Community Update

Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members,

We have received questions from students, parents, and community members about the impact on our school community because of recent executive actions, including immigration and federal funding. At this time, there has been no immigration enforcement activity on school campuses in Vista Unified. There is also clarification being issued on the freezing of federal grant funding with news that the executive order was rescinded.

We want to reassure our community that Vista Unified Schools are committed to protecting the rights and safety of all students. All California public schools are required to follow laws that protect student rights including non-discrimination, safe school environments, and confidentiality of student information.

It is essential for all Vista Unified families to know that our district does not ask students or guardians about their citizenship or immigration status. This information is personal and private and will not be used to discriminate or exclude anyone. Confidentiality is a priority, and legal safeguards such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (known as FERPA) ensure that student and family information remain protected.

We have worked with our school teams including administrators, liaisons, counselors, and office staff to be prepared to support students and families with information related to immigration and their rights. The District has developed and posted to our website a communication titled “Response to Immigration Issues” to clarify how we support students and families. In this communication we encourage families to reach out to their school's family liaison to access the right resources and information.

It continues to be the position of the District that maintaining mental health and well-being is just as important as academic success. In times of need, it’s important to use our District values as our guide and lean on one another for support—whether that’s through community connections or reaching out for professional help.

Across our schools, educators are deeply committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment where each student’s education and well-being are our top priorities. We understand that the world is constantly changing, and it's crucial to protect our students while they are in our care, ensuring they feel safe and supported throughout their learning journey. Modeling our district’s values through our actions towards one another will demonstrate to our students how to navigate today’s current challenges with empathy, respect, and perseverance. In short, we must remain firmly focused on the well-being of our students, community, and staff as a prerequisite of advancing our District goals for student success. We will continue to update you with information as it becomes available.

Vista Unified remains steadfast in creating safe schools where every student can thrive, knowing they are valued and respected.

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