January Newsletter

Dear Students and Families,

Happy New Year! 🎉 We are excited to welcome our students, families, and staff back to school for the 2026 school year. We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and joyful winter break. As we begin this new year together, we are looking forward to a fresh start filled with learning, growth, and success for all of our students.

Important Dates to Remember

• Monday, January 5, 2026 – Required Teacher Workday (No school for students)

• Tuesday, January 6, 2026 – First day back for students

• Monday, January 12, 2026 – VCS Board Meeting at the Central Office

• Friday, January 16, 2026 - 2nd 9 Weeks ends

• Monday, January 19, 2026 - Martin Luther King Jr Day. NO SCHOOL

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026 - Report Cards go home

Mid-Year Assessments

As we return from break, students will participate in important mid-year assessments that help teachers monitor progress and plan instruction to best meet student needs:

• mClass Middle of Year (MOY): January 13–29

  • For Kindergarten–4th grade RtA students

• i-Ready Middle of Year (MOY): January 21–31

  • For Kindergarten–8th grade students

These assessments provide valuable information about student growth and help us ensure that every child is receiving the support they need to be successful.

Attendance Matters

Daily attendance is critical to student success. Being present at school every day allows students to stay engaged in learning, build strong routines, and make consistent academic progress. We appreciate your continued support in ensuring students arrive on time and are present each day, especially during assessment windows.

Thank you for your partnership as we begin the second half of the school year. Together, we will make 2026 a year of achievement and excellence for our students. We look forward to an amazing January and a successful remainder of the school year!

We had a holiday decorating contest and the winner was Ms. Boyd's first grade class. This is her second year in a row winning. 🏆

Did you know there is almost $1.3 billion in the unclaimed property fund?? Please visit www.nccash.com to see if your name is on the list!

Each school has 3 calendar card for staff. Additionally, you can access them on the website (www.vcs.k12.nc.us) by clicking calendars.

Printed Card Updates:

Traditional Calendar: February 13 is NOT an early release ALL. Please mark out the word all.

Days to Celebrate Update: Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 19 - 25

FREE Student Library Card

Vance County Schools students have access to the library through your Student ID number!

*Remember, your username/library card number is your Student ID# and your PIN is the last four digits of your student ID.

If you have someone interested in becoming a volunteer, they can now complete the application online! It is also still available in paper form. The application can be accessed on the VCS website under Community (https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/community/volunteer-with-vcs).

The Process:

1. Application Submission Online (or paper copy to Communications)

2. Applications processed through Communications

3. Background Check initiated by HR

4. Prospective Volunteer completes information from BiB in email

5. HR reviews the results upon BiB completion

6. Communications contact prospective volunteers with results

7. If approved, the volunteer must pick up a badge and is added to the official volunteer list. Please note, the volunteer application may take up to 2-weeks to process.

The Vance Cares Community Center, located on the Vance County Middle School campus, is here for VCS families. Inside, you’ll find school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, diapers, a pet pantry with animal supplies, and so much more—all designed to support our family’s needs. If you have a student that could benefit from these resources, please reach out to your school’s social worker or counselor. We’re here to help, because in Vance County Schools, no family stands alone.

The Vance Cares Community Center is grateful to our community partners: Variety Wholesalers, Triangle North Health Foundation, Wash House M.R. Williams, LifeLine, Diaper Bank of NC, Maria Parham Health, Granville Vance Public Health, Adolescent Parenting Program, and Girl Scout Troop 1119.