Riverside County Family Newsletter
Delivering the Heart of Homeschooling
Week of May 11, 2020
What's inside:
- Hello from MVA Leadership and Staff
- School Update
- Riverside County Art Connects Competition - MVA Student takes 1st Place!!
- School Resource Websites to Bookmark
- FREE Teaching Resources
- Our Goals: Mission and Schoolwide Learner Outcomes
- Virtual CC Events - INFO FOR THIS WEEK'S CC EVENTS!
- VIRTUAL MVA High School Curriculum Showcase!
- Virtual Chat with Family Liaisons
- Sharing the Homeschool Heart - The End of the Year Slump: How do you keep your student motivated?
- UPDATE! Placing Amazon (A-Punchout) Orders in the EOS
- UPDATE! 2020 Virtual Graduation/Promotion - Survey closed.
- Student Support: Growth Mindset
- Parent Testing Resources Website
- Academic Video Library
- Inspire Special Education Department Newsletter
- Your Mission Vista Academy Team
- Meet your Riverside County Family Liaisons!
This week's events!
Tuesday, May 12th
► VIRTUAL Lego Challenge► VIRTUAL Cave Tour & Stalactite Experiment
Wednesday, May 13th
► VIRTUAL Happy Hats & Poetry
Thursday, May 14th
► VIRTUAL High School & Middle School Catus Painting
► VIRTUAL John Muir Art & Science Workshop
Friday, May 15th
► VIRTUAL Making Puffy Paint
► VIRTUAL Tortoise Workshop
► "A Poem in your Pocket" Contest submissions DUE by 3 pm on 5/15
Check out all the details inside in the Community Connections section!
Please click to enjoy a message from your MVA leadership and teachers!
Current Updates From Our School Administration
Hello Wonderful Families,
Staying healthy is priority number one! As a school, we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and what we can do to help keep everyone healthy.
You can find the latest COVID-19 Updates from our Principal on our MVA Website.
The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) announces that the Executive Committee of the Accrediting Commission for Schools has approved Initial Accreditation for Mission Vista Academy (TK - 9), from the start of this school year through June 30, 2023. Thank you to all of our MVA Families for making our school a great place and helping with this process! (As each year we add another grade level in high school, we anticipate full accreditation of all grades TK-12 by 2023. Go MVA!)
The Riverside County Office of ED Art Competition - MVA Student takes 1st Place!!!
One of our very own students took the spotlight this week!!! Congratulations!!
1st Place – TK-2nd grade category
Jack Winter – 2nd grade – Mission Vista Academy, Beaumont USD - https://youtu.be/5neLEt0fnFs
School Resource Websites to Bookmark!
Mission Vista Academy School Website
Riverside County Facebook Group - Enrolled with Mission Vista Academy? Join us on Facebook for a lively discussion and homeschool support.
inspire_homeschoolcommunity_ie - Follow Mission Vista Academy on Instagram!
Free Teaching Resources
Mission Vista's School at Home Website
Mission Vista worked together with others to create this resource site for our families and for parents who are now faced with homeschooling their own children. Feel free to share this site!
Please reach out to your Family Liaisons or your HST at any time. We're here for you!
Mission Vista's Intervention Website
Your child's education is a top priority for you. That's why you homeschool! You can do this, and we have lots of free resources to help. Visit our Intervention Website. Here you will find tons of FREE teaching videos and resources.
Don’t let the name of this website make you think it is just for students that struggle…it’s definitely just a resource for great teaching!
Whether you are looking for some tips in Early Literacy, Math, Writing, or even Speech, you will find some help!
We have added our fabulous Online Direct Instruction (ODI) recordings! Make sure to check it out with your student!
We Are Mission Vista Academy Proud!
Working Together - Mission Vista Academy
Our Mission
The mission of Mission Vista Academy is to develop the individual gifts of students in Riverside County and adjacent counties to become critical thinkers, responsible citizens, and innovative leaders prepared for academic and real-life achievement in the 21st Century. The mission will be accomplished through quality, personalized, standards-based education, which could include online coursework, offline textbook work, and unique hands-on and experiential learning experiences facilitated in partnership with students, parents, staff, and community.
