying my families to get an idea of which students in which grade levels might be interested in attending Synchronous Instruction so I can plan accordingly. Since the interest is so low, and the ideas for curriculum are so broad, I will be using the lesson plans provided by Visions during my Synchronous Instruction time. If you are interested in what will be offered, here are the lesson plans for LP1.

Classes are held via Zoom and students will be required to log into the class using their Visions email account. For directions on how to do that, click here. 

Please let me know if you have questions regarding synchronous instruction. Thank you!

Daily Live Interaction

This is being provided for grades 4th-8th by Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs). Click here for more information.

Fall Semester Work Samples - Repost

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 and semester plan. They are also used to demonstrate that there is a responsible adult who is reviewing and/or grading their work.

When..
Due on or before your LP2 meeting. 

How...
Samples must be work completed in LP1. You may submit samples from your own curriculum, use the provided samples (grades K-8), or any combination of the two. (9th - 12th grade courses are so variable that it is impossible to create packets.)

Please provide one written sample from each subject.

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

• 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.
• Please leave upper right corner blank for the school's generated label.
• Match the standard code on your semester plan drop-downs for LP1 to the one on the sample. (Change the code if you need to, or we can do it together at the meeting.)
• Either scan and email the samples to me or take a clear, square picture of the entire sample with your phone and text it to me. I will confirm that I received them and let you know if I need anything else. If you choose to do a work sample via Google Docs, just share the document with me allowing me to edit it.

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). 
• Match the standard drop-downs on your semester plan for LP1 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.
• Either scan and email the samples to me or take a clear, square picture of the entire sample with your phone and text it to me. I will confirm that I received them and let you know if I need anything else. If you choose to do a work sample via Google Docs, just share the document with me allowing me to edit it.

• K-8 Fall Sample Packet Folder

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

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP1 Agenda - What's New & Semester Plans

Monday 9/13
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Elijah & Hazel

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

1:00 - Charlotte
2:00 - Jezzy

3:00 - Jette

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Office Day/Teacher Meetings

School Assessment Window Opens Today

All public charter schools are now required to assess students twice a year. Most schools are using the same assessments that Visions has adopted. 

The testing window opens Tuesday, September 7th and all beginning of year assessments need to be completed during LP1, which ends Friday, September 24.

TK-8th graders will be taking the iReady assessment. iReady assessments are proctored at home by parents. You can choose your time and day and even break up the assessment into time blocks. Once assessments are completed, you will have some wonderful iReady curriculum available to you to support any areas that show a need. The iReady curriculum is much more fun for students than the assessments are!

How do you access the iReady assessments? Here is the Wire announcement that came out today.

Log into Launchpad. At the top of the screen you will see the iReady icon. Click on that and log in with your student information.

• Student username = Launchpad username 

• Student password = student ID#

You can find these in your student information section on Launchpad. If you have any questions or have any trouble, please let me know.

9th - 11th graders will be taking the MAP assessments. MAP assessments are being proctored and scheduled by the testing department. All you need to do at this time is make an appointment. Once you have done that, the testing department will contact you with further details and instructions. Click here for more info on the MAP assessments and to schedule your appointment.

12th graders - NO TESTING THIS YEAR!

Synchronous Instruction and Live Interaction

There is a lot of confusion surrounding the Live Interaction and Synchronous instruction offerings this year. What you need to know right now is that you are NOT required to attend either, but they might be something your student would like to participate in.

Live Interaction and Synchronous Instruction are things that were put in place in response to AB130, a bill that was written to assist students in regular public schools due to COVID-19. It requires all public schools to provide an Independent Study option, and sets guidelines for that provision.

Synchronous Instruction

ALL VISIONS teachers will be providing online synchronous instruction as follows:

• Grades TK-3: 30 minutes of instruction every day
• Grades 4-8: 30 minutes of instruction once per week
• Grades 9-12: 60 minutes of instruction once per week

My synchronous instruction schedule is:

• Grades TK-3: Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 10:30
• Grades 4-8: Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:00
• Grades 9-12: Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30

Classes will be via Zoom and students will be required to log into the class using their Visions email account. For directions on how to do that, click here. 

