THE Leadership Academy School News
January 29, 2023
¡Vea este boletín en español!
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.
2nd Contact List
Principal's Message
Hello Leadership Academy Parents,
Kindness is everywhere at T.H.E. Leadership Academy! Last week our students participated in activities at lunch, completed kindness challenges, and had some very wacky spirit days. The kind notes, gestures and buzz around campus were a delight to see. We have some pretty amazing little humans here at T.H.E. Leadership Academy.
Huge SHOUT OUT to our amazing counselor, Mrs. Flores, for organizing the event and to the Student Lighthouse Team for their leadership and support of the activities.
Please come join us this Tuesday, January 31 at 5:30PM!! FREE online safety workshop and FREE Pizza dinner for the whole family. We will be raffling great prizes (including Padres tickets!). Childcare will be provided!
We are proud to partner with our amazing PTA to offer a vital Parent Night about cell phones, online gaming, safety tips for managing your child at home on devices and much more. Internet safety expert, Jon Moffat, will be presenting to our families in the MPR. Please call the office to let us know you will be coming, complete the flyer sent home last week, or just show up! This topic is very near and dear to our hearts as we see the effects of digital use every day. We sincerely hope to see you there!
*There will be a separate presentation in Spanish (same night, same location, same time)
Sincerely,
Mrs. Morton
Principal
Online Safety Workshop
Using technology in a safe way is more important now than ever before. All of our teachers and staff just completed training on how to support students to become good digital citizens. As parents, you play a key role in supporting your children as they learn how to safely use technology, particularly social media.
T.H.E. Leadership Academy will be hosting a technology awareness workshop for parents on Tuesday, January 31 from 6:00-7:30 pm. Technology expert Jon Moffat will guide parents through such questions as:
How do I check privacy settings on my child’s profiles?
How do I set up boundaries in the Digital World? How do I keep up?
What are the latest tech trends in our community? What might my child be up to?
Learn more about Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok, Discord, Roblox, BeReal, and many more.
Mark your calendars and join us for this special parent workshop.
Spring Picture Day
Spring Picture Day is Friday, February 3. Spring pictures are optional.
Picture order forms will go home Tuesday, January 31.
Click here for Spring Picture online orders.
Thank you!
Willy Wonka! Come see our school's production!
Plan on a fun day out with your family to see the show!
All students will see the show at school on Friday, February 3rd.
There are two shows: 1:00PM and 3:00PM (these are two separate casts).
Tickets will be on sale at the door for $5.
Community Liaison Corner
Hello, It has been so nice getting to know so many of you all. Thank you for your patience as I get acquainted with this new position. I'm always here to help, I don't always have the answer but I will do my best to find it or point you in the right direction. I've updated our community board right outside the office! You can find out about all the activities we have going on as well as some resources for you and your family. Warmly, Shaina Mendoza Family and Community Liaison 760 631 6242 Ext. 43005 email: shainamendoza@vistausd.org
5th Grade Parents - Dedicate a portion of the yearbook to your child!
To Parents of 5th Graders
You will have the option of applying to Vista Magnet Middle School (VMMS) or Vista Innovation and Design Academy (VIDA). All 5th grade families are invited to upcoming magnet middle school presentations and school tours.
Click here to complete the application online.
All upcoming Presentations:
1/24/23 6:00pm; Mission Meadows Elementary
1/26/23 6:00pm; Bobier Elementary
1/31/23 6:00pm; Breeze Hill Elementary
2/2/23 6:00pm; VAPA
2/7/23 6:00pm; Casita
2/9/23 6:00pm; ZOOM Webinar
Please see this VMMS parent letter and this VIDA parent letter for information on our upcoming elementary presentations and school tours starting soon. All 5th grade families will also soon receive letters from VMMS and VIDA together in the mail. Families interested in applying to VMMS or VIDA will be able to submit an online magnet school application from January 11 - February 17th.
Not attending a magnet middle school?
If your child will not be attending a magnet middle school, they will automatically be enrolled in their middle school of residence.
In January we are highlighting Habit #5 Seek First to Understand then be Understood
This monoth’s habit is “Seek first to understand, then be understood.” Communicate effectively at all levels of the organization. Communication is the most important skill in life. You spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening? What training have you had that enables you to listen so you really, deeply understand another human being? Probably none, right?