Schoolwide Learner Outcomes
At Mission Vista Academy, we have goals for our students that are known as Schoolwide Learner Outcomes (SLOs). SLOs are a part of our school culture: they reflect our school vision, the College and Career Readiness Standards, and the education of the whole child.
Mission Vista Students Are:
Navigators of the Digital World – Navigators of the digital world who are proficient in the use of technology, media, and online resources.
Self-Directed – Self-directed and motivated students who are able to set attainable goals to achieve academic success.
Personalized Learners – Personalized learners who are able to thrive in the style of education that best fits their individual needs.
Independent Critical Thinkers – Independent critical thinkers who have the ability to problem-solve, take ownership, and apply their knowledge to a variety of problems.
Responsible Citizens – Responsible citizens who demonstrate integrity and respect while actively seeking knowledge of local and global issues.
Effective Communicators – Effective communicators who can thoughtfully articulate their thinking with confidence while collaborating with peers.
Thank you for partnering with us to achieve our goals!
Virtual Community Connection Events
Hello Families,
We are so excited to announce that Community Connections Riverside has gone VIRTUAL! This means all the fun of Community Connections is coming to our students' home computers!
Since you can't go to CC events, we will bring CC events to you! Let's get the Community Connected Again! Hope you can join!
Community Connection Workshop Information:
- You will log onto each Virtual Workshop using Zoom on the day and time of your workshop: ***The Zoom link and Password for these workshops will be sent to parents through email from your HST.***
- You do not have to sign-up.
- Each Virtual Workshop will last around 30 min.
- Most of the Virtual Workshops have items for the students to bring. We are hoping that we have chosen items that you will have around your house. If not, don't worry because students are more than welcome to come without items and just join in on the community fun.
- The teacher will make sure your computer is on mute unless they are asked to share. This way the teacher is the only one talking so everyone can hear the workshop.
- We would like to make sure that all our students attending follow these rules: Log in with their first name only and treat all the students and teachers with kindness.
- There may be a lot of students in each workshop. Therefore, the teacher may not be able to let all the students share or ask questions.
- Your student may come to one or all of the workshops that are offered.
This Week's Virtual Events!
VIRTUAL Community Connections LEGO CHALLENGE #2
Join us for a VIRTUAL Community Connections LEGO CHALLENGE #2!
Tuesday, May 12th @ 10 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
VIRTUAL Community Connections Cave Tour & Stalactite Experiment!
Tuesday, May 12th at 11 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
***The Zoom link and password for this workshop will be emailed to parents by their HST***
VIRTUAL Community Connections Happy Hats & Poetry!
Wednesday, May 13th at 10 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
***The Zoom link and password for this workshop will be emailed to parents by their HST***
VIRTUAL Community Connections MS & HS Cactus Painting!
Let's paint a cactus silhouette!
Painting Workshop on Thursday, May 14th at 10 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
***The Zoom link and password for this workshop will be emailed to parents by their HST***
VIRTUAL Community Connections John Muir Art & Science Workshop!
[MOST APPROPRIATE FOR MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS]
Join us for an Art & Science Workshop with a John Muir Laws Drawing Tutorial
Thursday, May 14th at 11 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
***The Zoom link and password for this workshop will be emailed to parents by their HST***
VIRTUAL Community Connections Making Puffy Paint!
Friday, May 15th @ 10 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
***The Zoom link and password for this workshop will be emailed to parents by their HST***
VIRTUAL Community Connections Tortoise Workshop!
Friday, May 15th @ 11 am
(details listed on the event flyer)
***The Zoom link and password for this workshop will be emailed to parents by their HST***
A Poem in Your Pocket Workshop & Contest
Virtual "A Poem in Your Pocket Workshop & Contest"
View copy of the presentation with resource links here. Click Present in the upper right corner to view and have live links.
Poems must be submitted by 3 pm on May 15th
Submit your entry here
(Winners will be announced in the Family Newsletter on 5/18.)
VIRTUAL MVA High School Curriculum Showcase!
VIRTUAL MVA High School Curriculum Showcase!
Join your Mission Vista Academy's High School Success Coordinator, Summer Davidson, in a LIVE VIRTUAL opportunity to hear about High School Curriculum options with Mission Vista Academy.
