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#iReadyVisions – Celebrating Our Home School Scholars!

June 6, 2024/in News

#iReadyVisions – Celebrating Our Home School Scholars!

“The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Congratulations to all of our Home School students that completed their iReady Diagnostics in Math and Reading! To recognize your hard work we mailed out completion certificates and invited you to share your achievements on social media using #iReadyVisions.

Thank you to all that participated. Seeing the smiles behind the certificates made us #VisionsProud!

See all the photos here.

Reward Winners

Students that shared their photos using the hashtag were entered in a random drawing to receive a gift code to the Visions Spirit Store. Congratulations to the following winners:

Elijah A.
Oliver G.
Devryn L.

Winning families will be contacted via email to receive their prize.

Again, congratulations to our students. The results from i-Ready will help guide your future learning and set you up for success.

Have a great summer!

Zombies, Meet Your Match: Visions’ Drama Club Takes On The Apocalypse

June 6, 2024/in News

Zombies, Meet Your Match: Visions’ Drama Club Takes On The Apocalypse

On Friday, May 31st, Visions In Education’s Drama Club performed, “10 Ways To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse” in front of a live audience.

A comedy; this play revolves around the idea of a zombie apocalypse coming to life. Thespians were put in the situation of rampaging zombies, needing to be quick-witted in decision-making while writing the ultimate guide on survival.

Knowledgeable and armed with their books, the characters used different means of defense such as throwing the slowest person down first, roasting the zombies with light humorous insults, and therapy sessions with a zombie collegiate expert.

This hilarious show was directed by Visions teacher, Leslie Simpson. Simpson organized rehearsals with students and also built custom sets for the play!

In addition to the set design and acting, the audience was treated to live music and sound effects to accompany the show. Visions student and pianist Desmond N. composed original music and performed as the Accompanist.

Narrators Tori F. and Aliannah R. kept the pace for the play as our characters focused on staying alive! Actors Jonathan R., Jade J., Hailesalausie R., Lyrik R., Peitiula N., Aniyah T., Mariah T. and Maeve N. delivered a wonderful performance for our Visions community.

View our photo gallery below to see more pictures from the play!

Thank you to Tania H. and Mariana R. for capturing these photos.

Our audience walked away knowledgeable and prepared to defend in the case of a zombie apocalypse.

Congratulations to the cast, Drama Club advisor and all who had a hand in putting together this spectacular rendition of “10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse.”

Visions Tennis Students Sign National Letter Of Intent To Duke And Babson Colleges

May 29, 2024/in Student Spotlight

Visions Tennis Students Sign National Letter Of Intent To Duke And Babson Colleges

Visions In Education is proud to announce University Prep Academy Seniors Saahith Jayaraman and Mason Nguyen signed National Letters of Intent May 8, 2024. Saahith will be attending Duke University and Mason is heading to Babson College.

Sitting five feet apart and waiting in anticipation, Saahith and Mason sat patiently waiting as a room of teachers, administrators, and family began to fill. Sporting their new university sweatshirts and hats, our Visionaries arrived in style for their College Signing Day.

Saahith Jayaraman leaves Visions ranked as a top 4 player in California and a top 11 Nationally.

Mason Nguyen leaves Visions ranked as a top 40 player in California.

Saahith and Mason represented JMG Tennis Academy while attending Visions where they competed alongside Mason’s younger sister Alexis, who also attends Visions and is ranked top 3 in the Nation.

“Being a part of Visions has allowed us more time to attend competitions. Having the flexibility to make up assignments and school work after tournament weekends and practices was such a huge help. We are grateful to Visions for giving our children the opportunity,” said Mason’s mother.

What started as a dream to compete at the collegiate level will soon be a reality for these two Visionaries.

Representing Northern California

At the young age of six Saahith and Mason were already competing alongside and against one another in tennis competitions.

It was a day that had been years in the making for two tennis players growing up in Northern California. This is a testament to Visionaries who work tirelessly to hone their craft and find time to master the skills that have carried them to the next level.

