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Community Update

October 29, 2024

CommunityUpdateOctober 29, 2024

Festival of the Arts

The Vista Unified School District’s 20th annual Festival of the Arts was a resounding success, uniting families and community members in a vibrant celebration of student creativity. With record-breaking attendance, the event featured artwork from 24 schools, 12 free craft booths, and 31 performances involving over 1,200 students across three stages, showcasing everything from choirs and jazz bands to ballet folklorico and hip-hop. To mark this special anniversary, we were honored by the presence of many distinguished guests who presented proclamations to commemorate the event, including Assemblywoman Laurie Davies; representatives from Congressman Mike Levin and Senator Catherine Blakespear’s office; Mayor John Franklin; Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez; Councilmember Dan O'Donnell, and School Board Member Cipriano Vargas. The day was filled with joy, smiles, and family connections, highlighting the arts’ powerful impact on our community.

Career Pathways - Pre-Apprenticeship Graduation

We will be holding our first Apprenticeship Readiness Program graduation on Tuesday, October 29th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the CTE Construction and Welding Facility at Rancho Buena Vista High School. Seventeen of our pre-apprentices have completed a 16-week program that included the Multi-Craft Curriculum(MC3,) OSHA-30 certification, Auto-CAD, math refresher, Lift certification, and hands-on skill development. Many of these pre-apprentices are recent graduates of Vista Unified and are now ready for the next step in their journey to a successful career in the building trades.


Our next cohort will launch January 8th at Vista Adult School. The application window will open November 7th. You can find out more information and how to apply here.

Click Below For Podcast: Data Insight - Rigorous Learning Opportunities - Issue 3:

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Progress Reporting and Parent Conferences

As parents/guardians, we all want to see our children thrive in school, both academically and socially. One of the most effective ways to stay connected to your child’s progress is by reviewing progress reports and attending parent-teacher conferences. These touchpoints give you invaluable insight into your child’s growth and offer a chance to ask questions, share concerns, and collaborate with their teachers to support learning and development.


The Purpose of Progress Reports and Conferences:

Progress reports are issued periodically throughout the school year to give you a snapshot of how your child is doing in key areas such as academics, social skills, and behavioral development. In middle and high schools, progress reports show how your child is progressing toward final term grades (quarter, semester, trimester).


Parent-teacher conferences are an essential opportunity for parents/guardians and teachers to work together toward a shared goal: supporting the child’s growth and well-being. During these meetings, you can expect to:


  1. Gain a clearer picture of your child’s progress: Teachers can provide more detailed insights into areas where your child excels and areas where they may be struggling.

  2. Understand classroom behavior and social dynamics: Conferences allow teachers to share observations that may not be evident at home, such as how your child interacts with peers and responds to challenges in a classroom setting.

  3. Collaborate on learning strategies: Teachers may suggest strategies you can use at home to support learning, which may include specific study habits or resources.

  4. Voice concerns or ask questions: Conferences are a chance for you to express any concerns or ask questions you might have about your child’s development.


Reviewing your child’s progress reports with them, when age-appropriate, can help them develop self-awareness and set their own goals.


Click Here for the VUSD Grading, Reporting and Conference Dates 2024-25


Preparing for the Conference:

Here are some tips for making the most of your time during a parent-teacher conference:

  • Review recent progress reports and examples of your child’s work: Bringing up specific assignments or grades can help focus the conversation on concrete examples.

  • Make a list of questions or concerns: Preparing a few questions beforehand can ensure you don’t overlook any important points.

  • Be open to feedback: Conferences are a space for collaboration, so it’s beneficial to approach the meeting with an open mind.


Supporting Your Child’s Progress After the Conference:

The most important part of any parent-teacher conference is what comes after: working together to create an environment that supports your child’s continued growth. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Follow through on suggestions: If the teacher recommended particular activities, resources, or routines, try to incorporate them at home.

  • Encourage open communication with your child: Regularly check in with your child about their experiences and any challenges they may be facing.

  • Celebrate successes: Recognize and celebrate your child’s efforts and achievements, no matter how big or small.


