September Newsletter 2026

Welcome to September September is a full month of learning at VESD! Please remember that there will be no school on Monday, September 7. Looking ahead, Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held October 5–9, followed by October Break from October 12–16. Keep an eye out for messages from your child’s school about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved, including parent volunteer training, fall festivals, and meetings with the principal. We value your involvement and look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year!   September Menu The September school menu is here! VESD students can enjoy breakfast and lunch at no cost each school day. Good food gives students the energy and focus they need to learn, play, and do their best. This month’s menu includes favorites such as chicken wings, quesadillas, orange chicken, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, and more. Assorted fruits and a fresh salad bar are also offered each day. Students have choices, too! Each morning, they can choose from the featured breakfast or a savory option. At lunch, they can pick from two main dishes each day. Let’s fuel up and level up our learning!   Stay on Track with Short-Term Independent Study Going to school every day is important. We know that students may sometimes need to miss school because they are sick, traveling with family, or dealing with an emergency. VESD’s Short-Term Independent Study program helps students keep learning while they are away. The program is free for all VESD students. It may be used for one to 15 school days each year. Families must contact the school office and sign an agreement. Students must complete and return all assigned work. After the work is returned, the absence is cleared and the student receives attendance credit. Please contact your school office as early as possible. This gives the teacher enough time to prepare your child’s work. Learn more on the VESD Short-Term Independent Study webpage.   Reminder About Cellphones at School We know that cellphones can help families stay in touch. However, they can also distract students from learning. Under VESD Board Policy 5131.8, students must keep cellphones and other mobile devices turned off while on campus. A teacher or administrator may give a student permission to use a device. Students may also use one during an emergency, for an approved health need, or when required by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). If you need to reach your child during the school day, please call the school office. Thank you for helping us keep students focused and ready to learn.   Building Strong Readers at VESD At VESD, we build strong readers through the 5 Pillars of Reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. This month, practice phonemic awareness—helping children hear and play with the sounds in spoken words. No books or pencils needed! Try these activities in the car, at dinner, or on the way to school. Sound Games: Hear It, Blend It, Change It! 1. Hear the First Sound Say a word and ask: “What sound do you hear first?” Sun → /s/ Map → /m/ Try having your child “punch out” the first sound: /s/–Sun! 2. Blend the Sounds Say each sound slowly. Have your child put the sounds together to make the word. /m/ /u/ /d/ → mud /k/ /a/ /t/ → cat 3. Change a Sound Say a word, then change one sound to make a new word. Cat: Change /k/ to /b/ → bat Light: Change /l/ to /n/ → night Tips Focus on what your child hears, not the letters. Keep it fun and practice for just a few minutes. Play with sounds anywhere! Playing with sounds helps build the foundation children need to become strong readers. Learn more: vesd.net/families/literacy

Tuesday, Sep 01 2026

ESL Registration is Open

VESD Family Resource Center ESL Registration is Open Click Here to Register Click Here to view Spanish Flyer FALL ESL CLASSES The VESD Family Resource Center has opened new student enrollment for Fall ESL classes. These classes can help parents and family members improve their English skills, communicate with school staff more easily, and feel more confident in everyday situations. ESL Class Options IN-PERSON CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT: VESD Family Resource Center -- 15115 Nisqualli Rd., Victorville, CA. (Except ESL 1A at Liberty and ESL 3A at Irwin Academy) WHEN: • Level 1A (In-Person @ Liberty Elementary) –Mondays & Wednesdays starting 9/2 from 12:00-2:00pm • Level 2A (In-Person) – Mondays & Wednesday starting 8/31 from 9:30-11:30am • Level 2A (Online) –Tuesdays & Thursdays starting 9/3 from 5:30-7:30pm • Level 2B (In-Person) – Mondays & Wednesdays starting 8/31 from 11:45am-1:45pm • Level 2B (Online) – Mondays & Wednesdays starting 9/2 from 5:30-7:30pm • Level 3A (In-Person @ Irwin Academy) – Mondays & Wednesdays starting 9/2 from 9:30-11:30am • Level 3B (In-Person) – Tuesdays & Thursdays starting 9/1 from 9:30-11:30am Click Here to Register     Please call us if you have any questions: 760-493-1800 Thank You!

