As the school year winds down, make sure you sign your child up for our wonderful Camp Exploration Summer Camp program! This is completely free for Valley Heights students and breakfast and lunch are free as well. Click here for more information and how to sign up! Your child's teacher will reach out to you if they are requesting your child attends summer school, and a sign up form will be shared separately for that.

This Friday our 2nd grade students will bus to Blue Rapids Grade School during the day to meet the 3rd grade teachers and get a feel for what 3rd grade is all about.

Monday, May 12th:

• No elementary activities

Tuesday, May 13th:

• No elementary activities

Wednesday, May 14th:

• VH Graduating Seniors will be walking through the elementary halls in their caps and gowns!

Thursday, May 15th:

• No elementary activities

Friday, May 16th:

• 2nd Grade Visits 3rd Grade at Blue Rapids Grade School

Looking Ahead:

May 19th Board of Education Meeting

May 21st 8:30 Preschool/Kinder Prep Program 9:00 K-2 Program/2nd Grade Promotion

May 22nd Last day of school! Dismiss @ 12:30!

June 2nd Camp Exploration and Summer School begin!

Kindergarten students had popsicles today as part of their countdown to the end of the school year!

It was a beautiful day for Play Day! Huge shout out to Coach Cox for putting on such a fun event and the Colts PTO for sponsoring the inflatable obstacle course!

It was a great week at Blue Rapids Elementary! The students and teachers have been enjoying a variety of educational and fun activities these last few weeks of school. On Monday, the 6th graders went to the Jr. High for their orientation and on Thursday the 4th grade went to Sycamore Springs in Sabetha for their class field trip. Friday was the Charles Steele play day. I want to say that I was super impressed with the effort and attitude of the students in all the events. I just loved seeing the high fives and fist pounds and all the great encouragement and positivity! With that said, we are down to the last two weeks of school, please take note of the important dates listed below.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• May 12th - 3rd Grade Field Trip
• May 13th - 6th Grade Field Trip
• May 15th - 5th Grade Field Trip
• May 19th - Board of Education meeting @ 6:00 pm
• May 21st - 3rd - 6th grades Program with 6th grade promotion @ 2:00 pm
• May 22nd - Last Day of School/12:30 pm Dismissal

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

The Rotary Luncheon was held at the Blue Rapids Grade School. Mr. Staples gave the program on the history of the Blue Rapids Elementary and High School. Also, talked about Waterville and Blue Rapids becoming Valley Heights. Happy to have the Rotarians!

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!

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