Hello Vista Academy Families,

We had a wonderful, fun filled Bulldog Campout. Huge shout out to our staff camput committee and our Vista Academy Foundation for planning and supporting the annual campout. The food, entertainment, dancing, and sleeping under the stars in tents will create lifetime memories for our community.

We are several weeks into our specialty classes (music, drama, dance, art, and Spanish), and our specialists are beginning to dive into their arts units. We, unfortuntately, are having some challenges with student participation and taking the specialty classes seriously. Please talk with your child about the importance of attending an IB arts magnet school and all students need to give their best effort and show respect for their specialty teachers. We have visual and performing arts standards to cover each year at each grade level.

Please check out upcoming events, offereings and announcements below.

Have a great evening,

October 11 : Bulldog Boogie

October 19: Festival of the Arts in Downtown Vista

October 30: Dia De Los Muertos Show at VAPA

October 31: Halloween Fun Run

Nov 1, Friday: NO SCHOOL

Nov 8: Bulldog Boogie

Nov 11: Veteran's Day, NO SCHOOL

Nov 12-15: Parent - Teacher Conferences, Minimum Days, School Dismisses at 12:58PM

Nov 25-29: Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL

Dec 6: Bulldog Boogie

Dec 20: Last Day of School before Winter Break

School Calendar: 2024-2025 School Calendar linked HERE

Dear Parents,

While cell phones can be great tools for communication and learning, it is important for us as parents to ensure our children are using them safely and appropriately. Problems with inappropriate group chats and texting can roll over from home to school, and we have already encountered some issues from cell phone use at home among students. Additionally, some students are sending texts in the middle of the night.

Here are a few steps you can take to monitor your child's cell phone use and help avoid inappropriate group chats:

1. Open Communication

• Talk to your child regularly about their phone use. Discuss the importance of online safety and responsible communication. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything inappropriate or feel uncomfortable.

2. Set Boundaries and Expectations

• Establish rules around phone use, including time limits and appropriate behavior online. Make sure they understand what kinds of messages and conversations are off-limits, especially in group chats. Many of our students are engaged in group chats after 10:00 PM.

3. Review Group Chats

• Ask your child to periodically show you the group chats they're part of. You can also discuss the risks of being involved in group chats where inappropriate language, bullying, or harmful content might be shared. Encourage them to exit any chat that feels unsafe.

4. Parental Control Apps

• Consider installing a parental control app that allows you to monitor their messages, apps, and screen time. There are apps available that can alert you if inappropriate content is shared.

5. Check Privacy Settings

• Review the privacy settings on your child's phone and apps to limit exposure to strangers or inappropriate content. Make sure their social media profiles are private, and restrict who can contact them.

6. Random Phone Check-Ins

• Do occasional, random checks of your child’s phone. While respecting their privacy is important, being upfront about regular checks helps reinforce that their phone use is a shared responsibility.

7. Encourage Positive Online Behavior

• Teach your child how to be a good digital citizen. Encourage them to only participate in respectful and uplifting conversations, and to report or block anyone who makes them uncomfortable.

Your active involvement in your child's digital life is crucial to keeping them safe online. By having regular conversations and taking proactive steps, we can guide them towards responsible and healthy phone use.

If you have any questions or need further resources, feel free to reach out!

Sign up here to volunteer at our crafts booth!

The dance and drama conservatory programs are fundraising through See's candy. Please click on the links below to be taken to their storefronts. A portion of the proceeds support our conservatory dancers and actors here at Vista Academy.

Please contact Ms. Suzy if you are interested in free technology classes for parents.

susanacruz@vistausd.org

Thank you all so much for coming out to our very first school wide event of the year Our Bulldog Campout. It was such a fun time seeing and mingling with many of you. We would like to thank everyone who volunteered and donated for our event. It is greatly appreciated!

As we enter into October, there are many events coming up. We have our monthly meeting on the 2nd at 5-6 pm in room 28. We will be discussing all of our October events. Join us to stay informed!

Thank you to all who came out and supported our first Dine Out. It was a success with a total of $128 dollars back to VAPA. Our next Dine Out will be on Oct 19th at Panda Express. Hope you see you all there.

