The Community School Communicator

Welcome to the final edition of our newsletter for the 2025–2026 school year! As we head into the final weeks of the term, our Alternative Education community is buzzing with energy. It is a time that somehow feels both incredibly fast and wonderfully full, packed with student triumphs, new community partnerships, and well-deserved accolades for our dedicated staff.

Excellence in Action: Model Schools & Rising Stars

We are thrilled to share that a team representing Alt Ed recently attended the annual CCEA+ conference to officially accept Model School honors for both Major General Raymond Murray High School and Alta Vista High School. This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to creating supportive, high-quality learning environments.

Our seniors are also shining brightly. We recently celebrated our incredible Rising Star of the Year scholarship recipients. Massive congratulations to our top $3,000 award winners: Natalie Cruz Saenz (Murray HS), Jorge Cruz (Alta Vista HS), and Brooke Michael (Vista Visions Academy), as well as the numerous students who took home Merit and Nikolas Ljubic scholarships.

Real-World Learning & New Pathways

Through our Big Picture Learning model, students have continued to showcase their growth through authentic exhibitions and the Blue Phoenix "Marketplace of Interests," where they reflected deeply on their internship experiences.

Our hands-on PM Programs also reached exciting milestones:

• Career Culminations: We celebrated the graduation of our construction and welding programs at RBV with a ceremony and a well-earned Grad Night outing.

• Revving Up the Future: We officially launched a brand-new mechanical and automotive program. Through a stellar partnership with North County Ford (Vista Ford), students are now gaining hands-on exposure to the service and maintenance industry right on campus.

• Leave 2 Learn: Students explored the community with recent educational trips to the PIMA Medical Institute’s veterinary technician program, the Vista Civic Center, and the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center.

Community Connections & Staff Triumphs

Family and community engagement reached record-high numbers this month. Alta Vista hosted a beautiful Mother’s and Other Special People’s Day breakfast, bringing families together over breakfast burritos. Additionally, stakeholders gathered for our final CSAC meetings to help shape our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) and goals for the 2026–2027 school year.

Our staff’s dedication continues to be recognized at the highest levels:

• Dr. Velia Huerta officially earned her PhD in Education through SDSU and Claremont Graduate University.

• Manny Rodriguez received a leadership award from the Association of California School Administrators.

• Sati Aviles was nominated for outstanding service through the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education.

• Sergio Cruz was honored by the VUSD board for his impactful work in migrant education.

• Maria Sierra was celebrated on School Lunch Hero Day for expanding her hours to feed our PM Program students.

• Our PBIS Crew officially applied for California PBIS Gold recognition for both Alta Vista and Murray High School for creating a stellar school culture.

Important End-of-Year Reminders

As we navigate these final days, please ensure that 100% of attending students complete their CAPTI and MAP assessments by this Friday. This data is critical for planning the software, resources, and professional development needed for next year.

Thank you to our families, staff, and local partners—including Chick-fil-A for sponsoring our final Advisory Rep Council meal—for making this school year an unforgettable journey of growth!