Watch this video from Franklin Covey to learn how most people listen.
We look forward to acknowledging learners who display this habit.
Intradistrict and Interdistrict Transfers Open January 11 - March 15, 2023 for 2023-2024
Families living in VUSD boundaries who would like to apply to attend a school other than their neighborhood school for the 2023-2024 school year can apply using this linked process for Intradistrict Transfers.
Families living outside of VUSD boundaries who would like to attend a VUSD school or families living in VUSD boundaries who would like to apply to attend school in another district can apply using this linked process for Interdistrict Transfers.
Contact the Student Support Services Department for more information.
Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Opens March 1st for 2023-2024
Lost and Found
Coffee with Principal
Elevate After School Program
We are pleased to welcome a new after school program onto our campus. If you have already enrolled, you should have received an acceptance letter or a "waiting list" letter. The program will continue to enroll students as staff become available.
This program is run by a company called Elevo. They are handling all registration. Please email vistausd@elevolearning.com with any questions.
This program will include academic and enrichment classes.
- The program is free to families
- Offered to students in grades TK to 5
- Open Monday - Friday until 5:30 PM
- Continues to the last day of school
- Begins on January 11, 2023
- Space is limited. If more students sign up than space available, priority will be given to students based on need.
- The company Elevo will be contacting families to confirm enrollment in the coming weeks.
- Elevo is responsible for the program and can answer questions. This is a new partnership. Email vistausd@elevolearning.com
Please see the flyer below for more information:
To register your child, click the following link:
If you prefer, you may register on a paper copy which is available in the office.
Space is limited and for any questions, please email vistausd@elevolearning.com
Upcoming Events
January
16th Martin Luther King Jr Day - No School
All Month - See's Candy Fundraiser
17th Magnet Middle School presentation in MPR 6PM
23-27 - Kindness Week
31 Digital Citizenship Presentation MPR 6PM
February
3rd Spring Pictures
3rd - Willy Wonka School Performances
7th Coffee with the Principal - Come chat with Mrs. Morton!
17th President's Day Observed - No School
20th President's Day Observed - No School
21st President's Day Observed - No School
We are hiring! Apply now!
ROAR! Our positive behavior expectations
Dippin' Dots
These are "Yo Dots" and contain less sugar than the traditional Dippin' Dots.
COVID 19 Testing and Vaccinations
COVID-19 testing continues to be available for our community at the Vista Innovation Center. The clinic has resumed testing Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. For those experiencing symptoms, the new “FLUVID” test is now available. This is a flu-Covid combination test that detects which illness someone may be experiencing. Starting February 3rd, COVID-19 boosters and flu shots will be available every Friday.
Go Green!
Great job by our Go Green club! They save the earth one water bottle at a time!
Students enjoy Dance, Theater and Music every week!
Thank you PTA! Lunch time games
iPad Acceptable Use Policy and Cost Replacement Insurance
*Important! The deadline for iPad device insurance is Friday, September 30. Please make sure you have signed the acceptable use policy and paid for your cost replacement insurance.
The $20 device insurance protects the iPads for the entire school year so students can bring them home. There are two options to pay.
1. Save time and pay online! Please click HERE to access the acceptable use agreement and pay with your credit card.
2. Click HERE to fill out the acceptable use agreement form. Pay $20 cash in the front office at Back to School Night.
Meet Coco!
Here are some facts I shared with the students about Coco:
- Coco was born on July 9, 2019
- She is a lab and retriever cross
- She is specifically bred to be a service dog and has a calm and gentle demeanor
- She has been trained since she was a little puppy to know many commands
- Mrs. Morton went through two weeks of training to learn how to work with Coco
- Coco and Mrs. Morton graduated together and now Coco is a member of our school team
- Coco comes to school every day. When she is at school she is working.
- Coco wears a vest to show she is on duty
- When Coco is not working, she goes home with Mrs. Morton. At home, she is a regular pet and does not wear her vest. She likes to play, walk and snuggle.
- When students see Coco on campus, they should give her a calm finger wave
- Students should not yell at Coco, run towards her or feed her any treats
- Coco can work with individual students, visit classrooms, read with students, and play fetch
We all love Coco! Feel free to say "hi" when you see her!
