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Tiger Pride

2026/2027 Parent Newsletter

Tiger Pride 2026/2027 Parent Newsletter
Black, gold, and white Valdese Elementary Tigers logo featuring a forward-facing tiger mascot with a confident, slightly fierce expression. The tiger is centered above a bold school crest. Large gold varsity-style text reads “VALDESE,” with “ELEMENTARY” in white below it. A gold banner at the bottom reads “TIGERS” and includes black paw prints on both sides. The design uses strong black outlines, gold accents, and a clean athletic-style school logo format.
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Valdese Elementary Contact Information

Hours of Operation:

7:30am: Doors Open

7:55am: Tardy Bell

2:35pm: Dismissal

Website: https://ves.burke.k12.nc.us/

Address: 298 Praley St. Valdese, NC, 28690

Phone: 828-874-0704

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valdeseelementaryschool

A horizontal “Adventure Awaits” themed Valdese Elementary graphic with a cream leopard-print background, tropical green leaves, black paw prints, gold accents, and a tiger resting on a rock in the lower left. The top reads “Valdese Elementary” and “Adventure Awaits,” followed by “Together, We Roar!” The center features two large sections. The Mission Statement says, “Valdese Elementary School strives to provide students with a safe, positive, and challenging learning environment in which students become productive and confident lifelong learners.” The Vision Statement says, “Valdese Elementary School will prepare students to live a productive life while becoming responsible citizens both locally and globally.” Decorative text includes “Be Kind, Learn, Grow, Belong,” “Stronger Brighter Together,” and “Students • Staff • Families • Community.”
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Students celebrating at the book fair, and bookfair dates and details 9/18 - 9/25 VALDESE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VES - Media Center 298 PRALEY ST NW VALDESE, NC 28690
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Hello Tiger Families,


A huge thank you to all of our families who participated in Grandparents Week at VES! We had an amazing turnout, and I know our students truly enjoyed spending that special time with you. We are so grateful for the love and support you continue to show our Tigers!


Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be the final day of our AFG fundraiser. We will also be hosting our Fall Book Fair Monday through Friday. Students are welcome to bring money to shop during their breakout time, or families can add money to a student’s Scholastic eWallet here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/valdeseelementaryschool.


Interim reports will also be coming home in Take Home Tuesday folders. This is a great opportunity to sit down with your child, review grades and progress together, celebrate growth, and talk about any areas where additional support may be needed.


Lastly, we are excited to celebrate our September Citizens of the Month on Friday! These students have demonstrated honesty and trustworthiness throughout the month, and we look forward to recognizing them for showing strong character.


Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. We are so thankful for our VES families! 🖤💛


Have a great week!

Courtney Hull, Principal

September Character Focus- Honesty September Character Focus- Honesty

Students will be encouraged to be truthful in their words and actions, admit mistakes, and choose what is right even when it may be difficult.

Adventure-themed Valdese Elementary character focus graphic titled “Travel the Trail of Truth – Honesty.” The design features jungle leaves, a compass, paw prints, wooden trail signs, and a smiling tiger explorer. The message encourages students to tell the truth, be truthful in their words and actions, admit mistakes, and choose what is right even when it is difficult.
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Congratulations to our August Citizens of the Month for being Responsible! 🐯 Congratulations to our August Citizens of the Month for being Responsible! 🐯

students of the month posing for a photo with a tiger prop
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AFG Fall Fundraiser AFG Fall Fundraiser

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🦎💛 AXOLOTLS ARE HERE!!! 💛🦎

🩷🦎 AXOLOTL FUNDRAISER — LAST CALL! 🦎🩷

🚨 MONDAY IS THE LAST DAY! 🚨

Students have until MONDAY to get those last sales in! 🎉 Mrs. Dixon will be collecting tickets on Monday, and this will be the FINAL DAY to turn them in.

📋 IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR MONDAY:
✅ Send in ALL order forms AND money
❌ DO NOT put online orders on your order forms — online orders are already submitted electronically!

