News & Updates
The following message was sent to all families of seniors at Buena, Foothill and Ventura families on Monday March 18.
Good afternoon, Buena, Foothill, and Ventura High Senior families,
This is an exciting time of the year and we want our seniors to make as many meaningful memories as possible, but we also want to keep them safe, which is why we are reaching out.
This message, sent on behalf of the Buena, Foothill, and Ventura High School Principals, our District Administration, and Ventura Police, is to bring to your attention a concerning game currently being played amongst our high school seniors. Known as "Water Assassins," this game, while seemingly harmless, carries the potential for unintended and dangerous outcomes. It's crucial to note that this game is NOT a school-sanctioned activity.
Here's how it works: Teens form teams and target each other with water guns, attempting to "eliminate" their assigned targets. This game is typically played outside school hours and can involve targeting students at their homes, vehicles, and social events. This game has prompted at least one call for police assistance in Ventura, raising significant concerns among law enforcement and the public. While most students use brightly colored toy water guns, there have been instances of poor judgment where the water guns resemble real firearms.
After consulting with VPD and our Principals, we felt it was important to make you all aware of this new game. It presents significant challenges and risks for both law enforcement and citizens, potentially leading to serious consequences such as brandishing a weapon, trespassing, and reckless driving. We cannot stop the games since this is not a school-sanctioned event. However, we are asking for your partnership to reinforce this safety message at home.
Here are some key points to discuss with your teens:
- This conduct is prohibited on campus as it could pose a danger and could cause disruption to the learning environment.
- Avoiding water guns that resemble real firearms.
- Refrain from speeding or chasing each other in vehicles.
- Do not block traffic or create hazards on the road.
- Do not play the game at any school or before/during/after a school-sanctioned activity.
- Refrain from attempting to play the game at a business location.
- Avoid wearing dark clothing at night or hiding under cars and bushes.
- Respect businesses and uninvolved residents; do not disrupt their activities.
Let's work together to ensure the safety of our community and our children. If you have any concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to contact our School Resources Officers (SROs) or your Principal for guidance. Please be on the lookout over the next month for information regarding upcoming Senior events and information on graduations and live streams! We look forward to seeing our Class of 2024 walk across that graduation stage!
Thank you,
Buena, Foothill, Ventura, VUSD, and Ventura Police Administration
Our Winter athletes have been recognized for their incredible talent on the field this year.
As the All-League Awards are released, we want to congratulate all our high school winter student-athletes and applaud your hard work inside and outside the classroom!
Check out these articles listing all of the top performers. Great job to all!
With a student focus, the content for this platform will be created by new VUSD Communications Interns who are students at our VUSD High Schools.
We're thrilled to announce the launch of VUSD's brand new Instagram account, with a special focus on our amazing students! Content for this account will be created by our talented Communications High School Intern Team, working tirelessly to bring you all the latest updates and highlights from across our district. "Our students deserve a platform where their voices can shine, where we can celebrate their achievements, and where they can find important district-wide information," says Marieanne Quiroz, our Communications Director. In addition to a student focus, information will be shared on this platform that current and prospective families will also informational. We're proud to introduce our team of seven high school student interns, each bringing their unique perspective and energy to showcase the incredible happenings on our campuses.Be sure to follow us on Instagram @SchoolVentura to be a part of the excitement!
Our 23-24 VUSD Communications High School Student Intern Team!
Kendall Nagaoka, ‘24, Buena High School
Campus Involvement: Swim Team, Captain Girls Water Polo Team, and Athletics Council Event Coordinator
“I think it is important for students to get involved on campus because no matter what you join, it is like having this whole other family on campus. When I was a freshman, I did not know anyone; none of my friends were going to Buena. I met my best friend on the first day of practice. It’s not just about sports; it could be any club or even a class. School isn’t just about academics; it's also about building connections.”
Cassius Rankin, ‘26, Ventura High School
Campus Involvement: Cassius enjoys his time at Ventura High in the Digital Photography, English, and History classes offered. He also participates in film club where he can pursue his interest in film further.
“I like photography and believe that the job is good for growth and will allow me to start my career in a positive way. I am very excited to be starting on my path to a professional career.”
Eve Cobos, ‘24, Foothill Tech
Campus Involvement: Photography student, Previously part of the FTHS Student Art Show
“I wanted this job because it’s a way to get my photography and artwork out there and to obtain experience in the workforce”
Naomi Schwartz, ‘26, Foothill Technology High School
Campus Involvement: ASB Sophomore Class President, Vice President of the Gardening Club, a part of the GRAFX pathway
“One of the main reasons I applied to be on the Communications Team was to get work experience and improve my skills in graphic design and photography!”
Elizabeth Okubo, ‘26, El Camino High School
Campus Involvement: Communications Liaison, Baking Club President, School Site Council Member
“Something about me is that I’m a firm believer in self-improvement. There are always ways to grow and better yourself as a person!”
Henry Escobar, ‘27, Buena High School
Campus Involvement: X Country, Track & Field
“The most important aspect of becoming successful is to fail, to learn from your mistakes and be better."
Connor Upham, ‘24, Ventura High School
Campus Involvement: PTSA Member
“I really wanted this job because it emphasizes communication with others and also introduces us to a new professional field. I think that’s really important at our age.”
More than 6000 boxes of Mac N Cheese were set up for a domino like fall with boxes being donated to Food Share of Ventura County.
On Friday, February 9, 2024, Mound's fifth-grade class led an outreach project in which they learned something about themselves while giving back to the community. The students are responsible for planning and following through with various tasks, including cost analysis, publicity, and coordination with larger organizations. Last year, students and staff saw a video of an elementary school that created a "domino run" with cereal boxes. They thought, "We can do that." That would allow students to have a STEM project, practice their leadership skills, and, most importantly, do something meaningful for their community–a perfect fit for their Science and Global Citizenship magnet. Students had to brainstorm ways to determine the number of boxes they wanted to use and then decide what to do with all the boxes when they were done. To see what their Principal and students thought of this event view this year's MAC 6000 video.
Last year's students immediately thought of donating the boxes to Food Share of Ventura County. They wanted to give the boxes to them but realized that cereal, although it has vitamins, does not always make kids feel full. Last year's class reached out to a dietician and talked to her about nutritional value. They then decided their "dominos" should be more satiating and nutrient-dense. They also thought a whole family could eat Mac 'N' Cheese. That is how the Mac 'N' Cheese domino run began.
This year's students loved what last year's students did and wanted to build on it, hoping they could reach even more families in need. Last year's class raised 4250 boxes, so the students set a goal of 5000 this year. They reached that goal and surpassed it, with the current count at 6000 boxes.
They reached that goal by having groups of students present their ideas to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and asked for matching donations to help them reach their box goal. They then presented to other classes throughout the school, explaining what they were doing and why. They asked students in those other classes if they could bring in boxes that could be used for their project and then donated to Food Share. Students also created fliers and posters. The focus this year was learning how to publicize. The fifth grade classed then held their second annual "Stuff the Trailer with Mac 'N' Cheese" drive. Students collected 3521 boxes. PTO matched many of those boxes, helping students get to over 5,000. With even more boxes arriving daily, they have reached over 6,000 boxes.
"Throughout this STEM and outreach project, 93 students will have worked together on math concepts such as volume, area, estimation, multiplication strategies, and grouping. Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills have all been used and refined. They've learned perseverance and grit, how to keep Mac 'N' Cheese from falling over, and how to regroup and revise strategies when it does. Most importantly, the kids are excited to take care of others in our community by providing satiating meals that kids enjoy eating," stated Ms. Tracie Fickenscher, Mound 5th grade teacher.
Lessons include:
- Presentation skills
- Time management
- Communicating to a large audience (and knowing their audience)
- Leadership and teamwork
STEM skills include:
- Figuring out the perfect distance (and reliable distance) between boxes
- Understanding the effects of outside forces and how to control for those forces
- Calculating the volume of a box, wagon, and trailer
- Estimating how many boxes fit in a wagon and a trailer and how to pack the boxes to maximize space
- Determining how many boxes it will take to get to the front of the school from our classrooms
- Developing a model and revising it based on data from trials
ABC7s Philip Palmer visited Ventura last month to talk to VUSD students in the GRIT program at De Anza Academy of Technology & the Arts (DATA).
GRIT -Girls Re-Imagining Tomorrow- introduces middle school students to tech-focused career options. It opens doors for girls at DATA in an industry that has historically written out women and propels them to brighter and bigger futures in cybersecurity.
Watch the Eyewitness News segment aired on April 13th for the whole story.
- DATA
- GRIT