THE Leadership Academy School News

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Hello Leadership Academy Parents,

Freaky Friday Carnival is this Friday, October 23!!

When I was a kid, Freaky Friday was a favorite event at my elementary school. I could not wait to wear my costume and go to school for a night of spooky festivities. As a principal, I knew I had to bring this fun tradition to T.H.E. Leadership Academy. It's finally here!! We are so excited to bring this event to you this Friday.

*Don't forget to bring your decorated pumpkin to school in the morning on Friday, October 23 for judging (see details below!).

Come join us on Friday, October 23 from 5:00-8:00PM.

We will have:

*Food - pizza, Chick Fil-A, nachos, ice cream truck, and other snacks

*Carnival Games

*Haunted Hallway

*Inflatable obstacle courses

*Face painting

*DJ

Entrance to the event is FREE. There will also be certain activities free of charge. Tickets for all other games/food will be sold at the door. Bring your friends and family for a night of pure fun!

Huge thanks to our PTA board, staff, and planning committee!

Red Ribbon Week

We are excited to celebrate Healthy Choices next week (October 26-October 30) with our annual Red Ribbon Week

Please help your child get into the SPIRIT!

Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days: (see flyer below)

Monday: October 26

Wear something Red

Tuesday: October 27

Dress as a personal hero, community helper or positive role model

Wednesday: October 28

Wear Pajamas

Thursday: October 29

School Spirit - Wear school colors or your favorite school shirt

Friday: Say BOO to Drugs! October 30

Wear your favorite costume

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email us directly.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Morton

Principal

kimmorton@vistausd.org

October 23 - Picture Make Up Day

October 23 - Freaky Friday Carnival

October 26-30 - Red Ribbon Week

October 30 - Costume Parade

November 11 - No School - Veteran's Day

November 16-20 - Minimum Days for Parent Conferences

November 23-27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

2026-2027 School Calendar

2026-2027 Calendario escolar

The Tech Time Review Family Survey is now open. This is an important opportunity for families to share their experiences, questions, concerns, and recommendations about student technology use during the school day. Survey responses will be considered alongside student and staff input, the district’s technology-use audit, research, and community forum discussions.

The survey will remain open through Sunday, October 11, and the findings will be reviewed during the Tuesday, October 20, community forum. It should take about 10 minutes to complete. The findings become more useful when we hear from a broad range of families, so please complete the survey and encourage other VUSD families to take it as well.

Please CLICK HERE to take the Tech Time Review Family Survey (English)

Ya está disponible la encuesta para las familias sobre la revisión del tiempo dedicado a la tecnología. Esta es una oportunidad importante para que las familias compartan sus experiencias, preguntas, inquietudes y recomendaciones sobre el uso de la tecnología por parte de los estudiantes durante la jornada escolar. Las respuestas se tomarán en cuenta junto con las opiniones de los estudiantes y el personal escolar, la auditoría del Distrito sobre el uso de la tecnología, las investigaciones y las conversaciones de los foros comunitarios.

La encuesta permanecerá abierta hasta el domingo 11 de octubre y los resultados se revisarán durante el foro comunitario del martes 20 de octubre. Completarla toma aproximadamente 10 minutos. Los resultados serán más útiles si contamos con la participación de una amplia variedad de familias, por lo que les pedimos que respondan a la encuesta y animen a otras familias del VUSD a participar también.

Hagan clic aquí para participar en la encuesta para las familias sobre la revisión del tiempo dedicado a la tecnología en español

It is a tradition at T.H.E. Leadership Academy to hold a parade on Halloween. This year, the event will take place on Friday, October 30 at 8:15AM. Students may wear their costumes to school. Please send a change of clothes if the costume is not comfortable to be worn all day. Please no blood or weapons with costumes. Parents are welcome to join the parade. We will open the main gate for parents at 8:15AM.

*There will be an alternative activity in the library for those that don't wish to participate. Please let your child's teacher know so we can plan accordingly.

Showing Up Together

Count ALL Dragons In!

It is vital for students to attend school every day. Consistent and on time attendance is essential for students to gain the academic and social skills they need to thrive. We want to “Count ALL Dragons In!” Your partnership makes a difference.

Our front gates close promptly at 8:00AM. Students should be at school on time. When students are late, they feel disoriented and often have trouble settling into the classroom routine. We have talked to students about routines that help in getting to school on time. Strategies may include: setting clothes out the night before, packing your backpack so it's ready to go, and meal planning for breakfast and lunch. Let's work hard to be on time this year!

All parents and caregivers are invited to attend our PTA meetings!

PTA is a great way to stay connected, learn what’s happening around campus, and have a voice in the fun activities and events we plan for our students. There are also lots of opportunities to get involved and volunteer throughout the year.

Where: Community Room
Time: 2:30–3:30 PM

2026–2027 PTA Meeting Dates:

• September 2
• October 7
• November 4
• December 2
• January 13
• February 3
• March 3
• April 7
• May 5
• 
  

Everyone is welcome!

We hope you’ll join us and help make this a great year for our Dragons!