🩷🦎 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 🦎🩷

We are so grateful for all of the amazing support you have given our school during this fundraiser! Your participation and hard work have helped make this fundraiser a SUCCESS for Valdese Elementary! 🐯✨

We appreciate every student, family, friend, and neighbor who helped make it happen! 💛

LET’S FINISH STRONG, TIGERS! 🐯🔥

🦎💗 Get those last sales in and bring everything to school MONDAY! 💗🦎

Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 🐄 Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 🐄

chick fil a spirit night flyer to support blue santa
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🎅🩵 Operation Blue Santa


Operation Blue Santa is a special community outreach program that pairs children with Valdese Police Officers for a memorable day of fellowship, a shared meal, prayer, a bus ride, and a Christmas shopping experience. It is a wonderful way for our community to come together and help make the holiday season special for local children.


You can help support Operation Blue Santa next Monday, September 21, from 5:00–9:00 PM at Chick-fil-A in Morganton. A percentage of your purchase will be donated to Operation Blue Santa when you mention Blue Santa at checkout. 🐄🩵🎅


Looking ahead, another opportunity to support this program will be the Boos and Birdies Golf Tournament on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 12:00–6:00 PM at Silver Creek Golf Course, 4241 Plantation Dr., Morganton, NC. This event will also serve as a fundraiser for Operation Blue Santa.

DHS Homecoming Parade DHS Homecoming Parade

Tuesday, September 22nd @ 6:30

It’s almost time for one of our favorite Homecoming traditions! Join the Draughn High School Wildcat Family as we take over downtown Valdese for our annual Homecoming Parade!

Come out, line the streets, and help us celebrate our students, athletes, clubs, organizations, Homecoming Court, and the many communities that make up the Wildcat Family!

Bring your family, wear your BLACK & GOLD, and show your WILDCAT PRIDE!

See you downtown! GO WILDCATS!

Black-and-gold promotional graphic for the Draughn High School Homecoming Parade. The design features “Draughn High School Homecoming Parade” in large lettering over a downtown Valdese streetscape at sunset, with a diner, Valdese clock, street lamps, American flags, and Wildcats banners. Event details at the bottom read: “Tuesday, September 22, Downtown Valdese. Parade begins at 6:30 PM.”
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🎨 Fall After School Art Classes are coming soon! 🍂

The Rock School Arts Foundation is offering exciting after school art classes this fall at Old Rock School in Valdese, NC for students in K–5!

🖌️ Class Dates: September 15 – November 17
🕒 When: Tuesdays from 3:00–4:00 PM
📍 Location: Old Rock School, Valdese, NC

Classes Offered:
🎨 K–2nd Grade – Elements and Principles of Art
Instructor: Isabella Flores
Location: Studio 101
Cost: $80 for the 8-week class (materials included)

🧵 Grades 3–5 – Fiber Art
Instructor: Denise Seay
Location: Classroom 119 (beside Studio 101)
Cost: $110 for the 8-week class (materials included)

📌 Please Note:

  • No class on October 20 or November 3 due to teacher workdays.
  • Tuition should be brought to the first class.
  • Cash or check payable to RSAF.
  • Parents/guardians will be emailed a registration form to complete and bring to the first class.

📧 To enroll, email: rsaf1893@gmail.com

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore creativity, build artistic skills, and have fun after school!

Bus Information Bus Information

School bus clipart with rotating wheels
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Student safety is always our first priority on the bus. Students should remain in their assigned seat and use an inside-voice level on the bus in order to avoid distracting the bus driver. Students should avoid bringing drinks, food, or candy on the bus. Cell phones are also prohibited on the bus and in classrooms. Please be flexible and patient with bus times the first few weeks as we add students and drivers become accustomed to the routes.

🥞Breakfast and Lunch🍕 🥞Breakfast and Lunch🍕

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All students can eat breakfast and lunch for free each day in the cafeteria. We have a grab-and-go breakfast program where students get their breakfast and take it to their classroom in the morning. The lunch schedule is posted below.


