Entries by Ronaldo Gomez

October Is Bullying Prevention Month

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October Is Bullying Prevention Month 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This time calls to end bullying, promote kindness and acceptance, and unite for inclusion. Join us in ending bullying and changing our culture.

Resources & Getting Involved

“Allowing students to be involved in bullying prevention efforts has a great impact. Students feel empowered by being directly involved in analyzing bullying issues, creating ideas to help solve the problem, and enact creative solutions. Student-led bullying prevention initiatives give students self-efficacy and a sense of agency with leadership.” – PACER.

See below for some important resources and ways that you can show your support:

Learn more about Bullying Prevention Month and how to participate here.

Hear from alum Angel, who shared her story about finding Visions after struggling with bullying in this article and video. 

Congratulations To Our #VisionsFirstDay Gift Card Recipients!

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Congratulations to Our #VisionsFirstDay Gift Card Recipients!

Thank you to all of our students and families for sharing your back to school photos! It was great to see so many happy faces ready to learn. See all the photos in the #VisionsFirstDay 2024 album on Facebook!

This year we have six winners – check out their photos below!

Congratulations Ryann T., Keira & Rylie R., Isaac M., Nolan & Violet W., Naomi B., and Kingston V.! Winning families will be contacted by email. We hope everyone has a great year and thanks again for sharing your memories!

Connecting With Students Through School & Sports: A Spotlight On Kyle Novak

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Connecting With Students Through School & Sports: A Spotlight On Kyle Novak

Prior to becoming a teacher, Kyle Novak was a soccer player, a hopeful Hogwarts student (he was truly disappointed when Hedwig didn’t drop him a letter and Hagrid didn’t bash in his door to tell him he was a wizard on his 11th birthday), and a graduate student at the University of Oregon. Originally wanting to become a professor of Chinese history, Kyle spent six years studying Chinese language and culture, receiving a BA in History from Whitworth University and an MA in History from the University of Oregon. Despite a great experience being an Oregon Duck, including serving as assistant coach for the Women’s Soccer Team, Kyle came to the realization that his true passion wasn’t in Chinese history, but in working with students.

“As fun as it was researching calligraphy and pirates in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, I realized that I was more interested in working with students and helping people grow towards meaningful goals,” says Kyle. “[So], I moved to Sacramento with my wife, took a job teaching English, and got to work on my credential.”

Kyle has now been an Independent Study Academy teacher at Visions for four years. As someone who lets student learning and engagement lead, Kyle is constantly taking on new challenges, including coaching our first ever soccer club last year and becoming a New Teacher Mentor.

“I love working as a partner and coach for my students and their families,” says Kyle “I love that I get to connect students to resources and give them every opportunity to get where they want to go.”

Goal-Oriented

As mentioned, soccer has been part of Kyle’s life since he was young. As both a player and a coach, Kyle has been involved with rec soccer, comp travel teams, DI and DIII colleges. From playing in an adult league to coaching his sons’ youth team and Visions’ soccer club, he loves the way the sport can bring people together.

“I have really enjoyed connecting with our students who didn’t grow up speaking English but we share a love of soccer,” says Kyle. “It’s a good day when I’m playing games with students at the in-person events and with athletes who are part of the Visions soccer team.”

Even greater than the lessons on the field is the learning off the field, which Kyle facilitates through continued collaboration with his students, families, and teachers in his cohort. At the forefront of everything he does is student success and experience, which Kyle uses to guide his day-to-day work.

“I really enjoy collaborating with teachers across communities on various student projects and in supporting teachers who are new to Visions,” Kyle explains. “When something we do isn’t working, we pivot and find what works better to increase student outcomes and experiences.”

Pictured right: Kyle and student Amal M. ready to play some soccer at a regional event!

Kyle Novak with student holding a soccer ball

Closing the Gap

Bridging the world of academics and athletics can help students learn fundamental skills, including communication, discipline, and resilience. Kyle is fortunate to be able to meld his passion for soccer and student success here at Visions, something made possible by not only his ambition, but by leadership in the organization.

“Big shoutouts to both Ron Thomas, our Equity Warrior and Student Engagement leader who makes it possible for athletic coaches and club advisors to do what we do, and to Principal Alward, who does an amazing job of supporting the teachers in her community so that we can do our best work for students and their families,” says Kyle. “I’m very grateful for the chance to do this work.”





“I’ve really enjoyed running the Visions soccer club. For most students, unless they play competitive club soccer, there’s very few opportunities to enjoy playing on a team when you get to high school. Our program is extremely inclusive. The team is coed, and skill abilities are welcome – the biggest common factor is that they love soccer. They want to compete and be part of a team. I was extremely impressed with out team last year in their ability to come together and work hard for each other, and I’m very much looking forward to this year.”

