Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

Spring Break 2026 is March 30th through April 3rd

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Spring Break 2026 is March 30th through April 3rd





SCHOOL CALENDAR

Spring break 2026 for students and teachers is March 30th-April 3rd. We hope you all have a warm and restful week off!

Our main office and Student Technology Services (STS) will be closed Friday, April 3rd. We will resume services during regular business hours on Monday, April 6th.

Spring Break Activities

Looking for something to do during your week off? Check out some ideas below!

  • Students & Families:
    • Make a nature collage
    • Create your own board game
    • Have a dance party!
    • Set up a scavenger hunt
    • Design your own obstacle course
    • Volunteer!
    • Have a movie night
    • Visit a local museum
  • Teachers & Staff:
    • Indulge in a good book
    • Try a new recipe
    • Binge-watch your favorite show!
    • Take an online class
    • Organize your at-home classroom
    • Explore new tools & technologies
    • Reflect on student progress and strategies
  • Don’t forget: Visions partners with Care Solace to provide students, families, and staff free mental health care. Their services are available 24/7/365, so don’t hesitate to reach out, even over break. 

Home School Living History Day 2026 Brings History to Life!

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Home School Living History Day 2026 Brings History to Life!

On Monday, March 9, 2026, students and families from the Bay Area Home School Academy gathered at the Pleasant Hill Community Center for an engaging and memorable Living History Day event.

Living History Day has grown into a valued tradition within the Bay Area community. The event brings students and families together each year to celebrate learning through creative presentations, interactive activities, and meaningful opportunities for students to share their knowledge and research. The gathering highlights the strong partnership between families, students, and educators and reflects the community’s commitment to engaging, student-centered learning experiences.

History Through Storytelling

Students stepped into the roles of influential historical figures, presenting their research through creative display boards, costumes, and oral presentations. As families and visitors moved through the room museum-style, they had the opportunity to stop at each presentation, listen to students share their learning, ask questions, and learn more about the impact these historical figures had on the world.

Throughout the event, students portrayed a wide range of notable leaders, scientists, artists, and changemakers from across history, including Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Sacagawea, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Jane Goodall, Malala Yousafzai, and Martin Luther King Jr., among many others. The variety of figures represented highlighted both the depth of student research and the creativity students brought to their presentations.

One of the most meaningful elements of the event was a “Positive Post-It” station, where parents and visitors were invited to leave encouraging notes for each student presenter. By the end of the event, every student had received thoughtful messages celebrating their hard work, preparation, and presentation skills.

Students and families also enjoyed a special in-person Mobile Ed presentation featuring Thomas Jefferson, which added an engaging and interactive learning experience to the day.

Living History Day is a unique opportunity for students to develop their research, communication, and presentation skills while sharing their knowledge with the community. This year’s event was a wonderful day highlighting the creativity, confidence, and enthusiasm of Bay Area Home School Academy students as they truly brought history to life!

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting March 26, 2026

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ELAC English Learner Advisory Committee graphic

English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting March 26, 2026

We are excited to invite you to the upcoming English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting scheduled for:

Date: March 26, 2026
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm

This meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom and the agenda can be viewed here.

About ELAC

ELAC plays a crucial role in shaping the educational experience for our Multilingual Learners. We encourage all parents and guardians of Multilingual Learners to join this virtual meeting to learn more about the English language development program at Visions In Education and help us create a supportive and enriching environment for our students.

We are also looking to add more parent members to our ELAC. If you are a parent of a multilingual learner and would like to join the ELAC, please email ELDdepartment@viedu.org.

Please view the flyers below for more information on joining the ELAC!

English Flyer

Spanish Flyer

Russian Flyer

Ukrainian Flyer

Arabic Flyer

Pashto Flyer

Education on the Court: Building Visions Basketball from a Strong Foundation

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Education on the Court: Building Visions Basketball from a Strong Foundation

Visions Basketball program continues growth in its third year competing. This year brought more than just new jerseys, new and returning players spoke to the program as being a space where they learn values such as hard work and not giving up while being able to practice in a discipline that they enjoy. 

“These are all skills they will be able to apply in their professional and academic lives. It is also an outlet for them to express themselves.” said Sergio Fuentes, Regional Athletic Director. “They talk, share jokes, laugh, cry, and hope on that court, their parents and guardians watch with anticipation as the last buzzer rings.”

Players participate in team practices on Tuesdays and participate in league games on Thursdays in front of their friends and family.

“This isn’t just basketball. It is Visions Basketball, and it is Education on the Court. If you have the chance, please come out and check out one of our games. Big shout out to all our players, families, coaches, refs, and league!” Fuentes added.

Game 2 Recap: Visions Team A V. Kinney High School

With just five players suiting up, Visions Team A put on a performance against Kinney High School, winning by a final score of 49–14.

From the opening tip, Team A dictated the pace of play. Their ability to turn steals into fast breaks created a offensive rhythm that Kinney could not contain. What began as a physical game quickly shifted in Visions’ favor, as the team’s composure and teamwork proved too much for their opponent.

