Viking Vibes

The Viking Spotlight is the part in my weekly newsletter used to highlight and celebrate our students and staff anytime we can! If you would like your child acknowledged for something they have accomplished, whether on campus or off-campus, please feel free to fill out this google form HERE. I look forward to celebrating our Vikings and all of the great things they are doing!

Welcome back Vikings!! I hope this message finds you well-rested and rejuvenated after the holiday break. The start of a new semester is a wonderful opportunity for growth and fresh beginnings. Whether your child is setting academic or personal goals, the next few months hold the promise of exciting challenges and accomplishments.

To ensure a smooth start, I encourage students to remember to establish good habits early on. Create a dedicated study space at home, organize materials, and set realistic goals. Consistent routines contribute significantly to academic success and overall well-being. Additionally, effective communication between parents, teachers, and students is key. Regular check-ins and open dialogues foster a supportive learning environment.

About midway through second semester, state testing will occur schoolwide. This is an opportunity to evaluate how much our students are learning and mastering grade-level standards. As we navigate state testing and other challenges of the upcoming semester, remember that our school community is here to provide guidance and support.

I am genuinely excited to welcome everyone back to campus on Wednesday, January 10th. Together, let's make this semester one filled with growth, success, and memorable experiences. I am confident that with dedication, hard work, and a positive mindset, we will achieve great things at MVA!! Here's to a fantastic semester ahead!

It has been a few weeks, so just to refresh your memories, please click the links below to access the Bell Schedule, Important Dates, and Daily Calendar!

Please note: We have a Minimum Day schedule this Wednesday and Friday, so please plan accordingly.

Please be aware that some schedule changes are required to reflect our enrollment needs, ensure proper placement and to meet teacher contractual class sizes. It is very important that you log into your Infinite account so you can check your class schedule for any changes. Students will also receive an email with their Semester 2 schedule in their Gmail accounts by the end of the day on Monday, January 8th. As a reminder, we do not make class changes based on teacher preference or period preference. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to do this important work.

During the last week of break, MVA students, parents, and staff nominated teachers for the Teacher of the Year honor...thank you to everyone who sent in nominations! The results are in and I am proud to announce, Mrs. Leilani Faiai-Su'esu'e, is Mar Vista Academy's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Faiai-Su'esu'e currently serves as an 8th grade English and AVID Excel teacher, as well as our AVID Coordinator and a member of our Site Leadership Team. She will represent MVA at the District Teacher of the Year event later this semester. Congratulations, Mrs. Faiai-Su'esu'e!!!

Students will see a couple new faces on campus when we return...our new counselor is Mrs. Beale and our new Bilingual Tester/Community Relations Facilitator is Mrs. Meza!

• Mrs. Michelle Beale will be covering Mr. Matson's position while he is out this semester. She has served as a counselor in our district for 24 years, so she comes with a wealth of experience!
• Mrs. Monica Meza will be stationed in Room 901 as our Bilingual Tester and Community Relations Facilitator. She has worked in our district as an Instructional Health Care Assistant for many years, but has volunteered for many parent and community events. We look forward to her providing more opportunities for our parents to engage at MVA and helping to support our English Language Learners!

Please stop by their offices this week and say hi to our newest Viking staff members!

This is another friendly reminder that ALL CLASSES COUNT for Semester 2. This is especially important for 8th graders as there will be no credit recovery opportunity for Semester 2 failed classes. That means, if you fail a Semester 2 class, you will NOT be able to participate in the Promotion ceremony. So set a goal to pass all of your classes this semester!!

As for last semester's failed classes, we will be putting information out next week about Credit Recovery opportunities. At this time, we are focusing on 8th grade classes, but if we have the resources to offer opportunities to 7th graders, we will do so. Please note: We will NOT be offering Credit Recovery for Elective classes.

On behalf of Sweetwater Union High School District’s Black Student Union Elders committee, we would like to cordially invite you to the 2024 RISE: African American Scholars Conference – “Black Excellence: Pride in our Roots; Power in our Future” on Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 9am-2pm. This FREE event will be a leadership experience for Black/African American middle and high school students that promotes the academic and cultural enrichment within the Sweetwater Union High School District.

Our FREE conference continues the work of past and present African American educators and leaders who work diligently to build a sense of community and educational excellence for students. Can we count on you to be there? Click this link to rsvp: www.tinyurl.com/SUHSDRISE2024

Thank you for your support as we work to empower and engage our African American students in the Sweetwater Union High School District. If you have any questions, please email BSUInfo@sweetwaterschools.org.

Help our school be a safe place for you and your friends! If you have information on incidents surrounding bullying, vandalism, safety concerns, etc., report it anonymously to p3tips.com or use the app!

In an effort to help support our MVA students, we welcome any donations of school supplies and/or money. All funds would go directly to supporting our MVA students in the form of spirit shirts, celebrations, recognition awards, school supplies, and more. Checks can be made payable to Mar Vista Academy ASB and tax-deduction forms will be provided upon receipt. Any questions, please email Ms. Scott.

The mission of Mar Vista Academy is to engage, educate and empower each student to thrive in the global community.

• 2023-2024 Bell Schedule
• 2023-2024 Important Dates
• 2023-2024 Daily Calendar
• Follow us on Social Media!!

Please reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns!

Email: sasha.scott@sweetwaterschools.org

Website: mva.sweetwaterschools.org

Location: 1247 Thermal Avenue, San Diego, CA, USA

Phone: (619) 628-5100

Facebook: facebook.com/MarVistaAcademy

Twitter: @MarVistaAcademy

The Sweetwater Union High School District prohibits discrimination, intimidation, harassment (including sexual harassment) or bullying based on a person’s actual or perceived age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, immigration status, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer Dr. Vernon Moore at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, vernon.moore@sweetwaterschools.org; Title IX Coordinator Susan Park at 670 L Street, Suite G, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 600-4900, susan.park@sweetwaterschools.org; and Section 504 Coordinator Sonia Picos at 1130 Fifth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91911, (619) 691-5564, sonia.picos@sweetwaterschools.org.