July 17, 2025
Dear Star Families!
On behalf of the faculty and our PTA, I’m thrilled to welcome you and your kiddo(s) back to school!
Back to School Day: Monday July 21st
You and your student are invited- the schedule is here!
Please see below for extra sessions for 4th/5th, middle school, & 8th grade
Day 1 of School: Tuesday, July 22nd
Tuesday is a Minimum Day and PTA has our traditional Welcome Back Coffee!
I hope this information will answer all of your questions but if not, please don’t hesitate to contact our office!
Cheers!
James Parker, MBA, MA
Principal
What do parents need to do/know before the first day?
Data Confirmation needs to be completed prior to the first day of school in the parent portal. Directions are here. Please note this must be completed for each child and our emergency contact information is drawn from the data you provide.
Back to School Day is Monday, July 21st in your child’s classroom. The schedule is here. Please attend with your child and please limit your party as the school will be busy. Please enter classroom through their exterior door- just like when kids come to school everyday. This is an opportunity for you to tour the campus, briefly meet your child’s teacher, see the classrooms, meet other kids and families in the class(es), and all students receive Kona Ice thanks to PTA! We have a Back to School Day to help everyone soften any anxiety about starting school. This is a great time to bring in school supplies!
Parent conferences occur in August/September so please reserve conversations with teacher(s) for that time and/or please email your child’s teacher(s).
Parking is often not available on campus (600 families, 25 guest parking spots 🙁) so I suggest you walk when you come. Should you need to drive to campus, we have a variance with the city that allows you to park adjacent to school/Plaza Park on Warner and Paseo Westpark on Monday & Tuesday. A map of the variance is here. PLEASE do not park in staff spaces during school hours.
4th/5th, you are invited to a report card info session 2:05-2:30 PM Monday in the Music Building. There are shifts and improvements in grading for 4th & 5th graders this year in IUSD.
6th-8th- please also attend our Middle School Registration Day on Monday- details here.
8th, you are invited to a Catalina Science Camp Info Session Monday 2:40-3 PM in the Music Building
When/how will we know our student’s class(es)?
Teacher and class assignments are scheduled to post in the parent portal Monday at 11 AM- directions to access are here.
How were class(es) selected?
Days of deliberation led to carefully selected class(es) for your child by the teacher teams, support personnel (counselors, school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, education specialist, etc.), the assistant principal, and myself. Priority is given to those criteria that ensure the best learning environment for all students. As you know, the number of students assigned to each classroom is limited. Students were assigned to classes with much deliberation and care based on a number of variables including but not limited to; balance between gender, equal number of students in each class, academic balance, individual student needs, relationships between students, and enrollment in specialized school programs (such as Gifted and Talented Education, English Language Learners, Special Education, etc.). Great cognizance is in mind as classes are built so that each and every student can get as much support from their teacher(s) as possible. Class(es) assignments are final although changes in enrollment during the start of school may necessitate some shifting (this is atypical for elementary and occasional for 6th-8th).
It has been my experience (along with the teaching staff) that a child’s attitude toward their teacher(s)/class(es) is influenced by their parents.
What help is available for families?
Please see resources here.
How can families help?
-Keep children home when they are sick. Please refer to this at home daily before school.
Please send your student everyday:
-To campus no earlier than five minutes prior to school starting and help them depart school immediately upon dismissal.
-With a water bottle.
-Appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes (6th-8th may wear sandals on non PE days).
What does the first day of school look like?
-All students in grades PK-5 report to their teacher’s exterior door (unless your teacher advises otherwise).
-All students in grades 6-8 report to their advisement teacher’s exterior door for the first week of school to start the day.
-Our bell schedule and calendar are on our website here.
-Parents, please join the Principal, our PTA, and other PV Families for a PV tradition: Welcome Back Coffee on the Day 1- the schedule is here!
All students receive one free breakfast and/or lunch a day. How does that work and what are the details?
Please see more information here.
Please apply confidentially to the federal program if you are eligible here. Eligibility provides additional school staffing and other possible benefits to your student (AP exam fee waivers in high school, college assistance, etc.).
Who are the new staff at PV?
Please see this for more information about talented employees (and staff in new roles) who love working with kids!
Technology?
Every elementary classroom will have 1 device per student and students will have the option to check out a device for use at home. Students in middle school will check out a device for school and home use. We recommend Chromebook insurance for checked out devices.
I am interested in on-site childcare. How do I enroll and/or ask questions?
Please call Catalyst Kids on our campus at 949 653-6405. Families eligible for ELOP will be notified.
What After School Classes are available?
IPSF offers After School Enrichment Classes (ACE) on campus for grades 1-5 and you can sign up here. Please note only 15 spots are available per class!
I want to know more about Plaza Vista and be involved. What can I do?
You are welcome to support the mission in the classroom by volunteering (contact your child’s teacher) and joining our amazing PTA. You can get a head start on the volunteer clearance process here.
You can reach PTA President Callen Shimomura infoplazavistapta@gmail.com and/or visit our PTA website here.
PV is on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
What else is new in 25-26?
Lots, this is just a sampling:
-We have hired awesome staff for our vacancies- meet them here.
-The trophy case is filling! PV was a California Distinguished School for the THIRD time, had ANOTHER Carson Scholar, had Irvine Junior Games medalists, had an AVID Standout, earned AVID Emerging Schoolwide Site, orchestra was superior, and more!
-New and improved middle school electives including Creative Writing, Study Skills, Competitive Sports, Home Economics, Coding/Robotics, & additional supports for students learning English.
-Our MPR continues to improve! We have invested six figures in new paint, new wireless microphones, upgraded speakers, stage/facade resurfacing, padded carpet, new curtains, and more with help from PTA and IPSF. More to come!
Still have questions?
Please contact our office at 949-936-6950. We are all here to help you and are happy to do so! Plaza Vista’s office hours are 7:30 AM-3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
