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Phoenix Family News
November 3, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
November 7: No School - Professional Development Day & Election Day
November 10: Veteran's Day Ceremony, 9:45-10:15 am
November 14: PTA Cafe Zupas Night
November 21: End of First Trimester
November 22: No School - Teacher Workshop
November 23-24: No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
MAP Test Score Reports
Art to Remember
Veteran's Day Ceremony
We are in need of a few volunteers to help sign people in, help guide people to the gym, and help set up the reception. If you are interested, please sign up HERE.
Fragrance Free Zone
What is fragrance sensitivity?
Fragrance sensitivity may be an actual allergy or a simple irritation. Once a person has developed fragrance irritation it is likely that the sensitivity will grow over time and with repeated exposure.
What are the symptoms?
Fragrances can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or absorption. Reaction may include, but are not limited to: hives, nausea, dizziness, headache, trouble concentrating, itchy skin, eyes or nose; rash, runny nose, coughing, difficulty breathing, asthma-like symptoms, and strange tastes in the mouth.
What can visitors do?
Discontinuing the use of fragranced products can greatly assist in maintaining good indoor air quality. Above all else, be courteous to surrounding staff and students.
Thank you for helping us keep our school safe for all!
Colder Weather is Back!
Students will play outdoors for recess when weather permits. Students must wear appropriate clothing for the weather. During the winter months, this includes snow pants, boots, hats and mittens. Students are expected to follow the playground rules. Students who choose not to follow the rules will have a logical consequence which may include a time out on the playground (on the bench) or loss of recess time.
Indoor recess will be held when the actual temperature is at zero degrees or below, or the wind-chill is -10 degrees or below. It is best to assume that students will participate in outdoor recess, and to dress them accordingly.
What is a Capital Projects Levy? (Technology Projects Levy)
We are less than a week away from Election Day 2023. SoWashCo Schools will have three questions on the ballot on Nov. 7 that address safety and space in our schools.
Question 3 is a Capital Projects Levy, also known as a technology projects levy. The technology projects levy provides a dedicated funding stream for technology-related expenses, including cybersecurity, instructional software, business software (for Finance, Payroll, Human Resources, Accounts Payable, etc.), and technology repair.
The technology projects levy supports nearly all facets of district operations, including: safety and security infrastructure, instructional and learning tools, networking and communications, and data management. The state of Minnesota does not provide school districts with categorical funding for technology; most districts rely on capital projects levies for technology project funding.
The request asks voters to revoke and renew the existing technology levy, increasing the annual funding from $2.8 million to $5 million for the next 10 years. As you see in the chart above, SoWashCo Schools current technology projects levy funds about $137 per pupil unit per year. If Question 3 is approved, the technology projects levy would raise technology funding to about $244 per pupil unit per year, and the tax impact would be $3 on a median-valued home of $409,000. The state average is about $493 per pupil unit.
Question 3 is a standalone question, meaning it is not contingent on the passage of the bond questions. Read more about the technology projects levy at sowashco.org/facilityplanning.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Information from Previous Newsletters
Holidays and Celebrations
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) is committed to equity, inclusivity and personalized learning for each student. As an educational institution, we will celebrate our students in a culturally responsive manner without inserting our own personal views, opinions and beliefs.
District Policy
There are two SoWashCo policies that are relevant to the discussion around holidays and religious celebrations.
Education vs. Celebration
While educating students about religious holidays is acceptable, celebrating them with school resources is not. This is because no one holiday is universal. As educators, we do not create an environment where a student does not feel included because they do not recognize the holiday being celebrated. All staff take the time to reflect if a holiday or a themed activity has an educational purpose that is inclusive of all students.
For this reason, Valley Crossing Elementary is committed to celebrating the following this coming school year:
Fun Run Week - October 9-13
Unity Day - October 17 - wear orange
Veteran’s Day - November 10
10 Days of Giving - December 1-14
Winter Sing-a-long - Dec 21
Half-Way Celebration and Student Council Spirit Week - January 22-26
Friendship Day - February 15 (note: no Valentines please. Students will be making cards at school. More information to come!)
100th Day - February 21
I Love to Read Month - Book Character Day on February 29
Earth Day - April 22
SoWashCo Community Education Youth Activities
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online. The latest activities and classes can be found on our website under Get Involved > Youth Activities.
Featured Classes
Take gaming to the next level with these online STEM classes. Learn how to make custom modifications or code your own game.
- Intro to Game Coding 8-9:30 a.m., Saturdays, Nov. 4 and 11, Online, Grades 1-4
- Minecraft Mod Development: Lucky Blocks and Ores 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Saturdays Nov. 4 and 11, Online, Grades 2-6
- Star Wars Game Coding 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, Online, Grades 2-5
School Hours
8:00 am - School office opens
9:00 am - School opens to students
9:15 am - School day begins
3:45 pm - School day ends
4:00 pm - School office closes
NOTE: The earliest students can arrive at school in the morning is 9:00 am. All students must be picked up at 3:45 pm if not riding the bus home.
VCES Contact Information
Connha Classon, Principal: cclasson@sowashco.org / 651.425.7503
Joy Peterson, Assistant Principal: jpeters4@sowashco.org / 651.425.7523
Merita LaPlante, Office Coordinator: mlaplant@sowashco.org / 651.425.7501
Jen Gackstetter, Office Assistant: jgackste@sowashco.org / 651.425.7507
Faith Schulze, School Social Worker: fschulze@sowashco.org / 651.425.7699
Ashley Boatman, School Psychologist: aboatman1@sowashco.org / 651.425.7661
School Website: https://vces.sowashco.org/
District Website: www.sowashco.org
VCES Office: 651-425-7500
VCES Attendance Line: 651-425-7506
VCES Health Office: 651-425-7502
VCES Fax Number: 651-425-7515
District 833 Student Information: 651-425-6218
District 833 Transportation: 651-425-5303
Valley Crossing Elementary
Email: cclasson@sowashco.org
Website: vces.sowashco.org
Location: 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN, USA
Phone: 651.425.7500