Parents have been asking:
How can we best prepare our child for CAASPP testing?
Please share the following with your child:
Take your time and do your best and just remember, please don’t stress!
March 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to March, Valley View Learning Community:
I do not know about all of you, but I feel like time is passing me by like I am standing still! This is the time of the year that we focus on the successful completion of the 22-23 academic year while simultaneously planning for the 23-24 school year.
February Staff Meeting:
In February, our staff met the day before Valentine’s Day to gather for our monthly, in-person staff meeting. Staff members were greeted with long-stemmed white roses, candies, and a home-cooked lunch. Topics for this meeting included: CAASPP testing and the upcoming re-accreditation of our school through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Here are a few pictures from our February meeting:
Mrs. Bradshaw’s Science Class:
If you are not in Mrs. Bradshaw’s science class, you are missing out! Mrs. Bradshaw’s approach to hands-on science is so fun-filled and engaging, you forget you are actually learning something!
This month, students will be studying the brain and participating in the dissection of a sheep’s brain. To jumpstart their learning, Mrs. Bradshaw’s students will be making a human brain, which I am modeling for you in the picture below.
CAASPP TESTING:
Please find embedded in this newsletter a copy of the CAASPP letter that I sent to our families on March 1, 2023. If you have any questions about CAASPP testing or signing your child up for an assessment window to take the assessments, please reach out to your homeroom teacher. As a friendly reminder, participation is more important than ever, so I thank you in advance for showing up for CAASPP testing as well as showing up for our school!
The Valley View Staff continues to feel blessed to be able to partner with you to provide your child a unique and individualized learning opportunity. As always, if there is anything the VVCP staff can do to support you in your role as parent educator or your children in their role as learners, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Catherine Ward-Mikes, Director
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High School News
Hard to imagine we are in the middle of the second semester and planning for next year. Weekly advising appointments are available online in 40-minute increments. Parents, students, and teachers are encouraged to schedule a time to discuss individualized programs and planning or just check in if you need some support!
Please visit: High School Advising Meeting Grades 9 to 12
Seniors/College Applications/FAFSA
If you are a senior planning to attend community college next year, please fill out the FAFSA to qualify for the tuition assistance program.
FAFSA- Free Application for Student Aid If you want to take advantage of community college free tuition programs, you’ll need to fill out the FAFSA. Power Hour held several meetings in the fall and help is still available, if you need it. All seniors are encouraged to complete the FAFSA even if they are unsure of their college plans OR think they won’t qualify for funding.
Graduation- Save the Date- May 24th: Information will be sent directly to seniors.
Thinking about testing? SAT and ACT dates are available!
Currently, UC and CSU are not using standardized tests for admission evaluations. Many other colleges have moved to a test-optional method. Please check directly with your intended programs for specifics about testing.
Students looking to schedule SAT or ACT testing can register directly through the sites.
Concurrent College Enrollment:
If you are taking community college coursework, please forward confirmation of enrollment. Reimbursements cannot be processed until the courses are marked as “In Progress”.
Counselor Power Hour: Thursdays @ 2pm
Our PCI counseling team continues to host Power Hour on Thursdays for our high school community! Every week we present a wide range of topics from college planning to specific career sectors. Emails and links have been sent directly to students and are readily accessible through student email accounts. If you need additional help logging in, please let us know. Recordings are available on request. Sessions are a great way to explore programs and career options!
March Topics Include:
- March 2: California Conservation Corps with Kyra Huffman (Confirmed)
- March 9: High School Readiness
- March 16: Job Corps
- March 23 City Year with Giovanna Castellanos Barragán (Confirmed)
- March 30 Small Business Owner- RaechelIris Organic Spa Care/EGUSD Retired Teacher
*As always when working with students, flexibility is essential. Workshops may be adjusted or rescheduled as appropriate to meet the needs of the community.
John Mittan, High School DeanValley View Charter Prep
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VIRTUAL CLASSES, TECHNOLOGY, and BOOKS
Pacific Charter Institute offers virtual opportunities for our students through two programs:
• V.O.L.T.s (Virtual Opportunities to Learn Together) geared toward our elementary homeschooling families.
• The Virtual Advantage classes for middle school and high school students.
In both programs, our credentialed teachers interact with students and families in real-time through secure online environments. A complete listing of class offerings can be found in the PCI Virtual Class Catalog. Contact your teacher for sign-up procedures.
The Virtual Advantage
Flexibility – attend live classes online from any location.
Support – Taught by highly-qualified credentialed teacher AND free in-person tutoring available in multiple locations
Collaboration – students have the opportunity to work together and to get to know their peers
Current and accredited – activities and problems meet current standards and pacing to ensure that students are adequately prepared for future courses and for standardized tests.
Transparent – Parents are included in all student communications and in some courses, given the opportunity to evaluate students’ daily work while weening students off dependence on parent instruction. Classes are recorded so that students and parents may refer to any lesson on their own time. Timelines, assignments, and worksheets are given in advance so that families can plan their homework schedules.
Looking for a bit more structure and accountability in your Math, Science, or high school English class?
It’s that time of year again when we start thinking about the big decisions for next year. How do you want to address your Math & Science standards in an ever-growing, ever-more complex world?
PCI Virtual classes offer college-preparatory (a-g approved) classes designed to meet or exceed state standards as well as prepare students for the 21st-century skills they will need for our modern workplace. PCI is working on setting up the schedules now and expects to have schedules and course descriptions of virtual classes out April 1st. As you attend orientations for high school (8th grade) and middle school (5th -6th grade) to learn about your options and design your planned course schedules, keep these classes in mind. They are all taught by highly-qualified and credentialed teachers attached exclusively to our schools. Classes are subject to minimum enrollment numbers and often have prerequisite requirements. They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so reserve your spot early. Talk to your homeroom teacher or counselor to get contacts for more details or for input in classes you want.
CP Integrated Math 1 – CPIM2 – CPIM3 – CP Physical Science – CP Biology – CP Chemistry – Middle School Science – MS math course 1 (6th grade) – MS Math course 2 (pre-Algebra)
Cheryl Gomes, Math Teacher & Intervention Specialist
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Science Corner
Good Day Scientists!
The spring kits are slowly being rolled out. It is vital that arrangements are made to pick up these kits as soon as possible since many of the grades have live creatures in the kit. For example, the 3rd-grade kits have caterpillars, while the 2nd-grade kits have pill (rolly- polly) bugs. The 4th-grade kits are the last ones to come out. Be sure to follow your teachers’ directions to keep your live creatures alive!
Let the fun begin!
Laurie Bradshaw “AKA” Mrs. B
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For more information on Valley View and our sister schools, go to the PCI website.
Valley View Charter Prep 