Monday, Aug 17 2026

VESD District Newsletter - August 2026

A Message from the Superintendent Welcome back VESD families! We are excited to start the 26-27 school year, where we are continuing to focus on a strong academic foundation for your child(ren), and literacy continues to be at the forefront.   Our family resource centers have resources and classes available to each of you.  Some of our previous classes include:  Financial literacy, nutrition courses, sewing, practical parenting tips, and more.  Please feel free to reach out for support and watch our social media for classes that you may be interested in attending.   Your child’s school is available to answer questions and appreciates your involvement.  Be sure to work with them to get involved in parent committees, volunteering, and more.   Have a wonderful year, and we look forward to seeing you on August 11th for the first day of school! Lori Clark Superintendent   August Calendar The new school year is almost here, and August is one of the busiest months of the year! August 3: School offices reopen. August 11: First day of school for students. Be sure to watch for updates from your child's school about Back-to-School Nights, Kindergarten Orientations, volunteer training, parent meetings, and other important events. These are great opportunities to meet your child's teacher, learn what to expect this year, and get connected with your school community. One of the best ways to support your child's success is by staying involved. Whether you volunteer in the classroom, attend school events, join a parent committee, or simply stay connected through ParentSquare, your participation makes a difference. We hope to see you at your school's events throughout the year! View the 2026/2027 calendar.   Find Your Child's Teacher in ParentVUE As the new school year approaches, families can now view their child's teacher and classroom assignment through ParentVUE. Simply log in to your ParentVUE account to access your student's information before the first day of school. If you need help signing in or locating your child's teacher, visit myteacher.vesd.net for a quick step-by-step tutorial. If you still need assistance after reviewing the tutorial, please contact your child's school directly. Staff will be happy to help ensure you're ready for the start of the school year.   August Menu A new school year means great meals are back! Victor Elementary School District is proud to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, every school day, helping students stay fueled and ready to learn. This month's menu includes favorites like ABC Shaped Chicken Nuggets, Orange Chicken, Mini Cheeseburgers, Pepperoni Pizza, Crispy Chicken Sandwiches, Teriyaki Chicken, and Bean & Cheese Burritos, all served with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Students can also enjoy fresh salad bars and two fruit options every day. Good nutrition helps students do their best in the classroom, and we're excited to welcome everyone back for another great year of learning—one meal at a time!   Stay Connected with ParentSquare At Victor Elementary School District, ParentSquare is the official communication platform for all 18 of our schools. Throughout the school year, it's the primary way we'll keep you informed about everything happening in your child's education. Through ParentSquare, you'll receive updates from your child's teacher, school, the Family Resource Center, and the district—all in one place. From classroom news and reminders to school events, newsletters, and emergency notifications, ParentSquare helps ensure you never miss important information. You can also communicate directly with your child's teacher through secure one-to-one messaging, sign up for conferences and events, receive messages in your preferred language with automatic translation, and choose to get notifications by email, text, or the free ParentSquare app. Every parent or guardian with a student enrolled in VESD already has a ParentSquare account waiting for them. When activating your account, be sure to use the same email address you used to register your student in ParentVUE. Activate your account, download the free app, and learn more at www.vesd.net/families/parentsquare.   Think Together & Champions Program Hours As we get ready for the new school year, we'd like to remind families about the updated hours for our Think Together and Champions before- and after-school programs. These program hours were adjusted last year to better support students' well-being by providing a healthy balance between school, enrichment activities, family time, and evening routines. By focusing programming during the hours when students are most engaged, we can continue providing a safe, meaningful, and enriching experience. Early Start Schools Galileo, Green Tree, Lomitas, Park View, Village, & West Palms Before School: 6:40–7:40 a.m. After School: 1:55–4:00 p.m. Late Start Schools Brentwood, Challenger, Del Rey, Discovery, Endeavour, Irwin, Liberty, Mojave Vista, Puesta del Sol, & RB21 Before School: 7:40–8:40 a.m. After School: 2:55–5:00 p.m. Please plan your afternoon transportation and pick-up arrangements accordingly. If you have any questions about your child's program, please contact your school office. We look forward to another great year of learning, enrichment, and fun!

