Alternative to Suspension
Facilitators
Karen Kenney, VUSD Counselor - RISE
karenkenney@vistausd.org
(442) 264-7940
Amy Sapau, VUSD Resource Teacher - RESET
amysapau@vistausd.org
(442) 444-2322
RISE & RESET
Vista Unified School District offers a Tier II Alternative to Suspension program for 8th through 12th grade students. Within this program are two classroom opportunities for students to learn and grow from negative behaviors, in lieu of being suspended at home:
- Resilience Intervention for Substance Education (RISE) - 3 day program
- Restorative Practices & Social Emotional Teaching (RESET) - 2 or more days
In RISE, students learn about the harmful physical and emotional effects of substance use, as well as resilience-building strategies. Students are equipped with the tools they need to make informed decisions, cope with challenges, and ultimately lead healthier, substance-free lives. Not all students who use alcohol and/or drugs will develop an addiction. However, alcohol and drug use have serious negative effects on the bodies and brains of developing adolescents. Therefore, it is important to educate and provide alcohol and drug counseling for all students who are experimenting with substance use.
RESET teaches students about the impact of engaging in harmful activities, including bullying, harassment, fighting, hate speech and vandalism. Students are empowered to take accountability for their actions, examine the pathway that has influenced their choices, and understand how their behavior impacts their own lives, as well as their community. RESET students will develop new coping skills, learn conflict resolution strategies, and practice positive alternatives to unsafe and harmful behaviors by participating in restorative discussions, self-reflections, and social emotional activities.
Upon successful completion students will have created an individualized Action Plan, which they will present to their school administrator, along with their Certificate of Completion.
RISE and RESET facilitators meet with students Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 12:30pm at 111 W. California Ave in Vista. In the afternoons, the facilitators visit high schools to check in with students who have completed the program to offer further support. Upon completing the program, each participant’s suspension is modified to reflect an excused absence for intervention, rather than a suspension. This gives students an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and return to school with a fresh start.
Mental Health Services
Elizabeth Hospice - Grief Support
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Dial 988
24-hour Youth Crisis Hotline - Phone: 800-843-5200