August 2022 Newsletter
Welcome Back VVCP Learning Community!
I hope that everyone enjoyed their summer break and quality time with friends and family doing the things that you love and that make you happy. My name is Catherine Ward-Mikes, and it is my honor to serve the staff and families that makeup Valley View Charter Prep. Like all of you, I am a parent who wants the absolute best for my children. Even though my children are older now, that desire never lessens no matter the age. Speaking of the absolute best for our children…
Our administrative team has been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the new year. As you know, COVID strained our ability to work together in the manner to which we were accustomed. It stretched our capacity to learn and perform in ways we had not experienced in previous years. For the first time in two years, we begin our academic journey free from past restrictions as currently there are no mandates from the California Department of Public Health for public schools to follow. Should an uptick in COVID cases change our current landscape, VVCP staff will communicate all new mandates to you and your families.
Because of the tremendous partnership between you and our talented staff, CAASPP scores remain strong at Valley View Charter Prep. As we review data from multiple sources, our support efforts will remain focused on the individual needs of the families we serve.
To our new families, welcome! We are excited you have chosen us to help guide and support your family. We know you will love our teachers as they are incredibly gifted and have a passion for supporting children through education. Their combined experiences and educational knowledge will profoundly support your choice to school your child at home.
On behalf of the Valley View team, we are excited to be on this journey with you and your family. Please reach out if you have any suggestions or feedback. I look forward to meeting you over the next few weeks.
Happy Learning,
Catherine Ward-Mikes, Director
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High School News
Let’s Connect!
I hope you all had a restful summer and are returning healthy and renewed for the year ahead! We look forward to continuing the wealth of opportunities for VVCP middle and high school students!
Office Hours:
This year advising sessions will be available on a weekly basis. Parents, students, and teachers are encouraged to schedule time to discuss planning and advising needs. Visit the link below to reserve your time. Sessions are held in 20-minute blocks. This is an efficient way to bundle questions and get direct answers. A meeting link will be sent within the email confirmation. I’m looking forward to being able to connect with our community on a regular basis
throughout the school year!
Appointments are available: T/Th 10:00-3:00 PM and F 10:00-3:00 PM on school calendar days. If these times don’t work for your schedule, please reach out.
Visit: HS student advising sign-up
High School Virtual & VOLTS Classes:
It’s not too late! Courses are filling up. If you are interested in a virtual class, please email your teacher (subject line “virtual class”) and include the student name, grade, and student/parent contact email ASAP.
Power Hour:
Power Hour will start the first week of school, with open forums for the first two weeks led by various PCI counselors. After that, guest speakers are scheduled during the month of September. PCI will distribute the schedule for the September power hour soon.
Parent Education Nights (Power Hour):
Something new this year for PCI counseling will be our parent education nights. These will be online on the first Thursday of every month. PCI counseling has the first semester agenda already completed. The first Parent Education Nights in September will focus on how to use the wellness referral and tips on how to support your students through stressful times. October will be a FAFSA-focused session. November will be College 101: how to help with apps, financial aid, scholarships, how parents can support, etc. December will be a digital safety session.
Concurrent College Enrollment:
- This year the dual enrollment process has changed. Check with your intended college
for the updated process. - Contact me for approval of the intended class and college. I’ll email you a signed
blank form for submission. - Once enrolled in a college course, please send confirmation of courses to: john.mittan@pacificcharters.org.
- Courses must be recorded on the transcripts as In Progress to receive credit and process reimbursements.
John Mittan, High School Dean
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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.
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New Math Curriculum:
We are excited to report that we have adopted a new Math curriculum, “Reveal” by McGraw-Hill. This will be available for ALL levels K-12. K-8 has online interactive and video lessons with consumable workbooks that follow the lessons. Ask your teacher for more information.
Middle School Math Class: Integrated Math Readiness
We have an Independent Study Integrated Math Readiness plan for you. This class uses the same curriculum series as the CP Integrated 1 class so that you are really on target for next year. Go through interactive video lessons at your own pace and get help on the specific skills you need as you work through the adaptive practice. Work with your own teacher and
tutor. Talk to your teacher to get access & books for Reveal Integrated Math Readiness.
Cheryl Gomes , Math Teacher and Intervention Specialist
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Science Corner
Welcome Back, Scientists!
We have another year to make new science connections with the world around us. I know I am excited to start with a new group of 4th graders in the virtual Carolina VOLTS class. There are openings in most classes, but spots are filling up. Ask your IST today about a class!
Ruby will be at VVCP Bootcamps with the Carolina kits. Please make sure to pick them up since Carolina VOLTS teachers will start the week of August 22nd.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.
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 