Valley Heights Elementary Schools

Time flies when you're having fun! We can't believe we're over two weeks into the school year! We are digging deeper into curriculum and I'm sure you've noticed more work being sent home in bookbags. Each student has a purple folder and in the back sleeve there should be a paper for you to sign weekly. Please do so to help us keep open communication.

Colts Round Up begins Tuesday, September 5th! You can sign your child up at any point during the school year. Access the enrollment form on the Valley Heights webpage under Community Education- Forms and Registration.

We have noticed an increase in sickness. Please remind your child of good hygiene habits and we will do the same at school. If a child has a fever, they must stay home for 24 hours after the fever breaks.

Reminder: Preschool and KinderPrep students only come four days per week, Tuesday through Friday.

Monday, Sept 4th: No School!

Tuesday, Sept 5th: Picture Day & Colts Round Up Begins!

The second week at Blue Rapids elementary brought more focused academics and testing. The students began their math and reading Fastbridge testing this week in all grades. These computer-based assessments help the teachers to identify students' strengths and challenge areas and group them in break out groups that assist them in working on these challenge areas. I have been so proud of the students for their diligence and hard work on these tests.

Here are some upcoming dates to remember:

• No school for Labor Day holiday September 4th
• Colts Round Up begins in Waterville September 5th
• Picture day is September 7th
• Fire prevention assembly October 10th
• 5th/6th grade field trip to the symphony October 24th
• Picture retakes is October 26th

As I stated last week every class in Blue Rapids completes character education lessons each week. Below is a character video Mr. Spoonts shared with me on the topic of purpose. This is a fun video to view and discuss together as a family. It ties in nicely with three words that have been a focus this year district-wide. Passion, Purpose and Connections.

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

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Mr. Spoonts greeted students in Blue Rapids and also assisted with cross-walk duty.

Each day in the elementary schools, we teach our students how to have purposeful interactions and goals. We believe that having a common purpose will promote the academic and social emotional well-being of each student. We teach students the VHS model:

To celebrate students accomplishing these things, we have created positive office referrals, with VHS tickets. Teachers and staff hand out VHS tickets when they see a student doing the right thing. Here are some pictures of students receiving their VHS tickets!

Wow! Look at all of the Waterville VHS ticket winners! The Waterville staff are always watching for students doing the right thing and working hard!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which is a free program, provides one book per month for children ages birth to five years old. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity by signing up today! https://kschildrenscabinet.org/imaginationlibrary/

Are you 55 years or older and love working with children? Do you know someone who would do a great job helping in our schools? The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program may be the program for you! This is a volunteer program that does offer a small stipend and is organized by AmeriCorps. Here are the benefits of volunteering with the Foster Grandparent Program:

• Health and wellness. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers experience decreased anxiety, depression, and loneliness. 84% of volunteer report stable or improving health after one year of service.

• Self-improvement. See the daily impact of your service as you build on the skills you already have and develop new ones.

• Stipend. Some programs offer a modest stipend to qualified, low-income volunteers.

• Community. Connect with others and be part of something bigger. 88% of volunteers who felt a lack of companionship reported fewer feelings of isolation after becoming an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer.

• New skills. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers often tap their wealth of experience and wisdom and channel it in new directions.

• Insurance. Most programs offer accident, personal liability, and excess automobile liability insurance.

Click here for more information.

Colts Round-Up is an after-school enrichment program that runs Monday through Thursday from 3:30—5:30.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS BE PICKED UP ON TIME EACH DAY.

There will be transportation provided at the end of CRU for students back to BR. There is no rural transportation.

Blue Rapids students need to be picked up at the bus stop by 5:40.

There will be NO FEE for Colts Round-Up at this time however this form is crucial to keeping a record of the number of students we serve for grant money.

The impact of an afterschool program is vital. Colts Round-Up provides a safe, nurturing place with opportunities to reinforce learning from school, teach social skills, encourage good citizenship, and allow parents peace of mind while they finish their workdays.

As a community and school district, we are blessed to have fantastic staff & families. Colts Round-Up supplies a healthy snack, enrichment activities, social interaction with their peers as well as opportunities to enhance the lives of others through community service. We will continue to emphasize character-building and physical activity.

This year, Colts Round-Up will again offer programming for the KP-6 grades. We hope that this can have a positive impact on the families and students in our community.

Click the link to register today!

CRU Registration Link

FIRST DAY: September 5

Days there will not be CRU:

September: 25

October: 3, 4, 16 & 31

November: 13, 22 & 23

December: 6 & 7
LAST DAY OF FIRST SEMESTER: December 19

SECOND SEMESTER FIRST DAY: January 8

Days there will not be CRU:

January: 15

February: 13, 15, 19

March: 11-15(spring break)

April: 15

LAST DAY: May 9

Valley Heights Community Ed. Will Host Hunter Education On Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 For

Individuals 11 Years & Older. Students Ages 11–15 Must Be Accompanied By An Adult

Class Size Is Limited Priority Will Be Given To USD #498 Students And Patrons. Click

the link or scan the code to register!

https://forms.gle/jULSn6o2HVpjkrZCA

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a one-to-one mentorship between a trusting adult and a student in the Waterville Elementary School. Bigs (Adults), apply to the program and go through an extensive interview process and background check to ensure the safety for all students. Littles (Students), are referred by their teachers, or parents can request their child participate in the program. This mentorship takes place at the school, usually during lunch and recess times or at Colts RoundUp. If you would like to be a Big and volunteer to make a difference in the life of a child, contact us at 785-363-2530. If you are a parent wanting to refer your child to our program, please let our office or classroom teacher know and we will help walk you through the process! Here is a link to the Big Brother Big Sisters website for more information!

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