Valley Heights Elementary Schools

It was an honor to represent Valley Heights in Washington DC this week! We are blessed with such a wonderful community with incredible students and staff!

Blue Rapids students cheering for the Blue Ribbon Award!

CONGRATULATIONS VALLEY HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY for being named a National ESEA Distinguished School. Valley Heights was one of only two schools in the state of Kansas to win this distinguished award. This honor is given to schools who demonstrate high academic rigor and whose testing data reflects their ability to close the achievement gap.

It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving break is almost here! There are no activities in the Waterville building this week. School will be in session Monday and Tuesday with Colts Round Up as scheduled. There will be no school or Colts Round Up Wednesday through Friday.

We are starting to see more sickness going around, so please remind your child to practice handwashing, etc.

From all of us at Waterville Elementary, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving break with family and friends!

This Week:

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday: No School

Thursday: No School

Friday: No School

Upcoming Dates:

December 1: Kiss the Pig Reveal at the HS Basketball Games

December 6th: Elementary Music Program 7:00 pm

December 7th: Santa's Gift Shop

It has been an exciting week at Blue Rapids Elementary. On Wednesday, the students welcomed their families into the building for the annual Thanksgiving feast. Thank you to everyone who went above and beyond to make the Thanksgiving meal a blessed time for the students and their families. I have received many positive comments that is was a blessed time of food and fellowship.

This week was a very special week for Valley Heights Elementary School as Mrs. deBoer and I accepted the National Blue Ribbon Award in Washington D.C. I cannot express how proud I am of our students and staff and feel so humbled to be able to accept the National Blue Ribbon award on their behalf.

Next week is Thanksgiving, which means we will only have two days of school and be off school Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving break. Words cannot express how thankful I am for the amazing families, students, staff and community support that we receive at Blue Rapids Elementary School. Thank you all, and I pray you have a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving break full of love and memories with friends and family.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• Thanksgiving Break November 22nd to the 24th
  
• Christmas Program December 6th
• Santa's Gift Shop December 7th
• No School - Professional Development Day December 15th
• Wax Museum December 18th
• Winter Break/End of Semester December 20th; dismissal @ 12:30 pm

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

Winter basketball registration is out for grades 3-6. These are due November 27th; no late reservations accepted. Fees must be paid by December 1st. Checks are payable to VH Comm Ed and delivered to the Blue Rapids Grade School office. Game dates are all in February 3, 10, 17, & 24. https://forms.gle/UfZYAE1tWm4rjmG89

🦃Thanksgiving Dinner🦃 Very thankful for volunteers, family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

Blue Rapids students will have 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!

Jayne Whitson (Schools that Care) has many opportunities for giving this Christmas season. Feel free to contact Jayne at (612)303-7366 with any questions.

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

Are you 55 years or older and love working with children? Do you know someone who would do a great job helping in our schools? The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program may be the program for you! This is a volunteer program that does offer a small stipend and is organized by AmeriCorps. Here are the benefits of volunteering with the Foster Grandparent Program:

• Health and wellness. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers experience decreased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. 84% of volunteer report stable or improving health after one year of service.

• Self-improvement. See the daily impact of your service as you build on the skills you already have and develop new ones.

• Stipend. Some programs offer a modest stipend to qualified, low-income volunteers.

• Community. Connect with others and be part of something bigger. 88% of volunteers who felt a lack of companionship reported fewer feelings of isolation after becoming an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer.

• New skills. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers often tap their wealth of experience and wisdom and channel it in new directions.

• Insurance. Most programs offer accident, personal liability, and excess automobile liability insurance.

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