STC Newsletter
September 2026
Jayne Whitson, Family Advocate
now serving Valley Heights students and families
Mobile Family Resource Center aka-"care bus"
Family Advocate's Schedule
The best way to reach the Family Advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366, as she travels between all school buildings at USD 498. The daily schedule has changed a bit this school year, but I will begin each day at the jr./sr. high school to meet students' need before classes start. After 9 am, you can generally contact me or schedule a meeting at these schools .I will continue teaching Character Ed and working with students one on one at the Elementaries, so please be considerate and call ahead.
Monday: Blue Rapids Elementary
Tuesday: Waterville Elementary (except on Harvester's Tuesday-the third Tuesday of each month)
Wednesday: Valley Heights Jr/Sr High
Thursday: Waterville Elementary
Friday: Blue Rapids Elementary
If you see the "care bus" parked out front of the Elementary school she will likely be there; either in the bus or inside a classroom at that school..
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Suicide is real. It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. AND It is preventable. It may be the phone call you make or answer.
A phone call can save a life. Calling 988 when you can't reach a friend may take some courage. Encourage someone to call 988 when you are not available or if you fear they need some help. Make the call to 988 if you are trying to help someone.
Someone is always there, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; to listen, to counsel, to console, to offer help.
Be brave and make the call to a friend, a professional, a mentor, or a lifesaver.
based off a book by Sandra Boynton
Woo! Hoo! You're Doing Great! Is not a new book to Waterville Elementary students, as it is one of my favorites! It is about trying and doing your best at everything you try, but also recognizing that it is ok to make mistakes. One thing we will continue to practice is looking into the mirror and telling ourselves, "Woo HOO! You're doing GREAT!" because sometimes we don't hear it from others and it is okay to tell ourselves that when we need to. It's actually a good way to start the day at home, at school and at work. We will also practice telling others when we see that they are doing something great! Positive self talk and affirmations can help motivate us, pick us up when we are low, and encourage us to keep trying new things or to try again when we fail or make mistakes. We will have more lessons about what's Okay....like asking for help, having a bad day, taking small steps, setting goals, and believing in yourself!
At home, you can practice positive self talk by taping a quote or your favorite affirmation on the bathroom mirror so the whole family can join in the fun! You could also use a dry erase marker or old lipstick to write on the mirror. Let everyone in the family take turns posting something new each day or each week.
If you want to watch the online video of this book, Woo Hoo! You're doing great! on You Tube, click here.
Make an Impact with Donations to Schools that Care When They Can be Matched!
Want your donation to do MORE good!? Give to Schools that Care during the Circle of Giving, through the Blue Rapids Community Foundation and your gift will be matched 50%! Match Day is Sept. 14 at the Blue Rapids Community Center. OR give online September 12-14. To learn how you can GIVE more, contact the Family Advocate or click here. Thank you for your support!
We are actively recruiting for more BIGs to match with our Littles to make a difference this school year! When I meet with my little for lunch at school, there are many other children asking and looking for a friendly adult to have lunch with too. Wouldn't you like to eat lunch with an elementary student once every week or so? How fun would it be to relive some memories with them, as you stroll in to the grade school cafeteria? The fun doesn't stop there, you are just beginning to form a bond that could lead to a lifelong friendship and after school activities too. Your attention is all they need. You don't have to be anything special, but you will be special to them!
Apply NOW! to become a mentor, a special friend, a BIG orenroll your child if you'd like them to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters program this school year! The process to become a BIG and a Little is thorough to make certain it is a good fit for you both and their family too. That's what makes the Big Brothers Big Sisters program so special. It includes some volunteer training, a back ground check and guidelines are laid out in the beginning to make sure it is safe for everyone! Most littles are comfortable meeting with someone at school because it is a safe place and a familiar place. You will begin meeting with your little at school after a "Match Meeting" is held so that you can be introduced and meet the parents with your Match Specialist. The Match Specialist will do "check ins" with you and your little and their parent(s) once a month during the first year to make certain that everyone is comfortable with the match and mentorship. Your friendship may have a lasting impression on a child for their lifetime! Get started now by clicking below.
If you'd like your student to be matched with a Big, click below to enroll them!
So much fun and food at Mustang Spirit Night! It takes a village to bring a village together like it does at Mustang Spirit Night! Please see the list of Thank yous below. Without the support and cooperation of all these VH friends, fans and supporters, it would not be the event it has grown to become since 2021. In six years, we have gone from serving a few hotdogs, to serving a meal, offering indoor and outdoor activities for youth of all ages, a photo booth, more Mustang wear, KNDY interviews, watching a volleyball scrimmage and an indoor pep rally to cool off and Meet the Mustangs! Many thanks to our High school activities/clubs, athletes, STUCO, VH Booster Club, Area Churches, and businesses like Dollar General, Storm Design and Coffee Crossing for supporting the Mustangs back to school event! Special Thanks to our VH Food Service and Maintenance Staff for assistance with this event, the Board of Education for serving the meal and area churches for providing donations to fund the meal. Special THANKS to the volunteers who picked up, set up and "SAT IN" the Dunk Tank! If you missed the great students' interviews on KNDY during the event, you can listen now at the links below. (click to listen)
It's a great day to be a Mustang!
Painting a "PEP" Rock with Art Club
Thank you Legion for posting the colors at our Pep Rally
GAGA Ball for the Win!
KNDY Radio Interviews
VH Volleyball Scrimmage
All students are learning to live with out their devices during the school day. What if your family learned to respect and value each other with family time that also doesn't include an electronic device?
Make room in life for the people who matter the most....your family. Families who play together stay together! If you are feeling the tug of war to get everything done, maybe what matters the most is laughing together, cheering each other on and sharing moments with your family members that make memories to last a lifetime!
Click here for some FREE fun games to play with just some paper and a pencil. See how much fun you can have without the interruptions of phone calls, messages, screens stealing the joy! GAME ON!!!
Serving Valley Heights Families 9am-10am on Sat. Sept. 26
Serving families in our community. First come, First Served. September 15 Beginning by 11am
Mustang TradIN has a great selection to choose from! Dress up in style and don't break the bank. Donated items are available for all students.
GUYS: Dress shirts and button down shirts, flannels shirts and polos, t-shirts and more!
GALS: Party dresses, casual dresses, vintage dresses and more!
Many sizes and colors available. Shoes and boots also available and vary by size.
Shop on Wednesdays during seminar or lunch or by appointment with the family advocate!
pArTaY dresses!
Men's & Boys' sizes dress shirts
