January 2025 proved to be a dynamic and productive month for our alternative education sites, filled with celebrations, academic progress, community engagement, and exciting extracurricular achievements. The month began with a powerful professional development day where students shared impactful internship experiences, highlighting the real-world value of these learning opportunities. Our combined boys’ basketball team celebrated a thrilling victory to close out 2024 and continued their winning streak into the new year, culminating in a nail-biting one-point win against Montecito High School in Ramona. The Big Picture Book Club and basketball program resumed in January, offering students and staff enriching activities beyond the classroom. We also celebrated two Rising Star Seniors, Gio Rodriguez at Alta and Gaby Garcia Benitez at VVA, recognizing their outstanding achievements. College-bound trips to MiraCosta and Palomar Colleges exposed students to potential future pathways. Throughout the month, Isaak Egge, from Big Picture Learning, provided on-site support to teachers, facilitating 1:1 check-ins to discuss progress, challenges, and successes related to Learning Through Internships (LTI).
Academically, students engaged in CAPTI testing, a crucial districtwide English exam. The MGM faculty were commended for their ongoing efforts to improve student attendance and engagement. This month also saw the launch of the Pathways to Citizenship program at MGM’s PM School, offering vital immigration services to families in need. The program saw a strong initial turnout and will continue for two more Thursdays. We are grateful for the dedication of those who made this resource available to our community.
Beyond academics, students had opportunities to engage in various activities. A group of students, accompanied by Cleveland Hagans, Leo Sambrano, and others, attended the LA Fit Expo. Summer professional development sessions in Canva, Thrively, and other areas were announced, offering teachers opportunities for growth. The Superintendent’s Council on Equity and Racism held a meeting, encouraging participation. A secure campus/lockdown drill was conducted at all alternative education sites to ensure safety preparedness. Subject-alike PLC meetings resumed, fostering collaboration among teachers across sites.
The importance of student engagement and real-world connections was further emphasized through ongoing internships, Leave to Learns, and Community School programming. Julann Lodge’s classroom was highlighted as an exemplary model of prioritizing the L2L pipeline, visibly displaying each student's progress. MGM launched its inaugural Kickout attendance intervention, demonstrating a proactive approach to encouraging consistent attendance. As January drew to a close, the alternative education community reflected on a month filled with progress, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success. The dedication of teachers, staff, families, and community partners continues to be the driving force behind the positive impact on the lives of our students.
Dear Students, Families, and Community Members:
Welcome to the Community School Communicator! This is the monthly newsletter for the two Continuation High Schools in Vista Unified: Murray High School and Alta Vista High School!
As we step into 2025, our Alternative Education schools have been buzzing with meaningful learning, community connections, and student success!
🎓 Real-World Learning in Action – January kicked off with students sharing the impact of their internships at our Professional Development Day, reinforcing our commitment to preparing them for life beyond high school. Our Leave to Learn experiences continued, giving students hands-on exposure to careers and higher education opportunities.
🏀 Basketball Thrills & Undefeated Streaks – Our Alta/MGM basketball team has kept us on the edge of our seats, securing victories—including a nail-biter against Montecito HS—and demonstrating the power of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship. We have just one game left in the season, then playoffs!
🤝 Engaging Families & Strengthening Community Ties – From a packed Posada at AVHS, where families and staff came together over food and festivities, to the launch of our Pathways to Citizenship program at MGM, which provides vital immigration services to our families, January has been all about connection and support.
📚 Student Voice & Academic Growth – MGM wrapped up 2024 with a successful Coffee with the Principal, sparking important conversations about student success. Meanwhile, our Big Picture Book Club has returned, giving educators a space to discuss innovative approaches to student-centered learning. And across all sites, students are making strides on the districtwide CAPTI testing, with advisors ensuring they have the support they need to finish strong.
📢 Looking Ahead – We continue to push forward with new strategies, including MGM’s Kickout attendance intervention, aimed at keeping students engaged and on track. And as always, we remain focused on making sure every student has the opportunities, resources, and encouragement to thrive.
Thank you to our dedicated staff, students, and families for making this an incredible start to 2024. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue shaping bright futures together!
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