We just couldn't say goodbye for summer without offering one last way to see each other from a safe distance! Staff will be standing in the parking lot on Wednesday, June 3rd from 11-11:45am to wave goodbye to any students/families who want to drive through.

While we would love to have lengthy conversations, because we miss you all, please be mindful of the cars behind you. If no one is there, you are welcome to roll down your window and chat. If there is a line up building behind you, please continue to move around the lot in a safe manner.

We hope this will help bring some closure to your students, and we look forward to seeing you that day!

Urbandale CSD Families,

As we wrap up our school year, I’d like to request your help with returning Chromebooks. All Chromebooks checked out to students must be returned to UCSD after the last day of school. The last day of school for all schools except Rolling Green is June 3rd. The last day of school for Rolling Green is June 12th. Please return Chromebooks to the Urbandale High School Media Center.

Location:

Urbandale High School Media Center

Dates/Times to Return Chromebooks:

• Tuesday, June 9th; 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  

• Thursday, June 11th: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

• Monday, June 15th: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

• Wednesday, June 17th: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Process:

1. Parents/students should place the UCSD Chromebook and the charging cord into a disposable bag (paper or plastic).

2. Bring the disposable bag with the Chromebook and charging cord to the UHS Media Center on one of the dates listed above.

3. Enter the UHS Media Center (from the parking lot) and leave the bag with the Chromebook and charging cord in one of the labeled return bins.

4. Staff members will be available to scan the Chromebook’s barcode to document its return.

If you are unable to return your student’s Chromebook on the dates provided, please contact me in order to make other arrangements.

Thank you for your help. We wish you a safe, healthy, and enjoyable summer!

Josh Whitver

Manager of Information Systems

Here is the list of awards winners! Volunteers and I will be working to get these out to you this Summer either through the mail or delivery to your home using the school directory!

13.1 Medal Winners

Elin Moore

Machmach A

Emerson Nailor

Ryan Stephenson

Minka Negley

Timber Negley

Arabella Hennessy

Eleanor Horton

Saffi Brimeyer

Ryan Reister

Renee Cu

Margaret Reed

Gloria Rennie

Annabel Brostad

Emma Chaky

Catherine Christenson

Micah Taggart

Ian King

Sophia Cannon

Amina Cavcic

Abby Pawlowski

Mia German

26.2 Trophy Winners

Ava Nailor

Margaret Reed

Annabel Brostad

Emma Chaky

Catherine Christenson

Micah Taggart

Ian King

Most Miles for School Trophy Winners

1st Place – Catherine Christenson

2nd Place – Margaret Reed

3rd Place – Ava Nailor

Promotion Ceremony - On June 1, we will share a link to a pre-recorded 5th-grade promotion ceremony. This can be enjoyed at a time that works best for your family.

Baby to Now Slideshow - On June 1, we will send out a link to a slideshow showcasing pictures of students from baby to 5th grade.

5th Grade Talent Show- Each year our 5th grade students put on a talent show for the rest of our Valerius students. 5th grade students have had the opportunity to record themselves using FlipGrid and we will share any videos from that at our EOY assembly.

5th Grade Clap Out Parade - On June 2nd, running from 2- 2:30pm, we are inviting all 5th-grade families to participate in a car parade that will take students through the Valerius Elementary parking lot. School staff will be outside, at a safe distance, cheering, clapping, and celebrating our 5th graders. As you exit the parking lot, we will present each 5th grader with their certificate.

Before the close of the year I wanted to share two staffing updates with you all for the coming school year.

Mrs. Mataloni will be retiring this spring after 32 years in education. Ms. Olivia Ostrander will be coming to Valerius from Urbandale Middle School next fall to fill this position. Ms. Ostrander is passionate about elementary education. She has her degree in Education as well as endorsements in literacy and social studies.

Mrs. Baker (Konidas) is pursuing a new opportunity next fall, and will not be returning. Ms. Laura Darnielle will be joining our team next fall. Ms. Darnielle comes to us with 4 years of experience in another district.

Best wishes to both Mrs. Mataloni and Mrs. Baker!

Many of us are wondering what the fall of 2020 will bring, given the end of our current school year. While we cannot predict the future, UCSD leaders are working hard to prepare a Return to Learn plan for the fall that will focus on the following pillars:

Leadership
Infrastructure

Health and Safety

Iowa Academic Standards

Social Emotional and Behavioral Health

and Equity

Within these broad pillars, three areas are being looked at for learning including a plan for required online continuous learning, a plan for a hybrid model of learning, and a plan for on-site learning. For more detailed information, here is a link to the State of Iowa's guidance.

More communication will come from the district, and from Valerius, in the coming months. Please know that we are working hard to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families.

As we wrap up another school year, I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with all of your incredible students, and with you as families. While this year did not end the way any of us would have predicted, I can honestly say that my first year at Valerius was a great experience. Some celebrations I would like to share with you from survey data collected throughout the year include:

*Students reported that teachers check in with them on how they learn best (which was our focus area of the year) going from a 3.9/5 to a 4.2/5 on the student engagement survey!

*Students report that they are cared for by their teachers and principal, and that they know learning is important at school! All three scored above a 4.75/5 on the student engagement survey!

*Parents reported that the staff and principal at this school treat them with respect, and genuinely care for their students

*Staff have shared that positivity around the culture and climate of the building

*Teachers reported checking in with students on how they learned best over 200 times before school closed in March!

Even with these accomplishments, we know there is still much to improve and we are always working to get better and better. We appreciate the feedback given in the parent survey and we will be using that on June 8th with our building leadership team to create an action plan for next year.

Thank you for welcoming me to Valerius this year. I look forward to our continued partnership in your student's education.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Cole

Principal- Valerius Elementary

Email: colem@urbandaleschools.com
Website: www.urbandaleschools.com
Location: 3305 92nd St. Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: 515-457-6501
Twitter: @MichelleACole