Parent-teacher conferences and progress reports are essential parts of the journey in supporting your child’s learning. These tools allow you to connect with teachers, stay informed about your child’s progress, and play an active role in their educational experience. By working together, we can help every child reach their fullest potential and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Board Meeting - November 7, 2024

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room. In addition to the normal topics, we will be presenting a report of student progress on annual achievement related to the board goals. The board will also be addressing updates on the Long Range Facility Master Plan, the status of the school consolidation process, and the potential move of the VIDA campus. As is the case at all regular board meetings, interpretation will be available in Spanish. If you have a need for interpretation in ASL, please notify Christina Lupola (christinalupola@vistausd.org) at least 72 hours in advance so that we are able to make arrangements for this service.

Staff Corner - Highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, we want to recognize the warriors within our Vista Unified Family Throughout the month of October, we have dedicated space to honor their strength, resilience, and courage, along with how these amazing men and women serve our students every day. Here is one story that reflects their unwavering dedication and inspiring journey.


Why I Wear Pink - Kiki’s Story

I hope my story will help others feel hopeful as this is a story I never imagined I’d have to share.

Two and a half years ago, just three months after my son was born, I found a lump on my breast and received the dreaded words, “it’s breast cancer.” In ten months, I went through four surgeries, 16 rounds of chemo, and 25 radiation sessions. I am now in remission and have a 10 year post-treatment plan, including daily at-home chemo and lifelong physical therapy for lasting complications. The battle hasn’t been easy and I am grateful for the care I received and for my “tribe of supporters.” Through it all, I am profoundly grateful for the strength that carried me, the support that surrounded me, and the chance to keep moving forward with hope.


Here are the most important lessons I’ve learned from my journey and hope to share with others:

Advocacy Point 1: Take care of yourselves now. None of us knows what tomorrow holds.

Advocacy Point 2: YOU are your best advocate. Know your body and ask for the help you need. Care is available.


Sending love and strength to everyone in battle and, in honor of this month, to all facing breast cancer.

~ Jacqueline “Kiki” Bispo, Lead for the F.A.C.E. Network


Breast cancer is a complex disease that affects millions globally, with early detection and timely treatment being critical for improving outcomes. Regular screenings, self-exams, and awareness of personal risk factors play essential roles in early diagnosis. For more information, the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), National Breast Cancer Foundation (nationalbreastcancer.org), and Breastcancer.org (breastcancer.org) offer free resources on risk factors, prevention, treatment options, and support.

KIKI'S LAST DAY OF TREATMENT!

Dual Language Immersion Student Achievement

VUSD offers a Dual Language Immersion (DLI) pathway to provide students the opportunity to develop high levels of proficiency in both English and Spanish. The DLI pathway supports over 900 students in grades TK - 6 at Alamosa Park Elementary, Grapevine Elementary, Hannalei Elementary, and Madison Middle School. Each school year, the DLI pathway expands by one grade level as our students move forward in their education, and the DLI pathway is scheduled to expand to Roosevelt Middle School in the 25-26 school year. Students in the DLI pathway receive instruction in both English and Spanish every day as teachers utilize rigorous academic standards and integrate research-based practices. DLI students work towards the goal of earning the State Seal of Biliteracy while they develop academic skills to thrive in college, careers, and a globalized world.


Students in the DLI pathway engage in consistent assessments of their language skills, including multiple standards-aligned assessments in both English and Spanish, and end-of-year language proficiency showcases. In the 23-24 school year, 5th grade DLI students successfully demonstrated their language skills in reading and oral language assessments, and during their language proficiency showcases as demonstrated in the visuals below. We are proud of all our DLI students and we look forward to continued growth in the DLI pathway to offer even more students opportunities for academic and linguistic excellence.

VUSD Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration, Nov. 1, 3-7 p.m.

Our annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 3-7 p.m. at the Vista Innovation Center. Please join us for student performances, art activities, Loteria (Mexican bingo) fun, giveaways, face painting, movie showings, honoring and creating altares, and more! For more information or to sign up a community partner or student performance group, please e-mail: FamilyEngagement@vistausd.org.

Vista Unified School District

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

Communication prepared by
The office of the Superintendent, Dr. Matt Doyle