Capistrano Unified School District

Visual and Performing Arts

We’re thrilled to announce the debut of our Elementary Art Program in CUSD! In its inaugural year, our dedicated team of seven art teachers is providing 5-6 lessons annually for each PK-5 class across all elementary schools. Utilizing the state-approved curriculum, Art of Education, our art lessons have received enthusiastic feedback from students, parents, and teachers alike.

Currently, we have an Art Exhibit at the Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo, showcasing over 150 pieces of elementary artwork from October 3rd to November 13th. The kick-off reception on October 3rd was a resounding success, with over 100 students and parents joining us to celebrate the incredible talent on display. We extend our gratitude to CUCPTSA for sponsoring the refreshments and to the Newhart MS String Quintet for providing delightful live music.

It’s an exciting time for elementary art in CUSD, and we can’t wait to see what our young artists will create next!

VAPA Calendar

VAPA School Contacts

Elementary

Position	Name	Contact Email
District Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator, Elementary Music Supervisor	Albert Jeung	(949) 234-9586 ayjeung@capousd.org
Primary Music Leads (TK-3)	Samantha Gossage Noelle Nielsen	sygossage@capousd.org ncnielsen@capousd.org
Elementary Music Leads (4-5)	Chad Cunningham: Band Alissa Cunningham: Vocal Michelle Brunton: Strings	cccunningham@capousd.org alcunningham@capousd.org mrbrunton@capousd.org
	Block Music Team Leads
Red: Hankey, Viejo, Arroyo Vista, Wagon Wheel, Tijeras Creek, Reilly, Castille	Michelle Brunton	mrbrunton@capousd.org
Purple: Vista Del Mar, Marblehead, Las Palmas, Concordia, Palisades, RH Dana, Benedict	Jeff Long	jmlong@capousd.org
Orange: Esencia, Ambuehl, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Chapparal, Bathgate, Oso Grande	Bruce Marcus	bwmarcus@capousd.org
Green: Moulton, Laguna Niguel, Kinoshita, Oak Grove, Canyon Vista, Don Juan Avila, Bergeson	Alex Soares	afsoares@capousd.org
Blue: Wood Canyon, Del Obispo, San Juan, Lobo, Malcom, Hidden Hills, George White	Kory Wentzel	kswentzel@capousd.org

Elementary Art Lead: Renee Weitzel rmweitzel@capousd.org

Middle

School	Contact Name	Email
Aliso Viejo Middle School	Linda Parsons	lrparsons@capousd.org
Arroyo Vista K8	Ashley Stevens	aestevens@capousd.org
Bernice Ayer MS	Don Schultz	dlschultz@capousd.org
Carl Hankey K8	Kellie Bower	kebowerhobart@capousd.org
Don Juan Avila MS	Elena Rodriguez	elrodriguez@capousd.org
Esencia K8	Ryan Jesch	rtjesch@capousd.org
Fred Newhart MS	Valerie Petty	vapetty@capousd.org
Ladera Ranch MS	Keri Ray	ksray@capousd.org
Las Flores K8	Elena Benefield	elbenefield@capousd.org
Marco Forster MS	Ryan Healy	rwhealy@capousd.org
Niguel Hills MS	Alicia Erlinger	aderlinger@capousd.org
Shorecliffs MS	JP Reed	jpreed@capousd.org
Vista Del Mar K8	Ashley Bowman	albowman@capousd.org

High

School	Contact Name	Email
Aliso Niguel High	Jason Harney	jrharney@capousd.org
Capistrano Valley High	Andy Waldukat	AKWALDUKAT@capousd.org
Dana Hills High	Ray Medina	rmmedina@capousd.org
San Clemente High	Alana Mack	almack@capousd.org
S an Juan Hills High	Avery Arman	aparman@capousd.org
Tesoro High	Yeon Choi	yechoi@capousd.org

Departments

MISSION:
It is the mission of the Capistrano Unified School District Visual and Performing Arts Department to enrich the artistic capabilities and awareness of post secondary options for its students and to prepare them to become lasting, educated stewards of the arts.

The CUSD Visual and Performing Arts Department is a department dedicated to artistic excellence. The department focuses first on artistic skill development and artistic knowledge. The first objective of the CUSD Visual and Performing Arts staff is to help each student develop his or her artistic potential to the utmost.
The Visual and Performing Arts provide an opportunity for students to develop an appreciation of the arts and encourage the skills and discipline necessary for achieving success throughout a lifetime of experiences. Arts programs form a vital and important part of the school environment.

CURRICULUM:
Our VAPA Curriculum includes dance, music, theater, media arts, and the visual arts and is based on the California Arts Standards for Public Schools

and the California Arts Education Framework. The standards are based on the artistic processes of creating, performing/producing/presenting, responding, and connecting.