Bulldog News

Hello Families,

Last Bulldog News of the 23-24 School Year!

We hope everyone has a wonderful and fun -filled final week of school.

Please do a final check of the overflowing Lost and Found. We have many clothing items and water bottles that need to find their owners. All unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity.

Please read important information below about a very dangerous challenge going around social media called the "Blackout Challenge." Please be on the lookout and have conversations with your children as needed.

Fifth Grade Familes Please Read:

Fifth Grade promotion is ths coming Tuesday at 12:50 PM. We are looking forward to a fun celebration for our graduating class of 2024. A few reminders for families attending 5th grade:

• Gates will open at 12:30 for seating on the grass field. This year, we will move to the upper grass field with chairs provided.

• Students should dress appropriately for this celebratory event. Please do not have students wear heels or high wedges as they will be walking through grass, and we don't want anyone injured from tripping.
• Balloons will not be allowed in the audience as they block the viewing of other attendees. Please tie all balloons to the fence when you come in.
• Regular flower or money leis are permitted but please refrain from buying candy leis as they melt on the students in the sun.
• Parking will be a challenge before, during and at dismissal on June 4th. Please be patient, arrive early, and do not park in the red drop off zone. Your car will be towed!

All families please be patient with dismissal on June 4th as the parking lot will be full and traffic will be very heavy.

Last day of school is a minimum day! Dismissal is at 12:50 PM.

Congratulations to our promoting fifth grade class of 2024! We wish you all the best as you embark on your middle school journey. We know our students will go on to do great things. We hope they come back to campus to share how they are doing, volunteer and check in with their Vista Academy family.

Have a happy and safe Summer Break!

The first day of school for the 2024-25 school year will be on August 15th.

Please read below for information and upcoming events,

June 4: 5th Grade Promotion, 12:50 PM

June 5: Last Day of School, Minimum Day - Dismisal at 12:50 PM

August 5-8: Kindergarten Jumpstart 8:00- 11:30

August 8: Kindergarten Back to School Night/ New Family Orientation

August 15: First Day of School

August 21: 1st grade- 5th Grade Back to School Night

School Calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar linked HERE

In the 2024-2025 school year, all elementary schedules will be changing to include Minimum Day Mondays.

The schedule will be reflected as follows:

Mondays 8:00AM -12:58PM

Tuesday-Friday: 8:00AM- 2:18PM

2024-2025 School Calendar linked HERE

*Gates open at 7:30 AM for breakfast. Students may not be dropped off before 7:30 AM for safety since we do not provide supervision before 7:30.

Please take some time to check the Lost and Found items before the last day of school. Anything left over will be donated on June 6.

Our school district has a dual obligation to the Vista Community - to keep students safe and to offer a high quality education. Unfortunately, there are times when social media trends can impact our students both on campus and at home.

A dangerous trend has resurfaced on social media called The Blackout Challenge. This challenge is an internet challenge based around the choking game, which deprives the brain of oxygen. This can be done by holding one's breath or by restricting the passageway of another person.

Parents are encouraged to watch out for signs that their child may be engaging in the choking game and these include:

• Discussion of the game - including other terms used for it, such as "pass-out game" or "space monkey"

• Bloodshot eyes

• Marks on the neck

• Severe headaches

• Unexplained presence of things like leashes, choke collars and bungee cords

We need to work as a community to guard against the dangers social media trends can present to our students.

Vista Unified remains committed to supporting student mental wellness. We are excited to announce our partnership with Campus Clinic to provide mental wellness services to students of our district. Services are available to all students, regardless of insurance status. Campus Clinic provides mental health services through one-on-one sessions in person or via telehealth. Sessions are with a licensed medical professional and can take place while the student remains at school. Interested families can begin the registration process by scanning the QR code on the attached flier or by calling 855-286-2577.

All students must apply for the 24-25 school year and will be placed on a waiting list at this time. When they do enrollment, they will call each family individually. At this time we do not have a timeline for when we will begin registering students from the waitlist.

tinyurl.com/AM-PMprogram

Breakfast will be available to students before school from 7:30-7:50 AM. Students are welcome to bring a snack to the tables during recess time, but they are encouraged to come to school early if they would like a free breakfast from the cafeteria.

Breakfast and lunch is free for all students at Vista Academy. You do not need to fill out an application.

Fruit and salad bar is also available. For more information please visit:

Here is the link to the Mobile Device Coverage Protection Plan. Renewal begins July 1st and ends June 30th each school year.

This Plan is $20 for two incidents and is available at the following link. https://vusd.myschoolcentral.com/

As an FYI: Cracked or damaged screen replacement per incident = $150

Chromebook total damage replacement per incident = $322

Power adapters are not included in the plan

We love our volunteers and cannot wait to welcome you on campus!

In order for volunteers to help in classrooms or outdoor spaces, here are the requirements:

• Must complete the VUSD Volunteer Application
• Review the Code of Conduct (images below)
• Must complete a TB questionnaire. If you have not had a history of TB, then you do the lab test. Please email our school nurse, Brenda VanDerPol, with any questions at brendavanderpol@vistausd.org.

If you are interested in being an Essential Volunteer, please

1. Submit your paperwork to Ms. AnaKaren in the office.
   
2. Reach out to your teacher for volunteer opportunities OR any of our specialty teachers. Must pre-arrange to volunteer. Thank you!

We look forward to welcoming back all of our volunteers. Thank you for your cooperation!

Please bring your ID when coming into the office. An ID is needed to check students out and all visitors must scan their ID to enter school. Thank you for your help.

There are many ways to support our teachers and students and our Foundation has set up several options for you below.

As a Vista Academy family you are encouraged to register on the Vista Academy Foundation Website. You will have access to all the Foundation/PTO tookit. SIgn up HERE.

To get the most up to date information, ask questions, make comments, and share thoughts with other Vista Academy families, join our “Families of Vista Academy” Facebook group at www.Facebook.com/groups/1692479804104789

• School Parent Compact

• Parent and Family Engagement Policy

The office will be open to assist families from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to help in any way we can.

Phone: 760-941-0880

Email:

General Information: anakarengarcia@vistausd.org

Registration/Health/Attendance Concerns:sharonsantiago@vistausd.org

Registration/General Information: rosysimmonds@vistausd.org

Parent Liaison: susanacruz@vistausd.org

Principal: benjiewalker@vistausd.org

Por teléfono celular haga clic en el círculo con la persona de manos extendidas.

Por computadora haga clic en "Translate Newsletter" en el cuadro negro en el lado derecho de la pantalla y luego seleccione su idioma.

Vista Academy's School Accountability Report Card is now available for review on our website (link at the bottom of the page). A hard copy will be made available upon request at our front office.

Vista Unified School District prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment, based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender-identity, or gender expression, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. VUSD requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.

Email: vistaacademyes@vistausd.org
Website: vapa.vistausd.org
Location: 600 North Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 760-941-0880
Twitter: @VistaAVPA