News and Podcasts

CTE Teacher Profile: Kelly Clark - Photography teacher at Rancho Buena Vista High School. 

Kelly Clark has been the Photography teacher at Rancho Buena Vista High School for the past twelve years. She teaches a two-year program consisting of Photo 1 and Photo 2 and is also the department Chair.

“They judged which photographs were best, and all of the kids got to keep the sunglasses, which was awesome. I also brought in a food truck and kids got to photograph the food and learn what clients want and expect.”

- Kelly Clark

STAFF-STUDENT CONNECTIONS: STEPHANIE ROSS OF WAVECREST CAFE

Stephanie Ross has been the Cafeteria Lead at T.H.E. Leadership Academy for the past 11 years and worked with Vista Unified’s CNS department for 23 years. She is very aware of the importance of her role and influence in a special place outside the classroom. 

“I do feel like I’m teaching the children because I’m teaching them to be kind, courteous, and considerate."

- Stephanie Ross

School Resource Officers Return to VUSD Campuses

Vista Unified welcomed back SROs (School Resource Officers) to its campuses this school year. SROs assist the school administration in maintaining safe and secure environments for students and staff.  While stationed at our high schools, SROs are available to support students at any of Vista’s schools.  

“Our SRO strives to build positive relationships with scholars by engaging in informal conversations.”

-Christina DeSanto

Heroes of Vista 2024

On Friday, March 22nd, five Vista Unified School District employees will be honored as part of the annual “Heroes of Vista” award ceremony. The Awards, presented by the Vista Chamber of Commerce and The Vista Educational Foundation, spotlight a wide range of community members whose work and service make an impact in the community. 

The five recipients of the education awards are:

Arts Educator of the Year: Carol Jones of Mission Vista High School

Technology Educator of the Year: Rya Hege of T.H.E. Leadership Academy

Classified Person of the Year: Dave Shaputis of Bobier Elementary

Administrator of the Year: Emyr Rich of Vista Magnet Middle School

Health Care Person of the Year: Carol Oliver of Major General Raymond Murray High School

Vista High School Opens Building S - a High Tech Haven for Learning

When Vista USD classes resumed on January 10th, 2024 students at Vista High School were finally able to enjoy the brand-new Building S at the front of the school campus facing Bobier Dr. The new building houses the school’s English department, with 18 classrooms that also include spaces for several special education classes.

“I think I have a unique perspective because I'm an alumnus from here,” she explains. “I graduated Vista High School in 2001, so from the perspective of being a teacher here now and having been a student before, to have something that's brand new is pretty magical.”

-English teacher Melissa Cotter

Vista Magnet Middle School Rings In New Year With Newly Completed Upgrades

Vista Magnet Middle School welcomed 2024 with an impressive new look after an almost year-and-a-half-long construction project to upgrade and improve the school.

“Once we realized we could do a full redesign, we created the ‘Historical Committee’,” says Post. “It was made up of staff, district staff, students, community members, and the design team including Josh Eckel from the design studio.

RBV Celebrates Opening of New Construction & Welding Building

Guests were greeted by the RBV cheerleaders as the school’s marching band and drum line played a selection of celebratory tunes to set the mood. Vista High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC presented the flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance before RBV Principal Dr. Jose Villareal greeted the assembled audience.

“Our new CTE building at Rancho Buena Vista is a crown jewel of our Career Technical Education efforts,” says Vista Unified Superintendent Dr. Matt Doyle. “This space, combined with our amazing teachers, will solidify Vista Unified as a premier destination for students wanting to pursue careers in these in-demand, well-paying jobs that power our local economy and communities. It is a testament to the commitment of our community to invest in the next generation of leaders.”

Equity Walks Embody Core Values For Learners, Adults & The Community

In 2020 Vista Unified adopted a resolution (Resolution 20-42) reaffirming its commitment to fight racism. The resolution affirmed that: equity is a core value of the district; that Vista aims to celebrate diversity and eliminate barriers; the district would stand in solidarity with historically underrepresented groups; and that it would resolve to conduct workshops and training focused on bias, and direction for the district in addressing bias.

Principals from each host site meet with Student Support Services two to four weeks in advance of the walks to review the process and plan details. Facilitators provide materials to guide the process, which lasts from 8:00 - 11:30 AM at each school site.

Vista Unified School District and City of Vista To Host Town Hall Event On Human Trafficking

On Thursday, February 8th, Vista Unified School District, in conjunction with the City of Vista, is hosting a Town Hall forum on the topic of Human Trafficking (also referred to as CSEC - Commercialized Sexual Exploitation of Children). The event takes place from 6:00 - 7:30 PM at the Vista Civic Center in the Morris B. Vance Community Room. Translation services will be provided.