Applause rang through the room as teachers spoke about the determination and work ethic needed to achieve these feats. Hear what University Prep Academy Principal Christina McKinnis and School Counselor Julie Winalski had to say about the two gentlemen below.

“Saahtih has been with Visions since 7th grade and enrolled in University Prep since 9th grade. Balancing a rigorous tennis training schedule alongside academics required exceptional time management and discipline. Unlike some students who might struggle with independent study due to lack of structure, Saahith demonstrates a high level of self-discipline to adhere to deadlines and complete assignments while juggling intensive training and competitions. Saahith has helped lay a foundation of success for future students in University Prep. He has proven that students can achieve as much and more through our program as compared to traditional high schools. Good luck at Duke!” – Christina McKinnis, Principal, University Prep Academy

“I have been Saahith’s school counselor for the past three years, during which he has demonstrated tremendous focus, drive, and initiative as a high school student. He has successfully navigated a rigorous academic pathway, including honors and dual enrollment classes, all while maintaining a demanding athletic training and competition schedule. Combined with his inherent work ethic, these qualities have become his defining strengths as a student.” – Julie Winalski, School Counselor

“Mason started with Visions in 6th grade and returned for University Prep in 11th grade. Mason has demonstrated a high level of self-discipline in order to complete coursework while also managing a rigorous tennis schedule. Mason has completed the highest level of math with University Prep and extended his learning into Math 401 at the community college. Math is one of the most challenging subjects in independent study as it requires students to seek out additional resources and support as they move up into more difficult math concepts. While Mason could have met the A-G requirement by completing IM3, he pushed himself beyond that set requirement and now has his first college math course completed. Good luck at Babson!” – Christina McKinnis, Principal, University Prep Academy

“Mason has been a student at University Prep Academy for a total of two years. He has pursued an intensive academic plan that includes honors and AP coursework, all while managing daily training and travel for local and national tournaments. His diligence, proactive approach, and determined motivation have been instrumental in his success both on and off the court throughout high school, and these qualities will undoubtedly translate well into the realm of college academics and athletics.” – Julie Winalski, School Counselor

“For both students, the involvement of dedicated parents who have supported each student’s tennis development suggests a strong support system, which can greatly contribute to a student’s success in managing their dual commitments to academics and athletics. This support has played a critical role in helping Mason and Saahith navigate the demands of an independent study program while pursuing their athletic goals.” – Christina McKinnis, Principal, University Prep Academy

“To both students, congratulations on this incredible milestone! As you step into this exciting new chapter of your life, I want to remind you of the remarkable qualities that have brought you here: your dedication, your perseverance, and your passion. College will present you with new challenges and opportunities, both academically and athletically, and I have no doubt that you will rise to meet them with the same strength and determination you’ve always shown. Embrace the journey ahead with an open heart and mind, knowing that each step you take, no matter how difficult, is leading you towards your dreams. Stay focused, stay driven, but also take time to enjoy the moments. Build lasting friendships, explore new interests, and create memories that will last a lifetime. College is not just about the destination, but the journey itself.” – Julie Winalski, School Counselor

Visions would like to wish our tennis stars the best of luck as they enter the next level of their athletic and academic goals. We know you will continue to make us Visions Proud!

See JMG Tennis’ post sharing Saahith’s signing.

See JMG Tennis’ post sharing Mason’s signing.

Grad Spotlight: Finding the Freedom to Grow

May 22, 2024/in Student Spotlight

Grad Spotlight: Finding the Freedom to Grow

Kaylee G. loves learning TikTok dances and making videos with her mom. As a student, she loved to read, write, and express herself through journaling and poetry. Her creativity and self-expression flourished through her passion for mental health and telling stories about the world.