If you are interested in having your student attend synchronous instruction during LP1, please email me so I can know who is coming and plan accordingly. I WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE ABOVE TIMES DURING LP1, but my plan is to survey all families to gauge attendance and subject matter interest so I can create meaningful lessons beginning in LP2. I will update with more information about class agendas (subject matter, plans, standards covered, etc.) once I have a chance to plan.  

Please let me know if you have questions or suggestions regarding synchronous instruction.

Daily Live Interaction

This is being provide by Teachers on Special Assignment. Click here for more information on the 4th-8th grade offerings.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP1 Agenda - What's New & Semester Plans

Monday 9/6
Labor Day - No School

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Josh & Jonah

1:00 - Rhys, Skyler & Piper

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Uriah

12:00 - Hunter

1:00 - Bella

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

12:00 - Jasmine, Roxie, Fiona & Edith

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Office Day/Teacher Meetings

What's New This Year

 

The passing of Assembly Bill No. 130 forced many changes on Visions, very quickly. The bill was passed this July, and ALL California charter schools that offer "Independent Study" are required to be compliant on the first day of school. It was written in response to the COVID challenges faced by public school students, and it is not sensitive to our particular model, but we still have to comply.

Most of the changes will not impact you negatively. There are only two that you need to be aware of at the start of school.

• Attendance: You must now log your attendance DAILY. You should have gotten a communication from Visions with more information about this. If you have any questions, please reach out to me.
• Religious Curriculum: If you are using religious curriculum, be careful not to use it for work samples or mention it on the semester plan. The only real change this year is that Visions is not allowed to take attendance for any work done in religious curriculum. If you are planning on using primarily religious curriculum for your student, we will work together to figure this out. 

Synchronous Instruction and Live Interaction opportunities.  
Your student IS NOT required to attend the Synchronous Instruction or Live Interaction opportunities.  

Synchronous Instruction

ALL VISIONS teachers will be providing online synchronous instruction as follows:

• Grades TK-3: 30 minutes of instruction every day
• Grades 4-8: 30 minutes of instruction once per week
• Grades 9-12: 60 minutes of instruction once per week

My synchronous instruction schedule will be:

• Grades TK-3: Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 10:30
• Grades 4-8: Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:00
• Grades 9-12: Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30

Classes will be via Zoom and students will be required to log into the class using their Visions email account. Directions on how to do that are here. If you are interested in having your student attend synchronous instruction during LP1, please email me so I can know who is coming and plan accordingly. Thank you!

Daily Live Interaction

This is being provide by Teachers on Special Assignment. Click here for more information on the 4th-8th grade offerings.

This Week's Meeting Schedule

LP1 Agenda - What's New & Semester Plans

Monday 8/30
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
Teacher Work Day

Tuesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

12:00 - Willow H.

1:00 - Jacob

2:00 - McKenna

3:00 - Billy & Ary

Wednesday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 10:30 - 4-8 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Akira

1:00 - Tiffany, Madison & Logan

Thursday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction
10:00 - 11:00 - 9-12 Synchronous Instruction

Student Meetings (Virtual)

11:00 - Wyatt

1:00 - Lucas & Elias

3:00 - Ella

Friday
9:30 - 10:00 - TK Synchronous Instruction

Office Day/Teacher Meetings

Ready, Set, Go!

Well, not quite yet, but the first official day of school is just around the corner on Tuesday, August 31.

It certainly has been a challenging start to the school year. I know many of you are affected by the Caldor Fire, either evacuated, on warning, dealing with the smoke, worried about friends and family, helping others, etc. I know I have not been on my game this week. 

There are A LOT of new things this year. Due to COVID and AB130, Visions is having to adhere to new legal requirements that are constantly changing, sometimes daily. 

What you need to know as of today:

Meetings

Our LP1 meeting will be virtual please click here to schedule asap. More info about how meetings will be handled this year will coming soon. 

Semester Plans

I started sharing out Semester Plans yesterday. I'm hoping to have everyone's shared out by the end of the day today. Please feel free to start adding your curriculum and assignments, but please do not delete anything that is already in there, or add any rows until we can meet. Thank you!

