Juergens' Journal
2026/2027
July
Embedded Files
Message from Principal Juergens
Message from Principal Juergens
July 22, 2026
Dear Vista Grande Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I am absolutely thrilled to welcome our new and returning families to Vista Grande Elementary—where this year, Falcons Share Smiles! Our goal is simple yet powerful: be the reason someone smiles today. It is a true privilege to serve as your principal and to lead such a joyful, collaborative, and supportive community.
Please take a moment to review the important information below, including our VG Family Handbook! This comprehensive guide is your essential resource for navigating all aspects of Vista Grande school life, including attendance policies, parking lot procedures, playground rules, and much more.
You can access the handbook in two convenient locations:
On a dedicated tab within the Juergens' Journal
As one of the prominent tiles on our VG Webpage
Building Character & Community
Building Character & Community
We are excited to continue building strong character and positive relationships through The Positivity Project. Throughout the year, students will explore 24 key character strengths—like kindness, gratitude, and perseverance—through engaging lessons and daily reflections.
To help bring these lessons home, check out the dedicated Positivity Project section in our monthly Juergens' Journal. There, you’ll find short videos and guiding questions to spark meaningful conversations and share smiles with your children at home!
SRVUSD Annual Update
SRVUSD Annual Update
The district Annual Update is mandatory for all families and is now open and closes Aug. 10, 2026. Please ensure you complete this process in the Parent Portal prior to the first day of school.
Upcoming Vista Grande Registration
Upcoming Vista Grande Registration
Registration opens on Monday, July 27 and is mandatory for all families. A separate email will be sent on Monday morning at 8:00 AM with a direct link and detailed instructions.
As you complete registration, please consider supporting Vista Grande. Your voluntary donations directly fuel our school's vital programs, including:
🎨 Enriched Academic & Creative Programs: Reading & Math Intervention, 4th & 5th Grade Instructional Assistants, STEM, Art, Vocal Music, extended Library hours, TK/Kinder PE, and so much more!
📚 Hands-on Classroom Resources
🎉 Community-Building Events
📝 School Supplies (NEW THIS YEAR!): Supplies are now embedded directly into registration—there is no need to purchase items through our previous vendor (1st Day School Supplies) or anywhere else!
TK & Kinder Students: Will receive a class-color-specific tote bag at school.
1st–5th Grade Students: Please provide a standard backpack (labeled with your child's name).
All Students: Please send a labeled water bottle daily.
Every single donation directly impacts our students and gives our entire campus a reason to smile—thank you for your support!
Front Office Hours & Summer Updates
Front Office Hours & Summer Updates
July 27: Office staff will begin answering emails and phone calls.
August 3: The front office reopens to the public.
Regular Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Our teachers and staff are enjoying their final weeks of summer vacation, but will soon be back on campus preparing classrooms and collaborating on exciting learning experiences for all of our students!
Let’s make this year one to remember—full of connection, growth, and plenty of reasons to smile. Here’s to a wonderful beginning!
With Gratitude,
Osi Juergens
Principal, Vista Grande Elementary
Stay Connected!
Check out the additional details and graphics below, and don't forget to follow us on social media for creative updates and helpful reminders throughout the year!
📷 Instagram: @vista_grande_school_parents 📘 Facebook: Vista Grande School Parents
Important Details & Dates
New "School to Home" Communication
New "School to Home" Communication
We are excited to announce that, effective July 1, 2026, we are adopting a new form of school-to-home communication at San Ramon Valley Unified School District called ParentSquare
We are excited to announce that, effective July 1, 2026, we are adopting a new form of school-to-home communication at San Ramon Valley Unified School District called ParentSquare
Check out this LINK for more detailed information on how to sign up so you have all the latest information from Vista Grande & SRVUSD.
IMPORTANT - SRVUSD District Annual Update:
IMPORTANT - SRVUSD District Annual Update:
Complete by 8/10/26
Complete by 8/10/26
All families are required to complete this very important online process as it is the primary means of providing updated emergency contact information This is separate from our VG registration and critical to ensure that all of your information is current. Please complete both! Accurate information is vital to the safety of our students!
