Community Update

We started the month off with Teacher Appreciation Week - celebrating the dedication, passion, and tireless contributions teachers and all certificated staff members (teachers, nurses, counselors, social workers, psychologists, speech language pathologists, and librarians) across all grade levels make to our students and their families. Certificated staff members, second only to family members, play a particularly powerful and influential role in supporting, promoting, and shaping the academic, behavioral, and social growth of students. Thank you to all certificated staff for your incredible contribution to our community of learners. I have included below a collage of the many celebrations that took place on all 26 schools campuses to honor educators.

Our Classified Support Staff Appreciation is happening this week. Please join us in celebrating the dedication, hard work, knowledge, and expertise of more than 1,400 classified employees spread across more than 100 different job classifications from bus drivers, to custodians, to child nutritional services, to secretaries, to grounds crew, to instructional assistants. Many of our classified staff begin their work day before the sun rises, while others finish their day after the sun sets, including on the weekends, to make sure all learning environments are safe, clean, and ready for students and staff. Thank you for the invaluable contribution you make to our school community. Our students and teachers are successful because of the work each of you provide behind the scenes.

The Career Superhighway is a metaphor established a decade ago by VUSD Superintendent, Dr Matt Doyle, for creating an uninterrupted career development pathway for students to discover their strengths and interests and transform these into talent capital that aligns to the demands of the global marketplace.

In the 2023-24 school year, we began a design process for the next iteration of the Career Superhighway. We involved the community in Asset Mapping, Crowd Sourcing of opportunities, and ideation for prototype design. In addition, the VUSD School Board adopted new Graduation Requirements aligned to the "A-G" requirements for UC/CSU admission. As part of this new policy, the requirement for a "Personal Learning Plan" or MY PLAN for all students was established.

We have spent the 2024-25 school year launching the Career Superhighway 2.0, and the following video shares just a little of what we have been doing!

What happens when a school district property is being considered for a change of use? How do community members have a voice in what the property might be used for? How does the Board officially hear from the community on this topic? These are common questions that come up when a Board of Education is considering what to do with a former school site or parcel of school district owned land as the Board considers some alternative uses for it.

An Asset Management Advisory Committee (AMAC) is a legal requirement of a school District to gather community voice. This type of committee is established to explore and make recommendations on options for District owned real property that is being considered by the Board of Education. According to the law, this committee must comprise no less than seven (7) and no more than eleven (11) members with specific backgrounds and qualifications that are representative of the committee. The current District AMAC has completed their two year term and a new process for selecting members will begin at the end of June 2025. So what is the process?

• Step 1: The Board Passes a Resolution for an AMAC
• Step 2: Open up applications for community members who want to participate in the AMAC
• Step 3: Review applications of potential AMAC members
• Step 4: Board of Education selects AMAC members
• Step 5: Board of Education defines the session scope of the AMAC
• Step 6: The AMAC members meet to review topics specified by the Board of Education
• Step 7: The AMAC makes recommendations to the Board of Education via an official report
• Step 8: Repeat Steps 5-7 as called upon by the Board of Education

So where do I apply or learn more? Visit the AMAC website by clicking here! When applications open up at the end of June, you can download the PDF copy on the Membership tab. It is anticipated that the AMAC will be fully formed and reviewing items as specified by the Board of Education during the opening semester of next school year.

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, we encourage all students to finish strong and make the most of every moment. This is a great time for students to show their growth, stay focused, and demonstrate the same determination that has carried them through the year. Whether it's completing assignments on time, participating actively in class, helping others, or staying positive and respectful, every effort counts. Encourage your child to ask questions, study for upcoming tests, reflect on their progress, and set small goals to stay motivated. Here are four concrete ways students can give it their all:

1) Set a daily checklist to stay organized and keep track of any final assignments.

2) Establish a nightly reading routine that can carry over into the summer months.

3) Review notes or key concepts for 15–20 minutes each evening to reinforce learning.

4) Show appreciation and respect to teachers and classmates as a way to end the year on a positive note.

Let’s work together to help our students end the year with pride and a strong sense of accomplishment! We are incredibly proud of each and every one of our students.

Vista Unified has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the nation for the second year in a row. This honor was awarded to only 935 school districts across the United States. For context, there are 13,253 public school districts in the U.S. - that puts Vista in the top 7% of all school districts in the nation. Special thanks to all of our music educators and the support staff who have made this distinction possible. Bravo!

VUSD has been invited to join the statewide network, Raising Attendance and Improving Student Engagement (RAISE) due to the positive increases in attendance district wide and reductions in chronic absenteeism. Out of more than 10,000 schools in California, only 48 have been recognized as double bright spots for attendance, and three of them are in VUSD: Bobier, Maryland, and Mission Meadows. Our very own, Bobier Elementary will be a spotlight school at the launch of the RAISE Network in May 2025 at High Tech High. This event kicks off a year-long initiative focused on reducing chronic absenteeism, with over 25 districts participating. We’re excited about the potential for shared learning and collaboration ahead!

VCC is proud to serve families in the Vista Unified School District with high-quality, affordable health care tailored to children and teens. Our team provides comprehensive services including asthma care, behavior evaluations, dental services, immunizations, and screenings for dental health, hearing, lead, nutrition, tuberculosis, and vision. We also offer school and sports physicals, sick and injury care, chronic disease management, and specialized services in teen health and reproductive care. To further support our community, VCC hosts a Mobile Food Market for VCC patients—offering fresh produce, refrigerated and frozen goods, non-perishable items, and other essential products at no cost, while supplies last. We are here to support your child’s health and well-being at every stage.

Call or text us at 844-308-5003 to schedule an appointment for your child.

Follow us on social media @vistacommunityclinic to stay updated on Mobile Food Market dates and locations.

Come visit the VUSD booth at this year’s Vista Strawberry Festival on Sunday, May 25th from 8 AM to 6 PM! Dive into hands-on STEM and CTE experiences that are fun for the whole family. You’ll find us in the heart of the action—at the corner of Main Street and Citrus Avenue, right next to Mikko Sushi.

🍓 Feeling active? Sign up for the Strawberry Run, click here to register! Be sure to select your school from the drop down box so your school receives a PTA donation!

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