Empresa Weekly Newsletter

Dear Empresa Families,

As you read in last week’s heartfelt letter from Mr. Cook, this school year will be his final one at Empresa. While we are incredibly sad to see him go, we are also filled with gratitude for the joy, passion, and creativity he has brought to our students and our school community over the past seven years. Mr. Cook has helped build a music program that is truly something special. His dedication to inspiring a love of music in our students has left a lasting imprint on our school and in the hearts of so many children and families. He will be deeply missed—and he will always be part of the Empresa family.

Please rest assured that music education will remain a central and cherished part of our school community. The Empresa Performing Arts Foundation (EPAF) will continue to champion both the visual and performing arts, advocating for their essential place in a well-rounded education. We are already in the process of recruiting and hiring a credentialed music teacher to carry this important work forward. We’re also grateful that Mr. Cook is supporting this transition and helping us ensure that the magic of music—and the spirit of Empresa—continues to shine brightly for years to come.

Our commitment to providing students with high-quality music instruction remains unwavering. In addition, grade-level performances—led by our dedicated classroom teachers—will continue, offering students meaningful opportunities to showcase their talents and celebrate their learning. Our beloved schoolwide Friday Flag assemblies will also continue, bringing our community together each week through celebration, music, and school spirit committed to the spirit of creativity, community, and joyful learning that defines Empresa.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the arts at Empresa and for joining us in celebrating Mr. Cook’s incredible contributions.

Sincerely,

Kim Hollowell,

Principal

C-We Care About our Learning

• Keep our school clean
• Ask for help
• Be ready to learn
• Come to school

Let EPAF know that you are possibly interested in joining the board by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/pPhRYDmzqeWRuxn59. You are not committing by completing the form!

Please join us for our 9th Annual Early Education Fair on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at VIDA. This is an event for all, especially if you are looking to explore our many elementary school and preschool options. We will have many fun activities, free prizes for all, dance performances, games, food available for purchase and more! E-mail FamilyEngagement@vistausd.org for more information.

Each year, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students participate in the CAASPP State Test. This year, testing will take place from April29th through May 30th. If you want a more detailed schedule, please reach out to your child's teacher.

During this time, it’s especially important that students:

• Get a good night’s sleep

• Eat a healthy breakfast each morning

• Attend school every day and on time

Testing will begin promptly each morning, so please make sure your child is at school by 8:00 AM. We also ask that families avoid scheduling appointments during school hours on testing days whenever possible.

While the CAASPP is just one measure of your child’s progress, we want every student to feel confident and prepared to show what they’ve learned. Encourage your child by reminding them they’ve worked hard and are ready to succeed.

Your support makes a big difference, and we truly appreciate your partnership.

Parent Information

• Parents Guide to Understanding CAASPP Assessment

• Starting Smarter – CAASPP

• Official CAASPP Website

Student Practice

• Starting Smarter – CAASPP - Go to the “Check out the test questions” section for practice problems and answer keys.

• CAASPP Practice & Training Tests - Help your student learn the test format, use helpful tools, and practice answering questions

• Smarter Balanced – Sample Questions & Essays - See question types and view sample student essays with scoring explanations.

This summer, we are offering full-day AM/PM programs, targeted academic support, enrichment activities, and specialized programs for newcomers, English learners, and students with special education needs. Transportation and meals will be provided for specific programs, ensuring accessibility for all families.

Please click on the specific links below for specific opportunities available at the elementary and middle secondary school levels:

Elementary Summer School Program 2025

Secondary Summer School Programs 2025

The AM-PMThe purpose of Vista Unified’s AM-PM program is to provide academic support, fun enrichment activities and positive peer interactions within a physically and emotionally safe environment.

2025/26 Application

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Website: https://www.emp.vistausd.org/
Location: 4850 Avenida Empresa, Oceanside, CA 92056, USA
Phone: (760) 940-8454