Panther Press

There is no school on Monday, Sept. 2 in observation of Labor Day.

School Year Calendar 2024 - 2025

VHS Bell Schedule 2024-2025

Sept. 2 - Labor Day, No School

Nov. 1 - No School

Nov. 11 - Veterans Day, No School

Nov. 25 - 29 - Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 23 - Jan 7 - Winter Break

Happy Friday, Vista High School Families!

We have had a great week here at VHS! Students participated in their first "Flex Time" classes, where they can set a goal and choose a teacher to visit! We are proud of our Panthers for being self-directed learners.

We invite you to join us tonight as we bring Friday Night Football back to Dick Haines Stadium at VHS! Please be mindful to follow the new parking lot directions and do not bring large bags or outside food to the stadium. We're looking forward to seeing you!

On Tuesday morning, class starts at 8:30 AM, and we encourage our students to be at least five minutes early so they make it in on time, every time!

Have a great weekend!

Principal Ratliff

Come check out our first home football game versus Ramona! View the program here:

Join our Principal, Megan Ratliff at monthly meetings!

Join us on September 11 from 6-8pm for our Back to School night!

Parking passes will be available starting next week on September 3.

Students will need to do the following:

• Before school, from 7:45 - 8:20, park in a visitor space in the front parking lot.
• Bring your license, registration, insurance, Parking Regulations Form and Start Smart certificate
• Once these documents are processed, a Campus Assistant will place a sticker on your car.
• Soft launch of parking enforcement to start September 9 with warnings. Hard launch of parking enforcement September 16.

Please email janielbrown@vistausd.org or leahpower@vistausd.org with any questions.

We would like to recruit 10 volunteers who can attend a Parent Meeting on Thursday, September 5th in the library from 3:15-3:45 pm as part of the IB Evaluation Visit.

They will be asked simple questions by the IB visiting team, such as

1. Why did you decide to have your students participate in the Diploma programme?

2. What have been the high points and low points of the program?

3. What do you think your child has gained from the program?

Please email Leah Power at leahpower@vistausd.org or Alma Pena at almapena@vistausd.org to participate!

The next ASVAB is this Friday, September 6th in the T Flex Room.

The ASVAB is a free assessment offered by the US Dept of Defense to determine what your strengths are. The US military uses the test to see what careers in the military may make a good fit. If you are interested in the military then this is your first step.

Even if you're not interested in the military this is a test similar to the SAT with more categories and can help you identify your strengths and areas you may need to work on.

You can sign up here:

ASVAB Sept 6th

You will be excused from your classes while you take the assessment. There is no obligation to join the military or to talk to a recruiter.

Missed your chance to get school pictures? We have an on campus make up day on September 13. Order picture packages with the QR Code below!

The eligibility list will be posted on Sept. 13.

Can I see my counselor to change my schedule?

• Counselors are seeing students with schedule gaps, inappropriate placement, failed classes, or summer school completions. We do not accommodate teacher or period swaps.

When can I drop my AP/IB/Honors class?

• Students can start the drop process on August 19th using the attached add/drop form. This form requires signatures from the teacher, parent, and student. The deadline to submit is September 20th to the counseling center.

What if I want to change my elective class?

• In spring 2024, we collected signed course requests for electives. Therefore, elective changes are not available.

How do I contact my counselor?

• You can email us or stop by during lunch, before, or after school. Counselor contact details are attached.

Counselor Support:

• We’re here for academics, social-emotional learning, and college/career planning. Our wellness center and school social worker are also available. We’ll be starting our lessons soon, beginning with seniors, and will meet with all students individually in the fall and spring.

ADD/DROP FORM

Need Help with Applications or Financial Aid paperwork? Come to C13 after school on Wednesdays starting Sept. 18!

9th Graders! Want to halp our school and earn a few extra bucks? lease follow this link to complete the CuRTSEA study and get $15.

Below is the link (and a QR code if that is your preference) to a consent form. The consent form is for your student to participate in a short survey. The goal of the survey is for students to share their perspectives about teachers so that we can understand ways that teachers can better meet student needs. The survey is part of a research study about culturally responsive teaching which is described in the consent form and the attached flyer. Thank you very much!

Parent/guardian consent form for CuRTSEA study:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7960217/curtsea-vista-high-school?school=Vista+High+School

****

A continuación encontrarán el enlace (y un código QR si así lo prefiere) para un formulario de consentimiento. El formulario de consentimiento es para que su estudiante participe en una breve encuesta. El objetivo de la encuesta es que los estudiantes compartan sus perspectivas sobre los maestros para que podamos entender las formas en que los maestros pueden satisfacer mejor las necesidades de los estudiantes. La encuesta forma parte de un estudio de investigación sobre la enseñanza culturalmente receptiva que se describe en el formulario de consentimiento y en el volante adjunto. Muchas gracias.