 “I cannot underscore enough the importance of this topic for the students and parents of our community. Sadly, there are challenges outside of the walls of the classroom that are having a disturbing impact on our student population. These types of town hall meetings can really help build collective efforts toward keeping our students safe.”

- Dr. Matt Doyle, Superintendent of Vista Unified School District

Rancho Buena Vista High School Celebrates Opening of New Construction & Welding Building with Ribbon-Cutting Event

On Tuesday, February 6th, students and staff from Rancho Buena Vista High School, along with Vista Unified School District leadership and city officials, will celebrate the opening of a brand new Career Technical Education (CTE) building.

“There are no limits,” says Construction teacher Cardenas. “We used to have to take the space into account for every project. And now you just feel like there's not a single restraint as to what kids can build. It's just amazing. We could build anything.”

Mission Vista Teacher Nabs Out of This World Opportunity with NASA

David Forester teaches astronomy, biology, and chemistry at Mission Vista High School where he has been a fixture for the past ten years in a department of thirteen science teachers. But 2024 marks an exciting milestone in his career. 

“Anyone in the science and astronomy education space can apply to the program; most are classroom teachers from middle or high school, or the community college level,” explains Forester, who was the only winner from California.

Madison Middle School Students Selected to All-State Band/Choir

French Horn player Wyatt Andersen (8th grade), was accepted into the All-State band, while Sephora Bourhenne (7th grade) and Isabel Petrow (8th grade) both made the All-State Choir. All students are now working towards the prestigious All-State concert that takes place in Sacramento on February 3rd, 2024.

"New All-State band inductee, Wyatt Andersen, 13, has been playing French horn for three years and says, “Playing in the Madison band was an amazing experience. I’ve learned a lot and I am impressed with how much our band program has grown. I was pretty nervous for All-State but I practiced and had more confidence when I had to record the audition. I was very excited and proud of myself for achieving my goal.”

Monte Vista Bike Giveaway

Forty-two years ago a small group of road bicyclists in North County hosted a golf tournament to raise money to benefit their community. What started as a few people has ballooned into a group of almost 100 people who contribute all of the net money raised to purchase bicycles for area students.

“Bike safety has become a new initiative in our district,” says Monte Vista Principal Kerry Perez. “The district is working with the San Diego County Bike Coalition, doing bike safety nights for parents and families. So what this gift is doing also fits in nicely with our district focus and supporting that safety.”

Vista Elks Lodge Hosts 47th Annual Special Ed Holiday Show with Vista Unified

On Friday, December 15th, the Special Education Department of Vista Unified School District (VUSD) put on its 47th annual holiday talent show in cooperation with the Vista Elks at the Elks Lodge. Students from eight different VUSD schools performed holiday songs for a packed house of families, fellow students, and members of the Elks Lodge. 

“This holiday performance is a special event,” said Rachel Schmidt, Special Ed Supervisor for Vista Unified and Principal of California Avenue School. “Some children enrolled in specialized special education do not often have an opportunity to perform or to be on stage, so it is a treasured time for the families to watch their kids do something like this.”

New Year, New Facilities, Measure LL Update

It is always exciting to start a new calendar year. In Vista Unified, we are particularly excited because we have just completed the construction of two large Measure LL Facility Bond projects and one of the classroom buildings on the largest project is ready to move into. 

These Measure LL Facility Bond projects are fulfilling our promise to the community to repair, upgrade, and equip classrooms, science labs, and local school facilities supporting college readiness, career preparation, math, science, engineering, technology, and skilled trades; repair aging classrooms/schools including deteriorating roofs, plumbing, and electrical; improve student safety/school security.

CHEF ELIZA MARTIN

Chef Eliza Martin may be best known for being a ‘Chopped’ champion on the Food Network but you only have to see her in action teaching cooking classes at VIDA Middle School to see where her real passion lies.

“I really try to fit a lot of different cultures into our cooking to pay honor to different kids in the class,” she explains. “And I love child-led learning. If someone requests a recipe and I can do it, we do it. It makes students more engaged and empowered.”

VUSD Student Performers Light Up Vista Village Winterfest and Tree Lighting

“I am thrilled we have such a wide variety of ages from elementary through high school who want to perform at the Vista Village Winterfest. It is important that our students have opportunities to showcase their art in the community,”

-Susan Stuber, VAVPA TOSA

Vista Unified’s Casita Center Awarded National Blue Ribbon School Honor at Ceremony in Washington, DC

The North County school is one of just two in San Diego County and 33 in California to receive the honor.

“This recognition is a testament to the incredible learning environment that our staff, learners, and community members have created by working together and continually striving for academic excellence and innovation.”

- Jenny Chien, Principal Casita