Welcome to VISTA Education Center
At VISTA Education Center, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for special education students. As a Federal Setting IV facility, we offer specialized programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students, from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our goal is to empower students by valuing their individual talents and abilities, providing personalized educational experiences, and fostering an environment where every student can thrive. We envision a future where every student can thrive. We envision a future where all students, regardless of their abilities, are equipped with the skills, confidence, and independence they need to achieve their full potential. This setting caters to students with significant disabilities who require intensive, individualized support that cannot be adequately provided in less restrictive environments. Some of the key components of setting IV program includes:
- Specialized staff, including special education teachers, therapists (speech, occupational, physical), and behavioral specialists who are trained to address complex needs.
- Access to specialized equipment and materials that support the educational and developmental goals of students with significant disabilities.
- Higher staff-to-student ratio, allowing for more personalized and intensive support.
- Structured environments that are crucial for students with severe disabilities, promoting safety and stability.
- Customized to focus on both academic learning and essential life skills, such as communication, social interaction, and self-care.
- Emphasis on functional skills prepares students for greater independence.
School News
Fridley Preschool families gathered together for the annual Preschool International Baccalaureate (IB) Night on Thursday, November 14. Approximately 30-40 families attended the evening event.
On Thursday, November 7, Fridley High School's Chinese Program took 88 students on an exciting field trip to the University of Minnesota (U of M). The trip, themed Career and Language, was designed to help students explore future career paths and learn about resources available to Chinese language learners.
Families with young children filled the Fridley Community Center gym on Nov. 9 for the annual Fridley Early Childhood Family Education Fall Festival. Children were greeted with multiple family oriented activities such as coloring, a pumpkin tic-tac-toe toss, a bounce house, storytime and more, helping foster their learning and development.
On November 1, Fridley High School held a college fair, giving students a chance to learn more about their future options after high school. The event helped students get important information about different colleges and what they offer.
The Fridley High School chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society (MHS) held its annual induction ceremony for new members in the District Auditorium on Wednesday, October 23. As the 29 scholars received the distinguished honor, their family, friends, and staff watched proudly, beaming with joy.
“Being in natural spaces like this, with all of these trees, the sounds of water and this beautiful, clean, fresh air, it actually helps heal our brains,” explained Heidi Ferris, founder of Growing Green Hearts, as she met a group of 4th grade students from Hayes Elementary School at Rice Creek on October 24.
“Check in with others to see if they are okay, check in with your friends,” advised Matthew Engelhardt referring to bullying at a Unity Day assembly for Fridley Middle School students on Oct. 24. Unity day is the signature event during National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Engelhardt continued, “If you see something, say something.”
According to preliminary election results, voters approved both of the questions on the ballot for Fridley Public Schools on Tuesday, November 5.
“It feels like slime!” shrieked first grade students in their classrooms at Stevenson Elementary. The slime they were referring to? The inside of a pumpkin. Students celebrated PUMPKIN days on Friday, Oct. 25 by engaging in a variety of activities including counting pumpkin seeds.
Preschool students sat captivated while listening to the story “Runaway Pumpkins” by Teresa Bateman, read during a special storytime in partnership with the Anoka County Library. The Fridley Preschool welcomed Barb Woodside, the children’s librarian from the Mississippi Street Branch of the Anoka County Library on Tuesday, Oct. 22 for a special fall themed storytime.