Safety Protocols
1. There will be only one entrance into school for general education students (Main Gate). This includes Kindergarten and TK students. We will no longer utilize the Kindergarten gate.
2. Gates open at 7:30AM. Breakfast will be available at 7:30AM each morning. This is the earliest a student should be dropped off at school.
3. Gates will be supervised at all times.
4. All general education students will exit through the main gate. The upper parking lot will no longer be utilized for 4th/5th pickup.
5. Special Education students will continue to use the upper gate for entrance and exit. The gate will be supervised at all times and open only to let students in and out.
6. TK and Kindergarten students will continue to be dismissed through the Kindergarten Gate.
7. Only authorized individuals are able to check students out from the office early. Please make sure to bring your ID when picking up your student.
**Parents are welcome to come onto campus on the first day of school to accompany their students to the playground for lineup. Parents will be asked to say goodbye to their students on the playground as they are not permitted in the classrooms.
Kiss at the Gate
Office Support
The office will be open to assist families from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM beginning August 2. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to help in any way we can.
Phone: 760-631-6242
Email:
Registration/General Questions: caroleconom@vistausd.org
Registration/Health/Attendance Concerns: rebecaalvarez@vistausd.org
Registration/General Information: patricialanderos@vistausd.org
Anything at all: kimmorton@vistausd.org (principal)
School Bell Schedule
Mondays:
8:00 AM - 12:54 PM
Tuesdays to Fridays:
8:00 AM - 2:21 PM
Breakfast:
Gates open at 7:30 AM
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Learners
Fruit and salad bar is also available. For menus and more information, please visit: https://wavecrestcafe.com/
PTA at T.H.E. Leadership Academy
Please support our PTA by joining today!
Click HERE to join!
Our COVID Protocols
According to the very latest CDPH guidance for schools, indoor masking in K-12 school settings continues to be a strong recommendation, but not required.
In addition to routine cleaning, VUSD has installed maximum air filters and air cleaners in our classrooms and buildings.
If you or your child is displaying symptoms or tests positive, please stay home and notify us immediately.
All Vista Unified schools will be implementing the Group-Tracing Approach for students.
- When students are exposed to a COVID-19 positive person in a school setting, we will notify parents in writing of the exposure; however, all students may remain in school unless they are experiencing symptoms or have tested positive.
- As a condition to remain in school, parents are required to have their student tested with at least one diagnostic test obtained within three to five days of exposure and inform the school of a positive result.
- The following test methods are acceptable for staying in school after exposure at school: home test, rapid antigen test, or PCR test.
- Parents are only required to inform the school if their student tests positive for COVID-19.
- Only students who have symptoms or test positive must be isolated at home.
Families, in order to help us prioritize health and safety for all of our students and staff, please communicate with us. We appreciate you notifying us in any of the following scenarios:
- If you notice any symptoms, please keep your child at home. Notify the school immediately.
- If you have been exposed to someone who tested positive, please keep your child at home and inform the school immediately.
- If you have taken a PCR or NAAT test and it is positive, please inform the school immediately.
You will share your information with:
- Lisa Franck, Nurse: lisafranck@vistausd.org
- Rebeca Alvarez, Attendance/Health Tech: rebecaalvarez@vistausd.org
- Kim Morton, Principal: kimmorton@vistausd.org
- Phone: 760-631-6242
To return to school after having symptoms, a negative PCR or two negative antigen (rapid or home tests) are now acceptable. The two antigen tests must be at least one day apart. Each test must have the student's name, the date, and their date of birth on the cassette.
If your child has any of the following symptoms, please keep your child at home and notify our school immediately. COVID symptoms may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or Body Aches
- Headache
- New Loss of Taste or Smell
- Sore Throat
- Congestion or Runny Nose
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Thank you for your communication in helping to keep our learning community safe.To view Covid-19 cases, visit the VUSD Covid-19 Case Dashboard.
County COVID 19 Decision Tree
THE Leadership Academy
Email: kimmorton@vistausd.org
Website: th.vistausd.org
Location: 1550 Temple Heights Drive, Oceanside, CA, USA
Phone: 760 631 6242
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THELeadershipAcademyDragons/?rf=580378695440830
Twitter: @temple_heights