![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/greenboard.bc49743a.jpg)
Phoenix Family News
October 27, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
October 30-November 2: PTA Book Fair
November 1: SoWashCo Schools Community Information Session about the bond and levy @ District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Road South, Cottage Grove
November 7: No School - Professional Development Day
November 10: Veteran's Day Ceremony, 9:45-10:15 am
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.
Scholastic Book Fair Vouchers
Please note that the vouchers will be available on a first come, first served basis, and vouchers will only be able to be used towards the purchase of a book.
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
Kindness Week/Veteran’s Day - November 6-10
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
Please note that we do not allow students to come to school in costume on Halloween, which is next Tuesday, October 31st. Thank you for helping us keep student costumes for outside of school hours only.
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.
Car Rider Signs
Colder Weather is Back!
This weekend, winter signs are supposed to be appearing! 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.
PTA Fundraiser Update
PTA Scholastic Book Fair News
Our fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held October 27-November 3rd. Join us at the family shopping events: Monday, October 30 from 4-6 p.m. and Thursday, Nov 2 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. At the family shopping events we will accept cash, checks, eWallet and credit cards. Electronic forms of payment (eWallet/credit cards) are the only accepted forms of payment outside of the family shopping events. Students not able to attend the family shopping events will have an opportunity to shop during the school day by classroom appointment.
To create an eWallet, visit our book fair website Book Fair Homepage (scholastic.com) Note: any unused funds from a previous eWallet were converted into an eGift card on your Scholastic account. You need to create a NEW eWallet for each fair and can use the eGift card balance to fund the eWallet.
We will need volunteers to make this book fair a success! Sign up here! Working the book fair is fun—most positions require no previous experience. Kids are allowed to work with you or stay in the parent room during your shift. Sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49ADAE2AAAFB6-45068682-fall
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
Wednesday, November 1 Bond/Levy Community Information Session
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) will be hosting a community information session about the bond and levy questions that will be on the November ballot.
Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m.: You’re invited to attend a Community Information Session led by Superintendent Julie Nielsen in the Board Room at the District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Road S., in Cottage Grove.
Check out all of your voting options online.
Learn more about the bond questions at sowashco.org/facilityplanning.
Use our Tax Impact Calculator
See potential boundary changes if Question 2 fails using our Boundary Adjustments Tool
Watch SoWashCo Schools Vote 2023 video
Learn more about elections at sowashco.org/vote-2023/election
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Information from Previous Newsletters
Attendance Line 651-425-7506
SoWashCo CARES Winter Clothing Drive
Cold weather is just around the corner. To help keep children warm this winter, SoWashCo Community Education is partnering with SoWashCo CARES Education Foundation to help match students in need with new, winter coats, snow pants, boots and waterproof gloves.
Give Help
Community members and organizations can donate items by filling out the donation form, fulfilling an item from the Amazon wish list or contributing financially. Winter clothing donors will be paired with students in need. You will then be contacted with the requested winter clothing items for a specific child and which school to drop off your donation. To sign up, visit the ‘Give Help’ section at sowashcocares.org.
Get Help
Donated winter clothing will be available for families in need of assistance through your school’s social worker or at pop-up shopping events beginning in Nov. We will do our best to fulfill every request, however, requests are not guaranteed. For more information, visit the ‘Get Help’ section at sowashcocares.org.
Paper copies of the request forms are available through your school’s social worker or principal. Completed paper forms can be returned to your school’s front office. For more information or a translated version of the form, please contact sowashcocares@gmail.com or call 651-425-6671.
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