Dear Vista Parent/Guardians,
Each academic year, the Arizona Educational Foundation awards deserving
schools the A+ School of Excellence Award. In order to receive the award, schools must
participate in a rigorous application and campus evaluation process. This year, with the
support and encouragement of the Laveen district administration, the staff of Vista del
Sur collectively agreed to apply for the A+ Award. An application committee was formed
and staff members collaborated in order to complete the very lengthy and detailed paper
application. A+ School of Excellence is a comprehensive school assessment program
that challenges school teams to work together to identify areas of excellence in teaching,
learning, climate, community building, and leadership. Earning the highly prestigious A+
designation spotlights the positive successes happening in public schools every day.
We are excited to share that Vista’s application was well received by the Arizona
Educational Foundation, and Vista has been chosen to receive a campus visit that will
take place on Wednesday, March 18th and Thursday, March 19th. A campus evaluation
involves a visit from award-winning principals, district leaders, teachers, and community
partners. Panel members conduct pre-arranged site visits to selected schools throughout
the state in order to choose A+ School of Excellence award winners. The purpose of a
site visit is to validate, observe, and affirm the contents of the application. Judges must
be able to observe and verify, with fidelity, the claims that are made throughout the
application.
During a school’s site visit the judges will: observe all classrooms; meet with
students, staff, parents, and community members; interview individuals; meet with
school leadership; and review documentation. After all site visits have been completed,
each evaluator team presents its report to the entire Site Visit Panel, which meets to
make final decisions about which schools will receive the A+ School of Excellence
award. If selected, each school receives an awards celebration at their school where
they are presented with $500 and a banner designating it as an A+ School of
Excellence.
We are so excited to show off our wonderful campus, staff, and students as we
work on earning this highly prestigious award with high rankings in the state of Arizona.
We look forward to welcoming the A + Committee and can’t wait to show them how we
ROAR.