STC Newsletter

My schedule each day will begin at the VH Jr/Sr High to meet student needs there before the bell rings. The rest of the week will primarily be:

• Monday at Blue Rapids
• Tuesday at Waterville (third Tuesday is Harvesters)
• Wednesday at VH and out and about in our community
• Thursday AM in Waterville/PM in Blue Rapids
• Friday at VH

Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.

The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.

Another new year brings new beginnings, dreams and success! Out with the old and in with the new! The beginning of a new year brings ideas and thoughts of starting fresh, beginning anew and dreaming BIG! If 2025 didn't end or turn out the way you had hoped or planned, start new and revisit those plans with a revised agenda and get after it in 2026. Using a calendar can help you and students stay on track with many types of goals. Download FREE calendars or planners online to help set AR goals or other goals with your students, so that they can see and track progress, understand expectations and achieve their goals! Happy New Year!

Blessing Galore! What a blessing to serve families in the Valley Heights Community! What a Blessing for Valley Heights families to give and receive! In December, Schools That Care, KAYs and FaCS at Valley Heights partnered with VH students and community donors to provide 44 families a Christmas Meal including: ham, potatoes/gravy, rolls, stuffing, green beans and a pie. 36 of the pies were homemade pies donated to serve as a special treat! Thank you to those who contributed to serving others during the holiday season who may be stressed, struggling or experience a loss. You've shared the true reason of the season!

Caring for ourselves, others and things was the discussion in December Character Ed lessons with grades K-4. We learned that "self care" is an important way to care for ourselves so that we can also care for others adequately and have fuel left to care for our things as well. Caring for ourselves includes caring for our mind: thoughts and words, our heart: emotions and feelings and our body! We discussed hygiene routines, how what we eat and how much we sleep and exercise helps our bodies grow and prepares us to learn! Taking care of our things includes pets, toys, clothes, school work and supplies, and more! Students are learning how respect, responsibility, honesty and gratitude help us to care for ourselves, others and our things.

"That's NOT FAIR!" may be a familiar phase in households and classrooms...Teaching students how to play and interact with others fairly leads to understanding justice .Discussing fairness and justice builds confidence to do the right thing and to standup for themselves and others who may be treated unfairly. It builds self awareness and courage while spreading kindness too. We will play some games and discuss the importance of building a community with kindness, fairness and justice.
Download this Building Character worksheet and discover how you can reinforce fairness at home with your family.

Is volunteering or mentoring on your bucket list this New Year!? It is never too late to be a BIG! Apply Now to become a BIG in 2026!

Blessing boxes are available in both Waterville and Blue Rapids. Give what you can and take what you need. In Waterville the Blessing Box is located on Commercial Street near the Citizens State Bank. The Blessing Box in Blue Rapids is located in Riverside Park near the playground by the recycling container.

Just in-DCF has been notified that federal funding was approved for the 2026 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) season. LIEAP helps eligible Kansas households pay a portion of their primary home heating costs during the winter season with a one-time per year benefit.

Applications will not be accepted until 8 a.m. on Jan. 20, 2026, and must be received by DCF by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2026.

Preparing for winter heating needs early and exploring alternative resources is encouraged until the application period opens. For more info click here. Stay informed by visiting LIEAP.dcf.ks.gov.