Thank you for a great start to the school year. Please make note on Monday, September 5: In observance of Labor Day, there will be no school, no Adventuretime, and the District Administration office will be closed.

We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday, September 6!

UCSD 22-23 Calendars

Valerius is hiring for a Part-Time lunch cashier through UCSD Nutrition Services.

Learn more about available positions. For questions or additional information, please contact UCSD HR Manager Kate Johnson johnsonk@urbandaleschools.com We look forward to hearing from you!

More information will be sent home the next week. Use the link below to start shopping and to order your picture package today.

https://hrimaging.com/

We are gearing up for Spirit Week! Read about it below.

Dress-Up Days for Sept. 12 - 16:

Monday: Crazy from Head to Toe Day (crazy socks, mis-match clothes, hats)
Tuesday: Dress Your Best Day! (picture day)
Wednesday: Pajama day
Thursday:Red, White & Blue Day (or wear your Valerius gear)
Friday: J-Hawk Spirit Day (wear your J-Hawk gear)

Homecoming Parade:
The parade is Thursday, Sept. 15th, 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Aurora Ave between UMS and UHS. All families, students and staff are encouraged to walk in the parade to represent Valerius! Meet in the Urbandale Middle School parking lot at 5:45 p.m. Candy donations are needed to throw in the parade. Drop off donations in the school office by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. (No chocolate please!)

Spirit Parties:

Parties will be on Friday, Sept. 16th from 2:45 - 3:30. PTO will provide a snack and drink to each student through Nutrition Services.

The Boundary Committee has reviewed and discused feedback received in order to bring a comprehensive elementary boundary proposal to the Board of Directors in September. The proposal will outlines the new elementary school attendance boundaries to be implemented in the 2023-24 school year. The new elementary boundaries will coincide with the opening of the new Valerius Elementary School. Below is a link to the Concept Map.

Concept Map

Running Club is Back!

It’s great that we can once again have Running Club as part of the student’s Lunch Recess! The last time we were able to hold the program was the Fall of 2019. For those that weren’t here or if you don’t remember what it was like, here is a little recap.

Each student will have their own scan badge that they will have in their classrooms to bring out to lunch recess. They will come out to the Valerius at Jensen Elem track and when they make a lap around, they will scan their badge and track how far they have ran. It’s completely voluntary so students do not need to participate, they can come out for one lap, or 20. During the Fall and Spring they will receive Toe Tokens each time they reach a milestone, such as 1-mile, 5 miles, 10 miles etc. The Fall program will be from Monday, Sept. 12th – Thursday, Oct 13th and will be capped off Friday, October 14th for our annual Fun Run Event. Spring Dates TBD. At the end of the year, we will have awards for students in each grade level that have run the furthest!

To make this program a success, we’re in need of volunteers! It is set up with two shifts, the first from 11:15am(set-up)-12:20pm which includes 1st and 5th grades and 12:15pm-1:20pm(clean-up) which includes Kind, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. Please email Joel Goetsch at joelgoetsch@iowarealty.com if you are able to help whether it be on a consistent basis each day/week or just a couple times between Sept. 12th-Oct. 13th. Thank you!

Spirit Party Invite & Game Donations

The Valerius Classroom Spirit Party is coming up- Friday 9/16 at 2:45. There are several ways to join in the fun or help the party to be a success. To do so please register through Signup Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AA2BA5FCC25-spirit

1. Tailgate type games are needed to BORROW: bags, ladder golf, ring toss, etc. Please sign up noting what you have and plan to drop these off earlier that week so we have in time for prep the day of.

2. Join us!! More hands are always welcome to help with crafts and activities or just to join in the fun. Please add your name to your classroom list as an attendee.

3. Can't make it or don't have games? You can still help by donating to the classroom party funds. Do so through the square store: https://valeriuspto.square.site/?fbclid=IwAR2TgOpYukq3Vy-OJxJmEMomfbqUcsoC6KhYKKPGtSKKLcehxDnXXM_LK3M

Thank you for your support! Questions- contact your Classroom Parent Coordinator, Jaime Goetsch, jaime.goetsch@hotmail.com

Future Dine to Donate Save the Dates

9/15/2022 at Papa Murphys: ALL Day

11/2/2022 at Texas Roadhouse: 4-10pm

Valerius Fun Run SAVE THE DATE

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.

Fun Run Sponsor Flyer - 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.

Parent University Begins September 20: Register Today!

Are you interested in learning more about social and emotional learning, how technology is being used in classrooms, or how grading is structured in UCSD? Would you like to learn more about safety and security in our schools? How about having an opportunity to talk directly with the Superintendent and School Board members? Then register now for Parent University taking place on Tuesday, September 20 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Urbandale High School.

Learn more here about Parent University and then be sure to register by September 13, 2022. We look forward to #welcomingU!

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

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