Wolf Pack Weekly
May 8, 2020
Class of 2020
As the recent
Community Update from the District, as well as the follow up email to seniors from the school indicated, the current health and safety orders in the County of San Diego have led to the cancellation of some events (i.e., Prom, Grad Night) and we are actively planning alternatives to traditional senior celebrations. We know this is disappointing, and we wanted nothing more than to host these events and provide the best senior experience you deserve.
We have plans to recognize our academic standouts and scholarship recipients through a digital version of Senior Awards Night. Additionally, our priority centers around graduation and what it can/will look like in light of the County health orders. We are still soliciting your feedback via the SENIOR CELEBRATIONS SURVEY. We are still hopeful for a physical - albeit delayed - physical graduation ceremony as soon as possible.
Yesterday (Thursday), all seniors should have received an email from the school with details about a senior celebration video. We are seeking interested students to submit video clips about celebratory moments and memories from the last four years. Please check your school email account for details.
More than anything, we want to create meaningful celebratory experiences for each of you as we know that the current health crisis should not overshadow the last four years of your high school careers. Please visit the Class of 2020 Celebrations website for new developments and plans to recognize your achievements. Meantime, know that we have not forgotten about you, and we are working tirelessly to find ways to make this year as special as it should have been for you.
Notifications for Students in At Risk of Not Earning Credit for Current Coursework
In the coming week, our teachers will be sending notification to students (and their parents) who are at risk of not earning any credit for a given course. For those who are at risk of not receiving credit, there is still plenty of time to get caught up in each course. Please reach out to your student's teachers with any questions.
Our priority is to provide meaningful learning experiences for students with the intent of making sure that all students are prepared for coursework next year. Above all else, we want to make sure basic needs are being met, including food needs, technology access, and social-emotional support.
Our staff will continue to reach out to students/families in need during this time to be support learning across our student body.
Our Instructional Focus for the Rest of this Year
A Focus on Key Standards and Skills
Given that the learning environment has changed and cannot replicate the traditional, physical classroom experience, our priority as educators is to focus all learning opportunities on the most essential standards and skills for each course. By focusing on these key pieces, we are striving to ensure students are adequately prepared for coursework next year.
Student Expectations for Virtual School
As a reminder, it is expected that all students are engaging in learning opportunities via the Virtual School Platform. Students who do not engage with their classes run the risk of not earning credit for the fourth quarter.
For each scheduled school day, students will be expected to:
Check school email accounts and/or Google Classrooms daily for updated information for each class.
Complete assignments and assessments assigned by each teacher
Submit all work in a timely manner
Respond to communication from each teacher
- Follow the Academic Honesty Policy as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Suggested Daily Learning Schedule
To the extent possible, students should follow this
suggested daily learning schedule.
- Mondays/Wednesdays = Periods 1 & 3, plus optional office hours for periods 2 & 4
- Tuesdays/Thursdays = Periods 2 & 4, plus optional office hours for periods 1 & 3
- Fridays = Student Work Day. Office hours for all classes (by appointment).
We recognize that - for a variety of extenuating reasons during this health crisis - not all students will be able to follow the suggested schedules as outlined. All course content, assignments, and videos will be accessible to students outside of the hours listed on the schedule.
Virtual School Parent Guide
We have developed a
Virtual School Parent Guide, which contains a centralized list of resources that parents and students can access as they support their student(s) with virtual learning at MVHS.
In most cases, questions that parents may have about their student's virtual classes can be answered by sending an email to the teacher of any given class.
Food Distribution Across VUSD
Our District continues to provide meal distribution for qualifying families every Wednesday. Food distribution takes place at six locations across our district from 10:30-12:00 each week. Please visit the
WaveCrest Cafe webpage for more details.
At the site-level, Maribel Mora is our point of contact: maribelmora@vistausd.org.
Social and Emotional Support Resources
We are committed to serving the social and emotional needs of students during this difficult time. If you or your family are struggling with social-emotional needs, please complete this
form. A member of the MVHS Counseling team will respond as soon as possible.
Additional social-emotional support resources can be found the Vista Virtual School Social and Emotional Support webpage.
If your student is having difficulty with technology access, or needs to exchange his/her Chromebook/computer device, please contact our Teacher-Library, Mrs. Stone at jenniferstone@vistausd.org. We will work with your student to rectify the situation.
Counseling Department Information
Wellness with the Counseling Department
Every Tuesday and Thursday, our Counseling Department sends out a video to students promoting overall wellness and study habits. Below is the link to their YouTube channel.
MVHS Counseling Department YouTube Channel
Set-up Virtual Meetings with Your Counselor
Students can meet with their counselor for all matters regarding academic planning and course selection, as well as social-emotional support. Below is a link to contact your counselor:
Contact Your Counselor
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
AP Exams will begin next week and will continue through May 22nd.
AP Exam Schedule:
Please click this link to see the AP Exam Schedule.
Important Information about Exams
Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be administered online at home
Exams will be limited to 45-minutes in length
Exams will be assessing a reduced scope of content in each subject area (prior to March)
Students who previously registered for exams will have the option of canceling their exam(s) without penalty
Please direct any questions to Mrs. Stearman zeinsleiman-stearman@vistausd.org.
Yearbooks Still Available for Purchase
Students may still purchase a yearbook for the current school year.
The ordering webpage can be found here.
PTSA was scheduled to host an essential and timely Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on campus this month, funded and awarded by a program grant from the Ninth District PTA. While this event has obviously been postponed due to the Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, we are still hopeful that we will be able to offer it and a new date and information will be announced as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, we would like to provide the following mental health and wellness resources, shared with us by the San Diego County Office of Education, for your students and family during this challenging time:
Teen Guide for Mental Health & Wellness that is meant for middle and high school students:
Timberwolves Foundation Information
Scholarship Opportunities (6) for Seniors
The Timberwolves Foundation is funding a total of six (6) scholarship opportunities for current seniors totaling $6,000 ($1,000 each). There are three categories - 2 scholarships in each, If seniors haven't completed an application yet, the Foundation has extended its deadline, so there is still time to apply.
Because school campus remains closed, the Foundation is accepting applications via email and we have extended the closing due date to midnight May 15th, 2020. Completed applications can be sent to Scholarships@timberwolvesfoundation.com
Click the following link for more information and/or to apply: Timberwolves Foundation Scholarship Information.
MVHS VISION, MISSION, AND VALUES
Our Vision is to be the model of educational excellence through discovery, innovation, and growth.
Our Purpose is to empower students to be self-directed, creative, and critical thinkers who persevere to positively impact the interconnected world.
We Value mutual respect, collaboration, integrity, originality, and intellectual curiosity that prepare our students to become integral members of society.
MISSION VISTA HIGH SCHOOL
THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL TIMBERWOLVES FOUNDATION FOR
SPONSORING THE WOLF PACK WEEKLY!
