Message from the Superintendent

Dear Parents and Families,

I want to begin this month’s newsletter by thanking you as parents and families for working in partnership with us on encouraging an increase in student attendance at school. I mentioned the need for a combined effort in my August newsletter as our chronic absenteeism rate last year was a whopping 21%. As a result of our joint efforts in the area of attendance, we have been noticing a trend in a positive direction. Great things happen in this place “Where Education Is a Community Effort.”

We still have some work to do with attendance. As I shared in August, we know that learning is a social endeavor. I also shared the following:

Attendance has a huge impact on student learning outcomes:

Missing 10 days of class in middle and high school reduces grades in English/Language arts and math by over a full letter grade.
Students in K-3 who attend school daily are more likely to read on grade level.
9th grade attendance is a better predictor of high school graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

We are asking for your continued help in ensuring the best educational outcomes for our students (your children) by simply making sure they come to school and avoiding pulling them out when possible. We know life happens, but when possible, students thrive and find greater levels of success and achievement when they attend. Thank you for your continued efforts!

As a side note, please be on the lookout in the next few weeks for some important communications from me:

Annual Parent Survey
All Things Vail Pride Day

Enjoy the rest of the January newsletter where you’ll learn of some incredible achievements, some emergency and safety information, some exciting opportunities to gather as a community and celebrate our young people, and more!

Emergency Communication Test - February 3rd

We will be conducting the second test of our emergency communications systems for this school year on Monday, February 3.

In the event of an emergency, the information currently in PowerSchool is the information that will be used to communicate with families.

We will be sending a TEXT and an EMAIL in the morning on February 3.

Please check in PowerSchool to make sure your contact information is correct. If it is not correct, please contact your school's front office so we can update it for you.

If you do not receive a text or an email on February 3, 2025, please contact your child’s school, and our team will work to correct the issue.

School Safety

Testing our emergency communication systems is just one of the many ways we, as a community, work together to keep our students safe. School safety is certainly a shared responsibility… our shared responsibility.

Research is clear. Healthy relationships and a strong culture are the greatest protective factors in our schools. When our students see something and say something because they trust the adults they see everyday, threats and dangerous situations can be averted. Further, when healthy relationships between families and school staff exist, saying something when something doesn’t look or feel right becomes so much easier. We are grateful for the high quality relationships we enjoy with each of you.

At home, families can help by ensuring they practice gun safety measures including making sure weapons and ammunition are properly locked and secured. Families can also have conversations with their children about the importance of saying something to adults at school if they feel something isn’t quite right.

At the Joint Site Council Meeting held earlier this fall, school safety was identified by participants as a priority to study. As such, the district is creating a committee to explore safety measures and possible use of bond funds to enhance current systems and protective measures.

Please be assured that schools continue to remain the safest place for children to be. Yes, bad things happen, but when relationships are strong, the chances for safe environments multiplies.

Sandy Crusa Receives Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching!

We are excited to announce that Sandy Crusa, MMHS Biology teacher, has been selected by the White House for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST team and the National Science Foundation in partnership with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy will be recognizing Ms. Crusa in Washington D.C. later this year! This prestigious award is the highest honor awarded to a teacher by the U.S. Government. Each year, up to 110 outstanding educators from across the country may be recognized by the White House for their passion, dedication, and impact in the classroom. Ms. Crusa’s impact in her years of teaching various science classes at Empire High School and Mica Mountain High School simply cannot be measured. Thank you, Ms. Crusa, for your outstanding dedication to your students, your colleagues, and Vail! And, congratulations on this most high honor!

Vail’s Preschools Earn Incredible Quality First Ratings

Vail uses many metrics to evaluate our classrooms, schools, and district. We receive labels from the state, A+ School of Excellence Award Distinctions from the Arizona Educational Foundation, and more. Preschools are evaluated a little differently. Much like labels or A+’s, our preschools go through a rigorous process of evaluation and receive a Quality First rating.

Our preschools participate in the Quality First program which provides early childhood education sites with essential resources and support to deliver high-quality care and education. Preschools are assessed every two years.

We are excited to share that 2024 ratings are in, and WOW, our youngest people in Vail are in great hands! In a 5-star scale, 8 of Vail’s 9 preschools under Community Programs are rated as 4-star or better! Further, we learned that Esmond Station received a 5-star rating after only launching their program in July!!

Vail Preschools have an average star rating of 4.33!

How does Vail stack up in comparison to other districts?

Amphitheater Preschools have an average star rating of 3.16
TUSD Preschools have an average star rating of 3.89
La Petite Preschools have an average star rating of 3.2

There are 1,455 preschools in Arizona. Of those, 83% have earned a 3-star rating or better. 100% of Vail’s preschools have a 3-star rating or better!

We would like to extend a HUGE shout out to our Community Programs Department staff who oversee our preschools for setting up our youngest learners for successful futures in Vail!

High School Choice Season in Full Swing

While our preschools are providing outstanding programming for our youngest of learners, our oldest middle school students and their parents and families are busy visiting all of the high school options available for students in Vail!

I shared information about High School Choice last month and how it is one of the many ways Vail seeks to serve parents and families and provide the best options for your unique children.

Parents and their 8th grade students had the opportunity to visit three open houses last week, and will get to see three more this week as they work their way through the different options offered at each of our high schools. If you are unfamiliar with our high school choice program, we welcome you to visit the High School Choice Site to learn more.

Immersion Programs Available in Vail

Are you or your friends or neighbors shopping around for great opportunities for their soon to be kindergartners? Did you know that Vail offers TWO incredible language immersion programs?

Since 2014, Mesquite Elementary School has operated a very successful and highly sought after Chinese Immersion program. The first students in this program are now in high school and besides being fluent in Mandarin Chinese, they are eligible to earn college language credit and boast an average GPA that is higher than their peers.

Based on the success of this program, Vail expanded its language immersion opportunities to students and their families by offering Spanish Immersion at Cottonwood Elementary School in 2023. Just like the Chinese Immersion program, the program is growing year-by-year as students progress into middle and high school.

For more information visit:

Vail Pride Day Is Just Around the Corner

Vail Pride Day officially kicked off on Saturday, January 18th. 125 runners enjoyed a beautiful day of running with friends and family! Be sure to save the date for Vail Pride Day!

New to Vail? Learn all about Vail Pride Day HERE. Be on the lookout for another email in early February to include All Things Vail Pride Day including the schedule of events, special performances, academic jeopardy, math bowl, parking help, and so much more!

Parent Survey Coming Soon

In addition to all things Vail Pride Day, I will also be sending a link to all parents regarding our annual parent survey. Your feedback is of tremendous value to us. We analyze and study it each year and set goals for upcoming years based on it. Please be on the lookout for that email from me in February.

Fund a Student with Tax Credits

I just wanted to remind you that it is not too late to claim your 2024 Arizona tax credit.

Keep your Arizona state income tax in Vail and decide how YOU want it to be used. Visit vailtaxcredits.org to learn more and to select a school and shop for the activity you’d like to fund. Thank you for participating in Vail's motto - Where Education Is a Community Effort!

Student Educational Switzerland Trip Funded by Tax Credits

Student Football Fees Funded by Tax Credits

Culinary Students Attend Cooking Around the World Competition in Disney World Funded by Tax Credits

VUSD and Vail Community Events and Info

Be sure to check out VAIL EVENTS to learn about all about the Butterfield Trail that went right through Vail or the Mental Health Awareness Walk coming soon!