But it wasn’t always like that for Kaylee. At her previous brick and mortar school, she felt stifled and isolated. Academically, she thrived, but mentally, Kaylee struggled. During her sophomore year, Kaylee decided to enroll in our Independent Study Academy after hearing about Visions from her cousin, who was also a Visions student. Along with the freedom to set her own schedule, Kaylee wanted closer relationships with her teachers, access to mental health resources, and a more personalized learning experience.

“I absolutely loved being in the Independent Student Academy. There was a lot of freedom, I loved going at my own pace, [and] it was also better for me mentally,” says Kaylee.

During her time at Visions, Kaylee formed a special bond with her credentialed teacher, Lauryl Kemp, and her tutor, Robert Boswell. In different ways, both Lauryl and Rob have made a profound impact on Kaylee’s life.

“I absolutely adored my teacher. She was the best thing that happened to me in school. She really helped me not only academically, but mentally as well,” shares Kaylee. “I also want to give a shout out to Rob. I want to say thank you so much for being my tutor. You’ve had a really big impact on me and I just want to say thank you.”

Along with tutoring, Kaylee had access to Enrichment Vendors, student clubs, in-person events and more to supplement her education and facilitate socialization with other students. Kaylee got to practice her swing at Top Golf, dance with her friends at prom, and go bowling with her peers and Visions staff, all things that contributed to a well-rounded, positive high school experience.

“I…made friends through the BSU [Black Student Union] club, the dances, my classes, and the school events,” shares Kaylee. “Visions gave me opportunities to do things that I like with others, and for that I am very grateful.”

The Next Chapter

One of Kaylee’s biggest passions is writing. Now that she’s out in the world, she’s excited to begin exploring her love of language, story and creative expression with new people and in new places.

“As of now, I want to write stories as I travel the world. I love helping people, so sharing my stories one day and having the opportunity to possibly have people relate would be heartwarming,” shares Kaylee.

Although Kaylee is now officially an alumnus, she will never forget the impact that Visions had on her academically, socially and mentally. For Kaylee, Visions was a critical turning point in her life, and she continued on to her next chapter feeling included, inspired and empowered.

“I just want to say thank you for accepting me into this community when I needed it the most. I would choose Visions over and over again. To my teacher, Ms. Kemp, tutors, and [Principal] Moses, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Visions is the place to be.”

At Visions, Kaylee’s true self has been allowed to shine. Check out the video below to see for yourself.

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Sandra Morales

May 14, 2024/in News

Board of Directors Spotlight: Meet Sandra Morales

Please share why you volunteer on the Board at Visions In Education.

Visions is renowned for its trailblazing approach to education. I am passionate and driven by a desire to push the boundaries of traditional education. I’m eager to contribute my skills and insights, enriching the school’s journey towards achieving its forward-thinking mission and goals.

What is it about Visions that made you want to be part of our school community?

Visions’ mission resonated with my personal interests and professional goals. I wanted to be part of an organization that shares my dedication and commitment to pioneering educational innovation, fostering student success, and championing diversity, inclusion, and community engagement.

How might you describe the difference that our teachers and staff are making by meeting the individual and unique needs of each student?

At Visions, teachers and staff create an environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported as individuals. This fosters a sense of responsibility that lays the foundation for lifelong learning, personal fulfillment, and success in their chosen paths.

What is one way that Visions is making a difference in our community from your perspective?

At Visions, the staff is committed to equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their passions and overcome challenges. In doing so, they transform students’ educational experiences, empower them to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.

As a member of the Board, you have an important policy and oversight role to ensure the school is achieving its mission. How would you describe your role in holding Visions accountable for meeting our goals to a variety of stakeholders, including families, staff, and taxpayers?

To families, my role on the Board is to ensure that Visions provides its students with the best possible education and support. I would also like to emphasize the crucial role your feedback plays in our decision-making process. Your insights and concerns are invaluable in helping us better understand your needs and improve our services. We can work together to ensure that Visions remains a place where every student can thrive.

To staff, the Board’s oversight role is essential for maintaining a supportive and conducive work environment for staff members. This includes prioritizing staff well-being and professional development. As board members, we aim to provide policies and direction to create an environment where staff feel valued, empowered, and equipped to fulfill their roles effectively.

