October 2025

10/1 - 10/31 Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10/2 Custodian Appreciation Day

10/3 Fourth Grade to Audubon

10/17 Professional Development Day - No School

10/21 End of Quarter 1

10/22 Records Day - No School

10/27 Occupational Therapist Appreciation Day

10/23 & 10/28 Ohio State Testing (OST) Fall - Third Grade

10/31 Trunk or Treat

Welcome to October Vikings! As the seasons shift and autumn settles in, we’re reminded of the beauty of harvest time—a season of gathering the fruits of our labor. In many ways, our school year mirrors this rhythm. The seeds of learning, community, and growth were planted with care at the start of the year, and now we’re beginning to see those efforts bloom.

From classroom routines to academic milestones, our students are showing the results of their hard work and your continued support. Whether it’s mastering new skills, building friendships, or embracing challenges, the progress is real—and worth celebrating. Thank you for partnering with us in this journey. Together, we’re cultivating a rich and meaningful learning experience for every child here at Valleyview Elementary.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer, honor those affected, and promote the importance of early detection through screenings and self-exams. It's also an opportunity to support ongoing research, education, and advocacy efforts to help save lives and move toward a cure. Wear pink, spread the word, and take action.

As everyone is now into the swing of another school year, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am back at Valleyview on Wednesdays. Some great reasons to see me are: managing difficult peer relationships, family changes, loss of a loved one, an incarcerated family member, barriers to attending school, and many more. If your family is experiencing hardship, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am looking forward to another happy, successful school year!

Tips:

• Establish routines: predictable routines can help children feel more secure and reduce anxiety

• Set realistic expectations: celebrate your child’s successes no matter how small.

• Model: Your children are always watching you. Try to model healthy responses to disappointment, anxiety, and other emotions

• Active listening: When your child talks to you about their day, listen attentively. Validate before offering your opinions.

October 2nd is Custodian Appreciation Day! It's a special day to say THANK YOU to the amazing people who help keep our school clean, safe, and looking great every day. Be sure to give a big smile or a kind note to our custodians to show how much we appreciate all they do!

Mark your calendars for the annual Special Education Transition Resource Fair!

Moving from elementary to middle to high school and beyond can be a challenging experience for students. The journey can be even more demanding for families with learning exceptionalities. The Fair seeks to help parents create a pathway for life-long student success.

Saturday, October 4

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Arts Impact Middle School (680 Jack Gibbs Blvd)

The Special Education Transition Fair seeks to provide opportunities that connect students and families with organizations that will support the students as they work towards their goals of education, employment, enlistment, or entrepreneurship. Receive resources from local experts on navigating the move through the grade bands, hear guest speaker sessions including presentations from Columbus City Schools and parents and students, and speak with community organizations all in one location.

Please use the link below to register for this event.

Did you know that simply missing just two days a month — excused or unexcused — adds up to a student being chronically absent? Each day at school is an opportunity to learn something new and grow.

At the same time, it's important to keep children at home when they are feeling unwell to help prevent the spread of illness and allow time for rest and recovery. When possible, we also encourage families to schedule medical or other appointments during professional development days or school breaks, so students can maximize their learning time.

With winter quickly approaching, now is a great time to plan ahead for snowy or icy conditions. Please allow extra time for commuting, and stay informed about any weather-related updates or delays. Working together, we can help every student stay on track for success!

Join the City of Columbus for a family-friendly cultural festival where art comes alive through activities, live music, traditional games, and Latino food trucks!

Come celebrate the vibrancy of Latino culture:

October 4

3pm-10pm

162 N. Sixth St.

Columbus, OH 43215

La Feria transforms the city into an open-air gallery and festival, featuring local artists, cultural activations, music, and food that highlight the vibrancy of our Latino Heritage.

Celebrating art, culture, and community and showcasing the creative expression of Latino heritage through live performances, interactive art, and games, La Feria is fun for all ages.

The Franklin County Safe Communities and Safe Routes program at Columbus Public Health's mission is to save lives and reduce injuries from traffic crashes through collaboration among state, county and local partners. The goal of the annual Halloween event is to reduce crashes and promote pedestrian safety for trick-or-treaters.

The Halloween Haunt event is planned for October 18 at Columbus Public Health and will include activities for all ages, such as costume drive, crafts, a pumpkin patch, resource tables, and yard games. It is also a chance to connect the community with valuable safety resources in a fun, engaging way.

Ohio State Testing (OST) helps measure how well students are learning in subjects like math, reading, and science. You can support your child by making sure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time. Encouragement and a positive attitude go a long way—remind them to do their best and that you’re proud of their effort!

Please share with families; Pre-K spaces are still available!

If you know of other families who would like to enroll in Pre-K there are still spaces available. Here are some important resources and updates for Pre-K Enrollment:

• CCS PRE-K Enrollment Page: CCS Pre-K Enrollment Page

• CCS Enrollment Page: Click here

• CCS School Choice Page: Click here

• CCS Home School Locator: Click here

*Valleyview does not have PreK

CCS PreK students and families are invited to join the Early Childhood Education department for monthly enrichment activities. For more information regarding registration and event details, visit the ECE homepage link below.

October 27th is Occupational Therapist Day! It's a day to celebrate the special helpers at our school who support students with things like writing, cutting, getting dressed, and staying focused. They help kids grow strong, independent, and confident. Let’s give a big thank you to our awesome occupational therapists!

📞 Phone: (614) 902-9742

📱WhatsApp: Available at the number above

📧 Email: aevans4@columbus.k12.oh.us

💬 TalkingPoints: You can message me directly!

Office Hours

Monday & Wednesday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday & Friday 11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Thursday by appointment only

*monthly schedule included in Newsletter

*schedule subject to change

Contact Information

Hablo Español

📞 Phone: (380) 218-7930

📱WhatsApp: Available at the number above

📧 Email: yvargas@columbus.k12.oh.us

📬 Contact Us

Language Assistance Line: 614-365-8802

📠 Fax: 614-365-6768

📍 Address: 2989 Valleyview Dr.,

Columbus, OH 43204

✉️ Email: Valleyview@columbus.k12.oh.us

Talking Points: A quick and easy way to communicate with your child's teacher and the school.