“The DREAM begins with a teacher who BELIEVES in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called ‘truth’”.
– Dan Rather

Dear Parents:

Last year our theme for the year was to BELIEVE: to believe in each of our students until our students were able to believe in themselves.  This isn’t just a theme for a year but a constant mantra of mine.  This year our theme is to DREAM: to imagine all the marvelous possibilities within each of our students as well as within our entire school community.  Whatever we can dream together, we can bring to reality together.  At Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, we DREAM & BELIEVE!

I am looking forward to this new school year.  I know we have challenges ahead of us; in spite of the budget cuts to education from the state, we will move forward and continue to do our best for all our students.  I also know that in times of adversity, new strengths are discovered and new insights are born.  I am excited about the journey ahead. 

Please read through each of the bullets in this letter.
Each bullet contains very important information.

Our schedule for August:

• August 17:  Bulldog Camp and Orientation Day for all our 5th – 8th graders from 8:30am to 12:30pm.  From 12:30 – 1:30pm – optional training for any middle school students who would like to volunteer to guide the elementary grades orientation day on August 18th.  Students should wear comfortable shoes and clothing and bring bottled water. 

• August 18:  Bulldog Camp and Orientation Day for all our 1st – 4th graders from 8:30am to 12:30pm.  Students should wear comfortable shoes and clothing and bring bottled water.

At Bulldog Camp, students will get their school photo taken (and middle school students will get their student I.D. card that day) and they will get their class schedule.  They will learn about VAVPA school rules and behavior code.  We will have team building activities so that they have the opportunity to get to know their classmates.  We will talk about the importance of having a dream; we will construct a giant “dreamcatcher”.  Please have your child come to orientation with some small (and light in weight) object that captures either who they are, what they hope to become, or an object that illustrates a dream they have for themselves or their community.  We will also be selling PE clothes and handbooks that day for $25.  Please either bring cash or a check made out to:  Vista Academy.  We may also be selling Jamba Juice smoothies for $2.

If your child is unable to attend Bulldog Camp or they are a kindergartner, we will be having another student photo day on Thursday, September 3.  We will also be selling student planners and PE clothes the first week of school as well.

• Thursday, August 20th:  Back to School Night from 5:30pm – 7:30pm!  It’s early this year but we thought it would be perfect to start the year letting all our parents know what their child will be learning throughout this school year; and to give all parents an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher before the school year begins.

• August 21st:  Kindergarten Orientation:  8:15am – 8:45am for early birds.  9am – 9:30am for our later gators.  (If you have a question about whether your child is an early bird or later gator, please call Christina Cisar at 941-0880, ext. 1001).  (Early birds’ hours of attendance for the school year are 8am – 11:21am and later gators’ attend from 10:20am – 11:41am.)  On August 21, your child’s class assignment and room number will be posted by the front office.

• Monday, August 24:  First day of classes and the 2009 – 2010 school year.  Please make sure students wear tennis shoes for PE and bring bottled water because it will be hot throughout August and September.

Please get involved in our PTA and/or our Foundation.  Research shows that parents who are involved in their child’s school and education positively impact their child’s chance of academic success!  Our PTA President this year is Jennifer Mahoney (jennmahoney@sbcglobal.net) and Jennifer Bradford (mjbrad4@cox.net) is the continuing President of our Foundation.

I have attached a school supply list and our Bulldog Bark – behavior code of conduct.  Please look over both and talk with your child about what each of the Bulldog words mean, especially with regards to being a student at VAVPA.  Thank you.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call us.

Mary Contreras, Principal
Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

“Dream your dreams with open eyes and make them come true.” 
-T.E. Lawrence