To taxpayers, the Board’s commitment is to ensure that the educational needs of Visions students are met with utmost efficiency and effectiveness. To achieve this, we closely monitor Visions’ financial performance, budget allocations, and compliance with regulatory requirements. By holding Visions accountable for meeting its objectives, we fulfill our dedication to providing high-quality education that yields a good return on investment for taxpayers and contributes positively to the community.

Overall, my role on the Board involves balancing the interests of various stakeholders while fostering transparency, collaboration, and a culture of accountability.

What are you most passionate about? How are you able to pursue that passion by serving on our Board?

I’m passionate about advocating for resources to improve education and making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities. Serving on the Visions Board provides a platform and opportunities for collaboration to promote, innovate, advocate, support, and champion initiatives that foster inclusivity and advance the quality and accessibility of education for all students.

1% Better Celebration

May 13, 2024/in News

1% Better Celebration

As we reflect on the year so far, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate all the great work our school has done to get 1% better each day for the students we serve.

Some of the changes we’ve made, including implementing grade banding, focusing our Home School Academy on TK-8th grades only, and changing our PD schedules to accommodate teachers, have come from feedback and as a response to challenges our staff face. Thanks to all of our staff as always for frankly and courageously sharing their perspectives; their insight into their work and the experiences of our students is vital when it comes to building a better school.

We are excited to share with you some organizational updates and let you know where we are at with important projects.

Movin’ On Up!

One of the highlights this year was the purchase of 11931 Foundation Place, as our new and final headquarters.
Work continues on the building, with the new sign installed and major infrastructure work underway.
We are finalizing construction plans in the next few months and working with contractors to get the new building ready to move in. We have also sold 5030 El Camino for $2.8 million dollars.

Legislative Outreach Efforts

Visions is joining the conversation around charter schools and the role Visions plays in the public school system. This year we continued our legislative outreach efforts, meeting with state leaders and their staff to inform them on the impact our school makes. We’ve also contributed to discussions around charter school best-practices in fruitful meetings with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) and the California Department of Education (CDE).

New Technology for Staff and Students

Visions is investing nearly $4 million dollars to replace both student Chromebooks and staff MacBooks that are reaching the end of their life cycles. This new technology investment is a response to concerns raised about our current technology and an effort to equip our students and staff with the tools they need to succeed. Our Technology Services team will be completing this work over the spring and summer as we purchase and distribute nearly 10,000 new devices. We’ve also added additional staff in STS to expedite technology ordering and Student ID processing this coming fall.

Improving Ordering Processes

Over the last year, we have made improvements to the way we handle ordering to make the staff and student experience more seamless. This work includes adding staff to support ordering and enabling early ordering for IS/UP Students for the first time. We also worked with more than 20 teachers to create a custom Amazon interface in LPAD to simplify ordering and approvals for supported materials. This year over 90,000 orders were addressed and over 62,000 orders were processed; an all time record!

Home School Academy Updates

Our Home School Academy continues to refine our TK-8 offerings, including rounding the bend on the curriculum refinement project which will be rolled out over the next few years. We also began implementing our Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) grant by training teachers, creating Pre and TK specific events, and providing students with backpacks and materials.

New! Online Middle School

For years we have heard from both families and teachers that middle school students need a structured option when parents want their children to learn from home and need additional support to meet grade level standards. To respond to this need, we are launching an Online Middle School program this fall for students in Grades 7 and 8 with more structured schedules and direct teacher instruction.

High School Academy Updates

Our high school academies are also changing the way we help our 9-12 students succeed. We changed the way we enroll and onboard students based on teacher feedback, orienting spring semester students in a new way and orienting all new students on Monday to set them up for success in the week. Graduation requirements have also shifted as a result of a collaborative effort between teachers, administrators, and counselors, putting more students on track to graduate with their peers.

