Valley Heights Elementary Schools

That's a wrap on the semester! We are very proud of how hard our students have worked this semester and are looking forward to another strong one! We hope you have a blessed Christmas and a healthy break!

School will resume on Monday, January 5th.

Merry Christmas!

Week of January 5, 2026!

Monday:

• School Resumes!
• Colts Round Up

Tuesday:

• Colts Round Up

Wednesday:

• Colts Round Up

Thursday:

• Colts Round Up

Friday:

• King & Queen of the Courts at VHHS game

Looking Ahead:

• January 19th- No School- staff PD day

It was a good week at Blue Rapids Elementary. On Wednesday, the fourth graders held their business fair in the cafeteria. They had met earlier with leaders from the community and learned how to build something of their own. They made plans, set up their tables, and sold their goods and services with play money to the rest of the school. The students were proud of their work, and it showed.

As the semester comes to an end, I wish the Valley Heights family a Merry Christmas. We have much to be thankful for. As principal of the 3–6 building, I am grateful for our families, our students, and our teachers and staff who give their best each day. My hope is that this Christmas season brings joy, and that your hearts are steady with the peace that comes from faith and family.

Please take note of the important dates below.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• Classes resume - Monday, January 5th

As always, thank you for the privilege and blessing that it is to work with your children. My door is always open if you have any concerns or you need to visit.

-Mr. Staples

We will post menus as soon as they are available!

We will post menus as soon as they are available!

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!

Did you know you can pay your child's lunch fees online? We'll even cover the processing fees for you so you have no extra fees! Click HERE to be taken directly to the link! Or you can navigate to this page from the Valley Heights website, then clicking on Parent & Student Resources, then Online Payment.

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.

Check out the Schools That Care newsletter below for information on resources available in our community!

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!

Another avenue of supporting your school is through Casey's rewards! Check it out at caseys.com/community/donate-your-points!

Email: judeboer@valleyheights.org tstaples@valleyheights.org sspoonts@valleyheights.org
Website: www.valleyheights.org