Correction to our previous post: The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has updated the requirements to be an emergency substitute teacher. The following are now the requirements:

-High School Diploma

-Online training modules (free)

-Background check and fingerprints ($50)

-Application to KSDE ($60)

If you are interested, please reach out to any building or the central office at 785-363-2398.

Early Childhood Screening: The Marshall County Special Services Coop will be holding an Early Childhood Screening on Friday, October 20th at Waterville Elementary. Screening is available for children ages 3 to 5 years old. Screenings are free of charge and your child does not have to be enrolled in our preschool program to be screened. If you have a child or know of someone who has a child that is experiencing difficulty in walking, talking, seeing, hearing, or learning please make an appointment to have your child seen at the screening. Screenings take about an hour and are conducted by qualified professionals by appointment only. Appointments for children ages 3 to 5 may be made by calling the Marshall County Special Services Cooperative at 785-562-5308, option 2 or emailing kstuder@usd364.org.

*Picture Retakes: Please notify our office if your child will need picture retakes. Retakes will be on Tuesday, October 17th.

This Week:

Monday: No School- Teacher In Service Day, Board of Education Meeting 6:00 PM

Tuesday: Picture Retake Day

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday: Early Childhood Screening

Upcoming Dates:

October 29th: Fall Fest in Blue Rapids

October 31st: Halloween Parade & Parties!

Thank you to the Waterville Fire Department for sending Chief Dane, Firefighter Mitch, and Firefighter Reid to the Waterville Elementary School to talk to us about fire prevention and safety! Students learned a lot and loved seeing the trucks and gear!

It has been an exciting week at Blue Rapids Elementary as this Friday marked the end of the first quarter of school. Be looking for your students grades next week as teachers will be sending them home. I can't say enough how proud I am of all the students and how they have grown academically this first quarter. I also want to give a shout out to our amazing teachers and staff for tirelessly pouring into their students every day. I truly am so blessed to have the best students in the state and to work with such amazing educators.

October is bullying awareness month. There have been some special discussions during character education class and during jumpstart this month. Below is a heartwarming video about friendship. It highlights that one of the most special things in life are the relationships and connections we make.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• No school; Teachers Professional Development October 16th
• Fire prevention assembly October 17th (this is a change from October 10th)
• 5th/6th grade field trip to the Topeka symphony October 24th
• Picture retakes October 26th
• Fall Fest October 29th

As always, I want to thank you for the blessing that it is to work with your children. My door is always open if you have any questions or concerns.

-Mr. Staples

Blue Rapids students will get two lunch choices.

Each day in the elementary schools, we teach our students how to have purposeful interactions and goals. We believe that having a common purpose will promote the academic and social emotional well-being of each student. We teach students the VHS model.

To celebrate students accomplishing these things, we have created positive office referrals, with VHS tickets. Teachers and staff hand out VHS tickets when they see a student doing the right thing. Here are some pictures of students receiving their VHS tickets!

Congratulations to this week's winners: Hadley, Calliope, Elliette, and Kora!

Days there will not be CRU:

September: 25

October: 3, 4, 16 & 31

November: 13, 22 & 23

December: 6 & 7
LAST DAY OF FIRST SEMESTER: December 19

SECOND SEMESTER FIRST DAY: January 8

Days there will not be CRU:

January: 15

February: 13, 15, 19

March: 11-15(spring break)

April: 15

LAST DAY: May 9

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!

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