NEW! Independent Study Credit Recovery and Early College

We are piloting a Credit Recovery program for Independent Study students who arrive experiencing credit deficiency. This program will provide focused support to students who need a little extra help catching up on lost learning.

Meanwhile, our University Prep Early College academy is offering students enhanced community college opportunities, including the ability to graduate with at least 12 college credits and possibly an AA degree! Students will be supported by both Visions staff and community college counselors with the Los Rios Community College District.

Building Out Counselor Support

This year, our counseling team has responded to 326 intervention requests and built out our team of counselors to allow smaller caseloads and increased 1:1 support from counseling staff.

College and Career Preparation

High school students at Visions now have more opportunities for college and career development than ever! Our CTE Program continues to expand, adding the video game design pathway this year and the cybersecurity pathway to begin in Fall 2024.

Other Organizational Wins

Board Policy & Required Notification Tool in LPAD

After exploring options to house our Board Policies in a third-party board information service, Visions decided to develop and produce our own Board Policy & Required Notification tool housed in LPAD. This tool allows users to search for policies and access the latest version through LPAD.

Professional Development Scheduling

In response to teacher requests for more uniformity and consistency with our PD scheduling, our team has adjusted our August training schedule for 2024 to be more intentional about Carmichael and Regional in-person days to better respect our teaching staff’s time and commitment to travel.

Supporting All Students

Our efforts to provide wraparound support for all students this year increased, including seeking new funding sources (including Title and Special Education funding to go towards positions to support our students). Our Special Education team made some important strides this year, increasing the number of school psychologists to serve students and working with teachers in our communities to bring support to our students where they are.

Multilingual Students also received an increase in support with the establishment of the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) to give English learners a voice at Visions.

SchoolsPLP Curriculum

For many years, we’ve heard some concerns from teachers about BrightThinker as a curriculum source. As a result of your feedback and choices made by BrightThinker to end their relationship with SchoolsPLP, we will be moving to Lincoln Learning starting Fall 2024. Our instructional services team will be working hard over the summer to get our school ready for next fall and more details will be shared, including how this will affect our teachers.

Communicating More Effectively

With the number of things happening at Visions, keeping our staff and families connected and informed is critical. Our Communications team has responded to student needs this year, improving our event communications plans by consolidating information in the Events Express.

Superintendent Olmos also consistently reached out to both office staff and teachers with Treats with Steve listening sessions to gather employee feedback and suggestions.

Passing the Test

Visions also made some serious strides in testing, notably achieving 95% Participation in CAASPP as a result of working together to encourage students to test. We also achieved over 90% participation in iReady Middle of the Year (MOY) exams for students two or more grades behind.

Compound Interest Pays Off!

All these little wins have added up to big results for the students we serve. As of LP8 this year, our enrollments are up while our withdrawals are falling! Students want to come to Visions more than ever and are staying with us longer as well.

Our success is the product of all staff providing excellent service and continuing to find new ways to win on behalf of our students. Thank you all for the outstanding work you have done this year and, as we look ahead, here’s to another twenty-five years of getting 1% better daily!

Teacher Appreciation Week Is May 6-10!

May 7, 2024/in Events

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10!

May 6-10 is National Teacher Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the great educators that have made an impact in the lives of our students!

All month long, we asked students and parents to shout out their favorite teacher and explain how they made an impact on their lives. Nearly 500 families responded with heartfelt messages of thanks and appreciation as well as pictures of your favorite teachers. Our Communications Team took all these shoutouts and compiled them into one board.

See our Gratitude Board Here!

Here you can see all of the lovely messages of gratitude our students and parents have sent in.

*Note: These shout outs are in the students/parents’ own words and represent their own perspectives on their teacher.

Thank You!

A big thank you to the teachers, para-educators, tutors, and other educators in our community that make the work we do possible. Our school has lasted as long as it has on the backs of creative, dedicated teaching professionals who put their hearts into their work and deliver excellent results for the students we serve. We are grateful to serve alongside such talented teachers!

