Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Celebrating Our 8th Grade Grads!

Celebrating Our 8th Grade Grads!

In three different ceremonies throughout our service area, Visions staff, family and friends gathered to celebrate the graduation of our 8th grade students. As they walked across the stage, our graduates were recognized for their hard work and officially sent off to high school with words of encouragement and gratitude from Visions leadership.

“8th grade promotions highlight and celebrate all the hard work of our students and families to create a successful educational base at Visions,” says Home School Academy Principal Heidi Perry. “To the graduates, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations. Each one of you has demonstrated exceptional commitment and resilience throughout your academic endeavors. I’m so grateful to have been able to celebrate this very special day with you.”

Supporting Our Students

Every year, our 8th Grade Promotion ceremonies are an opportunity to look back on all that our students have achieved and look forward to all that they will continue to accomplish in the future. Surrounded by the people who helped them reach this milestone, these ceremonies are a way to honor both the students and those who supported them throughout their educational journeys thus far.

Thank you to all of the families and Visions staff that joined us to commemorate this milestone. Congratulations again to our 8th grade grads, and we wish you all the best in your next endeavors!

See all the photos on our Facebook page!

#iReadyVisions – Celebrating Our Home School Scholars!

#iReadyVisions – Celebrating Our Home School Scholars!

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Congratulations to all of our Home School students that completed their iReady Diagnostics in Math and Reading! To recognize your hard work we mailed out completion certificates and invited you to share your achievements on social media using #iReadyVisions.

Thank you to all that participated. Seeing the smiles behind the certificates made us #VisionsProud!

See all the photos here.

Reward Winners

Students that shared their photos using the hashtag were entered in a random drawing to receive a gift code to the Visions Spirit Store. Congratulations to the following winners:

  • Elijah A.
  • Oliver G.
  • Devryn L.

Winning families will be contacted via email to receive their prize.

Again, congratulations to our students. The results from i-Ready will help guide your future learning and set you up for success.

Have a great summer!

Zombies, Meet Your Match: Visions’ Drama Club Takes On The Apocalypse

Zombies, Meet Your Match: Visions’ Drama Club Takes On The Apocalypse

On Friday, May 31st, Visions In Education’s Drama Club performed, “10 Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse” in front of a live audience. 

A comedy; this play revolves around the idea of a zombie apocalypse coming to life. Thespians were put in the situation of rampaging zombies, needing to be quick-witted in decision-making while writing the ultimate guide on survival.

Knowledgeable and armed with their books, the characters used different means of defense such as throwing the slowest person down first, roasting the zombies with light humorous insults, and therapy sessions with a zombie collegiate expert.

This hilarious show was directed by Visions teacher, Leslie Simpson. Simpson organized rehearsals with students and also built custom sets for the play!

In addition to the set design and acting, the audience was treated to live music and sound effects to accompany the show. Visions student and pianist Desmond N. composed original music and performed as the Accompanist.

Narrators Tori F. and Aliannah R. kept the pace for the play as our characters focused on staying alive! Actors Jonathan R., Jade J., Hailesalausie R., Lyrik R., Peitiula N., Aniyah T., Mariah T. and Maeve N. delivered a wonderful performance for our Visions community.

View our photo gallery below to see more pictures from the play!

Thank you to Tania H. and Mariana R. for capturing these photos.

Our audience walked away knowledgeable and prepared to defend in the case of a zombie apocalypse.

Congratulations to the cast, Drama Club advisor and all who had a hand in putting together this spectacular rendition of “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse.”

Visions Tennis Students Sign National Letter Of Intent To Duke And Babson Colleges

Visions Tennis Students Sign National Letter Of Intent To Duke And Babson Colleges

Visions In Education is proud to announce University Prep Academy Seniors Saahith Jayaraman and Mason Nguyen signed National Letters of Intent May 8, 2024. Saahith will be attending Duke University and Mason is heading to Babson College.

Sitting five feet apart and waiting in anticipation, Saahith and Mason sat patiently waiting as a room of teachers, administrators, and family began to fill. Sporting their new university sweatshirts and hats, our Visionaries arrived in style for their College Signing Day. 

Saahith Jayaraman leaves Visions ranked as a top 4 player in California and a top 11 Nationally. 

Mason Nguyen leaves Visions ranked as a top 40 player in California.

