July 2025

Dear Alta Vista Learning Community,

I am excited this year to see all the accomplishments in student achievement from academics to behavior. Since the Pandemic 2020-2023, the changes in education have been significant. Learning Loss Recovery has been a primary focus of the state and federal government. The state has provided funding to build back a strong educational system. Alta Vista has begun building opportunities for students that have not been accessible in many years. The educators at Alta Vista have never stopped trying to find the right mix of programs, intervention, and support that results in consistent student growth in all subjects.

The main issue on our campus this year is bullying. Students struggle to learn when they do not feel safe at school. The District has used the LCAP to hire two more Behavior Intervention Technicians (BITs). The BIT provides Tier 2 services to students struggling with behavior. BITs use various tools to support students in achieving collaborative behavior norms. These are the skills required to work well with others to achieve a common goal. Collaboration is the key to fostering lifelong learning, which is part of our Mission Statement at Alta Vista. On this campus, the staff seeks to achieve the goal of inspiring students to use the process of learning and apply it in ways that make them successful into adulthood.

For decades, English and Mathematics have been challenging subjects for students to master. Not every student benefits from learning one way, which creates the challenge for teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff. The task of administration over the summer has been to seek out other resources to assist teachers and paraprofessionals in meeting the students where they are academically and still providing a rigorous learning environment. There will be opportunities right away, and some onboarded as we move through the year. By addressing student behavior and creating an environment that is focused on ways to improve, the District expects a big shift in behavior and in turn learning.

Changes are already underway. Last year, staff demonstrated the gaps in our curriculum that have hindered our ability to address some student needs. To address this, the school has purchased a new supplemental English Language Arts curriculum to focus on the areas that our main curriculum overlooks. The District will seek out teacher's interest in expanding hands-on learning for Mathematics, Science, and Social Science/History. For dual langauge learners and students that present with learning difficulties, the hands-on approach has a steady and solid research base that has proven results. I hope to help augment the day-to-day learning with rigorous, hands-on opportunities that drive student exploration in learning topics. This is a first-step in moving toward a curriculum that truely accounts for every student's needs.

The District sent a survey out to parents in June. This survey had a small number of families providing input, but the input was very specific and helpful. Right now, I am working on outside tutoring opportunities for students that present the needs for more or specific assistance. The teachers are gearing up to provide intervention opportunities in fun ways during the first hour of ELOP (3:05 - 4:00). This time will be specifically set aside to address the intervention needs for students. To accompany this the District has supported many web-based technologies for student learning needs as well as seeking a District-wide intervention curriculum to support each student where they are academically.

The ELOP program will continue to provide extra-curricular opportunities to students like Band, Choir, Theatre, and Sports. These extra-curricular activities provide students with learning opportunities that are engaging. The nature of these activities helps students connect classroom learning to enjoyable activities that can be like hobbies. Many students have less access to these opportunities for various reasons. The entire school staff, district staff, and board of trustees knows that making connections fosters student achievement. I am very proud of the work that school staff has done to ensure students have these opportunities.

The survey to parents also pointed out some areas of concern for me. For the last two-years, I have been seeking playground covers to provide shade for students on play structures. This has been difficult with the new erosion standards for school on or near floodplains. Alta Vista has nearby floodplains that increase the oversight and cost of these improvements. I am continuing to move forward on this. The cafeteria roof has some areas of concern in regards to rain run-off. I will be seeking to fix those issues this year as well. The project to fix our corridor shade cover is moving forward slowly. I am working with the state on the funding for this project. There are several areas that I seek to improve walkways to make emergency exits safer. And finally, I am seeking to add play structure turf to our playgrounds this year. The site has used woodchips for many years. The data does not show many accidents with wood chips. However, when they get wet they can mold and the water drainage is not the best. One accident or injury is worth the District seeking another option.

I am working with the school site and support staff to increase our presence. I am wanting to build a stronger community-school relationship. Alta Vista exists to support student education. This is not possible without a good, well-used connection between our staff and families. Feel free to reach out to us at any time. Also, there will be several opportunities to get involved. School Site Council, Parent Teacher Organization/Association, and volunteer opportunities for field trips and school activities are great ways to get involved.

Together, we can make a difference in your child's education.

Sincerely,

Brandon Chiapa

Superintendent