Vista, CA – On Friday, December 13th, the Special Education Department of Vista Unified School District (VUSD) will partner with Vista Elks for the 48th annual Elks Lodge holiday performances. Students from eight different VUSD schools will perform between 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM at the Vista Elks Lodge (1947 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084).
Students’ families will enjoy student performances while the students will receive lunch and a meet-and-greet with Santa. Nearly 350 preschool and elementary students from the Vista Unified School District are expected to participate.
Each class will sing one to two holiday songs for the lodge members as well as the students’ families. Student performers will be gifted a toy from Santa and every student is welcome to enjoy a light meal provided by the Vista Elks.
“This holiday performance is a pretty special event! Some children enrolled in specialized programs do not often have an opportunity to perform or to be on stage, it is a treasured time for the families to watch their kids do something like this,” said Rachel Schmidt, Special Ed Supervisor for Vista Unified and Principal of California Avenue School. Schmidt is the lead event coordinator for the performances alongside the district’s Adapted PE department and Wayne & Joyce Ford, Chairs for the Vista Elks Lodge.
Schmidt herself grew up going to the holiday showcase at the Vista Elks Lodge with her father, a former Vista Unified administrator. She shares, “I have fond memories of attending as a child. It warms my heart to give our families a memorable pre-holiday experience. Students have the chance to travel on the bus and perform at the Elks Lodge with their parents, families, and teachers in the audience and to meet Santa in a smaller, personal setting.”
Vista Unified School District schools participating include California Avenue, Empresa Elementary, Mission Meadows Elementary, Hannalei Elementary, T.H.E. Leadership Academy, Lake Elementary, Foothill Oak Elementary, and Alamosa Park Elementary. Performances will begin with elementary-age students followed by the preschoolers.
48th annual Elks Lodge Holiday Performance Schedule
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM: Alamosa, Empresa, Foothill Oak, Mission Meadows
11 AM – 12 PM: Hannalei, Lake, T.H.E. Leadership Academy
12:30 PM – 2 PM: California Ave. School
California Avenue School serves students with special needs with a range of services including adapted physical education, speech-language therapy, nursing services, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hearing and vision services.
Event Details
What: The 48th Annual Elks Lodge Holiday Show
When: Friday, December 13, 2024; 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Where: The Vista Elks Lodge; 1947 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084
Visual Opportunities: Elementary and Preschool musical performances; student visits with Santa and gift line
Interview Opportunities: Students and teachers from Vista Unified School District special education classes; Student performers’ families; Elks Lodge leaders
Photos and b-roll will be available the day of the event
Spanish-speaking interviews available
Please contact us if you will be covering the event so that the district staff and facility can best prepare.