Thank you For being amazing parents!

It is HIGHLY recommended that you purchase Mobile Device Coverage Protection Plan. Every student has a device assigned to them and they are responsible for their devices all school year.

Renewal begins July 1st and ends June 30th each school year.

This Plan is $20 for two incidents and is available at the following link. https://vusd.myschoolcentral.com/

If you would prefer to pay with cash, please come to the library next week starting on Tuesday Aug 6-9 from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

As an FYI: Cracked or damaged screen replacement per incident = $150

Chromebook total damage replacement per incident = $322

Power adapters are not included in the plan

Sign Up for Before and/or After School Childcare

If you need before and/or after school childcare at Vista Academy, you MUST fill out an application ASAP. All families needing childcare for 24/25. You will need your child's 9-digit student ID, which can be found in parent portal. Please note that this application does not guarantee admission. Please see full flyer for details. Some students may qualify for free care.

English/Spanish Flyer and Application Here

tinyurl.com/AM-PMprogram

In the 2024-2025 school year, all elementary schedules will be changing to include Minimum Day Mondays.

The schedule will be reflected as follows:

Mondays 8:00AM -12:58PM

Tuesday-Friday: 8:00AM- 2:18PM

2024-2025 School Calendar linked HERE

*Gates open at 7:30 AM for breakfast. Students may not be dropped off before 7:30 AM for safety since we do not provide supervision before 7:30.

Breakfast will be available to students before school from 7:30-7:50 AM. Students are welcome to bring a snack to the tables during recess time, but they are encouraged to come to school early if they would like a free breakfast from the cafeteria.

Breakfast and lunch is free for all students at Vista Academy. You do not need to fill out an application.

Fruit and salad bar is also available. For more information please visit:

We love our volunteers and cannot wait to welcome you on campus!

In order for volunteers to help in classrooms or outdoor spaces, here are the requirements:

• Must complete the VUSD Volunteer Application
• Review the Code of Conduct (images below)
• Must complete a TB questionnaire. If you have not had a history of TB, then you do the lab test. Please email our school nurse, Brenda VanDerPol, with any questions at brendavanderpol@vistausd.org.

If you are interested in being an Essential Volunteer, please

1. Submit your paperwork to Ms. AnaKaren in the office.
   
2. Reach out to your teacher for volunteer opportunities OR any of our specialty teachers. Must pre-arrange to volunteer. Thank you!

We look forward to welcoming back all of our volunteers. Thank you for your cooperation!

Please bring your ID when coming into the office. An ID is needed to check students out and all visitors must scan their ID to enter school. Thank you for your help.

There are many ways to support our teachers and students and our Foundation has set up several options for you below.

As a Vista Academy family you are encouraged to register on the Vista Academy Foundation Website. You will have access to all the Foundation/PTO tookit. SIgn up HERE.

To get the most up to date information, ask questions, make comments, and share thoughts with other Vista Academy families, join our “Families of Vista Academy” Facebook group at www.Facebook.com/groups/1692479804104789

• School Parent Compact

• Parent and Family Engagement Policy

The office will be open to assist families from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to help in any way we can.

Phone: 760-941-0880

Email:

General Information: anakarengarcia@vistausd.org

Registration/Health/Attendance Concerns:sharonsantiago@vistausd.org

Registration/General Information: rosysimmonds@vistausd.org

Parent Liaison: susanacruz@vistausd.org

Principal: benjiewalker@vistausd.org

Por teléfono celular haga clic en el círculo con la persona de manos extendidas.

Por computadora haga clic en "Translate Newsletter" en el cuadro negro en el lado derecho de la pantalla y luego seleccione su idioma.

Vista Academy's School Accountability Report Card is now available for review on our website (link at the bottom of the page). A hard copy will be made available upon request at our front office.

Vista Unified School District prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying in educational programs, activities, or employment, based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender-identity, or gender expression, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. VUSD requires that school personnel take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so when he or she witnesses an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying.

Email: vistaacademyes@vistausd.org
Website: vapa.vistausd.org
Location: 600 North Santa Fe Avenue, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: 760-941-0880
Twitter: @VistaAVPA