Community Update

The first few weeks of the school year have been filled with excitement, smiles, laughter, and engagement. As the Superintendent, I have had the chance to visit all 26 schools in the district. It has been so heartwarming to see students meet their teachers for the first time, reconnect with their friends, and dive into learning. I have to say, what impressed me the most was the organization and focus of our teachers and staff. On day one, I saw teachers from kindergarten through high school immediately engaging students in meaningful and rigorous academic activities. This is a powerful sign that our learning environments are focused on preparing students to master the academic standards set for each grade level. As I mentioned in the previous Community Update, our theme for this year is “The Pulse of Possibility - Pedagogy and Pathways.” The “Pedagogy” part of our theme refers to the teacher’s ability to develop and deliver high quality academic lessons that capture the attention of students and engage them in learning that they understand and retain. In addition to creating rigorous academic lessons, I had the pleasure to see many different extracurricular activities kick-off. Students' interest in before and after school opportunities is huge this year. Specifically, fall athletics, music, dance, ASB, and a variety of clubs have already started. In fact, many of our sports teams have already completed their first series of competitions. Additionally, schools are already inviting parents to campus to join in the launch of a successful year at each school’s Back-to-School Nights. I would encourage all parents to get involved as partners in education.

This year, Vista Unified is moving forward with purpose under the theme Pulse of Possibility: Pedagogy and Pathways. This theme reflects our belief that every student deserves joyful, rigorous learning (pedagogy) and a clear connection between what they’re learning today and the future they’re building (pathways). Our teachers and leaders are deepening instruction across all subjects while helping students see the real-world relevance of their learning - from academic growth to career exploration. These pathways are coming to life in exciting ways: students are engaging in strengths-based planning, career-connected learning, and using tools like MY PLAN as we implement our new A–G aligned graduation requirements, starting with this year’s freshman class.

Families can support this work at home by using career-connected language, especially through the RIASEC framework. You can explore your child’s interests together by taking a quick self-assessment and discovering local events and opportunities that align with their RIASEC code. Many students will continue to work with the RIASEC, during the school day, as the year progresses. Visit our RIASEC family resource hub here: CLICK HERE

The Festival of the Arts is in its 21st year and will be held on Main Street in Vista from 10:00am-4:00pm on October 18, 2025. Come enjoy student artwork, live musical, choral, and dance performances from our youngest to oldest students in Vista Unified! This is always an exciting community event that helps showcase student skill and creativity!

Congratulations to Mission Vista and Rancho Buena Vista for their recent Race to Submit Award recognitions by the San Diego County Office of Education! The Race to Submit initiative is a countywide effort encouraging high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to expand their postsecondary opportunities. Mission Vista High School was named the County Champion with a 99.2% submission rate. Rancho Buena Vista High School took first place in the county for the highest growth increase from the previous year! These awards represent the students who graduated in June 2025!

Digital Citizenship Week is coming up in October—kick off the month with our family webinar on Thursday, Oct 2 at 5:00pm. Learn tips for healthy tech habits, screen time & social media balance, modeling digital citizenship, and practical phone boundaries for wellness & safety. Webinar link coming soon!

VUSD’s Family and Community Engagement (F.A.C.E.) Network is excited to welcome back all of our families and looking forward to a year of fun and engaging activities. We have Community Liaisons at every school and hope you will be able to see them for a quick Hi! Here is a list of our team. Please reach out at any time for help connecting to a school or community resource, communicating with a staff member, if you have an idea for a family engagement activity or want to join an existing one, want to connect with any of our many parent groups and councils, or need access to information to support your child(ren). Please know we are here to support you as a parent/guardian (and your family!) and partner with you as your children continue to grow into their best selves. Here are this week’s flyers & upcoming events. See us for more! If you have time, here is a very short interest survey to help us with planning. For further help, please e-mail: FamilyEngagement@vistausd.org or call a Liaison. Happy new school year!

The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our top priority. Vista Unified School District keeps a close watch on weather conditions and follows guidance from the National Weather Service whenever advisories are issued, including those for excessive heat, storms, or other significant events. When needed, schools may adjust outdoor activities, move students indoors, or take other steps to ensure everyone stays safe.

As our region experiences more frequent extreme weather, we are also mindful of possible impacts to local utilities. For example, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) may call for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) during times of high fire risk. While these events are rare, our schools have plans in place to continue safe operations, and in most cases, learning can continue even if power is temporarily interrupted. Families will be notified right away if there are any changes.

On hot days, hydration is especially important. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle daily, and schools make sure water is easily accessible throughout the day to help prevent heat-related illness.

Families will receive updates through ParentSquare if adjustments to the school day are needed. For tips and resources about staying safe during different types of weather, we encourage you to visit the National Weather Service Weather Safety page.

What happens when a school district property is being considered for a change of use? How do community members have a voice in what the property might be used for? How does the Board officially hear from the community on this topic? These are common questions that come up when a Board of Education is considering what to do with a former school site or parcel of school district owned land as the Board considers some alternative uses for it.

An Asset Management Advisory Committee (AMAC) is a legal requirement of a school District to gather community voice. This type of committee is established to explore and make recommendations on options for District owned real property that is being considered by the Board of Education. According to the law, this committee must comprise no less than seven (7) and no more than eleven (11) members with specific backgrounds and qualifications that are representative of the committee. So what is the process of setting up the AMAC to review these properties?

• Step 1: The Board Passes a Resolution for an AMAC

• Step 2: Open up applications for community members who want to participate in the AMAC

• Step 3: Review applications of potential AMAC members

• Step 4: Board of Education selects AMAC members

• Step 5: Board of Education defines the session scope of the AMAC

• Step 6: The AMAC members meet to review topics specified by the Board of Education

• Step 7: The AMAC makes recommendations to the Board of Education via an official report

• Step 8: Repeat Steps 5-7 as called upon by the Board of Education

Interested? The application timeline has just been extended to Friday, September 26, 2025! Learn more about the AMAC and how to apply on their website by clicking here! You will be able to download the PDF copy of the application in both English and en español on the Membership tab. It is anticipated that the AMAC will be fully formed and reviewing items as specified by the Board of Education in the upcoming months. If you have questions about the application process you can email Ms. Berenice Guzman at bereniceguzman@vistausd.org.

Cyclovia is on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 am-1 pm in Historic Downtown Vista. Come join us at this FREE family-friendly event that offers a unique way to explore downtown Vista via bike, foot, or other forms of self-powered transportation—completely free of cars! Cyclovia is for anyone who wants to celebrate sustainability, clean air, local businesses, and active transportation in the heart of the Historic Vista Village. All ages and abilities are welcome. Stop by our booth and learn about the VUSD bike education program.

Did you know you have access to all of the past Community Updates? Click here to check them out! Another way to access those is by going to our website: vistausd.org/news and clicking on Archived Community Updates.

Email: webmaster@vistausd.org
Website: vistausd.org
Location: 1234 Arcadia Avenue, Vista, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 726-2170
Twitter: @VistaBlueprint