Bulldog News
October 27, 2024
Principal's Message
Hello Vista Academy Families,
The Spooktacular Stroll-a-thon is this week! Please Register and Donate!
We have an exciting week ahead filled with celebration and fundraising, but we need your help! Not only is our Spooktacular Stroll-a-thon on October 31st going to be super festive and fun, it also is our biggest fundraiser of the school year. We're in the final few days before our Spooktacular Stroll-a-thon. Please make sure to register and share with family and friends. If every student raises at least $35 we will be meet our goal of $25,000. Our Foundation needs to raise this amount for our students to cover field trips, family nights, campouts, art supplies, conservatories, school-wide incentives, PAC improvements, and many many more items that are needed to run our school program. Please sign up an donate (see below).
Are you ready to take the Spooktacular 50 State Challenge or Mummy Challenge? We are having many incentives including principal for the day for the top fundraiser, mummifying Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Berthiaume, and Mrs. Untalan, and our goal is get donations from all 50 states in the United States! See Below for the exciting additional incentives we have for our students and classes!
Costume reminders for our Spooktacular Stroll-a-thon and costume wear on October 31st
Please wear costumes that are easy to walk in, not scary, no masks, fake blood, no weapons, no props, and remember appropriate shoes so students can walk and participate in the stroll-a-thon activities. Parents are welcome to come and watch our Spooktacular Stroll-a-thon (see times below).
Dia de los Muertos
Our first annual Dia De los Muertos Festival and last Spooky Stories is this coming Wednesday after school. Dia De Los Muertos begins at 4:30 PM with arts and activities and a show at 5 PM. Tickets are limited so make sure to secure them via link below. The tickets are a suggested donation. Our final Spooky Stories is following Dia de Los Muertos at 6 PM.
This week is also about making healthy choices with Red Ribbon Week. Please see spirit days below.
Don't forget November 1st is No School!
Have a great evening,
Benjie Walker
Principal
Chanelle Berthiaume
Assistant Principal
Important Dates
October 28-31: Red Ribbon Week
October 30: Dia De Los Muertos Show at VAPA, Final Spooky Stories in the Library
October 31: Spooktacular Stroll-A-Thon (Halloween Themed Fun Run)
Nov 1, Friday: NO SCHOOL
Nov 4-8: Book Fair in the Library
Nov 8: Bulldog Boogie, ELAC, Talent Show
Nov 11: Veteran's Day, NO SCHOOL
Nov 12-15: Parent - Teacher Conferences, Minimum Days, School Dismisses at 12:58PM
Nov 25-29: Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
Dec 6: Bulldog Boogie
Dec 20: Last Day of School before Winter Break
School Calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar linked HERE
Red Ribbon Week
This week is Red Ribbon Week! Help us celebrate by making healthy choices and participating in fun spirit days.
Dia De Los Muertos Festival at VAPA
Mark your calendars for this fun-filled presentation from our Spanish, Music and Art conservatories. Tickets will open on the Foundation website here on Monday September 30th at 12:00 PM. Donations are accepted!
Spooky Stories in the Library
The final Spooky Stories event of the year is this Wednesday, don't miss it!
Spooktacular Stroll-A-Thon Oct. 31
Our Spooktacular Stroll-A-Thon is coming up on October 31st! Parents are welcome to come watch your kids stroll around as we celebrate weeks of fundraising for our school. Registration for the Fun Hub online fundraising platform will begin on October 11, more information to follow!
VAPA Spooktacular Stroll-A-Thon Schedule: Thurs, Oct 31
8:10-8:40: Santa Fe (1st & 2nd Grade only)
8:45-9:15: 4th Grade
9:50-10:20: 5th Grade
10:30-11:00: 1st Grade
11:05-11:35: 3rd Grade
11:40-12:10: Kindergarten
12:15-12:45: 2nd Grade
Book Fair is Nov. 4-8
Each class will visit the library and it will also be open before (7:30-8:00am) and after-school (2:18-3:00pm).
Click Here for a Preview of the Book Fair Flyer
Exciting New Afterschool Opportunities (Free)
Evening Community Steel Drums Lessons: Ages 8+ (adults welcome!)
ELAC Meeting Nov. 8
Book Tasting & Talent Show Extravaganza- Nov. 8
Get Ready for a Fun-Filled Afternoon: Book Tasting & Talent Show Extravaganza!
We’re combining two awesome events into one unforgettable afternoon! Join us right after school for a *book tasting* – a super fun way to dive into new books as a family. And guess what? Thanks to the amazing Dr. Seuss grant, you’ll have a chance to win brand-new copies of the books you read during the talent show's intermission!
After the book tasting, the fun continues with our Talent Show starting around 3:00 PM! Prepare to be wowed by the incredible talent in our community!
Don’t forget...For entry into the talent show, bring a toiletry item to donate to Operation Hope’s shelter. They’ve shared their top-needed items, so let’s make a difference together!
Come for the books, stay for the talent, and leave with a smile (and maybe even a free book)! See you there!
Sports Interest Survey
Counselor Corner
Community Liaison
Please contact Ms. Suzy if you are interested in free technology classes for parents.
PTO Foundation Announcements
Thank you to all the families who came out to the Bulldog Campout! It was so much fun and we raised $3,225 for our school. Each of you who purchased food from the food trucks, bought fun glowy items, our campout shirt, and your entry ticket all contributed, we thank you! A special thank you to the families who donated donuts and our local Starbucks for donating the coffee.
Our Spooktacular Stroll-A-Thon is coming up on October 31st! Registration for the Fun Hub online fundraising platform will begin on October 11, more information to follow!
PTO has brand new, IB inspired VAPA Bulldog shirts for sale. Next week, you can catch us selling them after school on Wednesday and Friday. Shirts are $15 and we only have kids sizes available at this time. Cash and card accepted, in person sales only. All of the proceeds of these shirts go right back to our school.
Thank you For being amazing parents!
Sign Up for Parent Square for School Communication
Sign Up for Parent Square
Regístrese en Parent Square
Device Coverage
It is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase Mobile Device Coverage Protection Plan. Every student has a device assigned to them and they are responsible for their devices all school year.
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/
If you would prefer to pay with cash, please come to the library next week starting on Tuesday Aug 6-9 from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
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
Application for 2024/ 2025 AMPM Program
Sign Up for Before and/or After School Childcare
If you need before and/or after school childcare at Vista Academy, you MUST fill out an application ASAP. All families needing childcare for 24/25. You will need your child's 9-digit student ID, which can be found in parent portal. Please note that this application does not guarantee admission. Please see full flyer for details. Some students may qualify for free care.
English/Spanish Flyer and Application Here
2024-2025 School Hours
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.
Breakfast Offered Before School Only
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Students
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:
Volunteering
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
- Submit your paperwork to Ms. AnaKaren in the office.
- 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!
ID Required When Checking Out Students
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.
Community Resourse Corner
Low Cost Internet
Vista Academy Foundation (PTO)
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
Title I Required Documents
If Your Child is Absent
Please contact the school at 760-941-0880 or complete form to resolve this absence. Report absence: https://forms.gle/xRmHaZHzSpVKtvNp6
Please email medical notes to sharonsantiago@vistausd.org and anakarengarcia@vistausd.org to excuse the absense.
Office Support
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
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School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
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.
Assurance of Nondiscrimination
Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
Email: vistaacademyes@vistausd.org
Website: vapa.vistausd.org
Location: 600 North Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 760-941-0880
Twitter: @VistaAVPA