May 2025

Dear Falcon Families,

Spring is in full swing at VFE! From kindergartners learning to ride bikes in fitness to third graders learning the importance of fractional units to fifth graders learning the attributes of geometric shapes, our Falcons on learning and growing like never before. And, we can't wait to celebrate their academic growth on the upcoming Spring Benchmark and SBA.

The first full week of May is also Staff Appreciation Week--this is the week we recognize the contributions of all staff. Most of us remember key people at our school that left a lasting impact on our life. We encourage you to take a moment with your student and send a note of gratitude to members of the Blue Crew that have positively impacted you and your students.

Please take a moment to read the key information below about the testing window, Kinder screening, middle school transition and so much more.

Make it a great day to be a Falcon!

Adam Uhler, Principal & Angela Kelly, Assistant Principal

Spring testing is approaching soon. Falcons in grades 3-5 will be participating in the Summative Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA) in ELA and Math. Please see the dates and times below to accommodate scheduling and absences. This can be a time of stress and nervousness. We want to ease our students' nerves and do our best to set them up for success.

3rd-5th SBA ELA 5/13, 5/14, & 5/15 (9am-11am)

3rd-5th Math SBA 5/20 & 5/22 (9am-11am)

To help make them feel prepared and successful, here are some easy tips to support your child:

• Make sure they receive a good night's sleep.
• Leave smart watches, phones, and other devices at home.
• Start their day off with a healthy breakfast.
• Come to school on time, bring a healthy snack, a favorite book and be ready to ROCK the test!
• Daily words of encouragement!

🎶 1st & 2nd Grade Concerts – Thursday, May 1st 🎶

We are excited to invite you to an evening of music as our 1st and 2nd graders showcase their hard work and creativity!

📅 Date: Thursday, May 1st
📍 Location: Bonney Lake High School Performing Arts Center (PAC)

🕔 1st Grade Concert – 5:30 PM (Doors open at 5:10 PM)
🕖 2nd Grade Concert – 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:40 PM)
🧥 Dress Code: Wear your best!

We encourage all students to attend because these performances are a valuable opportunity to showcase their musical growth, perseverance, and teamwork. Concerts help students connect their learning to an audience, build confidence, and experience the joy of musical expression.

🎶 Helping with Stage Fright 🎶
It’s natural for children to feel a little nervous before performing! Here are three ways to help them feel more confident:

1️⃣ Practice Positive Self-Talk – Encourage your child to replace “I’m nervous” with “I’m excited!” Remind them that feeling butterflies means they care, and that’s a good thing!

2️⃣ Breathe & Move – Taking deep breaths or doing small movements (like shaking out their hands) can help release nervous energy and keep them feeling relaxed.

3️⃣ Focus on the Fun – Remind them that they are sharing music with people who love and support them. It’s not about perfection—it’s about having fun and enjoying the moment!

If your child is unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you for your support—we look forward to sharing these special performances with you! 🎵✨

Additionally, some sporting events are happening at the high school on May 1st; additional parking can be found in the top lot, but it is also recommended to carpool or walk if able.

Moving from elementary to middle school is a big step for students and families. Whether your child is feeling excited, nervous, or a little of both, you're not alone—and we're here to support you every step of the way.

If your child is interested in Band, Choir, or I.P.A. (Theatre) next year, or you want to help them feel more confident about the transition, we’ve got some upcoming events and helpful info just for you!

District-Wide Band Instrument Night
Lakeridge Middle School
Tuesday, May 6
4:00–6:00 p.m.
This is a band-specific event, and it’s truly the best time to explore instruments, ask questions, and meet all three middle school band directors from across the district. Whether your child is brand new to music or already has experience, they are welcome!

Middle school is a time of growth, discovery, and new beginnings, and the arts are a powerful way for students to find their voice and build confidence. No matter your child's path, we’re here to help them thrive.

We hope you can attend one (or more!) of the upcoming Middle School events, and we can’t wait to welcome your child into our vibrant middle school community.

Families are invited to get the tools and resources they need to support their children's academic journey. This event is May 8th from 5:30-7:30 at Sumner Middle School.

New Wolf Night 5/20 & 5/21st (Mountain View MS)

New Hawk Night May 15th : New Hawk Night (Lakeridge MS)

New Bobcat Night May 27th: Sumner MS)

*Please contact the middle schools for more information.*

Like last year, 5th graders will travel with their classmates to their assigned middle school for a tour. Victor Falls students will tour on June 2nd. The field trip information and details will be shared as we get closer to the visits.

Hi everyone! I am SO honored and excited to partner with you all in supporting our Victor Falls Staff during this year's Staff Appreciation week, taking place May 5th through May 9th.

We have cooked up some fun and special meals & activities to surprise & delight our staff. From gathering their throw-back pics to integrating popular retro goodies, we're taking it BACK to the 90's!

Here are the themes of the week's menu:

Monday- Saved by the COFFEE! The Village Perk, coffee catering for our staff

Tuesday- Taco Tuesday

Wednesday- Light & Bright- Brunch for Lunch, breakfast charcuterie

Thursday- Bougie Cafeteria Food- Not your average 'caf, apps & tropical drink bar

Friday- Pizza Friday

Below is the link to contribute items to support our 90's themed Staff Appreciation Week. Thank you for helping! If possible, please drop off the indicated items the day prior.

