Entries by Ellie Fazzi

The Unsung Heroes: A Spotlight on the Enrollment Department

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Blue and white sign with the word Enrollment on it on the wall at the Visions building

The Unsung Heroes: A Spotlight On The Visions Enrollment Department

There are currently almost 6,700 students enrolled at Visions. Despite what people may think, the enrollment process isn’t automated. Everyone who works in the department is there to help families through every step, from initial contact to the first day of school.

“As a whole, Enrollment is really three different departments,” says Rick Lilley, Enrollment Services Manager. “There’s the Call Center, which is where contacts and applications are processed. This is usually the first point of contact with families. Then, there are the Enrollment Appointments, which is where we talk to parents and confirm students’ enrollment and start dates. This is usually the last part of the enrollment process. Finally, there’s the Assignments team. They manage the caseloads and make sure that all students have a teacher.”

To make this system successful, everyone in the Enrollment Department truly does need to be a jack of all trades. Not only do they need to understand the organization as a whole, they need to understand the individual breakdown between different academies, programs and offerings so that families can make a good decision for their students.

“We do a lot,” says Mariya Puris, Office Coordinator. “It’s not just ‘apply and then you’re enrolled.’ It’s a multi-step process, and there’s a lot that goes into it that people don’t think about.”

All of this work not only supports Visions as a school, but it greatly supports parents and their students as well. Visions provides summer school, credit recovery options and other opportunities to help families through their educational journeys.

“Working for Enrollment can be stressful, but I thrive on that,” shares Robert Kane, Office Coordinator. “It’s very fulfilling because 99 out of 100 families need help, and we’re here to help them. And they appreciate it. It’s awesome.”

It’s “Lego” not “Legos”: A Spotlight on Office Staff Member Nick Micheels

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Wearing a light blue striped shirt, Nick Micheels poses for a selfie.

It’s “Lego” not “Legos”: A Spotlight on Office Staff Member Nick Micheels

Update: Nick’s Twilight set has officially been approved by Lego for production! He will continue to meet with the Lego Design team to work through the specifics, but you can expect a Twilight Lego set to hit the shelves sometime in the future! Congratulations, Nick! Check out the official announcement here.

Nick has always loved building things. Here at Visions, he builds spreadsheets as part of his role as Administrative Assistant for the Home School Academy. At home, he builds Lego sets.

But being part of the Adult Fans of Lego community goes way beyond just building the sets. For Nick, his fun starts all the way at the beginning – the design stage.

“During COVID, I came out of my ‘Dark Age,’ which is the time between childhood and adulthood when you abandoned Lego for your teen years. I started buying Lego sets again and was amazed at how far the design process had come,” says Nick. “Then I found Lego Ideas, which is a website where you can submit your own design ideas, and I got into voting on sets that I liked. Eventually I decided that I wanted to do something like that too.”

Using a free software called Studio, Nick started to play around with building different sets. His first was a Sherlock Holmes set, which he posted on the Lego Ideas website. At the time, it didn’t gain much traction, and he didn’t post anything again for two years. Then, Nick hatched an idea that would make it all the way to the Lego Design team themselves.

“I’m a nerd about Twilight. I used to hate it, but then I saw how good Lego is at making something that’s for kids work for adults too,” Nick shared. “I thought this concept would translate well with Twilight, so I started building a set based off of the movies.”

He began by creating the second floor of the Cullen house. He then made minifigures of some of the major characters, including Edward, Bella, Jacob and Carlisle. After the set was complete, Nick submitted it to Lego Ideas. Soon after, he went to put it on Reddit, but was amazed to see that somebody else had already posted it. It had also been published to a Twilight Facebook page that currently has 490,000 followers. It had even reached TikTok, where one video got 406,000 likes. In less than 2 days, Nick’s set had reached 10,000 votes on Lego Ideas, which means that it will be presented to Lego as an option for development.

“Lego will review any 10,000 vote sets and do a mock build,” shares Nick. “If it’s a good fit, they will announce in Fall if they’re going to make it a set!”









