It's Teacher Appreciation Week! We are thankful for all of our wonderful staff here at Waterville Grade School! It is the last week of Colts Round Up! The last day is this Thursday, May 8th.

Monday, May 5th:

• Colts Round Up

Tuesday, May 6th:

• Colts Round Up

Wednesday, May 7th:

• Nurse Appreciation Day!
• Colts Round Up

Thursday, May 8th:

• Last day of Colts Round Up

Friday, May 9th:

• Play Day! K-2 students will participate in activities at the Valley Heights High School Track and Field facility from 8:05-11:05. They will then eat lunch at the high school track from 11:20-12:00 and then return to school.
• Morning Preschool/Kinder Prep Play Day will take place at Waterville Grade school from 10:00-11:00.
• Afternoon Preschool/Kinder Prep Play Day will take place at Waterville Grade school from 12:20-1:20.

Looking Ahead:

May 19th Board of Education Meeting

May 21st 8:30 Preschool/Kinder Prep Program 9:00 K-2 Program/2nd Grade Promotion

May 22nd Last day of school! Dismiss @ 12:30!

June 2nd Camp Exploration and Summer School begin!

Students had a blast delivering May Day baskets in the neighborhood as well as in the school!

Students continue to work hard as we wrap up the school year!

On Friday, May 2nd kindergarten students visited the ag shop and art room out at the high school and enjoyed doing activities with the older students! Thank you for having us!

State forensics qualifiers stopped by Waterville Grade School for their send off to state! Good luck!

Students learned about the May Pole tradition during music class.

It was a great week at Blue Rapids Elementary! The students and teachers have been tying up loose ends in the classroom. I have been super impressed with the student's effort going down the stretch. As you will notice by the schedule below The Charles Steele Play Day will be next Friday the 9th of May. Coach Cox has been working hard with the students on their events and the students are super excited. We look forward to seeing everyone out at the high school track. I know it is going to be a great day!! Please take note of the important dates listed below.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• May 5th - 6th Grade Orientation @ VHHS (change from school calendar)
• May 5th - 6th Grade Family Engagement night (see save the date below)
• May 6th - School Nurse Day
• May 7th - Health Department on location for vaccinations
• May 8th - 4th Grade Field Trip
• May 9th - Play Day
• May 12th - 3rd Grade Field Trip
• May 13th - 6th Grade Field Trip
• May 15th - 5th Grade Field Trip
• May 21st - 3rd - 6th grades Program with 6th grade promotion
• May 22nd - Last Day of School/12:30 pm Dismissal

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

This week's Waterville Grade School VHS ticket winners are Eloise and Silver winning lunch with Mrs. deBoer and Maebel and Nellie winning prizes!

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!

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!

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