Visions 12th Grader and first-year player, Ajani R. had a message for future players considering joining the program, “If you like hard work, if you like putting in work, then it would be a great opportunity for you to showcase your talents. I don’t think I came to Visions for basketball; but, the basketball program is really good, so I like it.”

Ajani’s commitment to the program is reflected in the sacrifices his family makes to support him. His mother, who attended the game, shared that they drive over an hour to every practice and game – a testament to just how much the program means to their family. “It’s been great so far,” she said. “He really enjoys it.”

Coach Tannous spoke to the determination our players had to endure during the season and how keeping spirits up was never an issue. 

One of the season’s most memorable moments also came from Team A, not in a win, but in a forfeit. Arriving at the game without enough players to take the floor officially, the team was allowed to scrimmage 4-on-4 with the players that were present from both teams.

Coach Tannous reflected on what that moment meant, “The team stepped onto the court and gave everything they had, playing with heart and pride despite knowing it wouldn’t change the loss. In that moment, it felt less like a forfeit and more like a championship win.”

Congratulations to Team A: Ajani R., Tristan C., Zambia B., Gabriel W., Samuel K., and Alex B. (DNP – Did Not Play).

“It’s been great working with you all this season and I’m thankful for your time and dedication to each other. You all are capable of accomplishing and doing amazing things on and off the court! In the words of the legendary Coach Pat Summitt, ‘Attitude is a choice. What you think you can do will most likely happen.’"

Nicole TannousCoach

“Thank you for showing up and giving it your all every day. The growth, resilience, and teamwork you’ve built this season have laid a strong foundation for the future. I’m excited to see how this program continues to grow in the seasons ahead.”

Sander SalgueroCoach

“I believe learning happens on and off the Court. I recall during a recent game, the opposing team was being aggressive with their defense. Coach Nicole and Sander gave great feedback to our students in being able to manage their stress and stay effective as a team. Our coaches also did a great job in listening to our students and validating their concerns. This trust was essential for our students to share their perspectives and be open to feedback. Our students finished off strong and did a great job in collaborating as a Team.”

Sergio FuentesRegional Athletic Director

If you’d like to come out and cheer on our players in the playoffs, upcoming games can be found on the Visions Athletics Wire page. Come see for yourself what education on the court looks like.

Transforming Special Education with AI: Visions Leaders Present at State Symposium

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Transforming Special Education with AI: Visions Leaders Present at State Symposium

Jessica Lauder, Director of Special Education, and Sarah McFarland, Director of Educational Technology, were featured presenters at the Inspiration to Action Symposium, hosted by the El Dorado County Office of Education Charter School SELPA on February 11 in Sacramento. The symposium brought together special education leaders and educators from across California to share innovative practices, collaborate with peers, and explore strategies that improve outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

Lauder and McFarland presented a session titled “Leading in the Age of AI: Empowering Charter School Leadership, Learning, and Inclusion.” Their presentation focused on how emerging AI tools can support educators in creating more inclusive, efficient, and responsive learning environments for students receiving special education services.

During the session, participants explored practical strategies for using AI to assist with instructional planning, differentiation, and administrative tasks. Lauder and McFarland emphasized the importance of thoughtful and ethical AI implementation while demonstrating how these tools can help educators better meet the diverse needs of their students.

This opportunity to present at the Inspiration to Action Symposium highlights Visions In Education’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and thoughtfully exploring the role of AI in expanding equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Basketball Program Continues Growth in Third Year

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Basketball Program Continues Growth in Third Year

At Visions In Education, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door — and this basketball season proved that once again. Now in its third year, the Visions Basketball program continues to defy expectations, showing that a virtual charter school can deliver a first-class athletic experience that shapes students on and off the court.

For the coaches and staff who make this program possible, Visions Basketball has always been about more than wins and losses. Every practice, every game, and every moment shared as a team is an opportunity for students to build the skills they need to succeed in life after high school.

“Even if our students lose a game, they are winning in life. Our students are learning meaningful life skills, managing their stress, increasing their confidence, developing critical thinking abilities, and increasing resilience,” shared Sergio Fuentes, Visions Athletic Director.

Coaches Sander Salguero & Nicole Tannous

This year brought a fresh energy to the program, as School Counselors Sander Salguero and Nicole Tannous stepped into new roles as first-year coaches at Visions. Already trusted mentors to many of the students they work with every day as school counselors, Coaches Salguero and Tannerous brought their passion for student development to the hardwood.

For Coaches Salguero and Tannous, playing in team sports is more than just after school fun. These moments create memories for students to learn from and help cultivate socialization opportunities amongst peers. 

In competition, students communicate, practicing critical thinking skills, and helping one another on the basis that they are working together towards a bigger goal: team success.

“What drives my passion for coaching is the opportunity to connect with students who share a love for the sport I care deeply about. Even more meaningful is witnessing each athlete’s growth—not just in their skills as a player, but in their development as a person,” said Coach Tannous.

“I love the game of basketball and working with students. It’s rewarding to see how a team grows over the course of a season, how they learn to work together, overcome adversity, and share in their success,” said Coach Salguero.

