Community Update

Our fifth Data Insight report (Vol. 1, Issue 5) highlights Career Pathways in VUSD. This infographic highlights the improvement in Career Technical Education (CTE) and Work-Based Learning pathways at the high school level, including student participation in internships during the year and over the summer break. Click HERE for more information.

Let’s take care of our SoCal Family! VUSD’s F.A.C.E. Network is working with various schools affected by the L.A. fires to get them needed supplies. We ask you to be a part of our giving team and help us collect resources to share with our Southern California community. Please share our flyers and reach out for any questions. Appropriate items can be gently used. Currently, there is no specific limit, but main categories are: Clothing & shoes, blankets & pillows, baby goods, school supplies (including for classrooms/teachers), exercise gear & toys, shelf-stable food items, and hygiene products. Donations can be given to any Community Liaison or brought to the district F.A.C.E. Center at the VIC (836 Olive Ave., next to VIDA). Thank you for your community spirit!

• This year’s Annual Early Childhood Education Fair will be on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at VIDA. Please contact FamilyEngagement@vistausd.org to reserve a community partner booth or sign-up as a volunteer.

Vista Unified School District hosted a district-wide professional development day for all certificated and classified staff on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. For certificated staff, there were school site levels and specific sessions to address our collective commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and enhancing the educational experience for every student. This event offered our certificated staff valuable opportunities to refine their skills, align practices with the district’s vision, and enhance student success in inclusive, supportive learning environments.

Our classified event began with an inspiring kickoff session with over 700 members attending. After a performance by the MCIWEST - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Color Guard to the National Anthem, the classified staff heard from keynote speakers Dr. Matt Doyle and Joe Green. Their addresses highlighted the invaluable contributions of classified staff and their vital role in supporting the district's school community. Classified employees had the opportunity to attend four additional sessions, each offering a variety of topics to choose from. Vista Unified celebrates the dedication of its staff to professional growth, and the knowledge gained will help elevate teaching practices and foster student success across the district.

Our schools are places where kindness thrives through an inclusive environment, with respect and compassion at the forefront of every interaction. Initiatives like the annual Great Kindness Challenge (January 27-31, 2025) provide an excellent opportunity to unite students, teachers, and families in purposeful acts of kindness, transforming our district’s values of trust, respect, collaboration, equity, and kindness into actions. Through activities such as writing notes of appreciation, performing random acts of kindness, and participating in community service projects, schools can model the importance of empathy and consideration for others. By consistently prioritizing kindness, schools not only create a positive atmosphere but also teach children how to build meaningful relationships and contribute to a more caring world.

Families can also model kindness at home by fostering an environment where respect, empathy, and compassion are part of daily life, encouraging thoughtful actions and meaningful conversations.

Families can show kindness in many meaningful ways, such as:

1. Expressing Gratitude: Regularly saying "thank you" and showing appreciation for one another.

2. Helping Neighbors: Draw a picture and leave it on a neighbor’s doorstep, greet neighbors with a smile or a wave, or deliver meals to neighbors in need.

3. Volunteering Together: Participating in community service projects, such as cleaning up a park or helping at a food bank.

4. Writing Notes of Encouragement: Creating cards or letters for friends, family, or local heroes like teachers and first responders.

5. Practicing Active Listening: Taking time to listen attentively to each other's thoughts and feelings without judgment.

6. Performing Random Acts of Kindness: Doing small, unexpected kind acts, like baking cookies for a friend or donating toys to a local shelter.

7. Modeling Patience and Forgiveness: Demonstrating understanding and grace during conflicts or mistakes.

By actively engaging and reinforcing these values, parents and schools can help children internalize kindness as a lifelong habit.

The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) development process is a collaborative effort aimed at aligning district funding and strategies with the needs of students and the community. It begins with extensive engagement of partners, including parents, students, educators, and community members, to review priorities and identify areas for growth. This process involves aligning district goals with both state and local priorities. This process includes the opportunity for our community to provide their input and thoughts through a series of Community Forums.

VUSD will host Community Forums, both in-person and via Zoom, to provide an inclusive platform for the community to share feedback and input for the LCAP. These forums will allow participants to discuss district goals, actions, and priorities while ensuring all voices are heard in shaping plans to support student success. The following are times and ways to contribute your voice to the process:

Survey Options:

• Survey (short version) English Spanish

• Survey (long version) English Spanish

In Person Meeting Dates and Times:

• Feb 19, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 pm at Vista Innovation Center (VIC)

• Feb 20, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 pm at Breeze Hill Elementary MPR

• Mar 20, 2025 from 8:00-9:00 am at Foothill Oak Elementary MPR

Virtual Meeting Dates and Times: (Zoom Link https://vistausd.zoom.us/j/94197295167)

• Jan 23, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 pm

• Feb 12, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 pm

Visit our website to learn more.

