Back to School Information

Hello Viking Families!                                                
 
We are looking forward to the 2026-27 school year and we are excited to welcome our returning Vanden families, our incoming Class of 2030, and all those new to TUSD. Welcome to the Vanden Community! 
 

Bell Schedule

• On regular and common planning days, first period will start at 8:35am.
  • Release time on Regular Schedule is 3:30pm
  • Release time on Common Planning Days is at 1:59pm
• Detailed bell schedule LINK

9th Grade Orientation

9th grade orientation is Thursday, August 6th. 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. 

The orientation will be held in the STADIUM/Football field. Head towards the football field by 8:25a.m. Our link Crew Leaders will help your 9th grader get off to a great start.

To accommodate students needing transportation to orientation, a limited bus service will make two pick up/drop off in Vacaville and two bus pickup/drop off in Fairfield.

• Cambridge and Foxboro elementary schools - 7:55a.m. pick up
• Gold Ridge Hom / Walker and Ellis Godfrey - 7:55a.m. pick up

All incoming 9th graders are expected to attend orientation. 

Parent Q& A session via zoom on Thursday, August 6th from 5pm. Zoom information will be sent out on Thursday via ParentSquare. This is an opportunity to ask questions about orientation, the start of the school year, and what to expect as your student begins their freshman year at Vanden.
 
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. 11th, 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 6th. Parents needing to complete data confirmation or set up their parent portal can find  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 first two days 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: LINK

 

Picture Days are as follows:  

• Thursday, August 13th (9th and 10th)
• Friday, August 14th (11th and 12th)  

Reminder for seniors: If you have not scheduled your senior portrait for the yearbook, please call Energy Imaging Photography 707-213-8176
 
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 31st. 

 

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 LINK

 

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

Other important links: 

• Bell Schedule, Important dates and calendar: LINK 

• Vanden Student Handbook: LINK

• Work Permit page on the website:  LINK

• Transcript Request: LINK

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

 Office Hours are  7:30am-3:30pm starting Tuesday August 4th, 2026 through August 7th.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon! 

Kristin Shields, Principal