Justina Janas, Author at Visions In Education

About Justina Janas

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Entries by Justina Janas

Giving Thanks: A Thanksgiving Message from Superintendent Olmos

November 19, 2021/in News

Giving Thanks: A Thanksgiving Message from Superintendent Olmos

Dear Visions students, families and staff:

It is hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us!

The holiday season is an opportunity to pause and reflect on what we are thankful for in our lives. Personally, I am thankful for my family, our creative and passionate teachers, our superhero parents and guardians, our dedicated office staff, and our administrative team for their continued leadership. Above all, I’m grateful for your patience and resilience in these constantly changing times.

Thank you for your flexibility and for adapting to new changes and procedures to help us reach our shared goals of providing every student the high-quality education they deserve. While we’ve faced another year of change and even uncertainty at times, I am grateful for all we have accomplished together. In spite of the ongoing pandemic, we will continue to improve our services to best support our students and families. We have much to be thankful for here at Visions.

I’m looking forward to recharging this Thanksgiving Break and I hope you will be able to as well. For our students and families, may this time be a well deserved break before finishing the fall semester strong. For our staff, teachers and administrators, may this time provide you with rest, relaxation and time to reflect on the tremendous work you do to support our students and families.

I wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving Break with family and friends. We will return from break on Monday, November 29.

Sincerely,
Dr. Steve Olmos
Superintendent/Executive Director

Thanksgiving Break Schedule

Students, Families & Instructional Staff: Monday, November 22 – Friday, November 26

Office Staff: Tuesday, November 23 – Friday, November 26 (offices closed)

Visions Student Signs National Letter Of Intent to Swim at Master’s University

November 17, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Visions Student Signs National Letter Of Intent To Swim At Master’s University

Visions In Education is proud to announce that Home School Academy Senior Kylee Sears signed to The Master’s University Swimming and Diving Team on November 10, 2021.

Kylee has been a Visions student for the past four years and during that time has swam competitively with the support of Spare Time Aquatics. Her brother, John “JT” Sears, is also signed to The Master’s University swim team.

One of her high school coaches, Matt Paige, had this to say about Kylee regarding her improvement over the past three and a half years: “In the 500 freestyle she’s gotten 47 seconds faster over the past three and half years. That’s monumental and it goes to show her dedication and that she’s always willing to put in the work … .bottom line she gets the work done, is willing to bring her smile and joy and her teammates certainly love her. I know at Master’s she will do so well in the NAIA. She had plenty of Division I offers but the fact that she’s willing to go to a school that shares her values so she can contribute to their program is fantastic. Congratulations.”

Master’s University Aquatics Director and Head Swim Coach, Olympic medalist Gabe Woodward, is eager to welcome Kylee to the team saying: “We are very excited to have Miss Kylee Sears come swim for The Master’s University! We see her as an outstanding addition to the team both in and out of the water and are excited to see the Lord grow her and use her. We will be watching her this season in anticipation of the beginning of her career as a Mustang next Fall. Go Mustangs!”

Kylee had this to say about her education: “I chose The Master’s University because it believes in educating the whole student, both mind and heart, inside and outside the classroom and intentionally has a small student body that allows for individual mentorship and discipleship in all areas of student life, academics and athletics. These are the qualities that I appreciate about Visions also … the individual attention and the development and concern for the student with individual learning goals and strengths.”

Congratulations, Kylee!

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

November 17, 2021/in Events

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

November is recognized as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month. Check out the video and resources below to learn more and get connected.

National Museum of the American Indian – includes informative recorded webinars and historical information.

PBS Video Playlist – includes programs about Native American leaders, art, music and cuisine.

NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov – official heritage month site including videos, events, history and more.

Sacramento Native American Health Center – provides native health services.

American Indian Child Resource Center – youth programs and support.

CA Consortium for Urban Indian Health – mental health resources.

Quotables

Get inspired by these quotes from respected Native leaders.

“When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists — as it surely will. Then act with courage.” – Chief White Eagle, Ponca

“I do not think the measure of a civilization is how tall its buildings of concrete are, but rather how well its people have learned to relate to their environment and fellow man.” – Sun Bear, Chippewa

“I have seen that in any great undertaking it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.” – Lone Man (Isna-la-wica), Teton Sioux

Heritage Month Origins

Grad Spotlight: Aspiring Law Student Raises the Bar

November 3, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Aspiring Law Student Raises The Bar

“I have had a lot of different ideas for careers I’ve wanted to go into over the years,” says graduate Nora G. “But they’ve mostly been centered around politics and law.”

As an aspiring law student, Nora always took her education seriously. But in 2019 she was confronted with an unexpected challenge when her former school closed. Faced with a choice, Nora and her family sought a different school. One that would support her interests and offer her a structured path to success.

In Visions’ University Prep program, Nora found the support she needed to chart her career and plan her life after high school. She developed essential skills like time management and personal accountability.

“Managing my own schedule was great for me,” says Nora. “Managing what work I need to get done mostly on my own was fairly natural.”