Sign Up Genius to Contribute Items

We are SO thankful for whatever contributions of food or your time that you each can make. Please remember to label your dish if desired, to ensure the VFE know who was thinking of them during this special celebration!

Save the date for our annual VFE Art & Music Night on May 30th!

The General PTO Meeting will be held on @ pm in the VFE Library. All parents and families are encouraged to attend!

If your student is late (arrive after 10am on Mondays OR after 8:25 Tues-Friday) or needs to be picked up early, we kindly ask that you park and walk inside to sign your student in/out.

Can you believe it? We are already nearing the end of the year and that means.....Field Day! This fun end of the year celebration is not possible without the help of lots of volunteers... we need you! :)

Field Day will take place on Friday, June 13. We will have two sessions, one in the morning for our primary students (K-2) and one in the afternoon for our intermediate students (3-5).

In order to volunteer please fill out this VFE Volunteer Google Form. The last day to sign up to volunteer is June 6th.

If you haven't been cleared to volunteer by the district yet, please keep an eye out in the inbox for the email address you provide. We will be sending you information to get you cleared. If you are not sure if you are a cleared volunteer, please contact the front office at 253-891-4700.

Thank you so much for all your support!
Please e-mail me with any questions.

Leslie Burhenn

PE Specialist
leslie_burhenn@sumnersd.org

Registration for the 25-26 school year is OPEN! Please visit SBLSD Enrollment and follow the steps for enrollment. If you will need before and afterschool care, here is the information for Right at Schools.

Here are the dates & locations:

Thurs., May 1: DEE

Mon., May 5: EHE

Kindergarten Screening will be taking place at Victor Falls Elementary on May 8th from 12-6 & May 15th from 4pm to 6pm. If you have a student who will be entering kindergarten in the Fall for the 25-26 school year and have not signed them up to be screened please contact Victor Falls Elementary at 253-891-4700.

If your child has a health condition that requires treatment, medication, or any kind of extra support at school, please reach out to me and I would be happy to assist.

Thank you,
Paula Hemminger, VFE School Nurse
253-891-4700

If you have a child in Kindergarten or 1st grade, please ensure they have an extra pair of clothing in their backpack.

Join us on Saturday, June 7 for the City of Bonney Lake Fun Run at Allan Yorke Park, benefitting the SBLSD Elementary Physical Education Programs. Click the link for registration information. Registration is due by May 22.

SBLSD Fun Run

We are encouraging all families to apply for free/reduced lunch. Please use the link below to apply. If you would prefer a paper copy, please call the office at 253-891-4700.

If you have questions regarding school lunches or student lunch accounts, please visit the child nutrition webpage on our district website or call 253-891-6450.

Waiting for guidance on verbage

UPDATE! 9 of our classes have already received their Otter Pop award! Great Job Falcons!

VFE is conducting an attendance competition. When a class has perfect daily attendance, the teacher will display one letter in the word “FALCON” outside the classroom (door/window/wall) for all to see. When you’ve spelled “FALCON¨, the class will earn Otter Pops!

With construction going on within our area, bus 39 may be delayed on sporadic days. IF the bus will be more then 10-15 minutes late, the transportation department will send out a Parent Square message to inform families of the delay. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Parents can sign up to view Screenagers at home for free. The Screenagers film highlights technology's effects on children's development. To sign up and learn more follow this link-

https://www.eventcombo.com/e/screenagers-growing-up-in-the-digital-age-presented-by-sumne-75147

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are proud to join the nationwide effort to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and support the mental well-being of our students, families, and staff.

We are excited to highlight the following upcoming events and opportunities:

Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age
An at-home viewing opportunity available May 5 – 19. This award-winning documentary explores the impact of screen time on youth and offers insight for families navigating the digital world. Watch at your convenience! Register Here.

Parenting Workshops: Preventing and Responding to Challenging Behaviors
Join us for a practical and supportive workshop open to all district parents and guardians:

• May 6 at Daffodil Valley Elementary 5:30 - 7:00 pm Registration Link

• May 28 at Victor Falls Elementary 5:30-7:00 pm Registration Link

These sessions will offer tools and strategies to help families address common behavior challenges with empathy and effectiveness.

Let’s work together to create a culture of compassion, awareness, and support. Thank you for helping us celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with purpose and pride.

If your family needs support anytime throughout the year, please email our school counselor at kaitlyn_johnson@sumnersd.orgThere are resources to support families in their time of need.

Below is the Right at School Newsletter for May 2025. Please see the RAS calendar for the daily activities.

If you have questions about Right At School, please email victor_falls@rightatschool.com or look at their website.

Right at School is offering summer camps! If you are interested, please visit RASCAMPS.COM for more information.

Please check our website for updates.

Email: VFE@sumnersd.org
Website: sumnersd.org/vfe
Location: 11401 188th Ave Ct E, Bonney Lake, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 891-4700
Twitter: @VictorFallsEle1

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