Saahith and Mason represented JMG Tennis Academy while attending Visions where they competed alongside Mason’s younger sister Alexis, who also attends Visions and is ranked top 3 in the Nation. 

“Being a part of Visions has allowed us more time to attend competitions. Having the flexibility to make up assignments and school work after tournament weekends and practices was such a huge help. We are grateful to Visions for giving our children the opportunity,” said Mason’s mother. 

What started as a dream to compete at the collegiate level will soon be a reality for these two Visionaries.

Representing Northern California

At the young age of six Saahith and Mason were already competing alongside and against one another in tennis competitions. 

It was a day that had been years in the making for two tennis players growing up in Northern California. This is a testament to Visionaries who work tirelessly to hone their craft and find time to master the skills that have carried them to the next level. 

Applause rang through the room as teachers spoke about the determination and work ethic needed to achieve these feats. Hear what University Prep Academy Principal Christina McKinnis and School Counselor Julie Winalski had to say about the two gentlemen below.

“Saahtih has been with Visions since 7th grade and enrolled in University Prep since 9th grade. Balancing a rigorous tennis training schedule alongside academics required exceptional time management and discipline. Unlike some students who might struggle with independent study due to lack of structure, Saahith demonstrates a high level of self-discipline to adhere to deadlines and complete assignments while juggling intensive training and competitions. Saahith has helped lay a foundation of success for future students in University Prep. He has proven that students can achieve as much and more through our program as compared to traditional high schools. Good luck at Duke!” – Christina McKinnis, Principal, University Prep Academy  

“I have been Saahith’s school counselor for the past three years, during which he has demonstrated tremendous focus, drive, and initiative as a high school student. He has successfully navigated a rigorous academic pathway, including honors and dual enrollment classes, all while maintaining a demanding athletic training and competition schedule. Combined with his inherent work ethic, these qualities have become his defining strengths as a student.” – Julie Winalski, School Counselor

“Mason started with Visions in 6th grade and returned for University Prep in 11th grade. Mason has demonstrated a high level of self-discipline in order to complete coursework while also managing a rigorous tennis schedule. Mason has completed the highest level of math with University Prep and extended his learning into Math 401 at the community college. Math is one of the most challenging subjects in independent study as it requires students to seek out additional resources and support as they move up into more difficult math concepts. While Mason could have met the A-G requirement by completing IM3, he pushed himself beyond that set requirement and now has his first college math course completed. Good luck at Babson!” – Christina McKinnis, Principal, University Prep Academy

“Mason has been a student at University Prep Academy for a total of two years. He has pursued an intensive academic plan that includes honors and AP coursework, all while managing daily training and travel for local and national tournaments. His diligence, proactive approach, and determined motivation have been instrumental in his success both on and off the court throughout high school, and these qualities will undoubtedly translate well into the realm of college academics and athletics.” – Julie Winalski, School Counselor

“For both students, the involvement of dedicated parents who have supported each student’s tennis development suggests a strong support system, which can greatly contribute to a student’s success in managing their dual commitments to academics and athletics. This support has played a critical role in helping Mason and Saahith navigate the demands of an independent study program while pursuing their athletic goals.” – Christina McKinnis, Principal, University Prep Academy

“To both students, congratulations on this incredible milestone! As you step into this exciting new chapter of your life, I want to remind you of the remarkable qualities that have brought you here: your dedication, your perseverance, and your passion. College will present you with new challenges and opportunities, both academically and athletically, and I have no doubt that you will rise to meet them with the same strength and determination you’ve always shown.  Embrace the journey ahead with an open heart and mind, knowing that each step you take, no matter how difficult, is leading you towards your dreams.  Stay focused, stay driven, but also take time to enjoy the moments. Build lasting friendships, explore new interests, and create memories that will last a lifetime. College is not just about the destination, but the journey itself.” – Julie Winalski, School Counselor

Visions would like to wish our tennis stars the best of luck as they enter the next level of their athletic and academic goals. We know you will continue to make us Visions Proud!

See JMG Tennis’ post sharing Saahith’s signing.

See JMG Tennis’ post sharing Mason’s signing.

Visions’ Main Office & Student Technology Services Closed May 27th For Memorial Day

Visions’ Main Office & Student Technology Services Closed May 27th for Memorial Day

Visions’ main office and Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume operations during normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28th.

Memorial Day honors those who have given their lives in service of our country. On this day and beyond, we remember all who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live freely. For more information about Memorial Day and why we observe, visit History.com.