Tuesday, Aug 04 2026

VESD District Newsletter - June 2026

As we wrap up another incredible school year, we want to take a moment to thank our students, families, staff, and community for making 2025–2026 such a success. Your support, partnership, and commitment to learning have helped our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year. A special congratulations goes out to our sixth-grade students as they prepare to take the next step in their educational journey. We are proud of all you have accomplished and wish you the very best as you promote to seventh grade. Last Day of School: Friday, June 5 (Minimum Day) Summer School: June 9–26 Offered at all VESD school sites Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. No Summer School on June 8 or June 19 First Day of the 2026–2027 School Year: Tuesday, August 11 As you enjoy a well-deserved summer break, we encourage you to keep reading, exploring, and learning together as a family. We look forward to welcoming students back in August for another great year of learning and growth. Thank you for being part of the VESD family. Have a safe, fun, and memorable summer!   Join the Summer Reading Challenge! Keep your students reading and learning all summer long with the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. Students can participate for free through the Footsteps2Brilliance app by spending just 15 minutes a day reading and completing literacy activities. The challenge runs through September 13, 2026, and students can earn recognition for their participation. Families who would like a printed copy of the Summer Reading Challenge flyer and reading tracker may pick one up at the Victor Elementary School District Office during regular business hours. View the Flyer View the Flyer in Spanish   June Menu As we wrap up the school year, our Nutrition Services team has one more week of delicious meals planned for students. Remember, all VESD students eat breakfast and lunch at no cost! Monday, June 1 Cheesy Mozzarella Breadsticks with Marinara Sauce Green Beans Craisins Tuesday, June 2 Turkey Taco Meat with Tortilla Chips Corn Diced Peach Cup Wednesday, June 3 Orange Chicken Steamed Brown Rice Dinner Roll Applesauce Cup Thursday, June 4 Chicken Wings Dinner Roll Baby Carrots Diced Pear Cup Friday, June 5 (Last Day of School) Corn Dog Vegetable Medley Assorted Fruit Don't forget that a fresh salad bar is offered daily, along with breakfast each morning. Thank you to our Nutrition Services team for keeping our students fueled for learning all year long!   Free Summer Meals for Kids Did you know that free summer meals are available for children throughout our community? If your family is looking for meal sites during the summer months, help is just a phone call away. To find a free meal program near you, call the USDA Summer Meals Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 or download the CA Meals for Kids mobile app. These resources can help you locate nearby meal sites and meal service times throughout the summer. We encourage families to take advantage of these programs to help keep students healthy, nourished, and ready to learn all summer long.

Tuesday, Jun 02 2026

Changes to Think Together and Champions Hours Next Y...

Changes to Think Together and Champions Hours Next Year 2026-2027 As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, we want to share an update on our Think Together and Champions programs. Starting next year, program end times will be earlier than in past years. We understand this change may affect some families, and we appreciate your support as we make changes designed to better support students’ overall well-being. At VESD, we make decisions based on what is best for students. Our goal is to make sure every hour your child spends in our programs is safe, meaningful, engaging, and supportive of their growth and well-being. These updated hours are meant to help create a healthier balance between school, family time, rest, and evening routines. By focusing programs during the hours when students are most engaged, we can better support their success both in and out of school. Updated Program Hours: Early Start Schools (Galileo, Green Tree, Lomitas, Park View, Village, & West Palms) Before School: 6:40–7:40 a.m. After School: 1:55–4:00 p.m. Late Start Schools (Brentwood, Challenger, Del Rey, Discovery, Endeavour, Irwin, Liberty, Mojave Vista, Puesta del Sol, & RB21)  Before School: 7:40–8:40 a.m. After School: 2:55–5:00 p.m.   We truly value the trust you place in us and appreciate your partnership in supporting your child’s success. If you have any questions, please contact your school office.

