Vista Virtual School (VVS) has budget shortfalls arising from the previous school year and the provincial budget. In an attempt to address the shortfalls in the current budget, and in anticipation of a change to the funding framework for the next budget, VVS requires a reduction in the number of staff at the school. Reductions in support staff have taken place and the reduction in teachers will happen in December with new teacher assignments beginning January 6, 2020.

Students affected by the reduction of teachers will hear directly from their teacher. Their current teacher will also introduce a new teacher.

While the budget shortfalls have required us to make difficult choices, we made every effort to minimize impacts on students and to prioritize their educational experience.

A statement on the impact of the provincial budget from the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent for Pembina Hills School Division is included with this newsletter.

Elementary students should be looking to complete the first half of their coursework before the end of the year. In January, junior high students write their midterm exams. Senior high students complete their first semester courses and should be preparing for writing final exams and provincial diploma exams (if they are taking a core 30-level course this semester).

Recommended:

• Students write their school-based final exam about two weeks prior to diploma exams.
• Students should talk with their teachers about effective preparation for the school-based midterm, final exams and diploma exams.
• With non-diploma courses, there are still final exams that need to be written at the school, though you have a little more flexibility on when to schedule these exams:
  • All required assignments must be completed and marked before booking a time to write.
  • Note: there is limited seating for midterms and final exams at our Vista Virtual School campuses especially in preparation for diploma exams in January.

• Biology Student Opportunity – Calgary Migratory Species Response Team Event
• Getting Support and Meeting Your Teacher(s)
• Annual Recognition Showcases Student Success
• Learning About Wartime Helps Keep the Peace
• Bullying Awareness Week

• Professional Development Day for teachers (December 6)
• Winter Break (December 23 to January 1) Vista Virtual School campuses closed
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• Boxing Day (December 26)
• New Years’ Day (January 1)
• Vista Virtual School campuses re-open (Support staff return to work January 2)
• First day of classes (Teachers return to work January 6)

Check out our monthly events on our website. We update this calendar as events are added.

• Medicine Hat Public Library – *Wednesday, December 4
• Red Deer Public Library – *Wednesday, December 18
• Lethbridge Public Library – Thursday, December 19

Statement from the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent for Pembina Hills School Division

Contacts

Principal	Steven Kaplan
Associate Principals	Treena Bradbury	Frank McCallum
Academic Counsellors	Jessica Luciuk	Loya De Clercq	Christie Borle (Inclusive Ed.)
Adult Academic Counsellors	Frank McCallum	Treena Bradbury	Steven Kaplan
School Hours	8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (teachers' hours are 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Campus Location	341 58 Ave. SE Calgary, AB T2H 0P3
Phone	P: 1-855-974-5333	VVS Support x5317
School Website	vvschool.ca
School Email	vvsupport@pembinahills.ca	vvsadults@pembinahills.ca
We're Online	Twitter @VistaVirtualSch	Facebook VistaVirtualSch	Website vvschool.ca
Connect With Us	Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates on events and activities throughout the year. Our website is also a valuable source of information.	Do you have a story to tell, or a typo to report? Email Ben Freeland.	The newsletter is published monthly and sent to students, parents and guardians by email.