Supporting Our Special Education Students: A Spotlight on Kristin Decker

May 7, 2024/in News

Supporting Our Special Education Students: A Spotlight on Kristin Decker

Special education Case Manager Kristin Decker is an Amador County native and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alumnus. While working towards her master’s in Special Education, she received her Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe credentials from National University, a complement to her Social Sciences major and Law minor. Although she didn’t initially set out to become a special education teacher, Kristin soon found that it was exactly where she was meant to end up.

“I had originally intended on getting my general education credential but was advised that a special education credential would help me get ‘my foot in the door,’” Kristin shares. “After my first week of working with our exceptional students, I knew special education is exactly where I was meant to be for my teaching career. I love serving our students and could not imagine being in education without supporting our students with exceptional and individual needs.”

After completing her education, Kristin initially began her career as a vocational technician. Soon after, she became a Moderate/Severe Special Education teacher for the Calaveras Transition Program, eventually going on to become the Inclusion Specialist for the Calaveras County Office of Education. As someone who puts heavy emphasis on relationship-building, Kristin wanted to continue to expand her work with and impact on the special education community. So, in 2022, she became a Case Manager at Visions and began to find her niche within our unique community.

“Relationships are key in this position and it is one of my favorite pieces of what I do. I have wonderful families that I get to establish relationships with here at Visions,” shares Kristin. “It is unique because in a seat-based setting, you don’t typically get to know a parent to the degree that I do here at Visions. It makes it such a wonderful experience to be able to work so closely with both the student and the parent.”

Kristin hasn’t only become close with her special education families, but with the special education staff as well, including other case managers, Special Education Manager Loretta Holder, and Director of Special Education Jessica Lauder.

“Our SPED community is a great one. The teachers are always collaborating and bouncing ideas and suggestions off one another. I know if I have a question, I can send it out to the chat and so many of my coworkers will reply with suggestions and what has worked best for them in the past,” says Kristin. “Jessica Lauder is a wealth of knowledge and information and has been an incredible support to me with some of the trickier questions and situations. Loretta Holder makes me feel appreciated for my work and support to the department.”

“I want to express my deepest appreciation for the incredible work that Kristin does in her role as a Special Education Case Manager here at Visions,” says Loretta. “Her unwavering dedication and compassionate nature in supporting students, their families, and colleagues is truly commendable. Kristin’s expertise in special education and her passion for making a positive impact in the lives she serves shines through in everything she does. Kristin is a joy to work with and an outstanding asset to our organization and community!”

A Career and a Calling

The work our case managers do with our special education community is truly unique. From supporting and assisting with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) to providing direct instruction to students to working with numerous service providers, our case managers are equipped with a unique set of skills that helps our special education students find success here at Visions.

“I have gained so much knowledge around different SPED procedures. Working so closely with credentialed teachers and gen ed administrators has given me invaluable insight to general education and what our teachers are doing daily to help enrich the lives of our students, not just academically, but socially and emotionally,” says Kristin.

Although she’s only been at Visions for two years, the knowledge and experience Kristin has gained working with our special education staff and families has been invaluable to her career.

“Working at Visions has allowed me to grow professionally in my career. The knowledge I have gained from the different experiences I have had has been so wonderful,” Kristin shares. “I have been exposed to a vast amount of cases allowing me to learn and grow in each situation. I am truly grateful for so many people when it comes to their support, ideas, collaboration and commitment to our students.”

Family-Focused

Outside of work, Kristin likes traveling, playing games, and spending time with her five year old daughter, Rylee. Whether it’s adventuring to the local park, the nearest Starbucks, or Disneyland, Kristin loves hanging out with her family outside of the time she gets to spend with her Visions families.

“I love my students, the families and my coworkers. I have learned so much from each one of these people,” Kristin shares. “I am able to meet with students and families in person on a regular basis which continues to fill my cup and teacher’s heart. Coming to Visions has truly been one of the biggest career blessings of my life and I am thankful for my job everyday.”

