Valley Heights Elementary Schools

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Thanksgiving meal! This week will be a short week with school only on Monday and Tuesday. When we return from Thanksgiving break we will be staying very busy! The K-6 Elementary Christmas program is December 3rd, which will be right after we return. Santa's Gift Shop is also the week we return, so make sure you get your forms turned in soon!

Staffing Update:

Our secretary Nikki Stoudt has accepted the Board Clerk position at our District Office. We are sad that she is no longer in the Waterville building, but are glad that we will still get to work with her. Please help me in congratulating her on her new role!

We are excited to announce that Lila Swearingen will be taking over the role as Waterville Grade School Secretary! Mrs. Swearingen has worked in the Waterville building for several years as a paraprofessional and we are looking forward to having her in our office!

As I reflect on the school year thus far, I am thankful for each and every student that walks through our doors. I also want to thank our families and community members for their support for not only their children but our school as a whole. On behalf of the Waterville building, thank you for all you do!

Next Week

Monday:

• Colts Round Up

Tuesday:

• Colts Round Up

Wednesday:

• NO SCHOOL

Thursday:

• NO SCHOOL- HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Friday:

• NO SCHOOL

Looking Ahead:

• December 3rd- K-6 Christmas Program @ 7:00 pm
• December 4th- Santa's Gift Shop
• December 10th- K-6 students will attend a KSU Women's Basketball Game in Manhattan
• December 18th Preschool-2nd Grade Christmas Parties
• December 19th-
• Preschool/ Kinder Prep Christmas Program 8:30-9:00
• End of the semester! Dismiss @ 12:30

It has been an exciting week at Blue Rapids Elementary. On Friday, the students welcomed their families into the building for the annual Thanksgiving feast. Thank you to Mary Medina, the kitchen staff, our wonderful volunteers and everyone who went above and beyond to make the Thanksgiving meal a blessed time for the students and their families.

Next week is Thanksgiving, which means we will only have two days of school and be off school Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving break. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the amazing families, students, staff and community support that we receive at Blue Rapids Elementary School. Thank you all, and I pray you have a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving break full of love and memories with friends and family.

Please take note of the important dates below.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• Reachout Food Pantry @ Blue Rapids Methodist Church - November 22
• Thanksgiving break - November 26 - 28
• K - 6th grades Christmas program - 7:00 pm (Doors open @ 6:00 pm)
• Students visit Santa's Gift Shop in WGS - December 4th
• K - 6th grades going to K-State Women's Basketball Game in Manhattan - December 10th
• Board Meeting - December 15th
• End of Semester/Early Dismissal @ 12:30 pm - December 19th

As always, thank you for the privilege and blessing that it is to work with your children. My door is always open if you have any concerns or you need to visit.

-Mr. Staples

Both Waterville Grade School and Blue Rapids Grade School have been invited to attend the Kansas State University Women's Basketball game on Wednesday, December 10th! Our Kindergarten through 6th grade students and staff will be attending! We will leave from our respective buildings around 9:15 am. The game starts at 11:00 am. We will return back to school before dismissal. The school will have sack lunches available for purchase at the same prices as a regular school lunch. However, students can bring a sack lunch from home if they would like.

We look forward to this fun day!

On Monday night the Valley Heights USD 498 Board of Education recognized Sharon Osborne for her many years of dedication to Valley Heights as an educator and a board member. Thank you, Mrs. Osborne! You have touched many lives in your years of service to our district!

Attention 3rd - 6th boys and girls.
Registration is now open for the Frankfort Winter Basketball League.
Registration must be completed online by November 28th
Payment must be made by December 8th
NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ARE ALLOWED!
Click to register: https://forms.gle/brU8n8EbkBdLXkyL9

This week's Waterville VHS ticket winners were Jesse, Greyson, Lawson, and Elliot!

Each week we'll give you a fun question to talk about around the dinner table with your family! Eating together as a family is an excellent time to strengthen relationships and check in with your child and their needs. Enjoy discussing the question of the week!

Community Education has recently sent out a program survey to gather community interests and Ideas to increase programming and participation in activities beyond the school day. We invite you to click on the link below to fill out the survey and give us your thoughts and ideas.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/KuzPRNFKjXkyEiqf8

We’d like to remind families to discuss a safe route to school with your students. Whether it is on foot, bike, or a car we want everyone to arrive to and from school safely! For students on foot and bike remember that the safest crossings are at Chestnut & Highway 77 in Blue Rapids and Minnesota & Highway 77 in Waterville.

These crossings are monitored both before and after school.

Check out the Schools That Care newsletter below for information on resources available in our community!

The QR code in the bottom right corner or this link bit.ly/referVHFAMILYforAChristmasMeal can be used to refer a family.

Early Head Start 0-3 provides services to infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. It promotes

• healthy prenatal outcomes, healthy babies
• enhances the development of infants and toddlers, and
• promotes healthy/thriving families

NEK-CAP, Inc. receives federal funds for 160 children to operate and provide Early Head Start (0-3) services for infants, toddlers, pregnant mothers, and fathers.

NEK-CAP, Inc. receives federal funds for 238 children to operate and provide Head Start services. Head Start is committed to cultivating partnerships with the community to ensure that children and families receive an array of individualized services focused upon early childhood development, family support, health and education.

Head Start/Early Head Start 0-5 services are available at no cost to children and families. Up to 10% of enrollment may be used to serve children that are over income. Transportation is available at some locations.

Click HERE for more information!

Did you know that even though packaging no longer has box tops on them to cut out, that you can still support your school? Download the Box Tops app and scan your receipt to earn money for schools. This is a simple way to give back to your community! Click here for more details!

Another avenue of supporting your school is through Casey's rewards! Check it out at caseys.com/community/donate-your-points!

Email: judeboer@valleyheights.org tstaples@valleyheights.org sspoonts@valleyheights.org
Website: www.valleyheights.org