Vista Unified is excited to offer magnet school experiences to our students. Magnet schools are schools of choice in the public school system that offer a specialized program that shapes the curriculum and instruction at that school.

Vista Unified has five magnet schools serving elementary, middle, and high school students:

• Casita Center for Science, Technology & Math (Grades K - 5)

• Vista Academy of Visual & Performing Arts (Grades K - 5)

• Vista Magnet Middle School (Grades 6 - 8)

• Vista Innovation & Design Academy (VIDA) (Grades 6 - 8)

• Mission Vista High School (Grades 9 - 12)

Families who are interested in attending a magnet school should submit an online application on the Vista Unified Magnet School Webpage. The window to apply for Vista Magnet Middle School, VIDA, or Mission Vista High School is open January 8th through February 21st at 4:30 pm, and the application window for Casita Center and Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts is open January 8th through March 7th at 4:30 pm.

We have some exciting updates about the athletic programs across our three high schools!

The Vista High School Boys Basketball team is off to a 10-8 start and is navigating a tougher schedule after moving up in division, showing resilience despite a narrow loss to El Camino in their league opener. The Girl's Basketball team is 7-11 but opened league play with a dominant win over El Camino, showcasing their strength and determination. The Girls Soccer team, currently 0-7-3, is in a rebuilding year under new coaching, and despite a tough start, showed promise with a hard-fought tie in their league opener. The Boys Soccer team, with a 4-5-2 record, is transitioning after losing 11 seniors and won their first league game, showing potential as they build team chemistry. Both the Boys and Girls Wrestling teams are dealing with injuries but continue to show determination, with individual wrestlers earning top finishes. The Girls Water Polo team, 3-7, has shown significant improvement, competing in the 5 Counties Tournament and overcoming challenges, including the loss of key seniors and training facility issues, and is excited to build on their progress throughout the season.

Rancho Buena Vista High School Winter Sports just started their league play. Girls Soccer is in one of the toughest leagues in San Diego and is ready for battle after a 5-0-2 non-league schedule. The Boy's Soccer team has the most demanding schedule that they have had in over 10 years. They are currently 7-3-2 and won the Winter Classic Tournament over winter break. Boys Basketball may have the most demanding schedule in San Diego County this year. They are currently 10-7 and looking for a strong start in league play. Girls Basketball is currently 11-6 and coming off a Championship in the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic. They look to take this momentum into league play. Girls Water Polo is young but mighty and has a non-league record of 8-1. Boys' wrestling is battling through tournaments to prepare them for their league in the coming weeks. Lastly, girls' wrestling has been to numerous tournaments, with many high finishes from multiple girls. They look forward to future tournaments and a few league matches when available.

Mission Vista High School’s Winter Season has 275+ student-athletes participating in activities, and our athletes prioritize academics, with 99.9% of our athletes academically eligible and having a blast playing their sport! Wrestling is currently undefeated in league and is looking towards winning the first league championship in the program's history. Rugby is a young team this year but shows lots of heart playing in SCIF Division 2. They have played Cathedral Catholic, St. Augustine, and Warren HS. They head into league play this week. Boys Soccer is hoping to battle through a tough schedule and make playoffs this year. Girls Soccer is heading towards the second half of the season with some key players battling injuries but hopes to finish strong. Boys Basketball Is coming off a big win with a veteran lineup featuring 10 seniors. Girls Basketball is undefeated in league and is optimistic they will bring home a championship. Esports starts league play this week in three different online games.

EES is a key partner in the Vista Unified School District (VUSD) P-3 Continuum, a collaboration of service providers, school districts, teachers, and numerous community organizations that work together to create a continuum of care that supports children from prenatal (P) to 3rd grade (3). Families of EES students are offered services across the P-3 ecosystem, gain an understanding of elementary school culture, and many later become actively involved in Elementary School Parent Teacher Associations. Students gain a sense of belonging by participating in school-wide functions and visits to the library, and many obtain services related to their Individual Education Plan (IEP) on site. At one site VUSD high school students are dually enrolled in college early education courses and complete their work experience hours at EES sites. Click HERE to read the article from the San Diego Office of Education that highlights the great services to our community.

Email: webmaster@vistausd.org
Website: vistausd.org
Location: 1234 Arcadia Avenue, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 726-2170
Twitter: @VistaBlueprint