Congratulations to Visions’ 2023-24 State Seal of Biliteracy Honorees!

May 2, 2024/in News

Congratulations to Visions’ 2023-24 State Seal of Biliteracy Honorees!

Tuesday, April 30th, marked the annual Sacramento County Office of Education State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony was hosted at Center High School’s Auditorium where over 200 students from schools and districts participating in SCOE’s Language Exam Program were honored for their multi-linguistic ability and contribution to a more inclusive and globally competitive postsecondary education system and workforce.

Nine of Visions’ 45 students who earned the Seal this year attended the event with a member of their family. Students in attendance included Camila R. (IS, Spanish), Olivia M. (UP, French), Madelyne O. (IS, Spanish), Malakai P. (UP, Spanish), Julie S. (UP, Russian & Ukrainian), Emily V. (IS, Spanish), Mark Y. (UP, Russian), Guillermo Z. (HS, Spanish), and Karina Z. (UP, Ukrainian).

Visions is extremely proud of these students and the 36 additional Seal honorees who were not present at the recognition ceremony. All students will receive official certificates by mail acknowledging them for this accomplishment and the official Seal decal (to be affixed to their High School Diploma) and medal at Grad Checkout. The number of Seals awarded to Visions’ students increased by 48% from the prior year, with students passing Oral and Written SSB Exams in Armenian, French, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Four students earned the Seal for proficiency in two non-English languages.

Congratulations again to all Visions’ SSB honorees! And thank you to the many families, teachers, counselors, and administrators who supported these students in their multilingual education and development.

State Seal of Biliteracy efforts were coordinated internally by Silvia Covarrubias of Assessment Services. Staff who supported Oral and Written Exam efforts included Yelena Dmitriyeva, Edith Diaz, and Esmeralda Rodriguez of Enrollment Services, Lyubov Rusu-Carp of Special Education, Melinda Lewis of University Prep, and Home School Principal Julie Cole.

Student Spotlight: A Space For Every Learner

April 30, 2024/in Student Spotlight

Student Spotlight: A Space For Every Learner

Ten-year-old Dominic D. loves showing off his baseball swing, his bowling form and his dance moves. In the car on the way to his speech therapy appointments, he listens to Meghan Trainor. If he’s not doing his schoolwork, he’s performing in The Nutcracker, throwing the first pitch at the Sacramento River Cats game, or flying airplanes. In Dominic’s world, there truly are no limits.

As a child with Down syndrome, Dominic has always had a unique learning experience. He began in public school as a kindergartener, where he was learning alongside general ed students. Despite having access to special education services, Dominic lacked the opportunity to learn about topics that interested him, and it was made clear by the school that there was no room for differentiated learning.

“Dominic has always been such a smart and curious person. He just loves to learn!” says Dominic’s mom, Keiri. “Although he had access to special ed services, he did not have access to the topics he enjoyed learning. We were told he was ‘behind’ on his sight words, but he wasn’t recognized for his knowledge of our founding fathers. He didn’t identify letter sounds appropriately 100% of the times that he was assessed, but he could correctly identify the politicians trying to run for president in 2020. There was a very clear message sent to us that watching the news and learning American history as a kindergartener was not going to prepare Dominic for 1st grade.”

Of course, in the back of Keiri’s mind were thoughts like: “Why couldn’t he learn his sight words WHILE he’s learning about the history of our country? Why couldn’t he practice letter sounds WHILE he was repeating what he saw on the news?” Keiri knew that there was a middle ground between getting a high-quality education and exploring Dominic’s gifts and interests, and that’s what brought them to Visions.

A New Way to Educate

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Keiri got to experience a taste of homeschooling. Dominic’s school had shut down, and while the districts were trying to figure out how to make distance learning successful, Keiri was already practicing educating Dominic in their home.

“We read books, created arts and crafts, watched science and history videos, used workbooks, and he and I retained a lot of information. No two days looked the same, and we were accomplishing so much more than he was accomplishing in a classroom and with distance learning,” says Keiri.

