Vivian Banks Charter School
Eagle's Nest News: September 4, 2026
September 4, 2026
Hello Vivian Banks Families,
This week was another strong week with students working hard at demonstrating positive behaviors and expectations.
We will be celebrating our amazing grandparents at our Grandparents day on Thursday, September 10th from 8:30-9:15. Grandparents are welcome to come read to their grandchildren, enjoy a light breakfast and take a free photo. Picture frames will be available for purchase for just $3 each in the office. Students can then personalize and decorate the frame for their photos.
Calling all first responders! We will be celebrating you at our 9-11 ceremony/Patriot day on Friday, 9/11 from 8:30-9:00. Please come join us!
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to a wonderful school year filled with learning, growth, connection, and fun!
Attendance Matters
Daily attendance is one of the most important ways families can support student success. We saw wonderful growth and improvement last year, and we want to continue building on that momentum. Thank you for helping your child arrive at school on time, everyday, ready to learn. Last school year was fantastic with student attendance hitting an all time high of 96.62%, the highest in the District! We hope that we meet this or exceed this rate this coming year.
At Vivian Banks, we truly believe it takes a village. We are grateful for your continued partnership, trust, and support. Together, we will make this school year one filled with learning, laughter, growth, and beautiful memories for our students.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to support you and your child every step of the way! If you fly with the eagles, you will soar!
Important Upcoming events:
9/7: Labor Day: No school
9/10: Grandparents Day celebration and breakfast 8:30 a.m.
9/11: 9-11 ceremony
9/14-18: Book Fair
9/18: California Native American Day and lunch on the lawn 11:20-12:30
9/17: Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee meeting @1:30
9/25: California Native American day: no school
Thank you families for sending your child to school every day on time! We had a 96.6 % rate last school year!
Vivian Banks Charter School Honoring Tradition. Empowering the Future.
Each month students are here everyday will get a popsicle at the end of the month. Students who have perfect attendance from January-March, will also get a game truck experience in April. Thank you for ensuring your child comes to school each day and on time.
We want to take a moment to emphasize something that is absolutely essential to your child’s success—school attendance. To encourage our students to come to school every day, we are providing incentives. Students who attend and have perfect attendance each month will get a popsicle at the end of the month. If students have perfect attendance from the beginning of the year until December, they will earn a pizza party and go into a raffle to win a gift card.
Showing up matters. When students are present at school—on time and ready to learn—they are better able to access high-quality instruction, build meaningful relationships, and stay on track academically. Research consistently shows that attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student achievement, especially in the early years when foundational skills are built.
Why Attendance Matters:
Every minute counts in the classroom. Learning is cumulative, and when students are absent or arrive late, they miss more than just a lesson—they miss opportunities to ask questions, practice skills, engage in discussions, and connect with their teacher and classmates.
Let’s break it down:
Scenario 1 day absent per month = 9 days per year ( 2 weeks of school missing 60 hours of instruction)
2 days absent per month = 18 days per year: classified as chronically absent: equivalent to nearly 4 weeks of school
10 minutes late per day = over 30 hours per year: that's nearly a full week of lost instructional time
Leaving early once a week= over 20 hours per year: misses critical end of the day routines, homework review, and closure of daily learning.
Even seemingly small amounts of missed time can add up. For example:
Missing just 2 days a month is 18 days a year, almost an entire month of school.
Arriving 15 minutes late every day is the same as missing two full weeks of school over the course of a year.
Attendance and Student Success:
Students with consistent attendance are more likely to:
Meet or exceed grade-level standards in reading and math
Build strong social-emotional skills and friendships
Develop healthy school habits that prepare them for middle school, high school, and beyond
Students who are frequently absent—especially in early grades—are at greater risk of falling behind, struggling academically, and eventually dropping out of school.
How Families Can Help:
We recognize that sometimes absences are unavoidable due to illness or emergencies. However, we ask for your support in making school attendance a top priority. Here are a few ways you can help:
Schedule routine appointments outside of school hours when possible
Ensure your child gets plenty of sleep and a consistent morning routine
Avoid extended vacations during the school year
Communicate with the school if you’re experiencing challenges getting your child to school—we’re here to help
Vivian Banks is Here to Support You
We are committed to partnering with families to ensure every child feels welcome, supported, and excited to come to school each day. If your child is facing any barriers—transportation, health concerns, anxiety, or other issues—please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Together, we can find a solution. Let’s work together to make this a year full of learning, growth, and success—for every student, every day.
Vivian Banks Charter School
Email: tina.calabrese@bonsallusd.com
Website: https://vb.bonsallusd.com/
Location: 11800 Pala Mission Road, Pala, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 742-3300
Follow us on instagram: vivianbankscharterschool