January 2026

Happy New Year, Vikings!

Welcome to January! We hope your winter break was filled with rest, joy, and special moments with loved ones. As we begin a new month of learning, we’re proud to celebrate the accomplishments that closed out 2025.

Our students worked hard during the MOY iReady assessments and our Attendance Challenge—and their efforts truly showed! Many students improved their scores, and our school was recognized as one of the most improved in attendance from November 10th to December 12th. We couldn’t be prouder of our Vikings!

To celebrate, students enjoyed a fun Hot Chocolate Party filled with warm treats and school spirit. Thank you to our staff and parent volunteers who helped make the event a success. Stay tuned for our next attendance challenge!

Thank you for supporting consistent, on‑time attendance and learning at home. It makes a meaningful difference. We’re excited for more learning, more fun, and more celebrations ahead!

Principal Brown

1/13 - Picture Retake Day

1/13 - Pastries with Parents 4th & 5th Grade

1/20 - Professional Development Day - Students NOT in attendance

1/21 - Records Day - Students NOT in attendance

1/27 & 1/29 - Parent Teacher Conferences - sign up below!

Our Hot Chocolate Attendance Incentive Party in December was a great success! We were also recognized by the district for our attendance gains. Thank you to our staff and parents for supporting this awesome event! We are running another attendance challenge in January. More information below!

From January 12–30th, Valleyview students will take part in our Slice of Success January Attendance Challenge! This schoolwide challenge is designed to celebrate students being on time and present at school to make attendance fun, positive, and encouraging.

Each classroom will track progress using a pizza visual, earning a slice on days when the class reaches 90% attendance or higher. Attendance is celebrated daily, and each day is a fresh start. At the end of the challenge, two classes with the most "pizza slices" earned will win a class pizza party!

We know that families play a huge role in supporting attendance, and we appreciate your partnership. This challenge is meant to encourage connection, consistency, and a welcoming school environment in a fun way. District attendance and tardy policies remain the same.

Thank you for helping us support positive attendance habits and student success at Valleyview!

If your child will be absent or late, please report it to the school by calling 614-365-6312, using the Language Assistance Line at 614-365-8802, or by emailing valleyview@columbus.k12.oh.us. Emails may be sent in any language.

To check your student’s attendance, please log in to the Parent Portal. If you do not have access, contact Ms. Evans at 614-902-9742 to set up an appointment and get connected. Thank you for partnering with us to support strong attendance and student success!

You're invited to Pastries with Parents on Tuesday, January 13th from 9:45–10:30 AM!

Come enjoy a sweet treat and a cup of coffee with us as we share what your 4th and 5th graders are learning in class. We’ll also discuss ways you can stay connected and use district resources to support your child at home. In addition, we will talk with our 5th grade families about the upcoming middle school transition.

It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, learn together, and build our classroom community. We can’t wait to see you there!

Staying connected to your child’s school is one of the most important ways to support their success. When families and schools work together, students thrive! The best ways to stay informed and engaged with everything happening at Valleyview are through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, TalkingPoints, and by calling the school directly with any questions or concerns. Families are also encouraged to set up an appointment with our Family Ambassador, who can help you get connected to resources, answer questions, and ensure you never miss important updates. Together, we can build strong partnerships and keep our Valleyview community informed and connected.

*Family Ambassador information located at the bottom of this newsletter.

We are using a reading intervention tool to support students in learning letter names and sounds. Families are welcome to view the resource here:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DyF76yvKHZyEGgbE8MCqC6AEdx0di-7ZeN5Umxhbdrw/edit?usp=sharing

Additionally, please remember that students must wear tennis shoes for PE to ensure safety and full participation. Boots, Crocs, and slides are not permitted. Thank you for your continued support!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up! Click the link below to sign up. You only need to sign up for one night. Select your child’s teacher and choose the time that works best for you. If you have multiple students, make sure to sign up with each teacher and avoid overlapping times. Don’t miss this chance to connect and support your child’s learning!

Are you a parent of a student in a public K-12 school in Ohio? Please complete this survey to help us better understand families' math-related priorities, challenges, and preferred ways of engaging with schools. The results of this survey will help inform statewide initiatives to improve math learning for all Ohio students and families. This survey is being conducted by the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

Your answers will be kept completely anonymous. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact OhioSFEC@osu.edu.

The first 40 families to complete this survey will receive a $10 gift card to Walmart and all families who fill out the survey will be entered into a grand prize drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Walmart. The survey is available in 10 languages.

Columbus City Schools has launched a new and improved district website designed to better serve our students, families, and community. With a fresh look, easier navigation, and quick access to important news and resources, staying informed has never been easier. Visit the site and see what’s new!

Columbus Metro Parks

They offer many events and nature hikes at the Metro Parks. Check the website for events happening in your favorite park -- or try a new park! EVENTS LINK

• Board Games & S'mores

Date: Friday, January 9, 2026

Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Location: Quarry Trails, 2319 Quarry Trails Dr (use this address), Columbus 43228

Highlights: Join us for board games next to a toasty campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the Kingfisher Shelter at the Lakes area.

Admission: Free

LINK

• For Kids: Where Do The Animals Go?

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026

Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Location: Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave., Columbus 43068

Highlights: Take a half-mile hike and learn about how animals survive the winter.

Admission: Free

LINK

• Owl Prowl

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Time: 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Location: Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave., Columbus 43068

Highlights: Join a naturalist for a 1.25 mile hike while we learn about owls and search the forest for Barred Owls.

Admission: Free

LINK

• Handprint Snowflake Craft

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Time: 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Location: Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave., Columbus 43068

Highlights: No hand is alike, just like no snowflake is! Stop by the Nature Center to make a snowflake craft with your hand print.

Admission: Free

LINK

• Day Off School: I-Spy Hike

Date: Monday, January 19, 2026

Time: 12:00-2:00 p.m.

Location: Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus 43081

Highlights: Drop by the Lake Trail between 12-2pm to take the I-Spy Challenge! Spot all of the critters hidden in the woods and win a prize!

Admission: Free

LINK

• For Kids: Winter Indoor Survival Game (Ages 7+)

Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026

Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Location: Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH 43035

Highlights: Join us at the nature center for a discussion on how animals are adapted to survive the winter, and test your skills to see if you can do the same. Participate in our indoor interactive game with a built-in craft to take home. Indoor Program. Ages 7-11.

Meeting Location Notes: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. There is limited parking in the Nature Center lot on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, a 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.

Admission: Free

LINK

• Grandparents Day

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026

Time: 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Location: Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH 43119

Highlights: Bring your grandchildren and have a Grandparents Day at the Nature Center! Make a craft, help feed the stream, and then go on a scavenger hunt on a trail right outside the nature center!

Admission: Free

LINK

Contact Information

📞 Phone: (614) 902-9742

📱WhatsApp: Available at the number above

📧 Email: aevans4@columbus.k12.oh.us

💬 TalkingPoints: You can message me directly!

Office Hours

Monday & Wednesday & Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday by appointment only

*schedule subject to change

Hablo Español

📞 Phone: (380) 218-7930

📱WhatsApp: Available at the number above

📧 Email: yvargas@columbus.k12.oh.us

📬 Contact Us

📞 Main Office: 614-365-6312

Language Assistance Line: 614-365-8802

📠 Fax: 614-365-6768

📍 Address: 2989 Valleyview Dr.,

Columbus, OH 43204

✉️ Email: Valleyview@columbus.k12.oh.us

Talking Points: A quick and easy way to communicate with your child's teacher and the school.