Grad Spotlight: Finding the Freedom to Grow

Grad Spotlight: Finding the Freedom to Grow

Kaylee G. loves learning TikTok dances and making videos with her mom. As a student, she loved to read, write, and express herself through journaling and poetry. Her creativity and self-expression flourished through her passion for mental health and telling stories about the world.

But it wasn’t always like that for Kaylee. At her previous brick and mortar school, she felt stifled and isolated. Academically, she thrived, but mentally, Kaylee struggled. During her sophomore year, Kaylee decided to enroll in our Independent Study Academy after hearing about Visions from her cousin, who was also a Visions student. Along with the freedom to set her own schedule, Kaylee wanted closer relationships with her teachers, access to mental health resources, and a more personalized learning experience.

“I absolutely loved being in the Independent Student Academy. There was a lot of freedom, I loved going at my own pace, [and] it was also better for me mentally,” says Kaylee.

During her time at Visions, Kaylee formed a special bond with her credentialed teacher, Lauryl Kemp, and her tutor, Robert Boswell. In different ways, both Lauryl and Rob have made a profound impact on Kaylee’s life.

“I absolutely adored my teacher. She was the best thing that happened to me in school. She really helped me not only academically, but mentally as well,” shares Kaylee. “I also want to give a shout out to Rob. I want to say thank you so much for being my tutor. You’ve had a really big impact on me and I just want to say thank you.”

Along with tutoring, Kaylee had access to Enrichment Vendorsstudent clubsin-person events and more to supplement her education and facilitate socialization with other students. Kaylee got to practice her swing at Top Golf, dance with her friends at prom, and go bowling with her peers and Visions staff, all things that contributed to a well-rounded, positive high school experience.

“I…made friends through the BSU [Black Student Union] club, the dances, my classes, and the school events,” shares Kaylee. “Visions gave me opportunities to do things that I like with others, and for that I am very grateful.”

The Next Chapter

One of Kaylee’s biggest passions is writing. Now that she’s out in the world, she’s excited to begin exploring her love of language, story and creative expression with new people and in new places.

“As of now, I want to write stories as I travel the world. I love helping people, so sharing my stories one day and having the opportunity to possibly have people relate would be heartwarming,” shares Kaylee.

Although Kaylee is now officially an alumnus, she will never forget the impact that Visions had on her academically, socially and mentally. For Kaylee, Visions was a critical turning point in her life, and she continued on to her next chapter feeling included, inspired and empowered.

“I just want to say thank you for accepting me into this community when I needed it the most. I would choose Visions over and over again. To my teacher, Ms. Kemp, tutors, and [Principal] Moses, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Visions is the place to be.”

At Visions, Kaylee’s true self has been allowed to shine. Check out the video below to see for yourself.

Classified School Employee Week is May 19-25

Classified School Employee Week is May 19-25

May 19-25 is Classified School Employee Week, a time to recognize and celebrate all of the important work that our classified office staff does to serve our students and families. From fulfilling curriculum orders, to setting up events, to sharing all the best things happening here at Visions, our classified staff members are essential to keeping our school running!

To honor our classified staff this year, we sent a message to all staff, managers, and teachers asking them to shout-out members of our classified staff who have truly made an impact here at Visions. Whether it be completing a big project, going the extra mile, or simply showing up every day with a smile, close to 50 of our staff had something to say about a colleague who makes Visions a better place to be!

Thank you again to each and every one of our classified staff members – you are respected partners in our education community, and we couldn’t to do this without you. Happy Classified School Employee Week!

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Sandra Morales

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Sandra Morales

Please share why you volunteer on the Board at Visions In Education.

Visions is renowned for its trailblazing approach to education. I am passionate and driven by a desire to push the boundaries of traditional education. I’m eager to contribute my skills and insights, enriching the school’s journey towards achieving its forward-thinking mission and goals.

What is it about Visions that made you want to be part of our school community?

Visions’ mission resonated with my personal interests and professional goals. I wanted to be part of an organization that shares my dedication and commitment to pioneering educational innovation, fostering student success, and championing diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

How might you describe the difference that our teachers and staff are making by meeting the individual and unique needs of each student?

At Visions, teachers and staff create an environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported as individuals. This fosters a sense of responsibility that lays the foundation for lifelong learning, personal fulfillment, and success in their chosen paths.