Formulario de consentimiento de padres/tutores para el estudio CuRTSEA:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7960217/curtsea-vista-high-school?school=Vista+High+School

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/

National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

When: Wednesday October 30, 2024

Where: Vista High School S-Flex (S 203 and S 204)

Time: 7:30 am – 11:30 am

Cost: $20 payable at Total Registration: https://user.totalregistration.net/register/psat/get_student_email_status.php?ceeb=053675&isSchool=1

About the PSAT:

The PSAT or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a great tool for students considering college. The PSAT/NMSQT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. Vista High School recommends that students take the PSAT/NMSQT in order to receive feedback about strengths and weaknesses, enter the competition for National Merit Scholar scholarships (11th graders) and to help prepare for the SAT.

Registration:

For the 2024 PSAT/NMSQT, students at Vista High School will be registering online. This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access.

Online Exam registration will begin on Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 7:00 AM and end on Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM. In order to register, students should click on the link provided on the school website or visit www.TotalRegistration.net/PSAT/053675 to register . To complete registration, students must answer all of the required questions. Registration is not complete until students have printed the pdf of the confirmation page that is provided at the end.

Payment:

Vista High School is excited to offer families the convenience of paying exam fees online at the time of registration. Please be sure to have a debit or credit card available before beginning registration. Paying online is a great way to make sure that payment has been made while avoiding mailing payment.

Deadlines:

Here are the important dates for the registration process:

• Fri, Aug 30, 2024 at 7:00 AM - Registration Begins

• Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Registration Ends

• Mon, Sep 23, 2024 - Registrations that have not been paid for will be canceled and exams will not be ordered.

Please contact Ms Ola Hadi, olahadi@vistausd.org , if you have questions.

Registration Site:

https://user.totalregistration.net/register/psat/get_student_email_status.php?ceeb=053675&isSchool=1

Welcome to Sideline Store, THE place to score personalized spirit wear and accessories from all your favorite brands. For a limited time, enjoy 20% OFF during your VISTA HIGH SCHOOL store’s Grand Opening Sale with code SPIRIT20.

Happy shopping, VISTA HIGH SCHOOL fan!

» Shop your VISTA HIGH SCHOOL Sideline Store

Please use the designated drop off area in the new parking lot for dropping off in the morning and picking up students after school. Other locations, such as Bobier Ave and neighboring business lots are not monitored for safety and have the right to tow. We staff our lots with Campus Assistants and Administrators who can assure your student has a safe entry and exit from school. Thank you!

See below for information on our Start Smart Safe Driving program. This is a requirement for those students that wish to park on campus. Students must attend with a parent or guardian, and can attend sessions at either VHS or RBV! See below for more information. Use the QR Codes to register for a session!

Join the PTSA! The VHS PTSA is instrumental in organizing and assisting with a variety of school events and functions. Use the QR Code below to join!

• Interested in joining the Academic Team? The Academic Team competes against other schools in trivia. Are you really good in at least one subject in school? You should join! We meet Mondays at lunch in D13.

• Attention CSF members! Fall 2024 applications are NOW OPEN, due September 10th for all new and returning members. Late submissions must wait until January to re-apply. Need help? Visit T303 or email Ms. Brooks. Join the Google Classroom with code: pinqr7g. Be sure to upload your application, Service Log (if applicable), and payment receipt.
  

• Anyone interested in learning about being a lawyer? Want to experience a real courtroom and take on a real case? Come check out what it takes to be part of a Mock Trial Team during lunch on Wed. August 28th room D18. Those who have experience from Criminal Class come and check it out; however, no experience is necessary.

• Come to BSU! Our Black Student Union is a welcoming group for students of all races and ethnicities. We meet during lunch on Fridays in room S103. See Ms Vancelette if you have questions!

• Panthers After Hours is Now Open! Join us in Room I13 before & after school for a fun and supportive environment. Enjoy homework help, games, relaxation, and more! The weight room is also open daily before and after school. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! We hope to see you there!

• Attention Gamers! The Panthers After Hours Esports/Video Gaming program has started and is open to all students Monday thru Friday from 3:30 to 4:30pm in room M14. Gaming includes Fortnite, Madden, FIFA, Apex, Smash Bros, and more

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.

August’s Teen Book of the Month (Ages 13 and up)

My Life With the Walter Boys : One Girl

One girl. Twelve Boys. One Roof. centers on the prim, proper, and always perfect Jackie Howard. When prim, proper and always perfect Jackie Howard ‘s world is turned upside down by tragedy, Jackie must learn to cut loose and be part of a family again.

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

Playing a sport next year? Make sure you submit or roll over your physical to home campus! The sooner the better - see below for more details.

Purchase them online using this QR Code!

During the Summer months, you can get a work permit from Student Support Services at the district office located at 1234 Arcadia Ave. in Vista. See Mr. Soderback in the College and Career Center starting August 1.

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.

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

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