The Annual Update includes:
Emergency contact information
Parent decisions on how student directory information can be shared
Notification of Parent Rights and Responsibilities
Policies on Student devices and technology
Student device fees, insurance, and use agreements
Eligibility for educational benefits
Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Follow these instructions.
See the Back to School webpage for valuable information for returning to school..
Vista Grande's ONLINE Registration
Vista Grande's ONLINE Registration
Vista Grande families complete online VG Registration process each year. Please note, this is different than the district annual update process, and is just for Vista Grande. Please complete both!
This year you will notice it states FIRST STEP at the top of the VG ONLINE Registration which Opens July 28th at 8:00am
*Please note that we do not have an in-person registration option.
If you have any questions please reach out to: vistagrandepta@gmail.com
School Supplies for 26/27
School Supplies for 26/27
NO NEED TO ORDER IN ADVANCE
Our teachers will be ordering school supplies throughout the year with donation dollars
How will this work? During the 26/27 VG School Registration we added a donations request.
The donation request will be less than purchasing from our previous vendor or purchasing on your own. WIN-WIN
NO PRE-PURCHASING 👏
NO LAST MINUTE PURCHASES 🥳
NO HEAVY BAGS TO CARRY TO SCHOOL 😀
NO HASSLE 😃
Want to Join our Team?
Want to Join our Team?
We’re Hiring! Noon Duty Supervisors & Crossing Guard
Vista Grande is looking to fill two part-time Noon Duty Supervisor positions and one crossing guard position before school starts!
Link to apply: Noon Duty Supervisor
Monday–Friday, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM daily
Link to apply: Crossing Guard (Camino Tassajara & Diablo Rd.)
MTThF 7:30-9:00am/11:30am-1:00pm/2:00-3:00pm,
W 7:30-8:15am/11:30am-12:15pm/12:30-1:15pm
If you or someone in our community is interested, please reach out or pass this along! Grandparents or retirees are welcome! Principal Juergens; ojuergens@srvusd.net.
Teaching Staff in 26/27
TK: (All AM) Estrada, Lenk, Allio
Kinder: Deutsch/Sheridan, Zuber, Flores
1st Grade: Montevago/Dalmada, Hansen/Henderson, Stewart/Schroeder
2nd Grade: Jill Jones, McEntee, Solomon
3rd Grade: Bula, Hildebrand, Kennedy/Petersen
4th Grade: Bownas, Paige Jones
4/5 Combo: Lind
5th Grade: Carstens, Collins
*Schroeder will be job sharing with Stewart this year as well as teaching Science. Megan Morrison and Megan Johnson will also be teaching a few sections of Science this year!
Class Assignments Available on
Class Assignments Available on
Wednesday, Aug. 12 @ Noon
Wednesday, Aug. 12 @ Noon
Class assignments will go live in the Parent Portal at 12:00 PM (Noon) on Wednesday, August 12. Please log onto the Parent Portal to access their child's class assignments.
TK & Kindergarten Families: Please log in to check your child’s placement prior to TK/Kinder Back-to-School Night on August 12 from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
A Note on Class Placements:
Our staff works diligently and considers many factors to create balanced, optimal learning environments for all students. Because these classes are carefully finalized—and assignments are not determined by sibling precedent—all class placements are final and adjustments will not be granted.
To help our team focus on preparing for the new year, please refrain from emailing or requesting teacher changes. We deeply appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and support as we prepare for a wonderful school year ahead!
WHAT IS TEAMING??
Teaming is a collaborative teaching model where educators share responsibility for all students—knowing, teaching, and supporting every child as a team. Each teacher specializes in a subject area, allowing for deeper expertise and more focused instruction. Students move between teachers instead of staying with one homeroom, which encourages dynamic groupings, stronger relationships, and a greater sense of community. This approach promotes personalized support, reduces behavior issues, and improves both student outcomes and teacher well-being.
Do you have an incoming 4th or 5th Grader???
Do you have an incoming 4th or 5th Grader???
In case you missed the presentation on 5/28/26
In case you missed the presentation on 5/28/26
As we look ahead to the 2026/2027 school year, we want to ensure our incoming 4th & 5th grade families understand how we are developing our master schedule to best support all our 4th & 5th grade students.
