Viking News
September 2026
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
Greetings, Vinton Families!
As we enter our second month of school, I can't thank you all enough for your hard work and support. We've asked a lot of you all and you've responded in such a positive way!
Here are a few things you can do to set your child up for a positive educational experience:
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine that allows your child to feel safe and ready for a good 9-12 hours of sleep each night.
- Ensure your child has everything needed for the school day ahead: backpack, shoes, jacket, glasses, snack, etc..
- Encourage reading at home! We always ask our students to read 15-20 minutes each night. Take advantage of that time for some extra snuggles!
- Ask about their school day. Showing interest in your child's day is an easy way to open the lines of communication with your child.
- Have a routine for saying "good-bye" in the car or at home each morning. Kids crave routines - make it fun!
Helping your child be ready for school each day, helps us focus on teaching and guiding them here at school.
Thank you for the teamwork!
-Mrs. Preston
REMINDER: We attend school Tuesday-Friday Labor Day Week!
September
2: Read-Cycle
2: 3rd grade Choir practice begins, 7:30am
3: 4th Grade Choir practice begins, 7:30am
3: Midterms come home for 1st-4th grade
4: NO SCHOOL
7: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
11: ATTEND SCHOOL
11: ABC Day! (Each class is assigned a letter)
15: 4th Grade Boys' Basketball practice begins (T/W), 3:45-4:30pm
17: Vinton Spirit Day!
18: NO SCHOOL
21: Hearing Screening for 1st, 4th
23: Picture Day
24: Family Playdate at the Park, 6-7pm - Vinton Playground
25: NO SCHOOL
29: Vision Screening for K, 1st, 3rd
30: 1st grade Community Field Trip
30: Purdue College Mentors begins, 3:45-6:15pm
October
1: Tree Lafayette visits 3rd grade
2: NO SCHOOL
6: School Smiles dental visit
7: Read-Cycle
7: Purdue College Mentors, 3:45-6:30pm
8: Vinton Day!
9: NO SCHOOL (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
12-15: Scholastic Book Fair, 7:30am-4:30pm
14: Purdue College Mentors, 3:45-6:30pm
14: Family Bingo Night & Book Fair, 6:30-7:30pm
16: NO SCHOOL
19-23: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break
28: Purdue College Mentors, 3:45-6:30pm
29: Fall Parties
29: Picture Retake Day
29: Trunk-or-Treat, 6-7:30pm - Vinton parking lot
30: NO SCHOOL
Wednesday, September 23rd
All students will have their picture taken on
Wednesday, September 23rd
These pictures will be used in the yearbook.
Order today at: mylifetouch.com
Picture Day ID = EVTKKBZFN
Picture Retake Day will be October 29th
Thursday, September 24 from 6:00-7:00pm
Come join us at the Vinton Playground for a family playdate! Bring your blankets and chairs, as well as a picnic supper to enjoy together. This is always a fun event and a great way to meet to people!
Other food/drink options available to purchase:
Kona Ice, Tom's Coffee, and food truck TBD
Now accepting requests!
Vinton families, we’re getting ready for the 26–27 Weekend Food Bag Program. This free program provides a bag of kid‑friendly, shelf-stable food each Thursday (starting after Labor Day). We have a limited number of bags, so spots will be filled on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
If you’d like your child to participate, please email jhumbert@lsc.k12.in.us to request a permission slip. Once the signed form is returned, your child will be added to the list.
We’re grateful to partner with Food Finders Food Bank & Bethany Church to support our students and families.
- SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8am! Students are expected to be in class by that time. Good rule of thumb: have your child at school by 7:50am, so they have plenty of time to grab a breakfast and get to class.
- Students are considered Tardy-Truant after 8:15am. That counts as a half-day absence!
- Please, if possible, schedule appointments for Fridays when we have no school.
- Call the office by 8:30am if your child is going to be absent.
- Notify the school by 3pm of any changes in dismissal plans.
- Remember the 24-hour rule when your child has a fever, vomiting or diarrhea: students cannot return to school until they are 24-hour symptom free without medication.
- Keep an extra set of clothes in your child’s backpack for accidents that may occur.
