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Overview

Hello Viking Families!                                                
 
We are looking forward to the 2024-25 school year and we are excited to welcome our returning Vanden families, our incoming Class of 2028, and all those new to TUSD. Welcome to the Vanden Community! 
 
New Bell Schedule
  • On regular school days, first period will start at 8:40am and sixth period will end at 3:30pm
  • On Common Planning Days, first period will start at 9:15am and sixth period will end at 2:20pm
  • Detailed bell schedule and important dates is attached to this email

9th Grade Orientation
9th grade orientation is Thursday, August 8th. During this student-only event, Vanden's newest Vikings will connect with peers, staff and upperclassmen, tour the campus and receive a free Vanden student t-shirt. 

To accommodate students needing transportation to orientation, a limited bus service will make one pick up/drop off in Vacaville and one bus pickup/drop off in Fairfield.
  • Cambridge and Foxboro elementary schools - 8am pick up
  • Gold Ridge Hom / Walker and Ellis Godfrey - 8am pick up

 
Parents of 9th graders: By Friday, 8/2, please complete this survey using the link below to provide us with the best way to communicate with your student about orientation.  
9th grade Orientation survey link

All incoming 9th graders are expected to attend orientation. More details about orientation can be found at the end of this letter. 
 
10th-12th Grade New Student Orientation
Orientation for all other students new to Vanden, including 9th graders who missed the 9th grade orientation, is Tuesday, Aug. 13th, from 3-4 pm, in the Little Theater (next to the front office). New students and families will be able to meet staff, ask questions and tour the campus with student guides. Parents are welcome to join their student for this orientation.
 
Class Schedules
Class schedules will be viewable in the Aeries portal on Thursday, August 8th. Parents needing to complete data confirmation or set up their parent portal can find instructions here. Data Confirmation must be complete to view schedules in the parent portal.  


School Pictures
School pictures for IDs and yearbook will be taken during the second and third day of school following the schedule below. Students must follow our dress code policy or students will not receive their ID or have their photo in the yearbook.  Dress code can be found in the Student Handbook here: https://vanden.travisusd.org/about-us/policies-procedures/dress-code
Picture Days are as follows:  

  • Thursday, August 15th (9th and 10th)
  • Friday, August 16th (11th and 12th)  
Reminder for seniors: If you have not scheduled your senior portrait for the yearbook, please call Images by Hughes, our school photographer at 707-426-6917   
 
Other Important Information 
Textbooks will be distributed after school begins. 
 
PE uniforms will be available for purchase with more information to follow at a later date. Students will begin dressing out for PE on Monday, August 26th. 
 
Travis Unified offers bus transportation. Students with a zero-period class will need to provide their own transportation to school; however, you may purchase a bus pass one way, to ride the bus home. Link for more information regarding transportation: TUSD Transportation

Similar to past years, all TUSD students receive free lunch and breakfast. More information about TUSD Child Nutrition can be found here.
 

Time to donate! We love to reward, motivate, and incentivize our amazing Vanden Vikings. You can help by donating:

  • Gift cards for popular local stores, restaurants & coffee shops, or entertainment venues such as the local theater.
  • Gift cards for online shopping - such as amazon gift cards.
  • Technology gadgets
  • School/ Art supplies
  • Refillable water bottles
  • Books: Encourage a love for reading
  • Sports equipment: Encourage physical activity with sports gear like basketballs, soccer balls, yoga mats, etc.
  • Any other prize that is appropriate and will resonate with high school students.

Vanden's main office is the primary location for accepting donations before school, after school, or during school.


Other important links: 


More back to school information will be communicated before the first day of school.

 Office Hours are  7:30am-4pm starting Friday 8/2.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon! 

Kristin Shields, Principal 
 

Additional 9th Grade Orientation Information
 

We are very excited that your child will be attending Vanden High School and look forward to seeing them at our 9th Grade Orientation Day on Thursday, August 8th, from 8:30 AM to 12 PM. We will begin in the Vanden High School gym. Meet in the front quad by 8:25 AM. Our Link Crew Program will help get your 9th grader off to a great start! 

  

WHAT IS LINK CREW?  

Link Crew is a nationwide program designed to welcome and support 9th graders by connecting them with Link Leaders, who are positive, responsible, hand-selected 11th and 12th graders. Your students' Link Leaders will help them feel more comfortable and achieve success in their first year of high school. Doesn’t that sound great? It is!  

  

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?  

A day or two before orientation, Link Leaders will be contacting each student. Your child will receive a phone call or text from their Link Crew Leader personally inviting them to orientation day and giving the details of where to be and what time. The Leaders can also answer any questions they may have.  

 

Please complete the survey listed to provide us with the best way to communicate with your student.  

 

Pre-survey link
 

BUS TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE? 

Yes. Four bus pick-up/drop-off sites have been set up for orientation. Students should be at the bus stop by 8 AM for pick-up and will leave campus between 12:00 and 12:30. 

 

Vacaville stops  @ Foxboro Elementary School (Morning Glory near basketball courts) 

                                and Cambridge Elementary School. 

Fairfield stops in Gold Ridge: Hom / Walker and Ellis Godfrey. 

 

WHERE SHOULD I DROP OFF MY STUDENT?

Drop students off by the library or parking lot and head to the front of the school. Arrive by 8:15 AM.

 

WHAT DO THEY NEED TO BRING TO ORIENTATION? 

Travel lightly; wear comfortable clothing for the day, as it will be active. Bring a bottle of water and a snack.

  

WILL TEXTBOOKS BE ASSIGNED AT ORIENTATION?

No. Textbook checkout will happen once school is in session.  

 

WILL THEY BE TAKEN ON A CAMPUS TOUR? 

Yes! Link Leaders will be showing their groups around campus.  

  

WILL THEY RECEIVE THEIR CLASS SCHEDULES? 

Yes! Link Leaders will show your students how to access Launchpad and Aeries to access their class schedules.  

  

CAN PARENTS ATTEND ORIENTATION? 

No. As much as you may want to join in, 9th-grade orientation is for students only!  
 

WHAT IF WE ARE OUT OF TOWN AND MY STUDENT CAN'T ATTEND?

Your student will be assigned to a Link Crew Leader and can set up a time to meet up on campus another day before school.

  

Please email staff Link Crew coordinator Michael Lopez with any questions at mlopez@travisusd.org.

 

We look forward to a great orientation day!  

 

The Link Crew Coordinators