Building His Future Brick by Lego Brick

For Nick, this is just one of the many accomplishments that he’s used his personal and professional attributes to achieve. Apart from his set building, he would love to one day go into business analytics, a goal that the Instruction department at Visions has helped him nurture by giving him specific tasks tailored to this skill.

“I’ve always been super analytical,” says Nick. “I like projects where I can build out or expand different tools, which is why I love the projects that Sarah McFarland, Director of Instruction for Independent Study and University Prep, gives me in my current role. I think this mindset transfers over to my Lego set designing as well.”

Edward Cullen and Jacob

Nick’s love of Lego reminds us all that we can embrace our inner child, and shows how passions and professions can intersect – something we strive to cultivate with our students here at Visions.

“I’ve taken on projects here that I didn’t know how to do, and had to kind of build the confidence to feel like I could learn it and figure it out,” says Nick. “This translated into the confidence to be creative outside of work as well.”

So what are Nick’s plans for the future? One is to continue to design sets, like his newest Landscape Photographer set, and build his Instagram page. He can’t wait to continue coming up with new ideas and appreciates any support he can get!

“Who knows?” says Nick. “Maybe one day I’ll even do a Visions set…”

Last Day of School Message from Superintendent Olmos

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Male Superintendent poses with Filipino male graduate on staff at graduation

Last Day of School Message from Superintendent Olmos

 

Dear Visions Families,

Today is the last day of school, and I want to congratulate you for completing another year with Visions. For most of you, you are one step closer to your goal of graduating high school; for those of you that graduated on Wednesday, you have already completed your journey as far as we can take you. In either case, you have worked very hard to get here, and I congratulate you on your effort.

While you are away this summer, Visions staff will be working behind the scenes to get many new changes ready for your return. These include expanded budgets for all academies, increased Career Technical Education courses for high school students, and more clubs and events to enjoy. We will be building on our successes this year to make Visions even better when you return for the Fall Semester.



Stay Connected

Just because school is out doesn’t mean Visions is quiet! Our teams will be sending you regular updates and reminders over the summer. Please check your email and mailing address in School Pathways to ensure your information is updated and you receive updates about new opportunities and important information for the Fall. You can also stay in the loop by following us on social media. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

On behalf of everyone at Visions (teachers, principals, counselors, and staff), thank you for choosing to spend another year with our school. We hope your summer vacation is restful and relaxing and that you return August 29th ready to begin learning again.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Olmos
Superintendent/Executive Director

Congratulations 8th Grade Grads!

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Congratulations 8th Grade Grads!​

Visions staff, family and friends recently gathered to celebrate the graduation of our 8th grade students! In each of our ceremonies, our graduates were recognized for their hard work throughout the year and officially sent off to high school with words of encouragement and gratitude from Visions leadership.

“I think the highlight was that each teacher was able to share their sentiments with each of their students,” says Home School Academy Principal Sue McCroskey. “Some even shed a few tears. So touching!”

After being officially certified as graduates, students were able to join their peers and family members to mingle, take photos and celebrate. Everyone was grateful to gather together again, something they haven’t been able to do the past few years.

“Folks were so appreciative for the opportunity to celebrate in person,” shares Sue. “It was a joy to engage with families and guests ahead of the ceremony while the students were gathering and preparing. There was such an air of positivity.”

Congratulations again to our 8th grade grads! In the words of Home School Academy Principal Edwina Cirelli, “Now you are starting an exciting new adventure. Take advantage of everything and enjoy every moment!” We wish you all the best in your next steps, Visionaries!

See all photos on our Facebook page.








Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

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Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

May is recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize and revere how Asian cultures and peoples have changed our country.

In May of 1843, the first Japanese immigrants came to the United States. In that same month twenty six years later, the transcontinental railroad was completed, its tracks laid down by predominantly Chinese immigrant workers. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush formally recognized May as the first AAPI Heritage Month.

AAPI is celebrated in many ways for many things, and we love seeing how members of these rich communities honor this heritage. Here at Visions, we encourage this recognition year round. This year, we are sponsoring the Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento, an annual celebration of Filipino history and culture. We are proud to be a part of such an impactful local event and encourage you all to join us in the celebration on June 4th.