What is one way that Visions is making a difference in our community from your perspective?

At Visions, the staff is committed to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their passions and overcome challenges. In doing so, they transform students’ educational experiences, empower them to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

As a member of the Board, you have an important policy and oversight role to ensure the school is achieving its mission. How would you describe your role in holding Visions accountable for meeting our goals to a variety of stakeholders, including families, staff, and taxpayers?

To families, my role on the Board is to ensure that Visions provides its students with the best possible education and support. I would also like to emphasize the crucial role your feedback plays in our decision-making process. Your insights and concerns are invaluable in helping us better understand your needs and improve our services. We can work together to ensure that Visions remains a place where every student can thrive.

To staff, the Board’s oversight role is essential for maintaining a supportive and conducive work environment for staff members. This includes prioritizing staff well-being and professional development. As board members, we aim to provide policies and direction to create an environment where staff feel valued, empowered, and equipped to fulfill their roles effectively.

To taxpayers, the Board’s commitment is to ensure that the educational needs of Visions students are met with utmost efficiency and effectiveness. To achieve this, we closely monitor Visions’ financial performance, budget allocations, and compliance with regulatory requirements. By holding Visions accountable for meeting its objectives, we fulfill our dedication to providing high-quality education that yields a good return on investment for taxpayers and contributes positively to the community.

Overall, my role on the Board involves balancing the interests of various stakeholders while fostering transparency, collaboration, and a culture of accountability.

What are you most passionate about? How are you able to pursue that passion by serving on our Board?

I’m passionate about advocating for resources to improve education and making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities. Serving on the Visions Board provides a platform and opportunities for collaboration to promote, innovate, advocate, support, and champion initiatives that foster inclusivity and advance the quality and accessibility of education for all students.

1% Better Celebration

1% Better Celebration

As we reflect on the year so far, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate all the great work our school has done to get 1% better each day for the students we serve.

Some of the changes we’ve made, including implementing grade banding, focusing our Home School Academy on TK-8th grades only, and changing our PD schedules to accommodate teachers, have come from feedback and as a response to challenges our staff face. Thanks to all of our staff as always for frankly and courageously sharing their perspectives; their insight into their work and the experiences of our students is vital when it comes to building a better school.

We are excited to share with you some organizational updates and let you know where we are at with important projects.

Movin’ On Up!

One of the highlights this year was the purchase of 11931 Foundation Placeas our new and final headquarters.
Work continues on the building, with the new sign installed and major infrastructure work underway.
We are finalizing construction plans in the next few months and working with contractors to get the new building ready to move in. We have also sold 5030 El Camino for $2.8 million dollars.

Legislative Outreach Efforts

Visions is joining the conversation around charter schools and the role Visions plays in the public school system. This year we continued our legislative outreach efforts, meeting with state leaders and their staff to inform them on the impact our school makes. We’ve also contributed to discussions around charter school best-practices in fruitful meetings with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) and the California Department of Education (CDE).

New Technology for Staff and Students

Visions is investing nearly $4 million dollars to replace both student Chromebooks and staff MacBooks that are reaching the end of their life cycles. This new technology investment is a response to concerns raised about our current technology and an effort to equip our students and staff with the tools they need to succeed. Our Technology Services team will be completing this work over the spring and summer as we purchase and distribute nearly 10,000 new devices. We’ve also added additional staff in STS to expedite technology ordering and Student ID processing this coming fall.

Improving Ordering Processes

Over the last year, we have made improvements to the way we handle ordering to make the staff and student experience more seamless. This work includes adding staff to support ordering and enabling early ordering for IS/UP Students for the first time. We also worked with more than 20 teachers to create a custom Amazon interface in LPAD to simplify ordering and approvals for supported materials. This year over 90,000 orders were addressed and over 62,000 orders were processed; an all time record!

Home School Academy Updates

Our Home School Academy continues to refine our TK-8 offerings, including rounding the bend on the curriculum refinement project which will be rolled out over the next few yearsWe also began implementing our Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) grant by training teachers, creating Pre and TK specific eventsand providing students with backpacks and materials.

New! Online Middle School

For years we have heard from both families and teachers that middle school students need a structured option when parents want their children to learn from home and need additional support to meet grade level standards. To respond to this need, we are launching an Online Middle School program this fall for students in Grades 7 and 8 with more structured schedules and direct teacher instruction.

