Vista Unified had the opportunity to showcase the new Community School model for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, last week. Thanks to the advocacy and leadership of our school board, Vista has started five community school programs at Foothill Oak Elementary, Bobier Elementary, Maryland Elementary, Alta Vista High, and Murray High. These new programs are made possible by a $6.1 million dollar grant from the California Department of Education to expand services for students and their families in four key areas called pillars:
● Pillar 1 – Integrated Student Supports (mental and physical health services)
● Pillar 2 – Expanded Learning Time and Opportunities (after-school, weekends, and summer academic extended learning)
● Pillar 3 – Active Family and Community Engagement (schools serving as neighborhood hubs)
● Pillar 4 – Collaborative Leadership and Practice (shared leadership and responsibility between parents, students, teachers, principals, and community partners)
Tony Thurmond visited Bobier Elementary School on Friday, October 21, 2022 to get a first hand view of the positive impact the community school program is having on students and their families. He visited more than seven classrooms to interact with students, talk to teachers, and collaborate with board members about how the implementation process is progressing.
It was an honor to welcome State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and we are grateful for the ongoing investment towards public education. Vista Unified is well positioned to maximize the $6.1 Million dollar grant towards the Community Schools Model and ensure our students have the support they need to reach their potential. We have a long history of partnerships in the community and this will only serve to amplify our collective impact in VUSD.
Cipriano Vargas, Board President
Great things are happening at Vista Unified Schools! With the implementation of the Community Schools model at 5 of our school sites, VUSD and our community partners are addressing the academic, social/emotional and physical needs of our most underserved VUSD students. By providing wrap-around services and working collaboratively with our students’ families, we are working diligently to actualize the
unlimited potential of VUSD scholars. I am grateful that our State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond visited Bobier Elementary, one of our community schools, to see the great work of Bobier Elementary teachers, staff members and our community partners.
Martha Alvarado – School Board Trustee
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