Entries by Ellie Fazzi

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.





Visions Stands Up for Equitable Funding and School Options

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Blue image with the words "Legislative Updates" and government building graphic

Visions Stands Up for Equitable Funding and School Options

As 2023-2024 budget conversations heat up in the California State Legislature, Visions In Education is taking this opportunity to remind lawmakers why families need free public school options and why equitable funding for all public schools – including non-classroom-based charter schools like Visions – matters. Over the past few months, I have joined various members of Visions’ leadership team and Board of Directors to meet with State Legislators and their staff. In these meetings, we highlight how schools like Visions are an important option for families who need different public education options. We also advocate for equitable funding, ensuring that all of California’s public school students receive the resources they deserve. 

These efforts have been supported by our partnership with KP Public Affairs who are leaders in Sacramento advocacy. We’re thankful for the support from Brian White and Marlon Lara to help us share the Visions story and our mission to serve students.

We have been fortunate to have some great conversations with lawmakers so far. Having face-to-face conversations has allowed us to educate legislators and clarify questions about our school and make connections with lawmakers as they negotiate the state budget and upcoming bills. It’s important that our elected representatives have the opportunity to know us as their constituents who value public school options and equitable funding.

As budget negotiations continue and bills related to charter schools move forward, we will continue to advocate for legislation that supports diverse public education. As inflation and other downward economic pressures forecast a state budget deficit, it is vital that we continue to hold our elected officials to their promises to support California’s future by investing in its students. 

We will continue to share updates on our legislative work throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Olmos
Superintendent/Executive Director

Student Spotlight: One Student’s Journey with Visions from TK to Twelfth Grade

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Smiling home school boy stands next to replica of a dolphin

Student Spotlight: One Student’s Journey with Visions from TK to Twelfth Grade

Daniel E. has been with Visions since kindergarten. Soon, he will be accepting his high school diploma as a graduate of our Home School Academy. Daniel was enrolled in Visions as an alternative to the traditional public school environment. Each year, he has been able to plan his schedule in a way that works best for him.

“I get my high school education done in the morning to early afternoon,” says Esty. “I plan my schedule so that there is some leeway for free time, but I make sure to prioritize my education.”

Hoping to enter the medical field, Daniel has also been able to plan for his career by taking specialized classes. He is currently taking an Introduction to Healthcare class and previously attended a CPR class made available by Visions. His teacher and counselor, Donelle O’Brien and Connie Mandujano, have supported his goals and helped him figure out a career path.

“Ms. O’Brien and Ms. Mandujano have been very helpful to me in the years that they have worked as my teacher and counselor, and helped guide me to where I am today,” says Esty. “Ms. O’Brien in particular has been encouraging and supportive of my plans for the future.”

From Nursery Rhymes to Nursing

Daniel plans to go to college to get an associate’s degree in nursing, where he wants to work as a nurse to gain hands-on experience in the field before eventually becoming a nurse practitioner. He loves that he has been able to rely not only on material provided by his teacher, but on his ability to do his own research regarding what he’s learning, to get to where he is today.

“I cannot stress enough how much I enjoyed my experience at Visions. I was able to learn at the pace I wanted without any setbacks, and my experiences with the teacher and counselor were great,” says Esty. “I would like to thank everyone involved within Visions for creating this learning platform and having me on board as one of many students that partook in this educational journey.”

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Engineer Has The Program for Success

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smiling online high school student who loves science

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Engineer Has The Program for Success

Ashlynn G. loves engineering. As an 11th grade student who recently highlighted her robotics chops at the Sacramento Regional STEM fair, she somehow manages to find time to follow her passions while holding down a part-time job, attending American River College, and participating in Visions In Education’s Military Service Club.

How does she do it? All of these amazing opportunities have been made possible due to the support of her teacher, her willingness to pursue her goals independently and the unique educational structure and extracurricular opportunities offered at Visions In Education.

“What drove me to switch to Visions In Education was the flexibility,” says Ashlynn. “I can better flex with my other commitments and create a balanced routine to be able to achieve my goals. I love the school and the many ways I can get involved.”

Teacher Supported

At Visions, Ashlynn connected with Christine McKnight, her credentialed teacher and biggest source of support at Visions. Christine has helped Ashlynn balance her schedule, kept her accountable to her goals, and helped her explore opportunities for enrichment, such as the Arabic classes Ashlynn takes through our enrichment vendor program.

Christine has been impressed by Ashlynn’s positive attitude and open mind to learning about how Visions can help her achieve her personal and academic goals.

“While she already possessed a number of valuable life skills upon transferring to Visions, Ashlynn is definitely taking advantage of our awesome program to strengthen her organizational methods, time management strategies, and her communication skills,” says Christine. “I absolutely love that Ashlynn is a working high school student learning how to balance her school responsibilities, her part-time job responsibilities, and her personal interests.”

Ashlynn echoes her teacher’s sentiments, crediting Mrs. McKnight, as well as her friends and family, with her many accomplishments.

“Mrs. McKnight has helped me along my journey with getting settled in here at Visions,” Ashlynn says. “I’m always asking questions and trying to learn about more opportunities to expand my knowledge, and she has done a wonderful job in supporting me. She is like my right hand for school – she’s awesome!”

Student robot for the Sacramento Regional STEM Fair

A Vision for the Future

Ashlynn’s journey since coming to Visions has brought a flexible schedule, different clubs and programs, and a clear path to a robust career. She hopes to participate in more out-of-state science fairs and the National Youth Leadership Forum: Engineering and Experiential Learning Program this summer before graduating and moving on.

“Since starting at Visions, I have a clear vision ahead of me,” says Ashlynn. “After graduation, I would love to attend one of the many colleges of my dreams. I will become an entrepreneur and start my own business either as a mechanical engineering consultancy firm, machine building and design or anything around coding. If I got the chance to redo high school, I would choose Visions for all four years!”