Nora tackled her coursework with determination, working hard to progress at her own pace. As part of the Find Your Voice writing class, Nora had the opportunity to write and share her original work in a published book. She even returned to mentor middle school students after she had completed the course. She also got a headstart on her college credits with the support of her teachers and counselors, developing her French skills while earning her high school diploma.

“My relationship with my mentor teacher Ms. Nichols was great,” says Nora. “She was very encouraging and was always very supportive; I enjoyed having her as a teacher.”

Graduation and Beyond

Through hard work and determination, Nora was able to graduate early as part of the Class of 2021! Her goals are to work for a few years to save money for college and then attend a four-year university to complete her degree in law or politics. She credits Visions with helping to further her personal goals and help prepare her for post-graduation life.

“Visions honestly was better than I expected for preparing me for life after graduation,” says Nora. “If I could choose to do high school over again, I’d probably decide to go to Visions sooner.”

Filipino American History Month

October 20, 2021/in Events

Filipino American History Month

Filipino Americans are the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinos and African Americans, and they are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation. Their rich history is recognized in October as it commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the United States. On October 18, 1587, “Luzones Indios” arrived in what is now Morro Bay, California.

Immerse yourself in Filipino American culture by checking out these learning resources, activities and community groups.

Art & Recipes

Create a mixed-media painting inspired by Filipina American artist Pacita Abad.

Try making pancit molo, a wonton soup recipe. Watch this video for a step by step guide on making the dish and to learn it’s history.

Books & Virtual Storytelling

Picture book reading list for younger children – learn about folk tales, the Filipino language and more.

Reading list for teens and adults – includes poetry, fiction and nonfiction recommendations.

Watch this Oden the Giant storytime with Asian Art Museum storyteller, Ann Riley.

Podcast

Listen to the “This Filipino American Life” podcast – the Filipino American hosts explore the experiences of Filipinos in the United States.

Additional Resources

Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) – includes history, learning activities, curriculum, art and more.

Community Groups

Fil-Am of FSV: Filipino-American residents of Fairfield, Suisun and Vacaville.

Visit their Facebook page for history, facts and events

Little Manila Rising – Stockton: After school programs, dance, health assistance and martial arts.

Asian Resources – Sacramento: Youth employment resources, support services and workshops.

Filipino Americans of Northern California – Sacramento, East Bay & Beyond: Community resources, scholarships and workshops.

Philippine National Day Association – Sacramento: Youth leadership, scholarship opportunities and mentoring.

Lead Filipino: community organization serving San Jose and beyond.

Grad Spotlight: Lifelong Learner Follows Her Own Path

October 20, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: Lifelong Learner Follows Her Own Path

Faten Seyoury has always known the value of a good education. A passionate and curious student, Faten worked diligently for years until her family had to move and she was faced with a choice. She needed a school that would support her love of learning, allow her to pursue her goals at her own pace, and support her unique needs as a learner.

At Visions, Faten was connected with a qualified credentialed teacher Forouzan Soufi-Siavosh. She also gained the support of counselor Nina Handal who helped her chart her educational course.

“She not only helped me reach my goals but helped me become a better person,” says Faten. “She always believed in me, encouraged me, and still encourages me to do better and to further my education.”

With the support of her teacher, counselor, and other Visions support staff, Faten settled into the flow of the Independent Study program. As an Independent Study Student, she learned vital soft-skills like accountability and time-management while working on her high school diploma. She also received support as a bilingual student and improved her English skills, working with her teachers to work and learn at her own pace.

“Being an independent study student taught me to be more responsible and helped me become more independent not only school-wise but also in my life,” says Faten. “It taught me to trust myself.”

Life After Graduation

Faten successfully graduated as part of our Class of 2017 and has moved on to pursue a career in the medical field. She currently works as a medical assistant while finishing up her nursing education and hopes to become a registered nurse once she’s finished. She thanks her teachers and Visions’ staff for helping her awaken her true potential and navigate the challenges of life after high school.

“Visions’ staff helped me grow so much as a person and improved my English skills,” Faten says. “I had such great staff that I remember their names to this day.”

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Superintendent Spotlight

October 8, 2021/in News

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month: Superintendent Spotlight

For Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month we want to spotlight our new Superintendent, Dr. Steve Olmos. His Hispanic heritage played a large part in his journey to becoming an educator.

Steve’s parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. Although his parents came to the US before they started a family, Steve was raised speaking Spanish and frequently visited his grandparents in Mexico. He vividly remembers when he started school how scared he was, as English was his second language and he was still learning to translate the basics like colors and shapes. Luckily he attended a small elementary school and was able to receive the one-on-one attention he needed to learn English and excel in school.

High School Years

His transition to high school wasn’t as easy. He went from a small rural school to a large high school and his grades declined. He stayed involved in sports and CTE/ROP automotive classes but struggled when it came to excelling and planning for his future. After graduation he started working in a factory while attending community college. The words of his favorite and most supportive teacher, Mr. Perez, got him to return to college after dropping out to work full-time.

Mr. Perez had been Steve’s Spanish teacher all four years of high school. He had even written the recommendation letter that helped Steve get the factory job. But the letter came with one condition, that he didn’t give up on his education.

