I've included a short questionnaire for you to complete if you'd like to add questions and information about your child(ren) here.

Derek Wilkins, Dean of Students, and I will be sharing our time with Karen Acres Elementary this year. In order to maintain a greater degree of consistency from one day to the next, I'll be at one school on M/Tu/W, and the other on Th/Fri. The following week will be the opposite. For example, I'll be at Valerius on M/Tu/W and then KA on Th/Fri. I'll then switch the following week to be at KA on M/Tu/W and Val on Th/Fri. Mr. Wilkins will follow the opposite rotation so an administrator is at either school each day. There will be times when we're required to attend meetings off site, but we'll be in close communication with the building secretary on those days.

Our schedule for the first three weeks will be slightly different as we solidify the routines and processes at both buildings. You may see us both during drop-off or dismissal on certain days, for example. Our goal is to ensure both schools are operating safely and efficiently so our students have a predictable and welcoming environment where they're able to learn at high levels.

Here's to a great year!

Sincerely,

Lara Justmann, Valerius Principal

DATE: Thursday, August 11th

TIME: 4:30 - 5:30

LOCATION: Valerius (at Jensen) Elementary cafeteria , 6301 NW Aurora Ave, Urbandale, IA 50322

Incoming kindergartener students and their parents/guardians will meet the teachers and administration, tour the school and learn more about what to expect in kindergarten at Valerius Elementary.

Thursday, August 18th from 4:30-6:00pm. Due to limited space in our parking lot we are encouraging families with last names A-L to come between 4:30 and 5:15, and families with last names starting with M-Z to come between 5:15 and 6:00pm.

Behind the school on the playground black top we will have tables set up for PTO, Adventuretime, Busing, and Girl Scouts. There will also be a Kona Ice Truck (thank you PTO) for a fun treat!

As a reminder, our First Day of School is Tuesday, Aug 23, 2022 (F Day). Class starts at 8:55am and doors open at 8:40am for breakfast. (Every Monday is a LATE START - Class starts at 10:00am and doors open at 9:45am.)

School Supply List (English)

School Supply List (Spanish)

UCAN & our friends want to make “Back to School” easier for kids & families in need in Urbandale! Families in need, bring your kids to pick up school supplies. Supplies available to Urbandale residents & Urbandale School District students.

If you completed or updated your family application in the year 2022, please register HERE! If you have not completed a client registration form in 2022, please complete the form HERE.

Please call 515-334-2684 or email Admin@UrbandaleNetwork.org to schedule an appointment. Read more about the program here.

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

U-Fest is a fun, festive, family-friendly event featuring food trucks, bounce houses, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and live music performed by Faculty Lounge among other activities. All proceeds and sponsorship funds will be for student scholarships and classroom grants. Entry fee is $10 for adults and $3 for individuals age 13-18. Children 12 and younger will receive free entrance. Entrance fee will include one drink ticket. At last year’s U-Fest, roughly $5,000 was raised as part of the $16,000 awarded for classroom grants for Urbandale educators and $26,000 for scholarships for Urbandale students.

Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent/Teacher fall conferences will be Tues, Nov. 15 and Thurs, Nov. 17, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Spring conferences will be Tues, Feb. 28 and Thurs, March 2, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. We will use an online sign-up process.

Fall School Pictures: School Picture Day is scheduled for September 13th and retake day is October 19. Order information will be shared at a later date.

PTO Fun Run: Our annual fall FUN RUN is Friday, October 14th. More details to come.

KA and Valerius Fall Festival: On Saturday, October 22nd, Valerius Elementary is joining Karen Acres Elementary for a vendor fair that will include food and a chance to win various prize baskets. Holiday shopping can be accomplished at this annual event!

Kona Ice at Open House

The Valerius PTO will provide Kona Ice for all Valerius Students at Open House--just stop by the PTO table to pick up your students' ticket after you visit your classroom. Family members can purchase additional cups. Enjoy your Kona Ice, learn more about PTO and spend some time meeting other families on the playground! Thanks to Lisa T Travels, Bry Wisecup, Realtor, and Green State Credit Union for sponsoring this for our students. If you or your business are interested in providing sponsorship to help cover this expense, reach out to Carissa at valeriuspto@gmail.com.

Dine to Donate: McAlister's Deli

Tuesday, August 30, 5-9pm

McAlister's, 5910 Douglas Ave.

Mark your calendar! 20% of all purchases will be donated back to the Valerius PTO. Make dinner easy on yourself and support Valerius at the same time!

Classroom Party Donations

The Valerius PTO supports 3 classroom parties throughout the year with snacks and activity supplies. A $5 per student donation is recommended, but not required, to help support our expenses for the parties. You can bring $5 to the PTO table at open house, or make your donation here: https://valeriuspto.square.site/

Valerius Fun Run Committee

If you're interested in helping plan the annual Valerius Fun Run send us a quick email at valeriuspto@gmail.com. The committee will be meeting soon to get started!

PTO Meeting

Our First PTO Meeting of the year will be on Thursday, September 1. All Valerius families are invited and kids are welcome to attend with you. Time and location will be announced as we get closer to September. PTO is a great opportunity to help shape our school and your kids' experience at Valerius, and you get to meet other families at the same time!

We're looking forward to meeting you this year!

Valerius PTO 2022-2023

Co-Presidents: Jaime Goetsch & Carissa Williams

Co-Treasurers: Joel Goetsch & Nicole Lunders

Members-At-Large: Lindsey Matus, Becky Rozenboom, & Elizabeth Whitver

(There's a spot for you, too! Just email valeriuspto@gmail.com.)

Families with students in kindergarten through 11th grade currently enrolled in the district will received an email on April 1, 2022, with instructions for online registration. For families without email, a letter will be mailed to you with instructions for registering your returning student(s). Every students needs to register online every year.

Dean: Derek Wilkins; wilkinsd@urbandaleschools.com

Office Manager: Angie Jones; jonesa1@urbandaleschools.com

Nurse: Jenny Villegas; villegasj@urbandaleschools.com

Guidance Counselor: TBD

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