We love welcoming families to VES and appreciate the time you take to come enjoy lunch with your child. To help us keep lunchtime safe, organized, and consistent for all students, please remember that visitors may eat only with their own child. Students may not invite friends or other students to join a visiting family.


All visitors should check in through the front office, remain in the cafeteria during the visit, and exit through the front office when lunch is over. For safety and to protect instructional time, visitors should not walk students back to classrooms or enter academic hallways.


Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, welcoming environment while still allowing families to enjoy this special time with their child. We truly appreciate your cooperation and support.

color coded lunch schedule for pre-k - 5th grade
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Online Enrollment Online Enrollment

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Please make sure you have completed your annual update in the parent portal!


Whether your child is brand-new to school or transferring from another school, we welcome you into Burke County Public Schools. As you get to know us, you will discover that we are passionate about making education better for the students we serve, and our staff brings that spirit into the classroom every day. Our personalized approach to educating students inspires them to discover their full potential in an environment that celebrates their individual strengths and promotes a community of learners.

Enrollment - Burke County Public Schools - NC

Enrollment - Burke County Public Schools - NC

Enrollment - The Burke County Public Schools district is located with the foothills of western North Carolina. They are a PreK-12 school system serving over 12,000 students.

launch burke.k12.nc.us

My School Bucks & Device Fees 💻💲 My School Bucks & Device Fees 💻💲

Set up MySchoolBucks and pay your child’s device fee. Online payments can be made for up to **two children per family**. If you have more than two children, you will need to come to the school to complete payment.

MySchoolBucks

MySchoolBucks

Pay for school meals and fees securely online! With MySchoolBucks, parents can also view cafeteria purchases, access meal balances, register for activities, purchase event tickets, browse school items, and more.

launch myschoolbucks.com
Safari-themed Valdese Elementary graphic titled “Valdese Tigers Device Fees – 2026–2027 School Year.” The design features a smiling tiger in a safari hat, a giraffe, tropical leaves, bamboo accents, and paw prints. Device fees must be paid before school begins and may be paid at Open House by cash or check. Checks should be made payable to Valdese Elementary School. Devices will be issued once the fee is paid. The fee is $25 for one student or $50 for two or more students. The graphic notes that this is a rental fee, not insurance. Families may scan a QR code to pay online through MySchoolBucks and avoid the Open House line. Online payment is available only for one or two students; families with more than two students must pay at school.
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The Greatest 8 The Greatest 8

The Greatest 8™ is an exciting initiative designed to help parents give their children, from birth through age 8, a great emotional start in life. The initiative focuses on eight key skills that, when developed early in life, help lay the foundation for lifelong mental wellness. The Greatest 8™ is designed to help parents support their children's healthy emotional development and positive behavior. Click on the title to learn more!

Graphic showing eight social-emotional learning skills, each represented by a simple icon. The top row includes Communication, Coping and Resilience, Understanding Feelings, and Problem Solving. The bottom row includes Self-perceived Confidence, Conflict Resolution, Balancing Emotions, and Diversity Awareness and Respect. Icons include a speech bubble, bandage, confused face, puzzle pieces, smiling face, light bulb, balance symbol with emotions, and diverse circles.
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Student Attendance Student Attendance

Graphic with the phrase “EVERY DAY MATTERS” in large, distressed lettering. “EVERY” and “MATTERS” appear in bright blue, while “DAY” is orange. A small black graduation cap sits above the word “DAY.” The image has a simple white background and emphasizes the importance of daily school attendance.
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Thank you for helping your child start each day successfully by arriving at school on time! This year, one of our schoolwide goals is to reduce the number of tardies at VES, and we would love to partner with our families to make that happen.

As an added incentive, students who have three or fewer unexcused tardies during each nine-week grading period will be eligible to participate in a raffle for grocery gift cards! 🎉

We appreciate your partnership in helping our Tigers arrive on time and ready to learn each day. More information about this exciting attendance incentive will be coming soon! 🐯💛



Consistent attendance is essential for academic success, personal growth, and future career readiness. Together, we recognize the importance of regular attendance in providing a well-rounded education.


