Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!
Once a Matador, always a Matador. It is a Monta Vista High School saying that speaks to being part of our Matador family and is true for all students, parents, and educators.
It is in this spirit that I want to welcome our incoming 9th grade students, the class of 2022, as well as all other students new to Monta Vista. To our returning students, welcome back and we look forward to a great year culminating in the celebration of the graduating class of 2019.
It is also in this spirit that I am excited to return to Monta Vista this year and rejoin our Matador family. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity, as Principal, to continue to support students, parents, and educators in our efforts to meet the needs of all students. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. Below, you will find a few items that I’d like to share with you as we prepare to begin the new school year.
Focus for 2018-2019: Monta Vista High School is a special place. We are a community that values education and are proud to offer students a truly comprehensive high school experience. Educators at Monta Vista remind each other that although we are teachers of specific content areas, the most important thing is that we teach human beings.
Educators will be engaging in professional dialogue prior to the start of school, as well as throughout the school year, around building and maintaining positive relationships with our students. This will be part of our working theme this year: “Better Together”. It is our belief that students, parents, and educators are better at serving the needs of all students when collectively working together. We will focus our efforts to create a place of learning where all students are challenged to learn at high levels, but also where students feel safe, welcomed, and valued.
Office Reopens: Our main office opens Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Office hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you need assistance prior to August 1 or in general, it is always a good idea to check the school website. Our Monta Vista website continues to be the source of the most up to date information throughout the school year.
Beginning of School: Running of the Bulls (ROTB) for the classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021 will be Monday, August 13, 2018. Matador Retreat for the class of 2022 will be Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Please be prepared for ROTB and Matador Retreat by completing the FUHSD Required Online Registration Annual Update. This is for all grades and our District Office emailed parents/guardians a link to access their student’s individual form. See the front page of our website for more detailed information on ROTB and Matador Retreat, including the schedule for these days. Classes begin on Monday, August 20, 2018.
New Schedule: FUHSD schools, including Monta Vista, made a decision to move to a later school start time as part of a larger effort to address the issue of student sleep and wellness. Our new schedule features two late starts, three tutorials, and a start time of no earlier than 8 a.m. Please take a look at our new schedule on the front page of our website. Early arrival between 7:40 and 7:50 a.m. is encouraged to mitigate traffic during drop off. We urge you to form carpools with other families and to please follow safe commuting practices for the safety of all.
Construction Update: Our Main Gym continues to be under construction as we return for the 2018-2019 school year. This does effect entry from the west side of campus (the student lot side). Please note that access to this side of campus may change due to construction.
Our School Counseling Office is also under construction as we return for this school year. Our Guidance Counselors will be located in A201 to start the year until construction is completed.
I look forward to partnering with you for a terrific upcoming 2018-2019 school year!
With Matador pride,
Ben Clausnitzer
Principal