- Put your child’s name on his/her lunch box, backpack and jackets.
Please help us keep your child safe!
- Street and parking rules are expected to be followed by ALL drivers. Failure to follow the rules or laws will result in communication with LPD.
- Do not walk BETWEEN the buses. Stay on the sidewalk.
- The front circle is for bus drop-off and pick-up only. All cars need to go through the parking lot.
- Drop students off along the curb, or park in the lot and walk them over.
- No child is to be in the parking lot by themselves.
- Do not leave cars unattended along the curb. Need to get out of your car? Find a parking spot.
- Drive slowly in the parking lot and school zone - we have 400 kids to keep safe!
- PATIENCE AND RESPECT ARE EXPECTED AND APPRECIATED! YOUR LITTLE ONE IS WATCHING.
Start of School and Anxiety
If your child seems worried or upset about going to school in the morning, you're not alone. Many children struggle when they return to school and have to leave home. Some kids worry about the change in their daily routine. Others feel nervous about making friends or keeping up with schoolwork. Some may feel unsafe. All of these feelings are normal.
Children's brains work differently than adults' brains. They don't understand time the way we do, so a school day can feel like it will last forever. Teachers help by talking about what will happen during the day. Kids also have wonderful imaginations, but this can make scary thoughts feel very real. For example, a child might worry they won't get picked up at the end of the day—and then imagine they'll be alone at school with no one to take care of them. Understanding how your child's brain works can help you respond with patience to anxiety about separation.
So, what can you do to help? According to clinical expert Grace Berman, LCSW, there are several things that work. In her article, she suggests that you accept your child's feelings without making them seem bigger. You might say, "I know you feel scared, AND I know you can do this." This shows your child that the feeling is okay and that they will be okay too.
Another tip is to not avoid what your child fears. Even though it's tempting to keep your child home when they're anxious, this can backfire. It may teach your child that there really is something to be afraid of.
When your child feels anxious, it can make you feel anxious or guilty about not taking away the scary feeling. The truth is, you need to give your child space to feel their feelings, but not so much that they worry about it all the time. It's okay to say, "You have 3 minutes to feel sad and worried, then we are going to think about things we love and are happy about at school." This helps your child learn to feel emotions when they happen and calm back down.
To read more suggestions, visit: https://childmind.org/article/10-tips-for-parenting-anxious-kids/ (opens in new tab)
-Kristy Cree
Vinton Elementary Counselor
The first Wednesday of every month our Read-Cycle is open! This program gives students the opportunity to bring a book from home and "read-cycle" it for another one. Bring several books? Take several new-to-you books home!
Our first Read-Cycle will be on Wednesday, September 2nd.
Our Essential Skills class sells lollipops every Thursday afternoon for $1.50. Proceeds go towards their community outing experiences.
We love birthdays! If you would like to bring in treats to celebrate your child's big day, please check with your child's teacher for allergies, number of students and timing. ALL TREATS MUST BE STORE-BOUGHT. Some of the crowd favorites include: individual bags of pretzels or popcorn, mini-cupcakes and cookies. Contrary to popular belief, big cupcakes mostly get thrown away and are a mess! Please remember we want to celebrate your child, but this is not the time for a full-blown party with goodie bags and games.
NEW OPTION!!! Chartwells Food Service can deliver a party-in-a-bag filled with goodies for your students' entire class. Party Package options include: Rice Krispie Treats, Doritos and Ice Cream Sandwiches. See the order form below for more info!
Congratulations to this month's MVPs!
Kindergarten: Gabriella Abarca, Mia Flores, Dea'Monte Johnson, Jerzie Mays
1st Grade: Sage Basket, Asher Getchel, Delilah Page, Sophia Martinez Arias, Kingstan Richards
2nd Grade: Gianni Arceo, Charlie Armetta, Giddeon Davis-Jones, Gwen Lucies, Auralius Simmons, Madison Stover
3rd Grade: Silas Davis, Taylor Ramsey, Charlee Randolph, Yazlyn Ruiz-Bravo
4th Grade: Damani Gaines, Bryson Harris, E'mariana Richmond, Amir Rodriguez Castro
Health Office: Tucker McCollum, Natalia Mikels