We appreciate your continued communication regarding absences, excuses, and medical notes with both your child's teacher and Mrs. Stallings, our Data Manager. If your child is absent, please send a written note, doctor’s note, or a Dojo message to their teacher.


Our daily attendance goal is 95%, and we appreciate your support in helping us reach it!

Alt text: Burke County Public Schools “All In to Attend” attendance infographic titled “Every Minute Counts,” explaining North Carolina school attendance rules and how attendance is calculated using instructional minutes rather than simply whether a student was present for part of the day. At Valdese Elementary, the school day runs from 7:55 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., with 375 instructional minutes and a 25-minute lunch that does not count as instructional time. A student is counted present if they attend more than half of the instructional day, or 189 minutes or more, and absent if they attend 188 minutes or less. The graphic also explains why arrival and dismissal times matter, notes that half days count when students are present for 51% or more of instructional minutes, and encourages families to communicate with the school about appointments, emergencies, illness, or other circumstances. A timeline at the bottom shows morning instruction, lunch, and afternoon instruction, with the reminder: “Every minute matters.”
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Calendar Events 📆 Calendar Events 📆

September Bucket List” graphic titled “Simple joys this season,” featuring 30 illustrated fall activities in warm orange, brown, cream, and gold tones. Activities include wearing a cozy sweater, apple picking, enjoying pumpkin spice, reading a good book, going on a leaf hunt, baking something delicious, visiting a farmers market, lighting a fall candle, having a bonfire and roasting s’mores, having a movie night, decorating with pumpkins, trying a new soup recipe, taking a nature walk, taking fall photos, drinking hot cider, visiting a pumpkin patch, having an outdoor picnic, playing family games, writing down what you are grateful for, staying in pajamas all day, baking cookies, surprising someone with kindness, going for a bike ride, making a fall wreath, starting a journal, watching a football game or other sport, buying fresh flowers, getting cozy and relaxing, spending quality family time together, and ending the month with thankfulness. Bottom message reads: “Make memories. Spread kindness. Enjoy the little things.”
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🍁September

9/2- Fire Drill

9/7- No School- Labor Day

9/8- AFG Fundraiser Begins

9/9- BOG Test (3rd Grade)

9/10- 3rd Grade to NC Symphony @ COMMA

9/14-9/18- Grandparents' Week (during lunch)

9/14- PTO Meeting in the Media Center @ 6:00 p.m.

9/16- Girls Running Club 2:35-3:30

9/21- AFG Fundraiser Ends

9/21- Bookfair Begins

9/22- DHS HOCO Parade @ 6:30

- Interim Reports go home

9/23- Girls Running Club 2:35-3:30

9/25- Bookfair Ends

9/30- Girls Running Club 2:35-3:30

🏈Valdese Tiger Football and Cheer Schedule📣 🏈Valdese Tiger Football and Cheer Schedule📣

5-6-7 Schedule 5-6-7 Schedule

Alt text: Black-and-gold Valdese Tigers youth football schedule graphic for the 5–6–7 team. The design features a tiger face, football helmet, stadium lights, paw prints, and the phrases “Black Gold Tigers,” “Small Town Big Pride,” “Go Tigers,” and “Discipline, Teamwork, Character, Bigger Than Football.” The 2026 schedule lists seven Saturday games, all at 9:00 AM: Sept. 19 vs. East Burke Royals at Draughn High School in Valdese; Sept. 26 vs. Oak Hill Bulldogs at Draughn High School; Oct. 3 vs. Drexel Wolverines at R.O. Huffman Center in Drexel; Oct. 10 vs. Ray Childers Pirates at Draughn High School; Oct. 17 vs. Mull Mustangs at Mull Elementary in Morganton; Oct. 24 vs. George Hildebran Eagles at Draughn High School; and Oct. 31 vs. Salem Tigers at Salem Elementary in Morganton.
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8-9 Schedule 8-9 Schedule