When the call went out to form this year’s roster, thirteen students answered, forming Visions Team A and Team B. What followed has been a season full of competitive games, personal growth, and moments that none of these student-athletes will soon forget.

Game 1 Recap: Visions Team B V. Daylor

“Hustle on me… Hustle on three.. 1, 2, 3, HUSTLE!” 

With that rallying cry, six Visions Team B players took the court against William Daylor High School, a team that had nearly double the players on their bench. Rather than be intimidated by the numbers, the Visions squad leaned into their greatest strength: hustle.

The final score of 40–42 tells a story of grit and determination. Despite the roster disadvantage, Team B stayed competitive throughout, executing strong defensive plays, generating open looks through unselfish passing, and fighting for rebounds when it mattered most.

After the game, Caleb S., Visions In Education 10th grader and third-year player, reflected on the team’s performance and spoke to the camaraderie of the team to be able to keep the score close and push through the difficult challenges on the basketball court. 

“I think we played really well together. We had some strong rebounds and strong passes. We played well defensively,” said Caleb. “We had great open looks. We just missed a few open shots, but I liked the looks that we got and how we created open shots for our teammates.” 

When asked if other students should consider participating, Caleb spoke towards the structure that the team has continued to build from the steady foundation that saw success in the first two years of the program. 

“It’s a great way to learn teamwork, a great way to learn leadership, the coaches are great and very helpful. We play together as a team and there’s a lot to learn so I’d definitely recommend it,” Caleb said. 

Congratulations to Team B: Jay M., Caleb S., Samuel Y., Hanan B., Timothy Y., Diego D., and Julian L. (DNP – Did not play).

The season isn’t over yet. If you’d like to come out and cheer on our players in the playoffs, upcoming games can be found on the Visions Athletics Wire page. 

Keep an eye out for our next recap when we spotlight Visions Team A and talk more with our basketball players and staff. 

Visions In Education Counseling Team Featured at National School Counseling Leadership Conference 2026

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Visions In Education Counseling Team Featured at National School Counseling Leadership Conference 2026

The Visions In Education counseling team participated in the Hatching Results National School Counseling Leadership Conference (NSCLC) 2026, held February 24–26. NSCLC is a one-of-a-kind professional development event designed specifically for administrators and leaders who support school counseling programs at the school, district, and state levels. The conference focuses on empowering leaders with data-driven strategies, innovative frameworks, and insights from national experts.

On Day 1, four members of Visions In Education’s counseling team—Mariah Ernst-Collins, Counseling Manager, Sander Salguero, Home School Counselor, Jen Nino, Lead Counselor, Independent Study, and Julie Winalski, University Prep Counselor—facilitated a breakout session titled “Bridging the Gap: Building a Comprehensive School Counseling Program in a Virtual Non-Seat-Based Educational Setting.” Participants were guided through an interactive presentation highlighting strategies for delivering equitable, high-impact counseling services in virtual and non-traditional learning environments.

In addition to the counseling team’s attendance, Home School principals Morgan Lynch and Amy Valenzuela attended the conference to support the team, engage in learning alongside them, and bring back insights to strengthen counseling and instructional alignment across programs.

Additionally, Mariah Ernst-Collins was one of just three leaders nationwide invited to deliver an inspiring “Egg Talk” at the conference, titled “What Happens When Leaders Are Willing to Grow.” Her presentation emphasized the importance of
self-reflection, adaptability, and continuous growth in effective school counseling leadership.

This national recognition highlights Visions In Education’s commitment to innovative, student-centered counseling practices and positions the organization as a leader in virtual and non-seat-based educational support.

“I am so incredibly proud of our counseling team and the dedication they’ve shown in building a comprehensive program where students come first,” said Mariah. “I’m especially appreciative of Sander, Jen, and Julie, who all contributed to designing and delivering our breakout session, showcasing the innovative ways we support students in a virtual, non-seat-based learning environment. Their expertise and collaboration truly highlight the impact of student-centered counseling.”

Women’s History Month 2026

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Women's History Month 2026

Every March, we celebrate Women’s History Month – a time to recognize the extraordinary contributions women have made to history, culture, and society. From trailblazing leaders and innovators to artists and activists, women have shaped our world in powerful and lasting ways.

Women’s History Month is also a time to spotlight the countless unsung heroes – educators, caregivers, entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders – whose daily efforts strengthen families and communities. As we reflect on the strides made toward equality, we also recommit to advancing opportunities for women and girls everywhere. By celebrating women’s achievements and amplifying their voices, we help build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day, observed each year on March 8, is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s also a powerful call to action for accelerating gender equality around the world.

Resources

Recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2026

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Recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 2026

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is observed each March, highlighting the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and respect for people with developmental disabilities. It’s a time to celebrate the talents, contributions, and achievements of individuals in our communities while raising awareness about the barriers they still face.

This month encourages us to promote equal opportunities, amplify diverse voices, and ensure that everyone has the support they need to thrive. Together, we can build communities where all people are valued and included.

Resources