Vista Oaks Update
A great place for your child to grow
Byron and East Bay News
November 19, 2021
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
November 19: TONIGHT! Murder Mystery//Vista Oaks High School Students Only (info below)
November 22-26: No school due to Thanksgiving Break
December 6 and 10:Vista Oaks Treasure Hunt (TK-8th grade) from 1-2 pm (more info to come!)
December 17: Winter Ball//Vista Oaks High School Students Only (info below)
December 23-January10: No school due to Winter Break
Teachings on Native American Heritage Month from one of our Advisors, Tamu Mosley
In honor of Native American Heritage Month I wanted to share some resources with you that I have come across over my years of learning more.
Often students share with me what they are learning about Native Americans aka Indigenous People Of North Americans aka “Indians” and speak as if Native Americans are in the past. This is an old narrative, among others, that gets recycled from year to year as students learn about the original people of North America.
Native Americans are still here. Many present day tribe members are actively stepping forth to be seen, reclaim stolen land and create sacred spaces to practice rituals, ceremonies, continue to connect and live in harmony with nature.
If you feel inspired, check out the resources below to expand and enrich you social studies lessons:
Native-Land allows you to find out who the original people are on the land you currently live. Clink the link and enter your zip code
Sogorea Te’ Land Trust is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust based in the San Francisco Bay Area that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people. Learn more here:
https://sogoreate-landtrust.org
The Zinn Education Project- The Zinn Education Project has introduced students to a more accurate, complex, and engaging understanding of history than is found in traditional textbooks and curricula. Search by theme, grade level, keyword for engaging material. https://www.zinnedproject.org/materials/
Upcoming school events!
*please note that only kiddos whose immunizations are up-to-date may attend onsite activities*
Two Vista Oaks Owls enjoying the Jamba Juice they earned for completing their "Math Adds Up" incentives!
Great work, kiddos!
College Scholarships!
Seniors, did you know you can search for scholarships in Naviance? Here is how you can find them!
Once you log in, go to the Colleges tab and look under "Scholarships and Money". Click on the Scholarship List and two tabs will appear:
1. "College Specific Scholarships" allows you to input your personal academic info and the system will automatically generate a list of applicable scholarships.
2. "Local & Regional Scholarships" are a list of scholarships that VO has added to the system.
Remember you can view how-to videos on our VO website (go to Parent Information, then Naviance).Any questions, reach out to your advisor or academic counselor (margie.giltner@vistaoaks.net).
Vista Oaks Yearbook
Mental Health Moments
Mental health tip:
Do you have a lot of emotions? Try writing a letter that you will never send. It helps to get all of your emotions and feelings out. So sit down and write a letter that you will not send. Once you have completed the letter, you can throw it away. It may help to tear the letter into tiny pieces before you toss it out!
FAFSA Applications
Seniors, now is the time to complete the FAFSA. The application window opened on October 1, and it is best practice to complete this ASAP and not wait until the application window closes.
Those who plan on attending college or community college in the fall need to complete this application.
Mask Mandate
Friendly Reminder:
Parent Educator Workshops. Come join us!
Oak Room Hours are 8:30-3:30 Monday through Friday
Speak up for Safety!
We love when our students are able to share concerns with us directly, but having an anonymous option is really helpful for some! We have a safety line in place for this.
STUDENTS CAN EASILY AND CONFIDENTIALLY REPORT THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:
- BULLYING
- PEERS IN CRISIS
- PLANNED FIGHTS
- THREATS OF VIOLENCE
- OTHER URGENT SITUATIONS
JUST EMAIL, CALL OR TEXT
209-443-3003