To honor our amazing staff, we like to highlight their great work across the district. Today’s highlight includes three staff members - Robert Johnson, Chris Nolf, and Craig Gastauer. Robert and Chris keep our schools looking great as members of the Grounds Department. Craig is a long time Science teacher that is responsible for supporting teachers and programs across the district. In addition to their passion for their work, they are also leaders in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All three of them are asked by students, staff, and parents: “Why is your hair pink?” Here is their collective response:
When we dye our hair for loved ones who have battled, and beaten, breast cancer and honestly, being asked this question IS the reason. It allows Chris and Robert the opportunity to share their wives’ stories and, for Craig, to share his mother’s story. The three women felt something different in their breasts, got screened, and were diagnosed with breast cancer.
By coloring our hair pink, we support those women who went through the fight while we also aim to raise awareness. The medical field has come a long way and they can scan for breast cancer, can treat it, and can often help us beat it!
For those of you wearing pink in honor of those who are fighting against breast cancer, or in memoriam of loved ones who passed, THANK YOU for continuing to raise awareness and keeping the memory of your loved ones alive!
For those of you who have breast cancer, we see you! You got this! Never give up hope because you can still have a long, happy, healthy life!
For everyone, tell your loved ones to get screened! Don’t allow breast cancer to take away family and friends whom you love.
The Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program in Vista Unified School District continues to experience significant growth, with over 900 students now enrolled at Alamosa Park, Grapevine, Hannalei, and Madison Middle School. This program offers students the opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate in both English and Spanish through a rigorous and dynamic curriculum. Students participate in either a 50/50 or 90/10 language model, which supports strong academic achievement and cultural awareness. Notably, Roosevelt Middle School will introduce its DLI program in the 2025-2026 academic year, ensuring a seamless transition for our bilingual students as they advance through the grades.
As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting bilingualism, the district is also implementing a robust Seal of Biliteracy pathway, providing students with the opportunity to earn recognition for their proficiency in both languages. Furthermore, we remain dedicated to providing professional development for our teachers, equipping them with the tools to enhance Spanish literacy instruction, support fluid language use in the classroom, and integrate learning across subject areas. We look forward to continuing to build a strong foundation of bilingual excellence for our students and community with our dual language immersion programs.
A board workshop will be held on October 24, 2024 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office. The focus of this workshop is to discuss the Long Range Facility Master Plan with specific attention focused on the school consolidation process and the status of the VIDA and Rancho Minerva campuses.
The Great ShakeOut promotes earthquake preparedness and encourages the adoption of safety protocols in the event of seismic activity. On October 17th, 2024 all Vista Unified School District school sites and departments will be participating in The Great ShakeOut! This annual earthquake drill encourages everyone to DROP! COVER! HOLD ON! Living in this earthquake-prone region, we encourage everyone to participate in this world-wide event and to discuss earthquake safety at home as well. For more information on how to prepare for the next big earthquake, please visit The Great California ShakeOut!.
Red Ribbon Week 2024 will take place from October 23rd to October 31st, focusing on raising awareness about the dangers of drug and substance abuse and promoting healthy, drug-free lifestyles for children and teens. As parents, you play a crucial role in fostering open communication with your children during this week and beyond. It's an opportunity to discuss the importance of making safe and positive choices, staying away from harmful substances, and building a strong foundation of values and self-confidence.
Schools will be hosting various fun and educational activities such as theme days (like wearing red or dressing up to show school spirit), poster-making contests, and classroom discussions on making healthy choices. By participating in these activities, students can embrace the message of living drug-free, and you can support their growth into healthy, responsible individuals.
Schools play a vital role in creating a safe, respectful environment, and addressing hate speech is key to that mission. Parents should know that schools are committed to promoting kindness, empathy, and inclusivity. When hate speech happens, schools must take swift action to educate students on its harm and enforce consequences.
Working together with parents, schools aim to teach students the importance of diversity, respect, and standing against prejudice. Proactive efforts help build a community where every student feels valued and safe.
Parents can help by fostering open conversations, teaching respect for diversity, modeling kindness, working with schools on policies, teaching children how to respond constructively, and seeking support when needed. Here are some steps parents can take:
Open Communication: Create an environment where your children feel comfortable discussing difficult topics like hate speech, racism, and prejudice. Encourage open conversations about their experiences and feelings.
Educate on Diversity and Respect: Teach your children about different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, emphasizing the value of diversity and the importance of respecting others, regardless of differences.
Model Positive Behavior: Children learn from the behavior of their parents and friends. Model respect and kindness in your interactions and avoid using derogatory language. Show empathy towards others, especially those from different backgrounds.
Partner with Schools: Work with your child’s school to ensure they have policies and programs in place to address hate speech and bullying. Attend school meetings, stay informed, and collaborate with educators to address any concerns.
Seek Support: If your child is affected by hate speech, whether as a target or a witness, please contact your school’s administration so they can address the issue promptly, provide support, and take appropriate actions to ensure the well-being of your child and the school community.
This year we have implemented a protocol which requires students to attend a one hour bike safety course to obtain a permit to ride to school. This course, presented from the San Diego County Bike Coalition discusses “riding” safety and rules of the road. It’s extremely important for students to wear their helmets when riding their bikes, scooters and skateboards. The next available FREE virtual course is Saturday, October 26th from 9:00am-10:00am. Please see our website for more information and the Google Form to register for the course.
This month our Bike Education program visited Madison Middle School to provide helmets for our All Inclusive - Learn-to-Ride-Program. Check out the article here.
Vista Unified School District
Email: webmaster@vistausd.org
Website: vistausd.org
Location: 1234 Arcadia Avenue, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 726-2170
Twitter: @VistaBlueprint