Visions In Education COO To Present At Amazon Business Reshape Conference

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Visions In Education COO To Present At Amazon Business Reshape Conference 

At Visions, technology powers almost everything we do. Our trademarked LPAD Student Support System™ has continued to expand and improve over the years and this progress wouldn’t be possible without our partnership with Amazon Business. 

Since 2015, we’ve partnered with Amazon to strengthen ordering processes for our school. As a school that operates in nine California counties across hundreds of square miles, our ability to quickly and efficiently order curriculum and supplies for our families is non-negotiable. In the beginning, this partnership helped us serve around 4,000 students and resulted in $160,000 in Amazon purchases. Now, this integration helps over 7,400 students and 500 staff process $3.35 million in annual purchases that support our educational work.

This seamless connection allows our staff to focus on teaching and supporting students instead of spending hours processing paperwork and payments. Additionally, it gets materials to our families fast so they are prepared and ready to get the most out of their education. 

Sharing Our Story

Chief Operations Officer, Tom Tafoya, has been leading the charge when it comes to improving LPAD and expanding our capabilities with Amazon. Our model is a great example of what is possible for other schools so this year he is presenting at the Amazon Business Reshape Conference in Dallas, Texas!

Tafoya will join Amazon Business’ Director of Products and Technology, Satya Mishra, to explain how application programming interfaces (APIs) can streamline purchasing, reporting, user management and more.

As one of the largest charter schools in Northern California, investing in technology has been integral in sustaining a positive student experience for over 25 years. We look forward to sharing how our partnership with Amazon Business supports our families and how it could benefit other organizations as well.

Celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month!

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Celebrate Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month!

Each year, Visions In Education takes part in commemorating National Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month. Americans observe Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.

Why September 15th?

September 15th coincides with the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate independence days on September 16th and September 18th. Día de la Raza, which is October 12th, falls within this 30-day period.

Join us in celebrating by checking out some of the resources below!

Resources and Events

Graduate Spotlight: Taking His Education Into His Own Hands

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Graduate Spotlight: Taking His Education Into His Own Hands

Colbey P. is a proud alum of Visions In Education. A student for two years in our Independent Study Academy, Colbey graduated as part of the Class of 2023, completing his work at his own pace and receiving his diploma early.

“I initially enrolled [at Visions] to challenge myself and try something new after already being successful in the classroom,” explains Colbey. “Visions gave me a support system of teachers and counselors who were willing to help 24/7, as well as gave me and my education a dedicated focus. Getting my diploma early opened up a lot of opportunities for me.”

Colbey’s credentialed teachers, Cheyenne Canada and Barbara Platt, supported Colbey through his entire journey at Visions, setting him up for success in both his high school and postsecondary education.

“Colbey was such a fun student to work with. He always gave his best effort in his classes, showed up for his meetings with a good attitude, and was happy to share about different things happening in his life,” says Cheyenne. “He had a strong interest in his Economics class and it was great to see him excited about school and learning.”

“I was able to succeed at Visions because the school helped provide me with a balance of school and other important things in my life, like spending time with my family, continuing my hobbies and getting my first job,” says Colbey. “Visions gave me the tools to be as hands-on as I wanted with my education, while still preparing me for life once high school finished.”

World-Ready

At Visions, Colbey was able to focus on his high school education, including working ahead to complete classes and taking behind-the-wheel driver’s ed, while also setting himself up for the future.

“Since graduating in the Fall of 2023, I have continued to work at that same job I started when I was at Visions. I enrolled at Cosumnes River College and completed my first semester in May, majoring in Psychology,” Colbey says.

His advice for current and future students is this – “You are never alone in this confusing time.” Like we did for Colbey, Visions provides support staff, extracurricular activities, social opportunities, and more to make the most of a student’s high school experience.

“Visions demonstrated…that in life, you have to figure things out…sometimes,” Colbey says. “[But] we were prepared for the real world by putting our education in our own hands.”

Visions graduate holding their diploma

Back To School Bash: A Night Of Connection And Community With Visions

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Back To School Bash: A Night Of Connection And Community With Visions

About 100 Visions high schoolers ignited the school year with their first-ever Club Rush Back to School Bash, an electrifying evening filled with laughter, camaraderie, and non-stop dancing. The crowd moved and grooved to their favorite hits by Michael Jackson and Taylor Swift, creating an atmosphere filled with school spirit and excitement.

The event emerged from a strong desire to kick off the academic year on a vibrant note while meeting the high demand for more social gatherings among students. Designed to strengthen connections within the Visions community, the Back to School Bash offered a unique opportunity for students to discover both new and returning clubs.