Saturday, May 23 2026

Important Messages for Families Promoting to Seventh...

Hello Families, As your student prepares to transition to the Victor Valley Union High School District for the 2026–27 school year, we’re sharing this important information to help you get ready for enrollment. Required Immunizations for 7th Grade Entry: Students enrolling in VVUHSD must provide documentation of the following vaccines: Tdap: One (1) dose (required for all incoming 7th graders) Varicella (Chickenpox): Two (2) doses MMR: Two (2) doses Polio: Four (4) doses DTaP: Five (5) doses Need an Appointment? VVUHSD has partnered with Tri-State Community Healthcare to support families in meeting these requirements. Available for families with IEHP, Medi-Cal, or no insurance Call 760-955-3201 x10344 or use the QR code on the flyer to schedule We encourage families to plan ahead and schedule appointments early to ensure a smooth start to the school year. For more information, visit  VVUHSD.ORG . 

Friday, May 01 2026

VESD District Newsletter - May 2026

May Calendar Highlights May is here, and we’re in the home stretch—the last day of school is June 5! Our annual Junior Olympics will take place on May 13–14. Be sure to look for a livestream on our YouTube channel, The VESD Way, so families can cheer on students from anywhere. We’re also excited to host our 18th Annual College and Career Fair on May 29—a great opportunity for students and families to explore future pathways together. No School – May 25 (Memorial Day) We’re looking forward to a strong finish to the school year—thank you for helping your child stay focused, present, and engaged each day!   May Menu Highlights Our May menu is full of student favorites and familiar meals to keep everyone fueled through the final stretch of the school year! From pizza and tacos to chicken sandwiches and pasta, there’s something for every student to enjoy. You’ll also see some fun menu moments this month: May 1 – School Lunch Hero Day: We’re celebrating our incredible Nutrition Services team with a special menu and recognizing all they do for our students. As always, meals include fresh fruit, a daily salad bar, and whole grain options, and all VESD students eat at no cost. Thank you for continuing to encourage your child to try new foods and make healthy choices as we finish the year strong!   VESD College & Career Fair Please join us for the 18th Annual Victor Elementary School District College and Career Fair! Who: All VESD students, families, and staff When: Friday, May 29, 2026 | 2:30–4:30 PM Where: Hilton Garden Inn (Conference Center) 12603 Mariposa Rd., Victorville There’s something for everyone! Families can explore interactive career booths, check out student projects, and enjoy fun photo stations. Students are also invited to dress up as their future career and join our Career Cavalcade. We’ll also have raffle prizes and plenty of opportunities to learn about future pathways. We hope to see you there!   Building Strong Readers at VESD In our district, we support every student’s journey to becoming a lifelong reader through the 5 Pillars of Reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. These pillars work together to build strong literacy skills. As part of our literacy initiative, we want to connect learning at school with learning at home. This month’s activity gives you a simple, “at-the-table” way to support reading using proven strategies. Word Detectives: Learning Word Parts Help your child build vocabulary by learning parts of words—prefixes (beginning), base words, and suffixes (endings). This helps them figure out meanings on their own. 1. Base Words + Endings Add endings to change meaning: help → helps, helped, helping Try: play, jump, cook 2. Prefix Power Add a beginning to change meaning: tie → untie Common prefixes: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), dis- (not) 3. Root Words Find word parts that appear in many words: tract (pull): attract, subtract struct (build): construct, structure vis/vid (see): video, invisible port (carry): transport, export Tips Look for words everywhere Break words into parts Talk about what they mean Learning word parts helps your child understand thousands of new words! Visit Our Literacy Page!