RSVP HERE
Thursday, May 21st at 2 pm
Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/91986568146
Questions? Contact Summer Davidson at summer@inspireschools.org
Thursday, May 21, 2020, 02:00 PM
undefined
Virtual Chat with Family Liaisons!
Virtual Chat with Family Liaisons!
Want to talk about curriculum? Homeschooling philosophy? Learning styles? Out of the box ideas? We can't wait to connect with you!
RSVP HERE!
Wednesday, May 27th at 2pm
Zoom Room: https://zoom.us/j/97600646288
Meeting ID: 976-0064-6288
Questions? Feel free to reach out to your Mission Vista Academy Family Liaisons!
Audrey Everson
audreye@inspireschools.org
(951) 541-4809
Andrea Hart
andrea.hart@inspireschools.org
(951) 378-6144
Robi Frederick
robi.frederick@inspireschools.org
(760) 455.0343
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 02:00 PM
undefined
Sharing the Homeschool Heart
The End of the Year Slump: How do you keep your student motivated?
Hi friends! It's surely that time of the year - the last day of school is right around the corner, our curriculum is almost finished, but the kids have no ambition to do their schoolwork... it's the end of the year slump. How do you keep your student motivated?
We asked fellow homeschooling parents to share their victories and ideas with us! Let's encourage each other - we're in this together!
We are so close to being done. We got some fun-schooling journals to mix it up a bit.
~ Nicole L., MVA Parent
I have been taking one school day a week to do one of those subscription boxes we have piled up from the year. No worksheets - just a project.
~ Emily C., MVA Parent
We got my troll dolls out of storage and the kids have been “teaching them."
~ Rachel, MVA Parent
As we approach the end of the school year, almost in tandem, the body language in our home and overall attitudes reflect the mental state of “We're done with this!” For us, we attend a couple of homeschool programs that wrap themselves up toward the end of April/beginning of May. As soon as those end, we all get the feeling like the school year should be done, but it isn’t quite there yet. Don’t get me wrong, we are close, but we usually have a bit to wrap up. Now that we have been homeschooling for 7 years, I know to prepare for this annual shift. In doing so, I plan to make our read-a-loud time longer, plugging in books that we didn’t quite get to or ones that I have wanted to read with the kids. I explore resources that we might have been too busy to use throughout the rest of the school year. This year, as a hidden quarantine blessing, there are tons of on-line resources to try out. I share one or two of these with the kiddos each week to see which ones grab their attention. This is a time when I try to expose the kids to new potential hobbies (i.e., knitting, crochet, sticker collecting, pen pal writing, baking, cooking, etc.). This year, Mug Cakes are big in our home, as well as everything having to do with chickens (building a chicken coop, making chicken treats, learning about chicken care). I hope that some may catch on to keep them interested over the summer and beyond. This year, we are exploring the benefits of Google, that might help us next school year. We are also checking out Outschool classes for things that mom might not be as talented at teaching. Overall, I would say that this time of year is about EXPLORING for us. A bit of a slow down, a way to get ready for the summer, and a little thinking ahead to next school year.
~ Robi F., MVA Family Liaison & Parent
I try to assign more "projects" instead of worksheets towards the end of the year. Lapbooks are a great way to teach and include arts/crafts time. For US Geography this week, we are studying the state of Indiana, home to Levi Coffin (his home was known as the Grand Central Station for the Underground Railroad). Instead of worksheets, I purchased a Lapbook kit on Teachers Pay Teachers to go along with some BrainPop videos and a short documentary on the Coffins on Youtube. An excellent opportunity to introduce or review The Underground Railroad.
~ Audrey E., MVA Family Liaison & Parent
As our school year is winding down and our motivation to complete our schoolwork is circling the drain...I have really tried to keep the girls on track and engaged by utilizing thematic unit studies. One study that has been a big hit with my daughters has been "state studies." Every week we study 4-5 different states in the U.S. and dive deep into what makes each state so special and unique. The girls learn about the state bird, flag, climate, attractions, the capital city, governor, and much more. They also have enjoyed picking out the states we are going to study for the week, then pulling out our maps, state books, and even history books to help guide our studies together. While unit studies are something we engage in all year long, they have helped overcome the boredom and monotony of being stuck at home during quarantine and given the girls something to look forward to. Our studies have even helped us map out a fun "family road trip" to visit some of the states and places that we have studied together. Homeschooling has given us soo many opportunities to learn, grow, and explore the world together, and we can't wait to see what we have learned about in person.