Alt text: Black-and-gold Valdese Tigers youth football schedule graphic for the 8–9 team. The design features a large tiger face, football helmet, stadium lights, paw prints, and the phrases “Black Gold Tigers,” “Small Town Big Pride,” “Go Tigers,” and “Discipline, Teamwork, Character, Bigger Than Football.” The 2026 schedule lists seven Saturday games, all at 10:30 AM: Sept. 19 vs. East Burke Royals at Draughn High School in Valdese; Sept. 26 vs. Oak Hill Bulldogs at Draughn High School; Oct. 3 vs. Drexel Wolverines at R.O. Huffman Center in Drexel; Oct. 10 vs. Ray Childers Pirates at Draughn High School; Oct. 17 vs. Mull Mustangs at Mull Elementary in Morganton; Oct. 24 vs. George Hildebran Eagles at Draughn High School; and Oct. 31 vs. Salem Tigers at Salem Elementary in Morganton.
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10-11-12 Schedule 10-11-12 Schedule

Black-and-gold Valdese Tigers youth football schedule graphic for the 10–11–12 team. The design features a tiger face, football helmet, stadium lights, paw prints, and the phrases “Black Gold Tigers,” “Small Town Big Pride,” “Go Tigers,” and “Discipline, Teamwork, Character, Bigger Than Football.” The 2026 schedule lists Saturday games at 12:00 PM: Sept. 19 vs. East Burke Royals at Draughn High School in Valdese; Sept. 26 vs. Oak Hill Bulldogs at Draughn High School; Oct. 3 vs. Drexel Wolverines at R.O. Huffman Center in Drexel; Oct. 10 vs. Ray Childers Pirates at Draughn High School; Oct. 17 vs. Mull Mustangs at Mull Elementary in Morganton; Oct. 24 is a bye week; and Oct. 31 vs. Salem Tigers at Salem Elementary in Morganton.
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Important Information 💡 Important Information 💡

Please meet your 26-27 VES PTO Board!! We are looking forward to a wonderful school year, but we cannot do this ALONE! We would love to have LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of peeps join the PTO!! If you are interested to helping at the school in any way, please fill out the GOOGLE FORM (link in the comments!!) We will be reaching out in August! Enjoy the rest of the summer and get ready for an amazing school year!
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Parent Volunteers

There are lots of ways that you can volunteer to support our school!


  • We can use your help reading with students.
  • Supervising students in the cafeteria for short periods of time so teachers can have a duty-free lunch as a team.
  • Help with fundraisers.
  • Help the media coordinator with the Book Fair
  • Serve with the PTO


If you are interested and available to help, please reach out to the office. Someone from PTO will be in touch with you. Our next whole group meeting will be in September. More information coming soon.

DHS is putting on a Basketball Clinic in October - register now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepDUNPnbBMDCpYtE0UkUmg0SFMcQRiph5NTJKTExUY4OACiw/viewform
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DHS is putting on a Basketball Clinic in October - register now:


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepDUNPnbBMDCpYtE0UkUmg0SFMcQRiph5NTJKTExUY4OACiw/viewform

Important Links Important Links

District School Calendar
Click here for the 2026-2027 School Calendar
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VES Student Handbook
Valdese Lunch Menus
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Courtney Hull, Principal

📩 courtneyhull@burke.k12.nc.us

📱 828-874-0704

📍 298 Praley St. Valdese, NC 28690

Close-up outdoor portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length dark wavy hair. She is wearing a light-colored sleeveless top and small earrings. Orange-red flowers and a softly blurred natural background appear behind her. A small portion of a child’s floral bow is visible at the bottom left of the image.
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Savannah Cole, Assistant Principal

📩savannahcole@burke.k12.nc.us

📱828-874-0704

📍298 Praley St. Valdese, NC 28690

Courtney Hull
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