Friday, May 01 2026

VESD Newsletter - April 2026

April Calendar Highlights April is here, and we’re heading into the final stretch of the school year—just a little over two months left of school! Let’s make every day count. To kick off the month, our 4th grade students will participate in the City of Victorville’s Annual Public Works Day on April 1–2 at Sunset Ridge Park—a great hands-on opportunity to learn about our community and the people who keep it running. Families can also enjoy a long weekend at the beginning of the month: No School – April 3 No School – April 6 As we move through April, we’re excited to keep building momentum toward a strong finish to the school year. Attendance and daily routines continue to make a big difference in student success—thank you for your partnership!   Fresh Flavors for April! Our April menu is here, and it’s full of student favorites, new options, and fun seasonal touches! From classics like pizza, tacos, and chicken nuggets to exciting choices like teriyaki bowls, carnitas, and chicken chipotle sandwiches, there’s something for every student to enjoy. We’re continuing to offer fresh fruits, a daily salad bar, and whole grain options, all at no cost to VESD students. Plus, breakfast is served every day with both sweet and savory choices to help students start their day ready to learn. Special Menu Fun This Month We’re adding a little extra excitement to the menu with some themed days your students will love: April 15 – McDonald’s Day: Students can enjoy a “Happy Meal-style” lunch—no toy, but all the fun of a familiar favorite! April 22 – Earth Day: Schools will celebrate with a fun “dirt and worms” treat alongside the day’s meal. May 1 – School Lunch Hero Day: We’ll recognize our amazing Nutrition Services team for all they do to support students every day. Our cafeteria teams do so much more than prepare meals—they create welcoming spaces, build connections with students, and make sure every child has access to healthy, nutritious food. While we’re excited to celebrate them on May 1, we appreciate our school lunch heroes each and every day.   Preparing for CAASPP Testing Our CAASPP Summative Testing window runs from April 7 – May 8, 2026, with a make-up week from May 11 – May 15, 2026. Each school has specific testing days within this window, so please reach out to your child’s school for their exact testing schedule. These assessments help measure student progress and guide instruction to support learning. You can help your child do their best by ensuring they: ✅ Get a good night’s sleep each night ✅ Eat a healthy breakfast ✅ Arrive on time to school each day ✅ Stay positive and encouraged throughout testing For more details about CAASPP testing, visit https://ca.startingsmarter.org/. Thank you for your support in making this a successful testing season!   The Sound Lab: A Family Guide to Phonemic Awareness This activity supports phonemic awareness, one of our 5 Pillars of Literacy. Phonemic awareness means being able to hear and play with the sounds in words—and it’s one of the very first steps in learning to read. The good news? You don’t need books or materials. You can practice anywhere—at home, in the car, or during dinner—and it only takes a few minutes a day. 👂 First Sound (Hearing the Beginning Sound) Ask your child: “What is the first sound you hear in the word sun?” Help them focus on the sound, not the letter. The answer is /s/. Have them “punch” the sound as they say it: /s/ /s/ sun! Try these words: map (/m/), top (/t/), fish (/f/), lion (/l/), bear (/b/), snake (/s/) 🤖 Blend Sounds (Putting Sounds Together) Say a word slowly, one sound at a time, like a robot: /m/ - /u/ - /d/ Ask your child to “zip” the sounds together to make the word: mud Try these: /k/ - /a/ - /t/ (cat) /sh/ - /i/ - /p/ (ship) /b/ - /i/ - /g/ (big) /r/ - /o/ - /ck/ (rock) /p/ - /l/ - /a/ - /n/ (plan) /f/ - /r/ - /o/ - /g/ (frog) 🔄 Change Sounds (Making New Words) Say a word, then change one sound to make a new word. Example: “Say cat. Now change the /k/ sound to /b/.” → bat Try these: light → night hop → pop man → men slip → flip This helps your child learn that small sound changes create new words, which is a big part of reading. 💡 Tips for Success Focus on sounds, not letters (for example, phone starts with the /f/ sound) Keep it short and fun—just 2–3 minutes at a time Practice during everyday moments Praise the effort: “That was a tricky sound—you figured it out!” This resource focuses on Phonemic Awareness. Because this is about sounds and not letters, these activities can be done anywhere—in the car, at the dinner table, or while walking to school. Visit Our Literacy Page!

