VISTA Online Newsletter

2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR UNVEILED

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:05:56 -0700

Next year, school will start a little bit earlier on Tuesday, August 14, 2012.There will also be a Fall Break the week of October 1st through the 5th.

Winter Break remains 3 weeks long. and Spring Break will be the week of March 25 through the 29th.

There will be a Pupil Free Day on the Friday, January 18, the last day of the semester so that teachers can prepare for the upcoming second semester.

Award Assemblies will be held a week after the end of each 6-Week cycle on Minimum Days when dismissal will be at 12:35.

Friday, February 1st will be a Pupil Free Day so that Parents can have Parent Conferences with their child’s teachers any time during the day.

The week of April 22nd through the 25, students will be dismissed at 12:35 so that parents can have another chance to conference with teachers.

Last day of school will Friday June 7th, 2013

VISTA ORCHESTRA ON FLIED TRIP TO SAN DIEGO

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:52:49 -0700

On Friday, March 30, 2012 the Vista Orchestra, along with the Santa Monica Blvd. Community Charter School Orchestra, set off on a weekend trip to San Diego! Both schools have spent the entire year fundraising for the trip. The orchestra parents deserve so much credit for their hard work fundraising. They took the challenge to be involved and gave their children an amazing experience with their classmates.
The orchestra spent Friday morning at Sea World learning about marine mammals and other ocean creatures. The group was also treated to a behind the scenes look at how animal performers are trained for Sea World shows. The rest of the day was full of go-karts, mini-golf, pizza, and time at the beach! Saturday was an incredible day at the Natural History Museum of San Diego. After watching Sharks 3D in the museum’s screening room, the students explored the one of a kind Titanic exhibit. The exhibit featured recovered artifacts from the ships wrecked remains and replicas of the ships interior.
The trip was an amazing success. Our students were complimented on their decorum and manners at our various destinations. Thanks to everyone in our school community who supported our students. We couldn’t have taken this trip without you. As a class we had a blast learning and having fun together! We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Coffee with the Principal

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:39:05 -0800

Every Friday, Mr. Avila, our principal holds a Q&A and tour of the school with parents and members of the community to bring them up to date on the latest developments of our school.

Please stop by every Friday at 8:10 am. Coffee and sweet breads are provided.

8th Grade Professional Thursdays

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:26:05 -0800

Thursdays are a special day for our VISTA 8th graders. Our 8th graders dress in "professional" attire. Their professional attire provides them with an opportunity to improve their outer image.

We believe that in time, they will see themselves as the professional they will become in the future. It is a transformation in the making.

Today, 10 of our 8th graders participated in the second phase of our "professional" Thursdays. Phase 1 was for them to dress professionally. Phase 2 is our vision to have all our 8th graders to participate in a "mini-internship" at a community organization every Thursday from 12 p..m. - 3 p.m.

The Children's Institute Inc. (CII) is providing 10 of our students with an intern opportunity EVERY THURSDAY! Starting next week, a different set of 8th graders will intern at CII. Eventually, all our 8th graders will have an opportunity to serve in our community. Also, starting next week, 3 of our 8th grade students will begin their internship at the Boys Club of America.

Thank you to our community partners for their support.

VISTA Soccer Team

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:41:16 -0800

Did you know that VISTA has its very own soccer team? Yes, that’s right! Not only that, but it competes in a league against other local middle schools. While there is much to celebrate, the team acknowledges that it has been a hard season. The team has few 8th graders and most other teams has many more, so their teams are bigger, stronger, more experienced. Also, the league plays in a professional size field, which is huge! VISTA’s players admit that it has been a struggle to get used to play in such a big field when our local field is so small. Administration is trying very hard to secure a bigger field for practice, so that our players can get the conditioning and field vision they need.

However, the positives are great. Many middle schools don’t offer many organized sports. VISTA does. The camaraderie of the team is god, and new friends have been made. Sometimes, between students who would not otherwise get a chance to know each other. With what giving each other rides, sharing equipment, and encouraging each other, the team has a strong bond.

Mr. Magnusson and Mr. Ramirez, the coaches from YPI are happy with the experience as well. They can see what a positive impact, playing organized sports, can have on students. It makes them feel good about themselves, more confident, and that confidence transfers to their academics.

And while we may have not won many games in this inaugural season, everyone has benefitted from the experience. We are already recruiting more players and while there is one game left this season, everyone is happy and confident that the team will only continue to improve.

Go Eagles! Soar!