Valley Heights Elementary Schools

Greetings to the families of Waterville Grade School and the

community members who support our efforts!

As we prepare for the upcoming Winter Break and Holiday Season, we continue to think about and reflect on the many successes and achievements of our students, staff, and school community during this school year. Our students make us so proud, and we truly appreciate your continued support and partnership in everything we do. We also wanted to provide you with a few reminders about some important dates:

• Our last day of school is December 20, 2024 with a release time of 12:30 pm. Lunch will be served.

• Our office will be open on Friday, January 3rd.
• Students will return for their first day of school after the break on January 6, 2025.

We hope that you and your family have a safe, fun, and restful Winter Break.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Monday:

• Colts Round Up
• Board of Education Meeting @ 6:00 pm

Tuesday:

• Colts Round Up

Wednesday:

• Colts Round Up

Thursday:

• Colts Round Up
• Class Christmas Parties! Check Bloomz for specific times.

Friday:

• Preschool/Kinder Prep Christmas Program! Please bring your Preschool/ Kinder Prep child to the library by 8:15 am. There will be no Preschool/ Kinder Prep classes after the program concludes. You are free to take your child home at that time.
• Dismiss @ 12:30 for Christmas break! Lunch will be served.

Looking Ahead:

January 6th: Classes Resume

Citizens State Bank donated granola bars to the Waterville Grade School for students who aren't able to eat breakfast or need a snack. Thank you so much for supporting our students!

It has been an exciting week at Blue Rapids Elementary. A big shout out to Mr. Tony and his staff for a super fun time at Santa's Gift Shop!! The students were so excited to get presents for their families. Academically the students are completing end of the year Fastbridge testing as well as end of the semester projects and assignments. Nice job Colts keep up the good work!!

All of this said, we have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. We have four and a half days left till Christmas break and our focus as a staff and students is finishing the semester strong. Christmas is right around the corner! 🎄😊

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• Fourth Grade Business Fair December 17th
• Winter Break/End of Semester Friday, December 20th; dismissal @ 12:30 pm
• Happy New Year January 1st
• Classes Resume for 3rd Quarter January 6th

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

Over 900 gifts were wrapped in the signature brown bags and sent home with K-6 Valley Heights Students on Thursday! With over 30 volunteer 9-12 students making a direct impact on the grateful elementary students! Thank you to everyone that helped out students and adults alike! This is one of the best days in the year and it was filled with smiles and laughter! Everyone involved made such a difference!

#MustangProud #TwoTownsOneCommunity

Congrats to this week's Waterville VHS ticket winners! Camden and Zeta won lunch with Mrs. deBoer! Jet and Kale won a prize!

Each week we'll give you a fun question to talk about around the dinner table with your family! Eating together as a family is an excellent time to strengthen relationships and check in with your child and their needs. Enjoy discussing the question of the week!

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.

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