Vista Oaks Update

• Dec 20: NO Friday Enrichment class

• Dec 23-Jan 3: Winter Break

• Jan 6: MAP testing begins, no Think Tank this week!

• Jan 6: Enrichment classes resume

• Jan 7: Middle and High School onsite classes resume

• Jan 16: Senior Photos

• Jan 17: Report cards will be sent out by email

• Jan 22: Campus closed in the morning for Staff Professional Development. We will open at noon

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.

It was an impressive week in Student Leadership: PJ Week, Reindeer Grams, Lunchtime Rallies, a Toy Drive, and a Winter Wonderland. WOW!!!!! Our student leaders worked extremely hard to promote a positive school culture, and create social connections. We are so thankful for all their hard work, all while keeping focused on their academic responsibilities. Thank you parents, students, and staff for participating in all our end of the semester events. Our community is truly wonderful!

One of our bright owls, Sumailla Valdivia, studied important people in the history of disability and ended up reporting on the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She did a fantastic job on her project and presentation! Sumailla plans to help other children who have disabilities as she grows up. What a gift you will be to those children, Sumailla!

Class of 2025: Senior cap and gown picture day is Thursday, Jan. 16 from 9 to 1 in Room 3. Photos will be available to purchase and be included in the 2024-2025 yearbook. We also need your baby photos and inspirational quotes for our senior pages in the yearbook. Please send these items in a jpeg format to Mrs. King at paula.king@vistaoaks.net by March 3. Thanks!

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 11:30-12:05)

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.

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

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