Mariana Rivera, Charter School Secretary, emphasized the importance of this event for the Visions In Education high school community, “This event is important because it allows students to explore extracurricular opportunities, fosters a sense of belonging, and sets a positive tone for the school year. It helps build connections among students and staff and promotes school spirit.” 

Behind the scenes, meticulous planning and execution by the student services team brought this vision to life. Rivera remarked that Christina McKinnis, whose dedication to organizing the event, ensured it was a resounding success. 

“A special shoutout to Christina McKinnis who has taken on the planning of activities at this special Back to School Bash,” added Rivera, “Her thoughts, efforts, leadership and communication have truly made this event a success.”




Discovering New Clubs

As students arrived, they eagerly signed in and set off to explore the variety of clubs available, from arts and academic societies to athletics. For those feeling indecisive about committing to a club, club advisors were on hand to answer questions and share their experiences.

“I came because I’m not sure what I’m interested in and I want to find more friends,” shared Alejandro, a Visions high schooler seeking to discover his passions. 

Returning students reconnected with old friends and familiar mentors. Coaches Ron Thomas and Kyle Novak were present welcoming back previous athletes while inviting new potential players to join the Basketball and Indoor Soccer Clubs, highlighting their commitment to expanding participation and building a stronger athletic community.




Building Connections

The evening was not just about clubs; it was also a time for students to engage in icebreaker games designed to facilitate interaction and foster new friendships. Through a series of engaging activities, participants were challenged to gather and share their common interests in music, hobbies, and experiences.

“I didn’t expect to see this many people,” exclaimed Ken, a Visions high schooler who initially just sought some fun. “Everyone has been so nice and welcoming.” Their sentiment echoed throughout the venue as students formed connections and rekindled old friendships.

Mitch Weathers, a credentialed teacher at Visions, spoke to the magnitude that events like this can have on student connection.

“I had a student who was anxious to attend the Back to School Bash, we met via Zoom and she shared she was brand new to Visions and did not know anyone at the school,” Weathers said, “She reached out to me to see if I was going to attend so she would have a familiar face.”

Weathers, unable to attend, sprang into action – reaching out to the University Prep team to see if anyone would be chaperoning. Credentialed teacher, Katie Barrantes immediately answered and joined on the Zoom call with Weathers and the student. 

After a quick introduction, the student grew more comfortable and even met with Barrantes at the event where they were able to connect in person.

“I could see my student relax and get excited for the Bash. Thank you, Katie, for taking the time to make this connection and for volunteering to even dance with my student at the Bash.” Weathers said.

Visions Starts Our 25th Year Serving 7,459 Students!

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Visions Starts Our 25th Year Serving 7,459 Students!

Our 25th year is off to a great start and we are serving more students than ever before! A total of 7,459 students began their first day with Visions this Tuesday, 500+ more students than began with us last year! Additionally, we have 400+ students currently waiting for a spot to open up in one of our programs.

Visions First Day of School Enrollment Numbers Since Becoming an Independent Charter School (by academy).

Careful, Measured Growth

Visions has taken a careful approach to growth over the years, ensuring that we can serve the students we have to the best of our ability before opening more spots. Since 2021, Visions has invested in socialization opportunities for all ages, mental health resources for students, and instructional & operational support that has paid off as more students than ever seek out our school and fewer students choose to leave.

This milestone is a testament to the quality of service that our dedicated staff and teachers provide and the trust our families put in our services. On behalf of everyone at Visions, thank you all for helping us achieve this historic milestone for our school! We hope to continue to deliver outstanding service to our current families and carefully grow over time as we have the capacity.

Learning Never Stops: A Spotlight On The Summer School Team

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Learning Never Stops: A Spotlight On The Summer School Team

Visions’ graduation ceremonies are the mark for many of the end of the school year. It often means summer break for both students and teachers, and a respite from the hard work of the academic year.

For some students, their educational journeys to graduation may look a little different from the traditional path. To help support those students who have failed a class, need to catch up on credits, or make it to the graduation finish line, Visions offers a Summer School program. Sixteen dedicated and passionate teachers from all academies, as well as a counselor, come together to provide students with the additional guidance needed to get back on track for their diploma.

“One of the reasons I wanted to take on the summer school program this year was because I empathized with the students who had been in either middle school or high school during the pandemic. I wanted to help them see that we/they can overcome obstacles and have a brighter future,” says Josh Imler, Independent Study Academy Vice Principal who took on the role of Summer School Principal.

