JANUARY 2022 Newsletter

Dear Valley View Families,

As we begin a new year, Valley View has streamlined our enrollment processes to ensure we are enrolling all interested families as soon as possible. As always, our goal is to better meet the needs of families within our school, as well as prospective families interested in a personal-learning public school.

To this end, the application for the 2022-23 school year will open on Monday, January 10th, and will be posted at www.pacificcharters.org. The first open enrollment window will close on Monday, February 28th at 4pm. Our first lottery will be on Friday, March 4th. We encourage everyone who is interested in enrolling next year to complete an application so they can be in the first lottery.

Also, as we look to the spring semester, I want to reiterate our adopted schoolwide protocol to ensure the health and safety of all.

  • Masks are required at all in-person, indoor school activities.
  • Continue to observe social distancing during all school activities.
  • Stay home when experiencing any symptoms of a cold/flu.

We look forward to a safe, happy, and healthy new year.

Happy Learning,

John Mittan, Director

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High School News  

A New Year is like a blank book, and the pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself. Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you all a prosperous and productive year full of new experiences, new friends, and new opportunities for growth.  

Office Hours:

 Let’s Connect! Weekly advising appointments are available online in 20-minute increments. Parents, students, and teachers are encouraged to schedule time to discuss individualized programs and planning or just check-in if you need some support!   

In-Person Office Hours are also available!  

Please visit: https://tinyurl.com/valleyviewcounseling

High School Orientation: February 1st @ 3:30.  

Considering homeschooling with us through high school? This program answers all your questions and helps you form specific ones for your child. See how you can partner with VVCP to create a uniquely rigorous high school program.  

The meeting link will be sent directly to middle school students. The meeting will be recorded if you are unable to attend.  

 College Applications/FAFSA

Many out-of-state and private colleges are still accepting applications for Fall ’22. If you are interested in attending a four-year college, please reach out. It isn’t too late! Power Hour will be hosting another workshop on February 10th!! 

Headed to Community College? 

You still need to apply NOW as a matriculated (graduated) student, even if you have already attended in high school. Check the admissions link at your favorite college. 

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. The deadline is March 2nd. 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 25th. Our committee is in the process of planning the spring graduation ceremony! If you have not already submitted your Diploma Order Form and Survey Please Use This Link  

Student Wellness Team  

We realize the last couple of years has presented challenges for our community. School counselors are available to receive confidential discussions regarding your child and can elevate to our school psychologists as needed. The PCI Wellness Team is made up of psychologists, our school nurse, and school counselors. The PCI Wellness Referral Link is confidential, anonymous, and can be left by anyone in the PCI family with the ability to attach images and screenshots as needed.

Please remember if you have a mental or medical emergency you should contact 911 immediately. Any referrals that are completed over the weekend or after school hours will be addressed as soon as possible on the next school day.

Virtual College Fairs & Tours: 

While college fairs are still online, many colleges have returned to in-person visits. Check any of the 13 bay area colleges/universities to schedule a tour and see what options are available close to home.

For Virtual Fairs: http://www.collegefairsonline.com – registration required 

For a full range of additional College Fairs see: 

https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/

VVCP College Tours:
We are hoping to resume organized tours in the spring. Stay tuned for details! 

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.  

SAT Test Registration

ACT Test Registration 

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.  Students who attend 3 live sessions will earn a gift to some of their favorite places. These sessions are a great way to explore programs and career options!  

January Topics Include:

Jan 13- Veterinarian, Wildlife and Marine Science  

Jan 20- Things Every Teen Should Know/ Resume Writing Tips 

Jan 27- University of Nevada, Reno 

*As always when working with students, flexibility is essential. Workshops may be adjusted or rescheduled as appropriate to meet the needs of the community.  

Jennifer McInerney, High School Dean

Valley View Charter Prep

jennifer.mcinerney@pacificcharters.org

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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 student daily work while weening student 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. 

Need Math Help?

Math support is not just for those in virtual classes.  Students requiring intervention are invited to sign up for FREE math tutoring. Bring whatever math you are working on and come play math with us!

For the fastest results, send your questions in an email!

Cheryl Gomes , Math Teacher and Intervention Specialist 

Email:  cheryl.gomes@pacificcharters.org 

OR in-person 

Open to ALL VVCP students (not just those taking virtual classes) ~ this time is open to intervention & parent support of concepts 

OR live online with a teacher!  Virtual Office Hours T/Th at 4pm at:  

 Gomes’ Office  You have been invited to join Gomes’ Office using BigBlueButton. To join, click the link above and enter your name.  pacificcharters.gl.rna1.blindsidenetworks.com 

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NEW MATH CURRICULUM IS COMING
This is a math curriculum adoption cycle year.  Participate in the process by looking at our shortlist and giving your input.

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Science Corner

Hi, Fellow Scientists!

Welcome back and Happy New Year! All science classes, including VOLTS Family Science, will start back next week. Look for emails from these teachers this week.

Please work to get your last kits to your homeroom teachers. We can take them at NWEA testing. Some folks did return the kit, but others were not finished. Please inventory your kit to help Ruby and her crew. Thanks, in advance, for your efforts in this matter.

Until next month, enjoy exploring the world around you!

Laurie Bradshaw

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For more information on Valley View and our sister schools, go to the PCI website.

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