VAPA = Visual and Performing Arts

Our Visual And Performing Arts program is 100% funded by the Joseph Sims PTO. The PTO pays for the salary of the VAPA teacher, along with the supplies for instruction and performances. VAPA is offered to all students at our school.

We are very proud of our VAPA program. At Joseph Sims, every student receives several weeks of hands-on art instruction during the school year using various art mediums like pastel, acrylic and watercolor. Students also receive several weeks of dance instruction, which leads up to a very special 100% kid-run VAPA performance. Students run the entire production, from performing to the audio, lighting, and announcements. VAPA performances are grouped into five or six different nights spread throughout the school year. View the schedule and photos here.

Support VAPA

Because our VAPA program is paid by the PTO (instructor salary + supplies) fundraising and donations are critical in order to keep this program going. Making a direct donation to the VAPA program makes a big impact. Other ways to support the VAPA program are by purchasing a VAPA shirt or needed supplies from the VAPA Amazon Wish List or PTO & VAPA Supplies List.

History of VAPA

Our VAPA program began as an “Artist in Residence Program” with support from a grant written in 2005 by one of our teachers, Mrs. Keskeys. The grant was funded by the Frank H. and Eva B. Buck Foundation. The terms of the grant were for three years, with the first year fully funded, the second year 50% funded, and the third year 25% funded. By 2008, the program had evolved into the VAPA program and was 100% paid for by fundraising efforts organized by the PTO.

Meet our VAPA teacher……. Mrs. Hoppner!

Mrs. Hoppner has been working at Joseph Sims since 2009, and became our VAPA instructor in 2012. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Sacramento State University in Business/Marketing with a minor in Communications.

Mrs. Hoppner has actually been part of the Sims Community for a very long time. She started as a parent volunteer, active in the PTO, and even served as PTO President when her kids attended Sims in the early 2000’s.

See what’s going on in VAPA now!