High School Academy Updates

Our high school academies are also changing the way we help our 9-12 students succeed. We changed the way we enroll and onboard students based on teacher feedback, orienting spring semester students in a new way and orienting all new students on Monday to set them up for success in the week. Graduation requirements have also shifted as a result of a collaborative effort between teachers, administrators, and counselors, putting more students on track to graduate with their peers.

NEW! Independent Study Credit Recovery and Early College

We are piloting a Credit Recovery program for Independent Study students who arrive experiencing credit deficiency. This program will provide focused support to students who need a little extra help catching up on lost learning.

Meanwhile, our University Prep Early College academy is offering students enhanced community college opportunities, including the ability to graduate with at least 12 college credits and possibly an AA degree! Students will be supported by both Visions staff and community college counselors with the Los Rios Community College District.

Building Out Counselor Support

This year, our counseling team has responded to 326 intervention requests and built out our team of counselors to allow smaller caseloads and increased 1:1 support from counseling staff.

College and Career Preparation

High school students at Visions now have more opportunities for college and career development than ever! Our CTE Program continues to expand, adding the video game design pathway this year and the cybersecurity pathway to begin in Fall 2024.

Other Organizational Wins

Board Policy & Required Notification Tool in LPAD

After exploring options to house our Board Policies in a third-party board information service, Visions decided to develop and produce our own Board Policy & Required Notification tool housed in LPAD. This tool allows users to search for policies and access the latest version through LPAD.

Professional Development Scheduling 

In response to teacher requests for more uniformity and consistency with our PD scheduling, our team has adjusted our August training schedule for 2024 to be more intentional about Carmichael and Regional in-person days to better respect our teaching staff’s time and commitment to travel.

Supporting All Students

Our efforts to provide wraparound support for all students this year increased, including seeking new funding sources (including Title and Special Education funding to go towards positions to support our students). Our Special Education team made some important strides this year, increasing the number of school psychologists to serve students and working with teachers in our communities to bring support to our students where they are.

Multilingual Students also received an increase in support with the establishment of the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) to give English learners a voice at Visions.

SchoolsPLP Curriculum

For many years, we’ve heard some concerns from teachers about BrightThinker as a curriculum source. As a result of your feedback and choices made by BrightThinker to end their relationship with SchoolsPLP, we will be moving to Lincoln Learning starting Fall 2024. Our instructional services team will be working hard over the summer to get our school ready for next fall and more details will be shared, including how this will affect our teachers.

Communicating More Effectively

With the number of things happening at Visions, keeping our staff and families connected and informed is critical. Our Communications team has responded to student needs this year, improving our event communications plans by consolidating information in the Events Express.

Superintendent Olmos also consistently reached out to both office staff and teachers with Treats with Steve listening sessions to gather employee feedback and suggestions.

Passing the Test

Visions also made some serious strides in testing, notably achieving 95% Participation in CAASPP as a result of working together to encourage students to test. We also achieved over 90% participation in iReady Middle of the Year (MOY) exams for students two or more grades behind.

Compound Interest Pays Off!

All these little wins have added up to big results for the students we serve. As of LP8 this year, our enrollments are up while our withdrawals are falling! Students want to come to Visions more than ever and are staying with us longer as well.

Our success is the product of all staff providing excellent service and continuing to find new ways to win on behalf of our students. Thank you all for the outstanding work you have done this year and, as we look ahead, here’s to another twenty-five years of getting 1% better daily!

Teacher Appreciation Week Is May 6-10!

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10!

May 6-10 is National Teacher Appreciation Weeka time to recognize the great educators that have made an impact in the lives of our students!

All month long, we asked students and parents to shout out their favorite teacher and explain how they made an impact on their lives. Nearly 500 families responded with heartfelt messages of thanks and appreciation as well as pictures of your favorite teachers. Our Communications Team took all these shoutouts and compiled them into one board.

See our Gratitude Board Here!

Here you can see all of the lovely messages of gratitude our students and parents have sent in.

*Note: These shout outs are in the students/parents’ own words and represent their own perspectives on their teacher.

Thank You!

A big thank you to the teachers, para-educators, tutors, and other educators in our community that make the work we do possible. Our school has lasted as long as it has on the backs of creative, dedicated teaching professionals who put their hearts into their work and deliver excellent results for the students we serve. We are grateful to serve alongside such talented teachers!