“I could have easily continued down this path if it were not for Mr. Perez planting the seed to not settle for what I had,” said Steve. “He is the reason why I became a teacher.”

College and Beyond

After attending Butte Community College he transferred to Chico State where he received his Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies with a minor in Spanish and a multiple subject teaching credential. He then earned his Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University and a Doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Steve taught middle school, served as vice principal, principal and high school site administrator before becoming a superintendent at Willows Unified School District. Before transitioning to Visions he worked with two offices of education, the Butte County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Embrace Your Heritage

Steve’s story is inspiring. As a first generation child of Mexican immigrants he had to overcome hurdles. But with a personalized education and a supportive teacher relationship he was able to get a high level of education and now has a fulfilling career serving students that face many of the same challenges.

The connection between his story and Visions In Education’s mission and values is clear. Steve intimately understands the importance of individualized education, personalized learning, one-on-one teacher relationships and dedication to students.

We’re so happy to have him on board and we hope his story inspires you to continue learning and reaching for the stars no matter what struggles you face.

Grad Spotlight: Award-Winning Graduate Reaches for The Stars

October 4, 2021/in Student Spotlight

Grad Spotlight: Award-Winning Graduate Reaches For The Stars

For Tia Kawazoe, Visions was part of her family life from Kindergarten to graduation. A dedicated reader, swimmer, and avid knitter, Tia’s parents wanted to offer her the same personalized learning and flexibility that her older sister already enjoyed as a Visions student.

With the help of a team of qualified credentialed teachers, Tia was able to get a quality education that allowed her to pursue her interests. At Visions, Tia learned valuable time-management skills and how to balance a rigorous course load with a schedule of extracurricular activities.

“I had to be diligent about my time,” says Tia, discussing her strategies for completing her schoolwork. “I would set an hour timer and do school for an hour. Once the timer rang, I would take a break and then start up again.”

Once in high school, Tia distinguished herself by tackling new academic challenges in preparation for college while still finding time for extracurricular activities. With Visions’ support, Tia began taking community college classes to get a headstart on college. She participated in the Find Your Voice writing program and became a Life Member of Visions’ branch of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), earning scholarships for enriching her community. Tia also had the opportunity to shadow members of the Sacramento District Attorney’s office, gaining valuable insights into a career in the criminal justice field.

Next Steps

Tia was part of our graduating Class of 2021 and one of the recipients of the Steve Phelps American Dream Scholarship! She plans on attending Solano Community College to continue her undergraduate work before transferring to a four year university. She credits her mother and her Visions’ teachers for helping her succeed and discovering her true potential.

“All of them have been extremely supportive,” Tia says. “They helped me flourish as they worked with my mom to create the best academic and life plans for me.”

#VisionsFirstDay Photos

September 28, 2021/in News

#VisionsFirstDay Photos

Thank you to all of our students and families for sharing their back to school photos for our digital pep rally! It was great to see so many happy faces ready to learn.

See all the photos in the #VisionsFirstDay photo album on Facebook!

Creativity Winners

This year we have 11 winners, see their fun and inspiring photos below. Winning families will be contacted by email. Congratulations!

We hope everyone has a great year and thanks again for sharing your memories!

Kalista N., Gavin L., Ezekiel R. & Elijah R.

Kaylin L., Michael S., Curtis F., Johnathan F., David F. & Sarah F.

Riley M., Leilani B., Caeden B. & Devyn H.

High School Pass/No Pass Grade Application Timeline Extended

September 28, 2021/in News

High School Pass/No Pass Grade Application Timeline Extended

Updated: September 28, 2021

On September 23rd Governor Newsom signed AB 167 extending the application timeline in AB 104 to apply for a Pass or No Pass grade instead of the letter grade received in the 20-21 school year. These bills allow the parent, guardian, or education rights holder of a pupil or a pupil 18 years of age or older who attended 9th-12th grade in the 20-21 school year, to apply for a Pass or No Pass grade instead of the letter grade received.

If you would like to apply for a Pass/No Pass grade instead of the letter grade you received for any of the courses you or your student took, please use this application to submit your request. This application is only available until Friday, October 1.

Please note: Not all postsecondary educational institutions, including those in other states, may accept a Pass/No Pass grade instead of a letter grade for admission purposes.

Please use this link to see the California postsecondary educational institutions that have agreed to accept a Pass or No Pass grade.

If you have any questions, please contact Visions Records Department at studentrecords@viedu.org.

Originally Posted: July 30, 2021

High School Pass/No Pass Grade Application

On July 1st, AB 104 passed allowing the parent, guardian, or education rights holder of a pupil or a pupil 18 years of age or older who attended 9th-12th grade in the 20-21 school year, to apply for a Pass or No Pass grade instead of the letter grade received.

Please note: Not all postsecondary educational institutions, including those in other states, may accept a Pass/No Pass grade instead of a letter grade for admission purposes.

Please use this link to see the California postsecondary educational institutions that have agreed to accept a Pass or No Pass grade.

If you have any questions please contact the Visions Records Department at studentrecords@viedu.org.