🔍 Key Focus: The Expansion of Our Teaming Model
🔍 Key Focus: The Expansion of Our Teaming Model
This upcoming year marks an important and exciting milestone for our upper grades as we create a more unified, supportive learning environment:
4th Grade Stability: Our 4th-grade team will be entering its 3rd year of successfully implementing the Teaming Model, providing a deeply rooted and refined structure for our incoming students.
5th Grade Transition: After years of utilizing traditional rotations for reading, writing, and math, our 5th-grade classrooms will be officially transitioning to the Teaming Model to align with the 4th-grade structure.
4/5 Combo Class: This model will ensure that students assigned to our 4/5 combo class will still receive all academic content with their grade level peers; not in mixed groupings.
Helpful Links
26/27 Bell Schedules
26/27 SRVUSD Instructional Calendar
Please make every effort to plan vacations around our school year calendar.
District Information
Run for Education 2026
Run for Education 2026
Mark your calendars for October 11, 2026! We are gearing up for the SRVEF’s premier fundraising event, and we want Vista Grande to have the biggest presence yet.
Why buy now?
Save Money: Prices go up after March 31.
Give Back: A portion of your ticket price is kicked back directly to VG.
Show Pride: Let’s dominate the leaderboard and show the foundation how Vista Grande fundraises!
Don't wait—secure your spot today and remember to select "Team Vista Grande" during registration.
Volunteering Requirements
Volunteering Requirements
IMPORTANT: MUST DO- In order to volunteer on campus or chaperone on a field trip
IMPORTANT: MUST DO- In order to volunteer on campus or chaperone on a field trip
If you would like to volunteer this year please sign up or log in to check the status of your previous sign-up so you are ready to volunteer during the 25/26 school year.
In SRVUSD, we continue to prioritize student safety and improve our procedures for processing and clearing volunteers.
Click HERE for more Details
If you are cleared through Be A Mentor & please feel free to check in at the office and volunteer during 1st-5th Grade Lunches
1st-3rd: 11:05-11:45 & 4th & 5th: 11:55-12:35
Vista Grande Ongoing Information
Report an Absence via Email
Report an Absence via Email
PREFERRED way to report an absence; Please email: vg-attendance@srvusd.net
You can still call our attendance line and leave a message: 925-314-1098
Each time your child is absent from school or when they will be late to school please email or call us.
Please include your name, your child’s name, grade, teacher, and the reason for the absence in your message.
It is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to notify the office of any absence before 8 am. Please note if we do not clear your absence you will receive a robo-call indicating your child is absent.
If you know your child will be absent (a trip, medical procedure, sports) please contact Juliette Brickley; jbrickley@srvusd.net our attendance secretary & your child's teacher to request an independent study packet. SRVUSD Independent Study Information
VG Lost & Found
Lost & Found items will be bagged up and donated on the last Friday of each month. Please claim your items by looking through the lost and found anytime before the last day of each month.
The lost & found cart is located just outside the MPR and is available for families to look through at any time.
*** If you label your children's belongings with their first and last name every effort will be made to deliver their items to their classroom.
VG Spirit Wear
Corporate Donation Matching
Does Your Employer Match Your VG Donations? Check Out The Link Below!
Double the impact of your 25/26 school year donations with a matching gift from your employer. Many companies are eager to match tax-deductible donations dollar for dollar, maximizing the benefit of your support.
Take a few minutes to check if your employer will match your contribution by clicking the link below and searching for your company. If your company does match, you will also be provided with more details on how and where to submit your match form.
Please note: Vista Grande has three separate entities eligible to receive matching funds (see below). Please select the correct entity when submitting your employer match form.
Falcon Fund Tax ID: 94-3043319 - your match will fund TK-5th classroom paraeducators in "traditional" classrooms, dedicated STEM for all students, PE for grades TK and K, reading and math intervention specialists, the Rainbow Room (social and emotional support), teacher collaboration days, student assessment day support, art, music and performing arts supplemental support, and more.
PTA Tax ID: 90-0912746 - your match will fund classroom/teacher resources, community events, and school modernization grants
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