Good afternoon, Grizzly Families,
We are excited to welcome all of our students back in just a couple of weeks! Our amazing office staff and custodians have been working hard this summer to ensure that our campus is ready for a great year ahead.
We’re also thrilled to share some exciting campus updates:
New Roof: VGE is in the process of getting a brand-new roof, with the project expected to be completed by November 2025.
Upgraded Kitchen Floor: Our kitchen received a much-needed upgrade this summer — we’re grateful for these improvements!
Giving 5: VGE Expectations
This year, we’ll continue to focus on teaching and modeling what it means to be Respectful, Responsible, Safe, Positive, and Kind— what we call Giving 5. As many students have had extended screen time over the summer, we encourage families to help children gradually reduce screen use and begin re-establishing routines to help them transition back to school successfully.
Attendance Matters
Consistent, daily attendance is essential for your child’s academic and social growth. Last year, our overall attendance rate dropped, which impacts student progress and our school accountability with the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED). Please make every effort to have your child at school each day. We appreciate your partnership in making attendance a top priority.
Important Reminders
Registration - If you have not yet registered your child, please do so as soon as possible. We are finalizing staffing and class lists next week, and students will not be placed in a class until the full registration process is complete. We currently have 21 returning families who still need to register.
Popsicle Pop-In – Tuesday, August 5th | 3:00–4:30 PM
Join us for this fun event to:
Meet your child’s teacher and other staff members
Drop off school supplies
Donate a box of cereal or shelf-stable item for our VGE Food Pantry
Please note: Students who are not registered in time will not be assigned a class and cannot participate in the Pop-In.
School Supplies - Supply lists are posted on the VGE Website — check them out!
Transportation - Bus information is available on the RRPS Transportation page.
Parent/Guardian/Student Handbook
Please review the 2025–2026 handbook for important updates, including new pick-up procedures. Parents/guardians can no longer meet students at the large white gate in the afternoons — designated pick-up areas are outlined in the handbook.
School Cash Online - All RRPS schools will transition to cashless payments starting January 2025. To pay for field trips, yearbooks, and more, families must create an account at: https://rrps.schoolcashonline.com
Bell Schedule
Arrival: 9:20 AM
Students may not be dropped off before 9:05 AM (except for SAFE participants).Tardy Bell: 9:25 AM
All tardy students must be checked in by an adult.Dismissal: 3:40–3:50 PM
No student check-outs after 3:10 PM.
Students will only be released during the final 30 minutes of the day with administrative approval.
SAFE Program: Before and after-school care is available through the SAFE Program. Visit the SAFE Program website for information.
VGE Spirit Wear: Show your Grizzly pride! Check out our VGE Spirit Wear Store and gear up for the new year. Let’s celebrate our school spirit together!
In partnership with our amazing families and community, we know this will be a fantastic year at Vista Grande. We are brave. We are strong. We are caring. We are Grizzlies!
Go Grizzlies,
Christine Prescott, Holly Leonard, and the VGE Staff