By the time they were accepted into the Home School Academy at Visions in 2020, Keiri and Dominic were used to the experience of educating and learning at home. Now four years later, they are continuing to explore all the ways that the flexibility and personalization of homeschooling can significantly shape a child’s learning experience.

“The ultimate goal for me was to make sure Dominic has access to every single thing he wants to learn,” says Keiri. “Dominic would not be where he is now if he wasn’t homeschooled with Visions. We have the freedom to deep dive into specific topics, to switch gears, to take breaks, to not take breaks, to change our minds and go to a museum instead of completing a lesson at home. Visions helps me by bridging any gaps before I even see them.”

Academically, Socially, and Emotionally Supported

Dominic and Keiri have many support systems here at Visions, including Dominc’s credentialed teacher, Ferrin Cowan, his Special Education teacher, Lexi Fahr, and his Occupational Therapist, Kelly Martinez. Meetings with Ferrin are spent swapping stories and hearing about all of Dominic’s adventures, and more often than not, they run a little longer than scheduled.

“I absolutely cannot live without our CT, Ferrin Cowan! She meets us where we are, supports us, encourages us, and literally shows up for us. One of Dominic’s dreams was to dance in The Nutcracker, and he danced in The Nutcracker in December. Ferrin attended that performance, and so did Lexi, as well as Kelly.”

“I loved being able to see Dominic on stage performing in The Nutcracker. He is always smiling and is always happy to perform his new skills!” shares Ferrin. “His family is dedicated and passionate about learning, which shines through in Dominic. I look forward to seeing him achieve his dreams!”

“Homeschooling is liberating.”

With the freedom and flexibility of Visions’ Home School Academy, Dominic is now able to take drum and keyboard lessons with Visions vendor School of Rock, attend dance classes, and even meet with local politicians. In March, Dominic and his family were invited to the State Capitol for the proclamation of Down Syndrome Day in California. There, he was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblyman Joe Patterson and got to connect with other local kids and families. This is one of the many reasons Keiri loves homeschooling at Visions – seeing her son change lives everywhere he goes.

“In September 2022, the author, actor, activist, motivational speaker and my friend, Tyler Merritt, created a video featuring him and Dominic, which garnered a lot of attention on social media,” Keiri shares. “Tyler had just written a children’s book called A Door Made for Me based on his own experience with racism and discrimination when he was a child. Dominic cracked that book open, read it out loud cover to cover, and I sent the video of Dominic reading the book to Tyler. Within a few hours, Tyler created a video with excerpts of Dominic reading his book and Tyler’s own revelation that his story, his message, was reaching so many more children than he had imagined.”

After four years of experiencing the benefits of Visions, Keiri is grateful that she made the switch for Dominic when she did. Instead of focusing on all of the things Dominic can’t do, Visions nurtures and expands all of the things he can do, and is redefining what education can look like outside of a traditional classroom setting.

“Homeschooling with Visions is liberating, eye opening, and it opens up opportunities I never knew existed. Once you start homeschooling, you’ll see how much can be accomplished in a few hours; there’s time to learn more, play more, do more, explore more,” says Keiri. “Visions provides access to the resources every student needs to succeed and to excel. To anyone who has a child with special needs, a disability, a learning difference, Visions In Education will make your jaw drop and you’ll think, ‘Wait…my kid has choices? IEP meetings are easy, supportive, and are all about making sure your kids are getting what they need in order to grow, learn, thrive, and succeed?’ To anyone who has a kid who is overwhelmed by the brick and mortar school environment, homeschooling with Visions is the place where they will learn and succeed.”

All About Dominic

What’s your favorite subject? Studies Weekly is my favorite! And math…and science…and history…and California history.

What’s your favorite part about being homeschooled? Learn what I want.

What do you like to do outside of school? Go to museums and stadiums, play sports, School of Rock, and dance classes.