Smiles were seen all around! Students did an amazing job this first week learning building & classroom routines/procedures. Make sure to ask your student about the J-Hawk Way tickets!

Remember...Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Caring!!

PTO Meeting on Thursday, September 1st from 7-8pm in the Valerius library! All Valerius Families and students are welcome! We’ll be planning our Valerius Fun Run and discussing how we can support our teachers, students, and families this year.

Valerius Fun Run

The Valerius Fun Run is scheduled for Friday, October 14th, after lunch. Students will walk to Frerichs Field and get to run laps on the track. Families can attend to support our students at this fun event! This all-school run also serves as a fundraiser for the PTO. Funds raised support field trips for our students as well as a t-shirt for each student. We are currently looking for event sponsors. Sponsorship levels begin at $100, and sponsors over $250 are able to have their company logo on the student shirts. If you know of a business that may be interested in sponsoring this event, please email us at valeriuspto@gmail.com

Karen Acres Fall Festival

As we begin to prepare for the opening of the new Valerius next year, we will be working with Karen Acres PTO throughout the year to begin bringing families together. You’ll see us partner on several events throughout the year! This is one event Karen Acres has invited us to join! Mark your calendars now for the 5th Annual Karen Acres and Valerius Elementary Fall Festival on Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 10am-3pm! From vendors, crafters, free inflatables, train rides, walking tacos and of course raffle baskets everyone is sure to have a wonderful time!

Join the event page for important details and share the event with friends! https://www.facebook.com/events/1059163498062005

Interested in having a booth? Email karenacresfallfestival@gmail.com

**We will have volunteer needs—more information will follow in future emails.

Urbandale 2022 Homecoming Apparel is now available for purchase! Please visit this link to place an order. All orders must be placed by 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2022.

Orders will be filled within three to four weeks of the closing date (September 1). Note that returns are NOT accepted.

Questions may be directed to Adam Fraher at adam.fraher@j-hawks.com

We are excited to launch a new program, Parent University, in the 2022-23 school year. Through this program, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to participate in workshops and informational sessions as well as receive resources to help you support your child in their learning. All UCSD parents/guardians are welcome to attend these free sessions.

SAVE THE DATES
Parent University is scheduled to take place on the following dates:

• September 20, 2022
• October 18, 2022
• December 13, 2022
• January 17, 2023
• February 21, 2023
• April 18, 2023
• (possibly a May date)
• 
  

FORMAT
Parent University consists of two sessions. The first session runs from 6:00 – 6:45 p.m. and the second session runs from 7:00 – 7:45 p.m. There are a total of 10 topics to select from for each session. Parents/guardians are able to select one topic they’d like to attend for session one and select a second topic they’d like to attend for session two. Topics will be the same for session one and session two (i.e. the content from a topic in session one will be repeated in session two). Ideas for topics were generated from feedback received in the parent/staff survey as well as by the UCSD School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC).

TOPICS FOR SEPTEMBER 20, 2022

1. School Board Listening Post: Question and Answer session with two School Board members.
2. Superintendent Listening Post: Question and Answer session with Superintendent Dr. Daca.
3. Safety and Security: Learn about district safety and security plans and protocols.
4. Supporting Technology: Learn about Classlink, Canvas, Seesaw, and PowerSchool.
5. Grading for Learning: Learn the “Why, What, and How” of Grading for Learning in UCSD.
6. Elementary Student Support: Learn tips to help your child develop habits to set them up for success for a new school year and beyond. Collaborate with other parents on ways to support teachers and learning at home.
7. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Elementary: Learn how the school counselor supports social emotional instruction in elementary schools by gaining an understanding of learning expectations for grade levels and example lessons that are taught with tips for use at home.
8. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Middle School: Learn how depression and anxiety may impact adolescents as well as warning signs. Learn about resources available to support students and families in these areas.
9. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) High School: Learn how depression and anxiety may impact adolescents as well as warning signs. Learn about resources available to support students and families in these areas.
10. Facilitator of Family Outreach (FFO)/Counselor Drop-in: A member of our FFO team will be available to answer questions about district and community resources.

RSVP BY SEPTEMBER 13, 2022
Please take a moment to RSVP for the Parent University sessions and topics you plan on attending on September 20, 2022. We will be hosting Parent University at Urbandale High School on September 20. Room assignments will be shared closer to the date. Your RSVP will help us to ensure we have the appropriate space, seating, and audio visual requirements. Please RSVP by September 13, 2022.

Meal Payments

Funds can be loaded onto student accounts electronically through TITAN, or by bringing cash or check to your student's building. For more information on meal pricing, and how to build a complete meal, please check our menus page.

Parent Portal FAQs.
Spanish.
Chinese.
Vietnamese.

Video tutorials (with translations) - How to Use TITAN

2022-2023 Application for Waiver of Confidentiality and School Fees

Please review the below document for information on parent drop off/pick up and parent 'walk-up' procedures. Maps are included. **Remained the same as last year.

Parent Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

22-23 Valerius After School Form

ONLINE COMMUNICATION

1. Teachers will again be using Seesaw as their main method of communication with you. Seesaw is used to record and share what's happening in the classroom. Instructions on how to enroll will be shared during Open House.

2. Use Google Calendar to access the letter day cycle and school-wide events throughout the year. Paste links into your website to embed the calendar, “Valerius Events and Activities Parent Calendar”. Links: Google Calendar or iCal for Mac

3. Follow Valerius on Facebook. Posts will be made that include such things as reminders about upcoming events and volunteer requests.

4. Urbandale’s School Messenger automated email, text and voicemail system will be used by Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Daca , our secretary, Angie Jones, and me as an efficient form of communication.

5. Our district webpage at http://www.urbandaleschools.com holds a wealth of information with a “Quick Links” section to commonly searched items. Valerius Website

6. Valerius Weekly Digest will be emailed and posted on the Valerius Facebook page every Sunday at 8am. This newsletter will contain information about events for the upcoming week/month.

Principal: Lara Justmann; justmannl@urbandaleschools.com

Dean of Students: Derek Wilkins; wilkinsd@urbandaleschools.com

Office Manager: Angie Jones; jonesa1@urbandaleschools.com

Nurse: Jenny Villegas; villegasj@urbandaleschools.com

Guidance Counselor: Charlotte Ellerbee; ellerbeec@urbandaleschools.com

FFO: Eddye Vanderkwaak, vanderkwaake@urbandaleschools.com

Website: https://www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/valerius-elementary/
Location: 6301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, IA, USA
Phone: 515-457-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriuselementary