Principal’s Message
Home of the Eagles
Welcome Back Letter to Staff – 2026–2027 School Year
Dear Vivian Banks Staff,
I hope this letter finds you enjoying a restful, peaceful, and restorative summer. As we prepare
to welcome our students and families back for the 2026–2027 school year, I want to begin by sharing how grateful I am to continue working alongside each of you. Vivian Banks Charter School is a truly special place, and it is because of your heart, dedication, flexibility, and commitment to our students that our school continues to grow stronger each year.
Last year was filled with meaningful moments — academic growth, family connections, cultural celebrations, community partnerships, student assemblies, and a beautiful celebration of Vivian Banks’ 30th anniversary. As we step into this new school year, we have the opportunity to continue building on that momentum while staying focused on what matters most: helping every child feel seen, valued, supported, and successful.
This year, we will continue to center our work around the Circle of Courage values of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity. These values will guide how we support students, how we work with families, and how we collaborate with one another as a staff. Our students thrive when they feel connected, safe, encouraged, and capable — and each of you plays such an important role in creating that environment every day.
We will also continue our focus on strong academic support in reading, writing, and mathematics. We will keep building systems that help students grow through small-group instruction, targeted intervention, progress monitoring, and consistent collaboration. This year, we are especially excited to begin our new Project HARMONY partnership, which will bring additional support for student resiliency, social-emotional learning, and math intervention. This partnership will help us deepen the support we provide to students academically, socially, and emotionally.
As we begin the year, we will not be doing a book study. Instead, our focus will be on meaningful collaboration, shared planning, student support, and practical systems that strengthen our daily work. We will continue with our weekly assemblies, family events, and staff meetings embedded within Charter Council meetings. This structure will help us stay connected, informed, and focused while honoring everyone’s time and the many responsibilities we all carry.
We have another wonderful year ahead filled with opportunities to celebrate students, strengthen family partnerships, and continue building a school culture rooted in care, high expectations, and community. I am looking forward to working alongside each of you as we support one another, problem-solve together, and make this a joyful and successful year for our students. We were recently awarded a Whole Foods Garden Grant. This $3,500 award will enable us to continue/expand our garden.
Please review the important upcoming dates below:
Monday, August 10th: Science of Reading Training
Tuesday, August 11–District Kick-Off at Bonsall Elementary School
We will begin the year together with the Bonsall Unified School District kick-off at Bonsall Elementary School. There will be math training for part of the day. We will also kick off the year with our Vivian Banks staff meeting on this day as we come together to review important updates, expectations, and plans for the year ahead.
Wednesday, August 12 – Teacher Prep Day
This will be a teacher preparation day. I will be providing breakfast for staff as we ease back in, reconnect, and prepare our classrooms and campus for students.
Thursday, August 13 – First Day of School and Vivian Banks Staff Meeting
We will welcome students back for the first day of school. We will host a Welcome Back Breakfast in the quad and kick off the year with a traditional blessing. Our first official staff meeting is this day. We will review our safety plan.
I am so proud of the work we do at Vivian Banks. Our school is small but mighty, and the love, effort, and teamwork that each of you brings makes a lasting difference for our students and families. I know this year will bring new learning, new challenges, and many new reasons to celebrate. Together, we will continue to create a school where students feel a deep sense of belonging, where families feel welcomed, and where staff feel supported and valued.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. I look forward to seeing you soon, sharing breakfast together, and beginning another great year at Vivian Banks Charter School.
With gratitude and excitement,
Tina Calabrese
Principal
Vivian Banks Charter School Home of the Eagles
Vivian Banks Charter School: 11800 Pala Mission Road, Pala CA 92059
760-742-3300