Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed spending time family! Thank you for your patience as we navigated the recent snow storm and school closings. Our staff are working hard at keeping our sidewalks cleared but please continue to use caution.

It has been great having students back in the building! We had some updates to the building over break! The main hallway is now painted, and it is much brighter in the school now!

You are all invited to have a voice in the district by attending our District Site Council meetings. We will highlight updates on safety and security measures as well as go over the SVPP grant and how we are utilizing those funds. We will meet this Thursday, January 16th at the Blue Rapid Grade School at 6:00 pm.

Monday, January 13th:

• Colts Round Up

Tuesday, January 14th:

• Colts Round Up

Wednesday, January 15th:

• Colts Round Up

Thursday, January 16th:

• Colts Round Up
• District Site Council Meeting @ Blue Rapids Grade School. All are invited to attend. 6:00 pm

Friday, January 17th:

Looking Ahead:

Monday, January 20th: No School- teacher professional development day, Board of Education meeting at 6:00

Tuesday, January 21st: 2nd Grade Family Fun Night from 5:30-6:30

Wednesday, January 29th: Kansas Day celebration!

The hall in Waterville Grade School is so much brighter now! Students were excited to see the update when they returned after break!

It was a great week at Blue Rapids Elementary! I pray everyone is staying safe and warm in the midst of the snow and cold. Although we were only at school for two days, the students did a good job getting back into the routines of school. We are excited as a staff to start the second semester as the teachers and students have both hit the ground running. Parents should have received their child's grades this week, if you did not receive them please let us know.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• January 20th-Teacher training day, no school for students
• January 20th-School board meeting
• January 29th-Kansas Day

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

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