With over 1,000 kids in this year’s program, meeting each student’s specific needs was no easy feat. It took countless hours of communicating with the students and their families, reviewing classes and transcripts, and motivating them to complete their work. Despite the odds, our summer school students truly stepped up, and we’re proud to say that we graduated 66 students from the Summer School program this year.

“Graduating high school…is LIFE CHANGING. So, any opportunity we can provide seniors/super seniors to earn back their deficient credits is vital,” says Dr. Mike Granchukoff, Independent Study Academy teacher. “I am so proud of our summer school students for following through and making the most of this opportunity! The successes in summer school this year have been record-breaking!”

1% Better

Our Summer School team served three categories of students this year – newly enrolled students who had failed a class at a previous school, continuing students who had failed a class at Visions, and, new this year, continuing students who needed additional support in math, which is a big factor for students to graduate.

“I had five…potential summer grads who would not [have] be[en] able to graduate without the addition of offering math this summer,” says Meghan McFadyen, Independent Study Academy teacher. “[It’s] amazing that these students now have the opportunity to complete high school over the summer with the addition of IM1A and IM1B being taught by our awesome summer math teachers.”

Although summer school is available for high school students in all academies, in our Independent Study Academy specifically, there is a huge need to recover credits. So many students come to Visions credit deficient, needing to get back on track to graduate with their cohort. The Summer School team was able to meet that need for nearly 1,300 students, recouping 7,000 credits (just short of 1,500 classes) during this year’s program.

“This is my third summer as a Credentialed Teacher in the Summer School program,” says Megan Sedillo, Independent Study Academy teacher. “I love that our school offers such a comprehensive program in the summer to help seniors graduate on time and to help credit deficient students make up for lost time.”

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Each and every one of our Summer School team members committed themselves to providing a program that kept students on track for their graduation goals, offering support from the very first day of orientation to the summer graduation ceremony on August 15th.

From Independent Study Academy teacher Chris Fischer helping our students learn to use Visions’ systems, to University Prep Early College Academy teachers Krista Magennis and Hilary Ducharme supporting our students through their math classes, to Independent Study Academy teacher Barbara Platt guiding students to the graduation finish line, teamwork truly does make the dream work.

“Everyone on the Summer School team has been super supportive, creative and helpful. My colleagues…rose to each challenge with grace and intelligence,” says Alison Sampson, Independent Study Academy teacher.

“Josh has been amazing as the Summer School admin, offering unwavering support and excellent communication with teachers. As the Summer School counselor, Kiely has been incredibly responsive in confirming and adding classes for students eager to take more courses during the summer,” says Mindi Rold, Independent Study Academy teacher. “Their prompt responses and clear communication have enabled us to serve our students quickly and more effectively. It was an amazing group, all dedicated to helping students meet their goals.”




“It’s just the right thing to do.”

Summer school is a second chance for so many of our students. The impacts stretch far beyond academics, and can affect a students’ confidence in themselves and their learning, their ability to persevere, and their opportunities for the future.

“The Visions summer school program can be particularly impactful for our students in several ways. Students are given the opportunity to focus on recovering credits while working on one class at a time. During our summer program, students are able to work with less distractions and the flexibility offers them the opportunity to complete their classes on their timeline,” explains Heather Bentley, Independent Study Academy teacher.

“I have seen students’ confidence boosted as they complete summer classes. Focusing on one class at a time and watching their grades go up has helped students feel motivated to complete them,” adds Erin Butler, Independent Study Academy teacher.

Visions will continue to offer summer school for our students who need additional support, even though it doesn’t count towards Visions’ Average Daily Attendance or funding. Year after year, we offer the program because it’s the best thing for our students.

“We get no revenue to run summer school,” says Superintendent Dr. Steve Olmos. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

“I am so thankful to the administration, the amazing teams, and the outstanding people who have worked together to support our students,” says Dr. Mike. “I am proud to be part of the Visions team because we take student success seriously!”

Thank you to our incredible Summer School team – Chris Fischer, Krista Magennis, Meghan McFadyen, Mindi Rold, Alison Sampson, Andy Vanden Akker, Brynne Wolfe, Dr. Mike Granchukoff, Sam Martinez, Heather Bentley, Erin Butler, Hilary Ducharme, Barbara Platt, Christina Schreiber, Megan Sedillo, Shenelle Sheets, Kiely Anderson, Christina McKinnis, Josh Imler, Gregg Moses, Jasmin Patel, Matt Patterson and Sarah McFarland

Thank you to the Visionaries who supported them behind-the-scenes with communication , technology, and more – The Marketing team, Lindsey Nance, Nancy Legalsi, Carlos Palomo, Christie Benavides, Tania Houchin, Rick Lilley and Soren Gutierrez