Entries by Ellie Fazzi

Visions Stands Up for Equitable Funding and School Options

/in
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

/in
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

/in ,
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!”

Student Spotlight: Early Grad Gets a Head Start on Her Career

/in

Student Spotlight: Early Grad Gets a Head Start on Her Career

Grace B. found a clear path to her future after coming to Visions in 2021. Discouraged by her public school’s attempt at distance learning, Grace found that Visions’ educational model was perfect for her – a flexible schedule, a hybrid learning environment and most importantly, Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways into early careers. With a lot of love for cosmetology and a little help from her teachers, she has been able to get closer to her dream of becoming a Medical Esthetician, something she’s wanted to be since she could remember.

“As soon as I started at Visions, I got a lot of help from my teachers. Mrs. Shields helped get me on track to graduate and Mrs. Wetzel has supported me through so much. They’ve always encouraged me to go further into my interests and look for trade schools.”

Between National Honors Society and taking college classes, Grace has been able to tap into her entrepreneurial spirit, crafting a plan to eventually start her own business after becoming certified.

“Visions helped me prepare for my future by helping me create a clear path to graduate and discover my future career. I’ve been accepted into an esthetician school starting in August and I have Visions to thank.”

Also a painter, hiker and philanthropist, Grace has been able to give back to her community between her everyday studies. Her volunteer work has included sending postcards to the elderly, helping with trash pick ups and organizing a canned food drive, which collected over 400 cans.

“Because of Visions, I am able to have a more free schedule than most. With that free schedule, I was able to create food drives, toy drives and I was able to find my passion by giving back to the community.”

Grace’s passion inside the classroom and outside in her community will undoubtedly bring her incredible things in the future.

“Always reach further,” says Grace. “Never settle. Always reach for your goals and once they’re made, make new and better goals.”