For more information about AAPI Heritage Month, visit this website, and check out this reading list to continue expanding your knowledge on Asian American history, culture and stories.

Visions’ Main Office and STS Closed for Memorial Day

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US Memorial Day holiday banner with hand drawn lettering and blurred background. United States national holiday background. Vector illustration.

Visions’ Main Office and STS Closed May 29, 2023 for Memorial Day

Visions’ main office and Student Technology Services will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023 in observance of this holiday. We will resume operations during regular business hours on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

Memorial Day is observed every year on the last Monday of May and is dedicated to honoring those who have died serving our country. It’s on this day that we pay tribute to the individuals who have sacrificed so much for others.

Grad Spotlight: A Life-Changing Pilgrimage

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Female high school student in gray hijab sits on railing

Grad Spotlight: A Life-Changing Pilgrimage

At 17 years old, University Prep student Salwa A. will soon be accepting her high school diploma. By taking advantage of dual enrollment opportunities, Salwa will be graduating early and beginning her next path at the University of the Pacific. A first generation college student, Salwa has set her sights high, hoping to become the first doctor in her family.

“I enrolled in Visions to be able to gain credits for high school while concurrently taking college classes,” says Salwa. “I’ve taken a total of six college courses at Delta College while at Visions. This allowed me to graduate a year early and begin the next steps to becoming a pharmacist.”

Although she always knew that she wanted to go into the medical field, it was Salwa’s counselor, Julie Winalski, and credentialed teacher, Don Bisio, who really supported her through school and helped carve out her career path.

“It was just this year when I finally figured out what I wanted to do with my life,” shares Salwa. “Mr. Bisio really helped me plan out my school weeks and follow my planner. Mrs. Winalski was a major help in helping me graduate early and plan out what I want to do after high school.”

Opportunity of a Lifetime

Aside from her academic ventures, Salwa was able to take part in a more personal endeavor during her time at Visions – performing the Islamic pilgrimage Umrah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Alongside her mother and three younger siblings, Salwa was able to perform the pilgrimage twice, an experience that she can only describe as dream-like.

“I was fortunate enough to perform Umrah in the holy place of Islam during the holy month of Ramadan,” Salwa shares. “This pilgrimage is not obligatory, but it’s a blessing. The experience was unreal.”

Unforgettable Journeys

Salwa’s journey through her education and her faith have provided her opportunities for growth, exploration and lifelong learning. As she approaches a new chapter of her life, Salwa continues to look back on her time at Visions with gratitude.

“I’m beyond excited to graduate and begin a new chapter in my life, but this chapter will never be forgotten,” says Salwa. “Visions has been the key to many of my successes and I hope that it’ll be the same for the many more students to attend.”



Grad Spotlight: Picking a Path After High School

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Smiling home school student holds up her State Seal of Biliteracy certificate

Grad Spotlight: Picking a Path After High School

There are so many careers out there to choose from, and Home School student Zion P. wants to explore as many as she can. A Visions student since kindergarten, Zion took advantage of multiple extracurricular activities, dual enrollment opportunities and specialized classes, allowing her to explore her interests while also pursuing her future.

“I like to read and write, so I did the Find Your Voice class,” says Zion. “I also did Dual Enrollment at Cosumnes River College and Sacramento City College, and was able to take classes such as Human Career Development, Administration of Justice and English.”

Not only did these classes help Zion get a head start on college, they helped her find one of the careers she’s interested in – becoming a lawyer.

“My counselor, Deanna Stevenson, and my teacher, Toolie Younger, helped me find scholarships and get on the right track for college,” says Zion. “Now I know I want to be a lawyer, particularly for large businesses.”

Mastering the Arts

Zion will be attending Sacramento State in the Fall to begin down the path to law school, but she hasn’t forgotten about her love for the arts. A fan of video games like League of Legends and Mario Kart, she’s also thinking about becoming a Game Developer. 

“My dream is to build a game from start to finish, creating a fantasy world that reflects real life,” shares Zion. “After Sacramento State, I hope to transfer to the University of Advancing Technology for game development.”

