Panther Press

Feb. 16, 19, 20 - President's Day Break - No School

April 1 - 5 - Spring Break - No School

District School Year Calendar 2023 - 2024

VHS Bell Schedule 2023 - 2024

Vista Unified Community Update

Panther Primetime February 1

Happy Friday, Vista High School!

We hope you stay warm and dry this weekend!

The students have been busy working this week on their second semester courses, and the end of the first semester is coming up on February 23rd. Remember, parents can see grades and attendance on the Aeries Parent Portal. We encourage our students to take advantage of the free tutoring program available before and after school from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM.

We are looking forward to our new bell schedule for next school year, which allows students to choose seven classes! We will also be designing a support period for all students, where they will be able to get extra help, pursue an new passion, or make sure their assignments are finished. When it is your student’s time to register, you will get a letter explaining the process in the mail and by email. You will also get an invitation to an evening session where you may meet our counselors and work together on your student’s schedule.

Please see below for our upcoming parent meetings, including Healthy Minds, The Parent Institute for Quality Education, and Community Schools Advisory Council. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your thoughts at these events!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Ratliff

Join the fun in dressing up for our Rival Spirit Week!

This coming week is national school counselor appreciation week! Take a moment to say thanks to your school counselors for all they do!

Students will register for next year and meet with their counselors on their assigned night! See flyers for more details.

All the info Seniors need from your school counselors! WHAT’S INSIDE?

Transcript Requests

Mark your calendars!

College Tips

Self-care for Seniors ❤️

Advice from a Panther Alumni

Senior Checklists

Scholarships & Xello

Financial Aid

VHS SENIOR NEWSLETTER 2024

Senior parents, Tuesday, February 8th, is the last day to secure your yearbook recognition ad for your senior. You can pay for and design your own ad at www.jostens.com, or you can purchase an ad through the Finance Office and have the yearbook staff design it for you. For more information, contact Tammie Wood at tammiewood@vistausd.org.

The grand opening of the new Vista Taco Bell will showcase our own VHS Regimental Band and Pageantry Corps!

Get your crush a sweet treat! Crush Grams on sale during lunch Feb. 1-8.

Vista High had its first Health Minds Program meeting this past Wednesday. Families learned so much about prioritizing their mental health and wellness. Join us for the next session on Feb. 21!

This is the first time our PTSA is piloting the Healthy Minds Program. The PTSA is making Mental Health a priority this year. VHS PTSA has been committed to a focus on mental health resources for parents who are working with their students who may be struggling with any number of things. We are committed to growing mental health and wellness awareness for parents, destigmatizing mental health stereotypes, and increasing engagement in the family-school community. The second learning session is coming up on February 21 from 6:00-7:00 pm. Save the date and reach out with any questions.

Please RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/2yhkj652

Healthy Minds PDF

Our students will enjoy a bullying prevention rally on Feb. 7 complete with BMX athletes!

VHS staff and students visited all the middle schools' 8th grade classes this week and had a great time! We are excited to see these 8th graders next year!

Thinking of attending VHS? Come visit us!

Greetings VHS Drivers and Families! We are excited to announce a partnership with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to bring a program called Start Smart to our school.

OUR NEXT SESSION IS MONDAY JAN. 22!!

This presentation is required for all VHS drivers as a condition of having an active parking permit starting next semester.

These presentations will be held in Room E-11 across from the VHS library from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Students are required to bring one parent/guardian. We have three sessions second semester:

January 22, 2024

March 19, 2024

April 15, 2024

To ensure we have enough space, all attendees must RSVP. We will have a few more presentations next semester, and those dates are being finalized. There is also a presentation at Rancho Buena Vista High School on February 8, and VHS students may attend that one as well. Any grade student can attend and each student will only have to attend one session.

Please contact VHS Office Manager Leah Power if you have any questions by emailing leahpower@vistausd.org or calling (760) 726-5611 x 71002. For more information about the presentation, visit this website: Start Smart Program

Smart Start Parent Letter

The dates have been set for the 2024 Summative ELPAC, an assessment that all English learners take every year. The one to one speaking test will be given February 7-9.

Group testing (Reading, Writing,and Listening) will be given March 5-7 in students' designated ELD or Study Skills class. Remind students about the importance of the assessment and of being at school on all of the test days.

ELPAC Notification 2024 Spanish

ELPAC Notification 2024 English

Join Principal Ratliff for coffee! See flyer below for details.

Our Parent Institute sessions will return in March! Stay tuned for further details!

Join VUSD and the City of Vista for a discussion on human trafficking on Feb. 8.

Head to the Boys & Girls Club of Vista and have free pancakes with your community!

Learn how to manage money at the VIC!

Join our Community Liaison, Yuleni Prado Lopez, to learn about navigating the Aeries Parent Portal!

Need help filling out that FAFSA? Counselors are on hand Wednesdays after school from Oct. 4 through April 2 in room CLC3.

Get discounts on technology for school at c2k.org!

As we start the new school year, we'd like to remind all families about some key things to remember regarding attendance and picking up students from school during the school day:

Early Release:

- Please call attendance 2 hours in advance if a student needs to be released early.

- A parent or legal guardian must call to release a student and must present a valid government ID (Driver's License, Passport, Military ID).

- Only persons listed on the contact list in Aeries with a valid government ID can pick up a student.

Excusing an Absence:

- Families have 72 hours to clear an absence.

