Donna Caperton Named 2019 ACSA District Administrator of the Year

A HUGE congratulations to Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Donna Caperton for being named Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) District Office Administrator of the Year!

Each year ACSA honors the best of the best in school administration. Donna was selected from more than 265 highly-qualified nominations throughout California.

Donna will be honored for her excellence and commitment to California’s educators and students at ACSA’s Leadership Summit in November.

Rancho Minerva Midddle School Students Win 2019 KWN New Vision Award 

Congratulations to Rancho Minerva Middle School (RMMS) students for being selected as one of Panasonic’s 2019 KWN New Vision Award winners for their film Through Their Eyes. Four student leaders will attend a “Winners Weekend” in New York where awards will be given for “Best Video of the Year” for primary and secondary schools. Amazing work from the RMMS students and their teacher Beth Duncan!

RMMS students pictured above from right to left: Fabian Bernabe, Nicole Villagomez, Brigitte Esquivel, Ileanna Hawkins, Javiyah Moliga, Barbara Avila, Jasmine Ratliff, Stephanie Martinez, Amilia Sakiewicz, Aldo Hernandez, Lizet Solorio, Chelsie Cunanan, and Cassandra Vazquez.

Click here or below to see Through Their Eyes, the award winning film by RMMS students.

VHS Student Johnathan Olivares Paramo Headed to Carnegie Hall for National Recognition

Jonathan Olivares Paramo, a senior from Vista High School, received national recognition from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers for his photography work entitled Mi Vida Mexico. With guidance from his teacher Laura Olden, Jonathan was one of 16 high school students to receive the awards’ highest honors and a $10,000 scholarship. Johnathan was selected as a Gold Medal Portfolio recipient for his photography. His work was selected from over 340,000 works of art and writing submissions from students across the nation.

This honor opens doors for students by providing access to scholarship programs and workshops and the ability to have work published and displayed in regional and national exhibitions. Johnathan will attend a week-long national celebration in New York City, which includes a ceremony at Carnegie Hall on June 6.

Click here or below to see a Vista High School Panther Profile about Johnathan and his award winning photographs.

Vista High School and Vista Visions Academy Students Continue the Tradition of Making Award Winning Films

Vista High School students Zahila Alcala and Odalis Ramirez and Vista Visions Academy student Melissa Ramirez have been chosen as Panasonic New Vision Award Winners for their film El Sueño Americano!. They placed in the top three in the film competitions secondary category. The high school filmmakers will attend an awards ceremony and “Winners Weekend” in New York City where the top films will be announced. The students will also tour the Panasonic USA headquarters and connect with student filmmakers from around the country.

The student filmmakers from RMMS, VHS, and VVA are representing Vista on a national level. Way to go!

Click here or below to see their film El Sueño Americano!.

Rancho Minerva Middle School Program Honored by Classroom of the Future Foundation

Congratulations to teacher Beth Duncan and the students of the Video Production and Digital Storytelling program at Rancho Minerva Middle School (RMMS) for being recognized at the 15th Annual Innovation in Education Awards Program. The program improves student achievement by empowering teachers and focuses on program evidence that correlates to positive student outcomes.

The award will be presented to Ms. Duncan and her students at the 15th Annual Innovation in Education Awards Program on May 22. In addition to the award, the RMMS program will receive a $5,000 grant.

Come see the awesome student experiments, projects, exhibits, and experiences at the 2019 VUSD K-12 STEM Fest! The event takes place on May 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at VIDA located at 740 Olive Ave. in Vista.

VUSD has held seven Proud of Our Public Schools Walks. Students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members from participating schools have delivered informational door hangers in their school attendance areas. The walks highlight to the community the amazing teaching and learning happening at VUSD schools.

There is still time to join a walk! Monte Vista, Grapevine, Lake, Foothill Oak, Rancho Minerva, and Beaumont walks will be happening over the next few weeks. All you need is a smile, water, and comfortable shoes to participate. Click here to sign up for a walk.

It is time to lace up your sneakers and get ready to run! The Strawberry Festival Run has something for everyone: the elite runner, the run-

walker, kids, and more.Join the VUSD Strawberry Run Team! Click here to register. Select “Team” and then “Join a Team.” Search for Vista Unified School District. The team code is “VUSD.”

Hope to see you and your family at the finish line!