School Announcements · October 19, 2016

Meet Our New Executive Director

fca9f443-ee6d-4427-96ad-4c54384d2ed8 Dear New Vista Families,

It is my pleasure to announce New Vista School’s new Executive Director, Melissa Kenig. For many of you, she will be a familiar face. She has served on our board since this past spring, and has been present at the school, at events such as the school picnic, and at organizing meetings for the Swing for Autism Golf Tournament on October 24^th.

Melissa comes to us with a wealth of experience and personal knowledge of autism. She has an adult son with autism who works as a school aid, and founded the nonprofit Autism Works in Minnesota, dedicated to assisting adults with autism in the area of employment and other related services. She is also an experienced business executive, with superb organizational and financial skills.

Melissa’s first day working at the school is October 31^st. Additionally, she will be our public face at the Swing for Autism Golf Tournament. After she starts, New Vista will hold a community event to give each of you an opportunity to meet and talk with Melissa. More information on the time and date is coming soon.

The Swing for Autism Golf Tournament is just five days away now. Melissa and I hope to see you there. Many of you are volunteering that day, making donations, assisting with helidrop sales, or attending the dinner after the tournament. Thank you very much for your support. Together we can make New Vista the best it can be.

Sincerely,

Kris Zierhut, President New Vista Board of Directors

« New Vista School Extended Field Trip – San Diego 2016

New Vista School T-Shirt Fundraiser »

Students leave New Vista with a greater sense of confidence…

In the past 3 years I have witnessed firsthand the change that takes place within students who go through our Transition program. These students leave New Vista with a greater sense of confidence after having been given the opportunity to work in a real business and gain experiences in multiple community environments. With the proper training, attitude, and a little patience, these young adults can achieve any goals they set their mind to.

Eric Warner, Transition Specialist

The options after graduation are now wide open for her…

Our daughter started New Vista in 7th grade with the plan that she would only stay there for her middle school years. We were so happy with her progress, that now, 5 years later, she is about to graduate. Thanks to the New Vista teachers and staff, she has blossomed socially and academically, and she has been able to participate in high school activities we never thought possible. The options after graduation are now wide open for her…

NVS Parent

Thank you!

I can give you a story of my son’s journey but this quote basically sums it up. “You transformed an impossible child into an adult with possibilities.” Regarding plans after Noah graduates… NVS’ adult program. I’m excited to be participating at ground level with other senior parents and Ms. Donnelly. Thank you!

NVS Parent

He received such a great education foundation…

I want to thank you all for the great job you all did with my son. He received such a great education foundation from each of you at NVS. He is doing a very good job at College. He is currently a “B plus” student on all his classes, and best of all, that he just received his first Math exam result of a 100% grade. I cannot be more proud of him and am very thankful to all NVS staff. Now he is a very responsible and independent college student.

NVS Parent

Exceeded our expectations…

Our experience at New Vista School over the past 3 plus years has been outstanding. After trying three other schools and investigating many more, we found a school that “gets” our child. The teachers and administrators have created an individualized plan, both academic and behavioral, that has exceeded our expectations.

NVS Parent

Sincere thanks to the whole NVS Staff…

Our experience at New Vista has been night and day from our previous experience in the school district public system! Teachers in the public system repeatedly said our son was unable to read and comprehend third grade books. At New Vista, our son has read 33 books in the last 4.5 months – 82% of them at a grade level of 4.6. Sincere thanks to the whole NVS Staff for your dedication and commitment in helping these kids do better in life.

NVS Parent

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New Vista School | 23092 Mill Creek Drive Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Front Office: 949-455-1270

We are a private, non-profit, 501c3, WASC-accredited school serving Orange County, California. We are authorized to serve ASD students through the non-public school (NPS) option available to qualified families and school districts. Our academic and social curricula are guided by the following values: Safety, Respect, Responsibility, Initiative, Problem Solving and Resiliency.