Community Update

The 19th Annual Festival of the Arts was fantastic! It was truly a joy to see over 1300 students from 35 unique performing groups demonstrate their talents and abilities. It was also wonderful to see artwork on display from so many schools. There were even more booths with crafts for kids to make than ever before. It was truly a joyful day for all!

VUSD’s annual Dia De Los Muertos Celebration will be held on Thursday, November 2nd at the Vista Innovation Center.

Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, holds deep cultural significance in many Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico. It is a time to honor and remember deceased loved ones, celebrating their lives rather than mourning their passing. Dia de los Muertos reaffirms the importance of family, community, and the enduring bonds with those who have passed away. It's a cultural celebration of love, remembrance, and the continuity of life.

At the upcoming VUSD Board Meeting on November 9, 2023, the Board Trustees will have a discussion about potential boundary changes for schools. The meeting will be held in-person at the Vista Unified District Office located at 1234 Arcadia Avenue at 6:00 p.m. or may be viewed via Live Stream which can be accessed from our VUSD Board of Education webpage: https://www.vistausd.org/board-of-education/meetings-and-agendas

Parent-Teacher Conferences for Elementary Students are scheduled for the week of November 13th. All Elementary Schools will be on a minimum day schedule November 13th-17th. Middle School Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled for November 15th and 16th with minimum days scheduled for both of these days.These conferences are a valuable opportunity for teachers to discuss your child's progress, academic achievements, and any concerns you may have. We believe that your involvement in your child's education is crucial to their success, and these meetings provide a platform for open communication between you and our dedicated educators. Your insights and feedback are highly valuable as we work together to support your child's growth and development. Please make every effort to attend the conference, as it plays a vital role in fostering a strong partnership between home and school. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing the path to your child's school success.

There are two events to help kick off a month long Winterfest celebration in Vista. First is the Viva Vista Parade on Saturday, December 2nd. Nothing puts a smile on a face faster than watching a parade. Come see the RBVHS and VHS bands play, along with a variety of other groups. Viva Vista Parade

Second is the Tree Lighting Ceremony in downtown Vista in front of Cinepolis on Sunday, December 3rd from 4:00-8:00 pm. Come on out and let your heart be filled with joy as you hear the sweet sounds of steel drums, choirs, bands, and ukuleles; as well as watch a variety of dance performances. In addition, you will have a chance to have fun playing a variety of games sponsored by the Vista Unified Chapter of PTA.

Social and emotional learning plays a critical role in helping students acquire skills they need to thrive in school and life. Research in social and emotional learning from CASEL indicates that, “when students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social, emotional, and cognitive skills across many different contexts, academic learning accelerates.” One of our aspirations in our Learner Portrait is for our students to become and act kind. Our schools are developing students who are kind, patient, appreciative, and courageous, and practice gratitude.

What are opportunities to develop kindness at home, in the community, and at schools?

• Spreading Kindness

• Why Kindness and Emotional Literacy Matter in Raising Kids

• From The TODAY show. Article “Supporting Kindness in Teens: Here’s What to Know”

• Video on “The Adolescent Brain” → how the brain changes and its importance in developing kindness and compassion.

World Kindness Day is November 13th! Kind is one of our learner portrait elements and Kindness is one of our district values. Let's kick off Kindness this school year by wearing bright colors or a Kindness shirt on this day.

During the month of October, we honored Bully Prevention Month and Red Ribbon Week! While many schools participated in Spirit Weeks which included daily themes and activities, many school counselors provided classroom lessons on bully prevention and responsible decision-making. Students learned the importance and impact of their choices and gained an understanding in self management strategies to help them become upstanders while using the 3 R's to stand up to bullies (Recognize, Report, Refuse). By using the 3 R's, we create and maintain safer learning environments where students can thrive.

Whether your family is traveling far or staying close to home over the holidays, families have an important role in making this season safe and joyful for their children. The University of Chicago recommends the following general tips for keeping your children healthy over the holidays:

A flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine are key to keeping your kids healthy. You’ll also protect elderly relatives and other family and friends who may be especially vulnerable.

• Encourage hand washing and keep hand sanitizer in your purse, car and around the home.

• Keep your kids bundled up and warm in colder weather.

• Try to stick to a regular bedtime routine, so everyone gets a good night’s sleep.

• Go for moderation! Cake, candy and cookies are yummy, but encourage one serving instead of two, or a couple of cookies instead of five or six.

When returning to school after a holiday break, students should remain home if they are exhibiting any COVID-like symptoms. Students experiencing fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body ache, headache, new loss of taste or smell, or a sore throat should test for COVID-19. If the student’s results are negative, they can return to school with improved symptoms. For students who test positive, they can return to school on Day 6. Always call your school office to report any absences or COVID-19 positive results.

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