~ Andrea H., MVA Family Liaison & Parent
Now Working! Ordering Amazon Items through EOS
Dear Families,
There is a new punch-out system for Amazon orders placed through the EOS! This system should help decrease turn-around time for Amazon orders. Please take a few minutes to watch the video below. As always, please reach out to your HST with any questions!
*Instead of choosing Amazon as the approved vendor, please select a-punchout as the approved vendor. Thank you!
**Please only add up to 5 items on each a-punchout order. If more than 5 items, simply create a new order. This will help with the speed of processing these items and reduce price fluctuations that may hinder your order. We hope you are enjoying this new system!
2020 Promotion & Graduation Update - We're going virtual!
Hello, Families of 5th, 8th, and 12th-graders,
We are excited to announce that we will be celebrating our Graduation and Promotion virtually, through Zoom, on June 2nd. Please see the link below for all information. RSVPs were closed effective 4/24/20 so that the production company can have time to put our ceremonies together. We look forward to celebrating with you virtually!
Please reach out to your HST if you have any questions.
Student Support: Growth Mindset
The Support Team is happy to announce the launch of a new addition to our site: Growth Mindset!
On this website Parents/Guardians will learn how to help students:
- “Bounce back” by increasing their motivational effort
- Embrace lifelong learning and the joy of incremental personal growth
- Utilize resources without being defeated by the threat of failure
- Learn by a mastery approach, embrace challenges and put in the effort to learn
- View perceived task setbacks as a necessary part of the learning process
Parent Testing Resources
Academic Video Library
Instructions to access Academic Video Library can be found here.
Inspire Special Education Department Newsletter!
Please enjoy our latest edition of our Inspire Cares Newsletter.
Inspire Special Education Department Parent and Teacher Newsletter February 2020
You can also access our Inspire Cares website to support you in your homeschooling journey and view all of our newsletters!
In this together!
Your Riverside County Homeschool Teachers and Family Liaisons are always here for you! Reach out to your HST or Family Liaisons for support, advice, and connections with the homeschool community around you!
Mission Vista Academy Family Liaisons
Audrey Everson
Hi everyone! I am a mom of 3 awesome kids ranging in age from 11 to 7 years old. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for 17 years. Having homeschooled our children over the last 7 and a half years in 3 different states, I've found homeschooling here in California, especially with Mission Vista Academy, has been a great fit for our homeschool journey. I am grateful for our ability to homeschool so freely and I aspire to assist other families with their own homeschool adventures!
Email: audreye@inspireschools.org
Phone: 951-541-4809
Robi Frederick
Hi there! I am a mom of two girls, 10 and 11 years old, and have been homeschooling from the start. I am also the wife of a very supportive hubby of almost 14 years. We are raising our children in the Coachella Valley and excited to see how the homeschooling community has grown in our area, as well as the resources. I am very grateful that I have this opportunity to homeschool my children. I love to help and encourage families and assist in building our homeschooling resources in the Desert Area.
Email: robi.frederick@inspireschools.org
Phone: (760) 455-0343
Andrea Hart
Hello! My name is Andrea Hart, and I am a homeschooling momma of two beautiful girls. Thanks to Mission Vista Academy, we have been homeschooling for 2 years and absolutely love the freedom and new learning experiences that it provides us daily. Homeschooling has changed our lives for the better, and I can’t wait to help other families learn, grow, and navigate through this extraordinary journey. I'm here to help encourage, guide, and answer any question you may have! I can’t wait to connect with you.
Email: andrea.hart@inspireschools.org
Phone: (951) 378-6144
We want to hear from you!
What do you want to hear more about? Drop us an email!
We'd love to answer all of your questions in regards to homeschooling
and what the homeschool lifestyle looks like!
Fully Accredited for Grades TK-9 by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
(As each year we add another grade level in high school, we anticipate full accreditation of grades TK-12 by 2023. Go MVA!)