VBCS is anxiously awaiting the beginning of CST testing on Tuesday, May 8^th.  Testing this year will conclude on May 18^th.  Students and teachers have been working with the Blueprints and Release Questions over the last few weeks reviewing the Key Standards covered throughout the year.  Students and Staff are looking forward to reaping the results of their hard work.   

Vivian Banks is very grateful for the continual support of the Charter Council and Parent Association this year.   These organizations were gracious enough to donate $1,600 to fund the addition of a SMART Board to VBCS.  At VBCS we believe that student performance can be improved by training teachers and students to use technology, creating engaged active learners, and exposing students to real world technology.  The SMART Board is a platform that provides all of these things.  VBCS now has SMART Technology in all of our classrooms except 2^nd grade.  It is our goal to fully equip all classrooms with interactive whiteboards by early fall.    

The Afterschool Education and Safety Grant (ASES) has allowed Bonsall West and Vivian Banks to offer the 21^st Century Skills Club afterschool at each site.  The goal of the 21^st Century Skills Club is to align learning environments with real world environment.  We do this by proving increased opportunities in learning and innovation, life and career skills, as well as information, Technology and Media.  I am happy to inform the board that with funds from this grant BW and VB recently were able to ascertain 60 iPads for student use. iPads inspire creativity and hands-on learning on a device that students really want to use. Powerful learning apps let students engage with content in interactive ways, find information in an instant, and access an entire library wherever they go.