Vista Oaks Update

• Mar 7: PJs and Pages

• Mar 17-21: Spring Break

• Mar 25: Vision and Hearing Testing for those eligible (sign-ups below)

• Apr 9: Parent Educator Workshop: Unwinding Anxiety and Boosting Social Skills

• Apr 14-25: State testing weeks

• May 21: 8th grade promotion and High School Graduation (more info to come)

Look below for more information on all of these events!

In this section of the update each week, we'll be highlighting the wins that our Vista Oaks students have experienced each week. Want to share a win? I'd love to hear about them, big and small! Please email megan.balderas@vistaoaks.net.

On March 5th, Amara Pajoluk, Iliana Kim and Lydia Kim were thrilled to be part of Adams Middle School's 2nd annual Strings of Brentwood concert conducted by Andi Isaac. As a collaboration of local string teachers, the orchestra was composed of elementary, middle and high schoolers. A big THANK YOU to Andi Isaac, Sharon Vela, Sherry Lewis, Kathy Sierra and Adams Middle School!!

In this section, you will find information about our upcoming State Testing, games to help prepare your child for the technology skills needed to test, why it's helpful to have your child participate, and opportunities for the practice test!

This week, let's hear from a former Vista Oaks parent , Claire Clay, who shared her thoughts on the State testing.

After the video, Claire shared that in the past few years she has realized that testing is more than her feelings about standardized testing. Despite her feelings, she came to the conclusion that she has to prepare her children for testing as they will have to participate in standardized tests throughout their lives. She said it was funny that she was sharing the benefits of standardized testing as she used to be a parent who was so against it! ◡̈ As a nurse, her training and promotion often comes in the form of standardized tests, and that is part of what changed her mind about preparing her kids for such tests. In addition, she uses CAASPP practice books to teach her children how and why the questions are asked as they are, because she believes that it's "more than just showing up", it's also about kids doing their best!

We're so inspired by what she shared. Thank you, Claire!

Watch the video below and enjoy!

Have you filled out our Parent Workshop Survey yet? We plan our workshops each year from the input we receive on these surveys. We would love to hear from you!! When you fill out the survey, we will enter you into a raffle for a $50 Amazon card! Woo hoo!

Vista Oaks needs your valuable input to help plan for the 2025-2026 school year!

Thank you for partnering with us. It is a privilege to serve this Vista Oaks community. The survey will close on March 7th.

Please note that because we are a California public school, students must be up to date on their immunizations to attend in-person events.

The Oak Room is open:

Monday: 8:30-3:30 (Closed for lunch supervision from 11:30-12:05)

Tuesday: 8:30-3:30 (May be closed for lunch supervision from 11:50-12:10)

Wednesday: 8:30-3:30 (May be closed for lunch supervision from 11:50-12:10)

Thursday: 8:30-3:30 (May be closed for lunch supervision from 11:50-12:10)

Friday: 8:30-3:00 (Closed for lunch supervision from 10:55-12:05)

Megan (Site Director) and Rachael (Site Coordinator) are the ones who provide lunch supervision each day, so if a staff member isn't in the Oak Room, it will be closed. If you are on campus and need into the Oak room, we will let you in at the end of lunch. If you need to speak with one of us during closed times, you will find us out at the lunch tables.

When parking on campus, all Vista Oaks staff and families must park in the Excelsior Middle School parking lot.

We are not allowed to park in the lots in front of our school as those are designated for the Byron District Office staff. However, there are two available disabled person parking spots available to us.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

You may drop your child off in front of the school for classes and services, but there is no parking allowed. This includes no parking in this lot , along the fence, or along the building. This lot is for the Byron District Office Staff, and they need to be able to get in and out of the lot at any time. Thanks for your help with this!

Due to the severity of allergies of several students, tree nuts or peanuts are not allowed on campus. If your child brings items with nuts, they will not be able to eat them while at school. Thank you for your support in keeping our community safe.

The Lending Library has curriculum that families have ordered through Vista Oaks and has been returned after use. It has new curriculum that families have decided not to use or didn't need. It has fun learning games and activity books. We even have novels and picture books that you can borrow! All items are free for you to use in your homeschooling. Come to the Oak Room during open hours and Rachael will be happy to show you what is available and how to check out items.

On January 16, 2024, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched two free online behavioral health services platforms that are available to all California children, youth, and families, regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status. The platforms, which are a part of the CalHOPE program, offer free one-on-one support with live coaches, a library of multimedia resources, wellness exercises, and peer communities moderated by trained behavioral health professionals.

• Details on the specific Apps:
• BrightLife Kids, is for parents or caregivers and kids 0-12 years old and is available via iOS (on Android mid-2024).
• Soluna, is for teens and young adults ages 13-25, and is available via iOS and Android.https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/CYBHI/Pages/BHVS-Platform.aspx

We love when our students are able to share concerns with us directly, but having an anonymous option is really helpful for some! We have a safety line in place for this.

STUDENTS CAN EASILY AND CONFIDENTIALLY REPORT THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:

• BULLYING
• PEERS IN CRISIS
• PLANNED FIGHTS
• THREATS OF VIOLENCE
• OTHER URGENT SITUATIONS

JUST EMAIL, CALL OR TEXT

speakup@vistaoaks.net

209-443-3003

Vista Oaks Charter School

Email: info@vistaoaks.net
Website: vistaoaks.net
Address: 315 South Lower Sacramento Road, Suite A, Lodi, CA, USA
Phone: Byron: 925-420-6616 Lodi: 209-365-4060