Superintendent's Update

"You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force."-P.Syrus

Hello VUSD Families and Staff,

Spring is in the air! After a mix of weather these past few weeks, the recent sunny days have brought a burst of energy to our schools. I’ve loved seeing Avery Middle School students making the most of recess, enjoying our incredible track and field, and spending time with friends. With longer days and warmer temperatures, it feels like the perfect time for Spring Break!

VUSD will be on Spring Break from March 31 – April 4, 2025. For families enrolled in Hawks Hub, our program will be open for full-day care during the break.

We hope you take this time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. When we return on Monday, April 7, we’ll dive into an exciting finish to the school year with state testing, open houses, field trips, and, of course, promotion and graduation celebrations.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and refreshing break!

Sincerely,

Tom Hoskins, Superintendent

Budget Update

With recent national headlines highlighting changes in education, many families and staff have asked how these shifts might affect Vallecito Union School District. While there is still some uncertainty about federal funding, I want to provide an update on our district’s financial outlook and the steps we’ve taken to ensure stability.

This year, we took a proactive approach to address planned deficit spending and prepare for the conclusion of one-time COVID relief funds. By making strategic reductions in non-personnel costs at the administrative level and implementing staffing reductions starting in 2025-26, we have positioned the district for long-term financial health. As a result, our Second Interim Budget, presented to the Governing Board in March, projects that VUSD is on track to maintain a strong 25% reserve in our multi-year financial plan. This is a significant achievement, as it means we do not anticipate additional layoffs in the coming years.

Our responsible financial planning has been recognized by the County Office of Education, which has reviewed our Second Interim Budget Report and awarded us a positive certification, confirming that VUSD remains in good financial standing.

While changes in federal funding could have an impact, the majority of our district’s resources come from state and local sources. Thanks to our strong reserves and careful planning, we are well-positioned to adapt if needed. Our top priority remains ensuring that students receive high-quality learning experiences with minimal disruption.

We appreciate the continued support of our families, staff, and community as we work to provide a stable and enriching educational environment for all students.

Screenager Events Announced

At Vallecito Union School District, we recognize the challenges that come with raising children in the digital age, and we are committed to supporting families in navigating this ever-changing landscape. This year, we’ve purchased a district-wide license for Screenagers, a highly regarded documentary series that explores the impact of screen time and digital media on today’s youth.

We invite all families to attend one of our upcoming Screenagers screenings—these events are free and open to everyone!

🎬 Avery Middle School – April 24th at 6:00 PM (following Family Art Night)

📽 Screenagers: Next Chapter – Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age

🎬 Hazel Fischer School – May 21st at 6:00 PM (following Open House)

📽 Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition

🎬 Albert Michelson School – May 22nd at 6:00 PM (following Open House)

📽 Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition

Each screening lasts about 55 minutes and will be followed by a Q&A session. We’ll also provide helpful parent resources at the events.

We hope you’ll mark your calendars and join us for these important conversations about technology, mental health, and our children’s well-being.

See you there!

AME Event May 22 AMS Event April 24 HFE Event May 21

Summer Facility Projects

Maintaining safe and functional facilities is a top priority for Vallecito Union School District. Led by our Manager of Maintenance and Operations, George Solis, we have developed a facilities plan that outlines key projects across the district. Over the past two years, we’ve made significant improvements, including painting the exterior of the Avery Middle School gym and giving Michelson Elementary a fresh coat of paint across the entire campus.

This summer, several major projects will be completed in time for the 2025-26 school year. First, we will be installing a new TK playground system at Hazel Fischer Elementary, with installation scheduled to begin immediately after school ends in June. Additionally, we are going out to bid for a project to resurface the track at Hazel Fischer and hope to secure a competitive bid that allows for completion by mid-July.

Finally, we will be installing new bell and clock display systems in every classroom at Avery Middle School, Michelson Elementary, and Hazel Fischer Elementary. These updated displays will function not only as clocks and bells but also as part of our public announcement system, enhancing communication and security across all campuses. To learn more about these dynamic display and communication systems, visit American Time's EverAlert System.

LCAP Survey

Thank you to the 57 participants that have already completed the LCAP Survey that was sent out last week.

School Districts in California must work with students, staff, parents and community members annually to gather input in creating/updating a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP describes the District’s goals for improving student outcomes. Funds are then aligned to meet the specified goals.

We request you take approximately 2-5 minutes to complete this survey. Rate how we are doing with our four District goals and share your ideas on what we are doing well or how we can improve. If you have not yet completed a survey, simply click the link below.

Click Here to Take Our Survey