Reminder: No School Dates in October 2022
Please make note of the following dates in October 2022 when school will not be in session.
District-Wide
- Friday, October 7: No school due to a teacher in-service/professional development day
- Monday, October 10: No school due to Fall Break
- Adventuretime All Day Program (PreK–5) on October 7 and 10: Registration must be completed by September 21 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more
October is National Principals Month
Join Us In Celebrating National Principals Month Throughout October 2022 - THANK YOU Mrs. Justmann for ALL you do EVERY day!!
During National Principals Month, we celebrate our Principals and Associate Principals for their outstanding support of students, families, teachers, and staff. When you see these leaders in your building, please extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the countless hours they have dedicated, and continue to dedicate, to planning, preparing, and leading learning environments that are welcoming and inclusive for all students. We are grateful to have such outstanding leaders, partners, and advocates in education throughout all of our schools. Our schools are stronger because of their leadership. #ThankAPrincipal
Sunday is National Custodial Day
THANK YOU RAISA & SAMRA!
On Sunday, October 2, 2022, we celebrate the dedication, determination, and professionalism of our UCSD Custodial and Maintenance Teams on National Custodial Appreciation Day. Please give our Custodial & Maintenance Teams a HUGE shout out when you see them for all of the days, nights and weekends they’ve worked to respond to ALL of the many custodial and maintenance needs throughout the entire District. We’d like to encourage our students, teachers, staff members, and families to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to these outstanding team members. Our buildings are most definitely better #becauseofU!
FRIDAYS are THEME Days!
Fridays are about fun and celebration, so we are going to add to that with theme day Fridays. Each Friday, we will have a dress up theme that staff can wear along with their jeans, and students can join in on the fun as well!
October Themes:
10/7: No School
10/14: Sweatshirt Day
10/21: Team Jersey Day
10/28: Spooky Friday (Halloween Theme or Black/Orange)
Parent University October 18th: Register Today!
Interested in learning more about grading, bullying, social media, social emotional learning, technology, or how to apply for scholarships and financial aid for college? How about talking directly with the Superintendent and School Board members? Then register today for Parent University on October 18. All UCSD parents/guardians are welcome to attend these free sessions.
Running Club - RUN WITH A LOVED ONE!
Thursday, Oct. 6th during your child’s Lunch Recess time, families are invited to come out and run/walk on the Valerius (at Jensen) track together! A Valerius staff member will be outside to direct you around the outside of building to the track (located on the playground). The lunch recess times are listed below. Please park across the street and use the crosswalk.
Recess Times
- 1st Grade -> 11:25-11:45am
- 5th Grade -> 11:55-12:15pm
- Kinder -> 12:20-12:40pm
- 2nd Grade -> 12:30-12:50pm
- 3rd Grade -> 12:45-1:05pm
- 4th Grade -> 12:55-1:15pm
Running Club Awards
Your child may have come home with a 5, 10, maybe even a 15 mile charm signifying how many miles they have run so far this Fall. They receive these weekly during PE along with a beaded necklace to put them on. Even more exciting are the awards they can receive at the end of the year! Those that run 26.2 miles(Marathon) will receive a Medal. They will also receive a Trophy if they run 30 miles(K-2nd) or 50 miles(3rd-5th) by the end of the year! We have two weeks left in this Fall session and then we’ll have a 6 week session next Spring, so plenty of time to reach those goals. Your child can always ask a Run Club volunteer during their lunch recess how many miles they have currently by scanning their card(and running a lap of course). It pops up with their current mileage every time they scan their card. I am also happy to look it up anytime, just email me at joelgoetsch@iowarealty.com.
2022 Valerius Fun Run
The 2022 Valerius Elementary Fun Run will be held after lunch on Friday, October 14, 2022 at Frerichs Field. Students will walk to the field, have fun running laps on the track, and enjoy a snack. Families can attend to support our students at this fun event!
Sign-up to volunteer here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AA2BA5FCC25-2022
This all-school run also serves as a fundraiser for the PTO. Our fundraising goal is $8,000. Funds raised help us provide a t-shirt for each student, funding for field trips, school-wide enrichment programs, running club, and more for students throughout the year.
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! From vendors, crafters, free inflatables, train rides, walking tacos and of course raffle baskets everyone is sure to have a wonderful time!
Saturday, October 22, 2022 from 10am-3pm
To help make the Fall Fest a success, the KA PTO is seeking donations for food and drinks to serve during the day. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B49A9AD2BA5F58-2022
Join the event page for important details and share the event with friends! https://www.facebook.com/events/1059163498062005
Flu Vaccine Clinics: October 26 at UHS
The Polk County Health Department will offer Flu Vaccine Clinics for Urbandale students, staff, parents, siblings, and community members.
Dates: October 26, 2022
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Urbandale High School Commons (cafeteria) (Note: Please enter the high school through the main entrance and turn right to walk toward the Commons.)
Reserve Your Flu Vaccine Appointment Online
For more information about the Flu Vaccine Clinics visit the UCSD website.
Ordering School Pictures
School Picture day was on September 13th! You can still order pictures by visiting the website https://www.hrimaging.com/ and choosing 9/13/22 School Portrait. Then enter your student's First and Last Name (you may also need their Student ID).
Picture Retakes will be the morning of October 19th!
Call 815.433.1766 with any questions or to order by phone.
Meal Payments & Waiver Application
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.
Video tutorials (with translations) - How to Use TITAN
2022-2023 Application for Waiver of Confidentiality and School Fees
VALERIUS ELEMENTARY
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
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