Vangie Zaryac, Administrative Assistant, Calavera Hills Elementary School

It would soon be Back to School time, and Calavera Hills Elementary School Office Manager Vangie Zaryac anticipated a challenge.

The school would continue as a hub for the district’s largest Transitional Kindergarten program for four- and five-year-old children, and would be piloting full-day Kindergarten as well. There would be lots of new families—and new TK students—some coming from Hope and Kelly Elementary Schools and unfamiliar with their new school’s layout. In addition, because CHE shares its campus and parking spaces with Calavera Hills Middle School, the middle-school teachers could face a parking puzzle as they arrive 45 minutes after classes have started for the younger kids.

Ms. Zaryac was well aware of the campus safety and traffic flow challenges. “It’s scary letting your young child out of the car, alone, on a big new campus,” Ms. Zaryac notes. “Parents feel very protective and want to walk their little ones to their classrooms. But, logistically, that would be unsafe and cumbersome.”

So Ms. Zaryac came up with a great solution. She made a sign—“The Coyote Cubs Curbside Drop Off”—and placed it in front of the entrance gate. Parents would drive up to the sign, and staff members wearing marked vests would meet the TK students at their cars and escort them safely to their classrooms. To alert the parents to the new plan Ms. Zaryac notified them through a ParentSquare email in advance. This procedure would be safer for the students and easier for the parents, while keeping the parking lot more accessible to other arriving students and teachers, as well as helping CHE act as a good neighbor to its middle school partners.

Ms. Zaryac believes that the front office is vitally important in creating CHE’s warm and welcoming culture. She sees Customer Service as her job. At her desk, she displays a neon sign that says “Safe Place,” and she keeps little chairs, Legos, and comfort toys nearby for the little ones.

“My view is that everybody deserves my patience, no matter how busy the office is,” says Ms. Zaryac. “Parents who need me get my full attention. They deserve to be heard and validated, and to be given the space and time to express their feelings. School is supposed to be a fun place. This is their home.”

Ms. Zaryac also helps organize the staff duty schedule, making sure that someone is stationed at the back gate, at the playground, and out in the lot in the morning to direct traffic and get kids out of cars safely. She supports the administrative team, helps out with student records and attendance, and oversees the many administrative details that keep the school running.

Ms. Zaryac has been part of the CUSD family—and that’s what it is to Vangie, a family—for 23 years. She arrived in Carlsbad 30 years ago and raised her children here. At first she worked as a PTA volunteer when her children were students at Hope Elementary. In 2003 she was hired as a computer lab aide at Hope, and later served as Administrative Assistant for Alternative Education programs. For the last 15 years Ms. Zaryac has been the Administrative Assistant/Office Manager at CHE. Her daughter, Katie Hartlin, is a product of CUSD schools and is now a science teacher next door at CHMS. Ms. Zaryac has one grandson here at CHE and another one at Valley Middle School.

“I love this job,” Ms. Zaryac enthuses. “It’s wonderful to welcome a new family, making sure that their first look at the school, their first impression, shows it in the best light possible. I really care about this school and community, and will do everything I can to ensure that it runs smoothly.

“I had the privilege of working with Miss Vangie for seven years during my time as principal at Calavera Hills Elementary, and I saw firsthand how deeply she cares about the school and its community,” says Director of Elementary Education Kimberly Fuentes. “She truly is the glue that holds Calavera together. She takes great care of everyone who walks through the door. Her pride in Calavera and dedication to its students, staff, and families shine through in everything she does.”

We at Carlsbad Unified appreciate our classified employees who work everyday to create an inspiring environment for our students.

The Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees has adopted Board Policy 5142.04 and Administrative Regulation 5142.04 to establish safety rules for bicycles, e-bikes, and electric mobility devices. Developed in direct coordination with the City of Carlsbad and local law enforcement, the policy creates a single, consistent safety standard for students on campus and on local streets.

"As more students use bikes and e-bikes to get to and from school, it is important that we have clear expectations, consistent education, and appropriate accountability when unsafe riding puts students or community members at risk. With the adoption of BP 5142.04, Carlsbad Unified has clearer tools to address unsafe riding connected to school travel, while continuing to coordinate with the City of Carlsbad and local law enforcement. Our goal is simple: every student gets to and from school safely.” -Michele Tsutagawa Ward, President, Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees.

Key Rules by Grade Level

Elementary (TK–5): E-bikes, e-motos, and other electric mobility devices are strictly prohibited on or near school property at all times. Standard, human-powered bicycles remain welcome for all grade levels.
Middle and High School (Ages 12+): Students may ride standard e-bikes to campus only after completing a district-approved e-bike safety training program and obtaining a CUSD permit sticker.
Prohibited Devices (District-Wide): Higher-speed electric mopeds, motorcycles, and dirt bikes ("e-motos") are strictly banned across all grade levels.
Campus Expectations: All students must dismount and walk their bicycles or e-bikes once on school grounds, wear helmets, and lock their rides in designated parking areas.

“With new local e-bike safety laws now in effect in Carlsbad, education has been the foundation of our approach to helping young riders and their families understand the rules and the importance of riding safely. Before full enforcement began, our department conducted a 60-day education period and has continued community outreach and education efforts. By working with Carlsbad Unified School District to reinforce e-bike safety information and education for students and families, we can continue encouraging safe riding habits both in our community and around our schools. We share the same goal of helping young riders understand the rules, make safer choices, and prevent serious collisions." - Chief Calderwood, Carlsbad Police Department.

Enforcement and Safety Expectations

The policy sets up a progressive response system for rule violations. Initial infractions will result in warnings and parent notifications, while repeated or severe safety issues can lead to the loss of e-bike riding privileges or student discipline. Because safety doesn't end at the campus gate, CUSD and the Carlsbad Police Department are also partnering to address serious traffic safety violations on the way to or from school.

Next Steps for Families

Families with middle or high school students planning to ride an e-bike to school should visit the Carlsbad Unified School District e-bike webpage to review approved safety training options and start the permit application process. Full policy details are also available on CUSD's Board Policy portal.

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