Dear Valley View Families,
All public charter schools in the State of California operate on 5-year “life cycles.” That is, a charter school must renew its charter every 5 years to continue operations. At charter renewal, there is a possibility that a charter authorizer will choose not to renew a school’s charter. The primary reason for this nonrenewal is that the charter school has not met its obligations as a publicly funded school. More often than not, these obligations center on participation in state-mandated testing.
The State of California requires all public schools, including public charter schools like Valley View to achieve 95% participation on the CAASPP test. This means at least 95% of all 3rd-8th and 11th-grade students must test. However, unlike traditional school districts, charter schools contend with the possibility of nonrenewal if they cannot meet the 95% participation rate threshold.
Fortunately, Valley View has always met this commitment and consequently, we have a very supportive relationship with our authorizer. As we look ahead to CAASPP testing starting March 28 and ending May 6, I want to thank you in advance for your participation in state-mandated assessments. It is this participation that allows us to continue to offer the student-centered flexibility that is the hallmark of our program.
Happy Learning,
John Mittan, Director
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High School News
Let’s Connect!
Hard to imagine we are in the middle of the second semester and planning for next year. 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
Middle and High School Orientation
If you missed our High School Orientation, Please Find Link Here
Middle School Orientation will be planned for early April. Stay tuned for details.
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.
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 June 30. 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
Information will be sent directly to seniors.
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.
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!
March Topics Include:
3/2- Universal Tech Institute
3/7- Software Engineering/ IT
3/17- Photography and Event Planning
3/24- 10 Things Every Teen Should Know.
*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 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.
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
PCI is looking at a Math curriculum for adoption for the 2022-2023 school year. If interested, we will be piloting the “Reveal” curriculum by McGraw-Hill. Please let me know if you would like to see any of these texts. I have Integrated 2 and 1st-grade texts with me this week. I also have access to 3rd, 5th, & 7th grade and high school Integrated 1 if you would like to come out to Monday Library days to look at them. Contact me if you want me to bring one for you to see.
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Science Corner
Dear Scientists,
The school year is moving on quickly, or so it seems. VOLTS teachers are finishing up the Earth Science kits, and then will begin their final kit: Life Science. Several Life Science kits have been delivered, but there are a few that we are waiting on since there are live specimens, plants, etc. Please be patient as the details are worked out.
As a plug, it would be very helpful that students complete the Summative Assessments for the VOLTS Family Science Classes. This allows us to see just how much students have learned and will give feedback to teachers as they plan for next year.
Have a great month! See you next time!
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 