Wednesday, Apr 01 2026

Welcome Back & Important Dates

We hope your family had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break! We are excited to welcome all students and staff back this  Monday, March 30 , as we head into the final stretch of the school year. For Mountain View Montessori families, please note there is no school this Monday, and students will return on Tuesday, March 31. A quick reminder of our schedule for the first week of April : Friday, April 3: No School Monday, April 6: No School We look forward to seeing everyone soon and finishing the year strong!

Friday, Mar 27 2026

VESD Newsletter - March 2026

  Welcome to March Welcome to March! This month includes Parent-Teacher Conferences, which are an important chance to connect with your child’s teacher, review progress, and set goals for the rest of the school year. Conference week is March 16–20, and every day that week will follow a minimum day schedule. Please watch for communication from your child’s teacher with sign-up and scheduling information. Spring Break is March 23–27 (no school). Looking ahead, there will also be no school on April 3 and April 6.   Growing Comprehension Through Everyday Conversations At VESD, one of our 5 Pillars of Literacy is Comprehension — helping students understand and explain what they read and experience. You can build comprehension at home in just five minutes a day. Try asking: What happened first? What happened next? What happened last? As your child grows, encourage them to add details about where they were, what surprised them, and what they learned. When children practice retelling their day, they strengthen vocabulary, memory, and understanding — skills that directly support reading success.   March Menu March is here, and it kicks off with National School Breakfast Week (March 2–6)—a fun week that highlights the importance of starting the day with a healthy meal. During Breakfast Week, students can look forward to special morning options like Pan Dulce, Cinnabun Stick, mini maple waffles, and yogurt with granola, along with fruit and milk each day. Throughout the rest of the month, lunch includes a mix of student favorites and balanced choices, plus fresh fruit and a salad bar daily. Reminder: Spring Break is March 23–27 (No School). As always, VESD students eat at no cost, and students can also enjoy fresh fruit and a salad bar daily   What is CAASPP and Why is it Important? The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is a set of state tests that measure how well students are mastering grade-level standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math for grades 3-6, and Science for grade 5. These assessments provide valuable insight into student learning and help educators tailor instruction to better support academic growth. CAASPP is not about passing or failing—it’s about understanding where students are excelling and where they may need more support. Your child’s participation helps ensure they receive the right resources to continue their learning journey. Our CAASPP Summative Testing window runs from April 7 – May 8, 2026, with a make-up week from May 11 – May 15, 2026. Each school has specific testing days within this window, so please reach out to your child’s school for their exact testing schedule. Thank you for your partnership in supporting student success! For more details about CAASPP testing, visit https://ca.startingsmarter.org/.   Heading to 7th Grade? VVUHSD Enrollment Is Open As our sixth-grade students prepare to promote to middle school, we want to help families stay informed about next steps. Victor Valley Union High School District (VVUHSD) is now enrolling students for the upcoming school year. If your child will be entering 7th grade, families should begin the enrollment process directly with VVUHSD. Enrollment information, required documents, and step-by-step instructions can all be found on their Central Enrollment Center webpage. Please note that incoming 7th graders must also meet California immunization requirements, including the required Tdap vaccine. To get started, please visit: VVUHSD Enrollment Page We’re proud to support our students as they take this exciting next step into middle school! Click Here for Spanish Version   Click Here for Spanish Version

Sunday, Mar 01 2026