Tiger Pride

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

Hello, Tiger Families,

Just a reminder that there will be no school on Monday in observance of Labor Day. I hope you are able to enjoy the long weekend and spend some special time with your families!

As we begin another exciting week at Valdese, I want to take a moment to thank our families for the important role you play in your child’s success. We truly could not do what we do without your support and partnership. One of the most impactful ways families can support learning is by making sure students are at school every day, on time, and ready to learn. Every instructional minute matters, and consistent attendance gives our students the best opportunity to grow and succeed.

This week, students will be wrapping up our beginning-of-year assessments. These assessments provide valuable information about where students are starting the year and help our teachers determine how to best support each learner. We look forward to digging into the data, celebrating strengths, identifying areas for growth, and planning instruction that meets our students' needs.

We are also excited to celebrate the progress our Tigers made last year! Valdese Elementary met growth and increased overall proficiency from 62% in 2024–2025 to 68% in 2025–2026. While we are maintaining our C school letter grade, we are incredibly close to the next level. Our goal this year is to exceed growth and move Valdese to a B school. Reaching that goal will take all of us—students, staff, and families—working together.

An important part of that partnership is open, two-way communication. We want families to feel comfortable reaching out with questions, concerns, celebrations, or information that may help us better support your child. Likewise, we will continue working to keep you informed about your child’s progress and what is happening at school. Strong relationships between home and school allow us to respond to student needs early and work together toward solutions.

We are so fortunate to have dedicated educators, wonderful students, and supportive families at Valdese. I am excited about what we can accomplish together this year! 🖤💛

Proud to be a Valdese Tiger,

Courtney Hull, Principal

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.

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!

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.

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're celebrating Grandparents Week in our cafeteria Sept. 14-18! Grandparents and guests can join their students for lunch during their specified celebration time.

While lunch is free for all students, adult meals are $5 for an entree, two sides and a tea. We only accept cash at the register. (if using the RSVP form) Please return the RSVP form sent home with your student by Sept. 9. We look forward to serving you!

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.

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.

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!

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!

🍁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.

9/21- AFG Fundraiser Ends

9/21- Bookfair Begins

9/22- DHS HOCO Parade @ 6:30

- Interim Reports go home

9/25- Bookfair Ends

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:

Courtney Hull, Principal

📩 courtneyhull@burke.k12.nc.us

📱 828-874-0704

📍 298 Praley St. Valdese, NC 28690

Savannah Cole, Assistant Principal

📩savannahcole@burke.k12.nc.us

📱828-874-0704

📍298 Praley St. Valdese, NC 28690