- Legal notes must be provided for an absence to be cleared after a student has reached 10 excused absences.

The School Accountability Report Card is now available for review here https://vhs.vistausd.org/ and a hard copy will be made available upon request at our front office.

23-24 SARC Vista High School

Interested in ceramics? Come to our Panthers After Hours Ceramics classes - see video below for info!

The San Diego County Library has made its digital and audio books available to thousands of local students throughout the county. Any student in Vista USD, using just their student IDs, may check out the library’s collection of age-appropriate digital materials via Sora, an app used by school districts.

Additionally, every VHS student can check out the San Diego County Library’s Teen Book of the Month with their student ID through the Sora app— the ebook and the audiobook! Unlimited checkouts means no waitlists or holds.

Teen Book of the Month (Ages 14-18)

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Hgozi Adichie

Purple Hibiscus is a historical fiction novel about the turmoil of adolescence, the powerful bonds of family, and the bright promise of freedom. Fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother Jaja lead a privileged life in Enugu, Nigeria, completely shielded from the troubles of the world. As the country begins to fall apart under a military coup, Kambili and Jaja are sent to their aunt, where they discover a life beyond their confines. When they return home, tensions within the family escalate, and Kambili must find the strength to keep her loved ones together.

PSST World is an on-line platform that allows students to report anything worrisome without fear. Using PSST World, students can report any range of concerning behaviors and incidents that they have seen, heard, or experienced. When a report is made, a message is immediately sent to our safety team and they will reach out to site administration for follow up.

Go HERE to check it out or to make a report.

This week in sports!

See below for more information!

Feb. 5, 2024 4:00pm - 9:00pm

Starting next week VHS student athletes will have the opportunity to participate in a character and leadership workshop put on by the Positive Coaching Alliance. Our first cohort will include the flag football team, girls water polo team, girls basketball team and the baseball team. Please see the attached flyer for details.

In order to be eligible to try out and participate on a sports team, athletes must first complete the athletic clearance process (Physical). All paperwork must be complete and uploaded to homecampus.com. Please see the links attached or See the VHS website for more information. Please email Athletic Trainer Ms. Melissa at melissahutzell@vistausd.org if you have any questions. All instructions are below.

Homecampus Process(English)

Homecampus Process(Spanish)

VUSD VHS Physical Form

Purchase them online using this QR Code!

Many of the local and regional scholarships are now open. As many require transcripts, letters of recommendation, and some writing - putting it off until the last second is not an option. Remember, money is on the table so don't let this slip past you! Check the bulletin at least once a week and google for scholarships that are in your major or have something to do with your background.

Senior Scholarships

See Mr. Soderback in the College and Career Center!

This year's Grad Bash celebration will be at Universal Studios on Friday, June 7th. Tickets will go on sale Monday, Dec. 4 for $160 with a Panther Pass and $165 without in the Finance Office and the webstore. If you are interested in a payment plan, get more information in Finance.

The official senior yearbook photographer is Keane Studios. Seniors MUST get a portrait taken through Keane Studios if they would like a portrait in the yearbook. The yearbook-only portrait session is FREE. Keane Studios Senior Session Guide

Follow Keane Studios on Instagram for inspiration on what to wear and bring to your session. @keanestudios. Feel free to visit their website at www.keaneseniors.com to explore their portfolio and session offerings. Email them with any questions at info@keanestudios.com.

• Buddies Club meets Tuesdays at lunch in the GYM. Please join us for fun with our Buddies as we support inclusion for everyone at VHS. ALL ARE WELCOME! :) .
  

• Yu-Gi-Oh club meets every Thursday during lunch in V-20. Want to learn how to duel? Interested in learning the tournament style of dueling. Join Yu-Gi-Oh club today! Stop by V-20 to get more information. Look for flyers around campus.

• GSA Club meets Tuesdays in D20 during lunch.

• Interested in crime & punishment? Want to know more about the law and being a lawyer? Come to D18 this Wednesday during lunch for Mock Trial information.

• Book Club meets in D17 every Thursday after school. See Ms Vancelette with any questions.

• BSU (Black Student Union) will be meeting every Friday in room D17. All are welcome!

• The Whosoevers Club will be meeting in V12 every Wednesday at lunch. Snacks provided. All are welcome!
  

• Mariachi club is now Tuesdays and Thursdays after school in the Guitar Room!
  

Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide

Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide Spanish

This is an important tool to assist teachers with digital citizenship and classroom management. It is important that parents are aware of the privacy policy and our adherence to the ethical monitoring policy.

Hapara Parent Letter English

Hapara Parent Letter Spanish

Vista High School is committed to the Social and Emotional needs of all students.

Social/Emotional Supports & Links

https://vhs.vistausd.org/counseling

Vista Virtual Wellness Center:

https://sites.google.com/view/vhswellnesscenter/home

Community Resources

Wavecrest Cafe Meals

San Diego Food Bank

Brother Benno Oceanside Services

Vista Teen Outreach

Vista Community Clinic

North County LGBTQ Resource Center

North County Lifeline Community Resources

If you have questions, comments, concerns or requests for information you would like to see in the newsletter, please let us know by clicking on the link above. We appreciate your input!

Email: teachername@vistausd.org
Website: http://vhs.vistausd.org
Location: 1 Panther Way, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 726-5611
Twitter: @VHSPanthers