T.H.E. Leadership Academy Spirit Wear is now available for purchase!

*Great news! You can now purchase Spirit Wear online. Please click HERE or scan the QR code to the right of this message.

Stop by the front office to check out our new Spirit Wear and grab your favorite items. Please check in with Brandi at the front desk, and she will be happy to help you get the items and sizes you need.

Thank you for showing your Dragon pride!

In Vista Unified, we empower every child to become a confident reader through research-based instruction, early screening, targeted intervention, and family engagement. Explore easy strategies at home and celebrate every milestone.

Click HERE for resources you can use at home.

Student Clubs Are Coming!

Does your child have a hobby, passion, or interest they’d love to share with others? Any student can start a club on our campus! Student clubs are a great way for students to connect with friends, explore their interests, build leadership skills, and add even more fun to our school community.

Starting a club is easy! Students should:

1. Think of a club idea based on something they enjoy.
2. Talk with a staff member who is willing to serve as the club supervisor.
3. Pick up a Club Application in the school office.
4. Complete the application with their staff sponsor and return it to the office.

The possibilities are endless! Clubs could center around Pokémon, soccer, knitting, kindness, recycling, gardening, or just about any other student interest.

Have an idea? Find a few friends, find a staff sponsor, and start a club! We can’t wait to see the creativity, leadership, and new possibilities our students bring to campus!

Check out the video below written and produced by our Video Club.

Our District is part of a Wellness Program and has strict guidelines with food items distributed in our classrooms. If you are celebrating a birthday for your child and wish to bring treats, please let your child's teacher know in advance. We have many food allergies and medical conditions and like to plan for these students.

Healthy is the way to go! It's important to be cautious and considerate with students who have food allergies. Treats must be pre-packaged, no home baked items.

The following example items are approved for classroom celebrations.

Pencils/bookmarks/stickers (these are always a favorite with students!)

Skinny Cow bars or sandwiches

Dole Real Fruit frozen bars

Fudge pops

Go-Gurts

Nutrigrain bars

Goldfish Crackers

String Cheese

Popcorn (individual bags)

Fresh veggies (individual bags)

Kudos 100-calories bars

**Keep in mind we don't have the means to store frozen items

The safety of our staff and students is our first priority. We have been working on tightening up our security and would like to communicate the following:

1. There will be only one entrance into school for general education students (Main Gate). This includes Kindergarten and TK students.

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.

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 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.

Students are not to use a smartphone or other electronic signaling device (including cell phone, smartwatch and personal tablet) on campus. Specifically, such devices must be turned off during instructional time and kept by the teacher in a secure location while on school, except under the following circumstances:

• In case of an emergency or in response to a perceived threat of danger.

• When a teacher or administrator grants permission to the student, subject to any reasonable limitation imposed by that teacher or administrator.

Students who violate any school rules related to the use and possession of personal technology may have the following consequences:

• 1st and 2nd Offense: Device is taken away, student picks it up from Administration after school.
• 3rd Offense or Above: Device is taken away, parent/guardian picks it up in the office after school.
• Continued offenses will result in the student being placed on the Loss of Privilege list and a parent/guardian conference with Administration.

Misuse of personal technology resources on or near school property, in school vehicles and buses, at school-sponsored activities may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the District. Examples of misuse include, but are not limited:

• Taking photos or recording of any person at school without specific permission from a teacher or administrator (see notification below, Electronic Listening or Recording Device)

• Accessing, posting, displaying, or otherwise using material that is discriminatory, libelous, defamatory, obscene, sexually explicit, disruptive or without permission

• Bullying, harassing, intimidating, embarrassing or threatening others (“cyberbullying”)

• Disclosing, using, or sharing other people’s personal identification information (such as name, address, telephone number, email, or other personal information) with the intent to threaten, intimidate, harass, or ridicule that person

The school assumes no liability for personal technology, including computers, cell phones, smartphones, network access devices, or other electronic signaling devices, if such devices are damaged, lost or stolen.

Our Smart Watch Policy is the same as our Smart Phone Policy.

Students are allowed to bring watches and phones to school but they are not allowed to use them on campus during school hours. Watches and Phones should be given to the classroom teacher for safe keeping first thing in the morning. They will be returned at the end of the day. If you need to contact your child during school hours, please call the office. Likewise, if your student needs to contact you, they will be permitted to use the school phone.

The office will be open to assist families from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM beginning August 4. 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: brandiadelsman@vistausd.org

Registration/Health/Attendance Concerns: dianaguevara@vistausd.org

Registration/General Information: marykizer@vistausd.org

Anything at all: kimmorton@vistausd.org (principal) or larasims@vistausd.org (assistant principal)

Breakfast and lunch is free for all students at T.H.E. Leadership Academy. You do not need to fill out an application.

Fruit and salad bar is also available. For menus and more information, please visit: https://wavecrestcafe.com/

Monday - Early Release Day

8:00AM - 1:00PM

Tuesday - Friday

8:00 AM - 2:18PM

*Gates open at 7:30 AM for breakfast. Students may not be dropped off before 7:30 AM for safety since there will be no supervision.

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