Master Agreements

All MAs need to be resigned this year because there were new additions due to AB130.  MAs should be sent to you via email soon, if they haven't been already. Please sign and have your student(s) sign the new MA as soon as possible. 

Assessments

The assessment piece is in place. All students will be taking an initial assessment in LP1. More information on that will be coming soon.

AB130

This assembly bill set requirements for all public schools to have an independent study option for the 2021/22 school year in response to COVID. It also set requirements for how independent study would be conducted. This placed additional requirements on our school. Especially for our teachers. 

Synchronous Instruction and Live Interaction

You will be seeing information come out about Synchronous Instruction and Live Interaction.

YOU DO NOT have to do anything about this. It is entirely optional for you - as long as your students are progressing well. However, all teachers are being required to provide synchronous instruction to students. 

We will be offering 

• 30 minute daily Zoom sessions for grades TK-3
• 30 minute weekly Zoom sessions for grades 4-8
• 60 minute weekly Zoom sessions for 9-12

Again, this is NOT required for you, but it is for teachers. As you can imagine this will greatly impact teachers schedules.  

 

Religious Curriculum

All public charter schools are being increasingly monitored about how religious curriculum is being used. We have been really careful about it all along, so the changes aren't really that big for us. 

OF COURSE you can still use religious curriculum, we just can't

• log it on our semester plans.
• use it for work samples.
• use student funds for it.
• take attendance for using it.

I will work with you individually to find supplements to note on your semester plans if you are using primarily religious curriculum.

So what can you do right now to get ready for the school year?

• Plan! Make sure you have everything ordered for the first semester and look over it so you are ready to fill out your semester plans.
• Reach out with questions and concerns.
• Schedule our LP1 meeting.

Final Week of School

 

It is officially here. The final week of school. The final blog post of the year.

Here are a few year end notes/reminders:

If we already had our LP10 meeting and your report cards, attendance and semester plans are finalized, you are ready for summer!

If we have our final meeting this week, please check the May 17th Getting Ready for LP10 post to make sure you are all set for our meeting.

For middle and high school students who are still working on bringing up grades or completing curriculum, don't forget to email me any extra work you want considered by 4:30 on Wednesday.  I will be checking Acellus grades and gradebooks in the semester plans on Thursday morning for those students that have requested it.

I will be available for questions, help, and order approval through until Monday, June 7th at 4:30, and will be back at work on Monday, August 16. The Visions office is open over the summer to continue to approve orders and answer questions.

Upcoming & Notable

Notable: Returnable curriculum items are now being accepted at the Carmichael office by appointment only. Here is the WIRE link for more info.

Important! - Due to the COVID-19 restrictions during the 20/21 school year, students that withdraw or graduate before June 30th will ONLY need to return technology items. Curriculum items DO NOT need to be returned for these students.

Last Day of School: Thursday, June 3

Year-end Book Returns (offsite locations): Thursday, June 3 - Wednesday, June 9 Locations and Dates TBD.

Early Ordering Ends: Wednesday, June 30

Last Day to Submit Community College or Parent Field Trip Reimbursements: Wednesday, June 30

Regular Ordering Begins for Curriculum and Supplies: Tuesday, July 6

eVoucher Ordering Begins for Fall Services (8/31 start date): Tuesday, August 10

First Day of School 2021/2022: Tuesday, August 31 (Teachers are returning Monday, August 16 and will contact families by Friday the 20th to help with curriculum ordering and schedule meetings.) 

Final Week of School Meeting Schedule

LP10 Agenda - Report Cards and Finalizing Semester Plans

Monday 5/31
Memorial Day - No school

Tuesday
Virtual
12:00 - Uriah

1:00 - Jezreel

3:00 - Billy & Ary

Wednesday
Virtual
1:00 - Hunter

2:00 - McKenna

Thursday - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Virtual
11:00 - Elijah & Hazel

1:00 - Akira

2:00 - Jonah

4:00 - Jette

Friday
Teacher Work Day