Skills for Life

Visions’ unique learning environment allowed Zion to choose new topics to learn about, be responsible for her time and acquire life skills along the way. She loves that Visions let her pick classes that she wanted to take, while also directing her towards her future.

“There are so many classes to pick from,” says Zion. “For example, if you want to be an art teacher, you can take art classes. If you want to be a language teacher, you can choose language classes.”

At Visions, Zion took advantage of these language classes, working all the way up to Spanish 4. Recently, she was awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy for mastery of two or more languages.

“I’ve been taking Spanish since I was young, and recently received my State Seal of Biliteracy certificate,” says Zion. “It felt really good to see all my hard work pay off.”

All of the skills Zion acquired during her time at Visions will undoubtedly help in whatever she chooses to do in the future. Game developer or lawyer, Zion is already a winner.

Grad Spotlight: Bound to be a Bruin

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Smiling Home School student in UCLA Bruins shirt

Grad Spotlight: Bound to be a Bruin

Siobhan N. came to Visions when she was in third grade. A former traditional public school student, Siobhan succeeded in the Rapid Learner program. But the competitive environment and excessive pressure left Siobhan feeling overwhelmed and unfulfilled. Visions offered her an alternative to that atmosphere, one where she could receive a rigorous education while also exploring her passions.

“I was able to pursue and develop more of my interests at Visions by using budget money to enroll in various extracurriculars,” says Siobhan. “I participated in the 916 Ink program, volunteered with the non-profit organization Learn To Be, served as a board member on the Mission Oaks Teen Advisory Board, and used my charter funds to participate in voice lessons with School of Rock.”

Between all of these extracurricular activities, Siobhan still managed to set her sights on college. With the help of her credentialed teacher, Judy Flora, she laid the foundation for admission into a four year university.

“Mrs. Flora always supported my educational path, provided resources, and extended opportunities to me like using UC Scout as an educational platform,” says Siobhan. “I was able to participate in the California Scholarship Federation and I began dual enrollment by taking community college classes starting in 9th grade.”

Looking Forward

All of these enrichment vendors and dual enrollment opportunities helped Siobhan secure her future, while also narrowing down some of the passions she’ll be taking with her into her college career.

“Through taking dual enrollment classes in psychology, I discovered my passion for this subject, and participated in a psychology summer class at UC Santa Cruz,” says Siobhan. “Now I am proud to say that I have been offered admission to study psychology at UCLA, and am eager to begin the next chapter of my educational journey!”

A Perfect Fit

At Visions, Siobhan was able to choose classes based on her interests and learning style, and found that the educational model was perfect for her.

“I greatly enjoyed my self-directed education with so many resources available to me,” says Siobhan. “The budget money that students receive helps make education fun by allowing us to participate in many enrichment classes, and Visions’ reputation of academic rigor made it a great choice!”

Visions and Volunteering Go Hand In Hand

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Multicolored hands raised with text that reads "April 2023 - National Volunteer Month"

Visions and Volunteering Go Hand In Hand

National Volunteer Month is celebrated every April, recognizing those around the world who volunteer in their homes, out in their communities, and across borders. It was officially established in 1974 and has continued to celebrate generations and generations of volunteers.

TV Rising Star Achieves a Different Kind of Rising Star

One Visions student, 12 year old Makenzie Lee-Foster, knows what it means to give back. Although she may be recognized for many things, including playing young Deja Andrews in the popular TV show This Is Us or young Toni Harris in this Toyota Super Bowl LIII commercial, she has been recognized for something much greater behind the scenes – being inducted into the Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame as a Volunteerism Rising Star. Makenzie received this award for her work with young students, traveling to different schools to read in their classrooms. She encourages students to believe in themselves and follow their dreams by sharing her story through her self-published book Kickin’ It With Kenzie. Learn more about Makenzie here!

Celebrating Service

National Volunteer Month is a time that we celebrate volunteers like Makenzie for their generous work, while also encouraging continued volunteerism. To get connected to ways that you can give back to your community, visit volunteermatch.org.