December Upcoming Dress Up Days on Monday!

• Dec 12th: Neon Colors Day
• Dec 19th: Ugly Sweater Day

Part of our practice each year is to make a special effort to ensure that all students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Your child can start building this habit in preschool so he/she learns right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Consistent attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.

View the link below for the full letter containing information on what we need from you & what you can do, our promise to you, communication about absences, and important contact information.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.

• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your child will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.

• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.

• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.

• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.

• By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.

• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.

• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.

Please make note of the following dates over winter break when school will not be in session.

District-Wide

• Thursday, December 22 through Monday, January 2: No school due to Winter Break. Learn more about the Winter Break Adventuretime All Day Program for preschool – 5th grade students.
• Friday, December 23; Monday, December 26; Monday, January 2: District Administration Office closed due to Winter Break.
• Tuesday, January 3: School resumes for all UCSD students.
  

The Valerius Classroom Winter Party is coming up - Wednesday 12/21 at 2:45pm. There are a couple ways you can get involved!

1. Join us!! More hands are always welcome to help with crafts and activities or just to join the fun. Please register through Signup Genius if you plan to attend: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AA2BA5FCC25-winter Party details will be sent to you the day before the event.
2. Can't make it to the party? 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 coordinator Jaime Goetsch, jaime.goetsch@hotmail.com

Classroom teachers have a snack time built into their daily schedule. Your student may need or want a snack each day. We encourage parents/guardians to send healthy and nutritious snacks (fruit, vegetables, crackers, popcorn, goldfish, granola bars, etc). Always check with your classroom teacher to confirm the presence of any allergies. Snacks should be packaged in single serving sizes vs bringing a large bag. *If you are unable to provide a snack for your child please reach out to the main office.

Visit UCSD Nutrition Services website has more information about Healthy Snacks for the classroom.

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.

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

Guidance Counselor: Elizabeth Donner; donnere@urbandaleschools.com

Principal Secretary: Angie Jones; jonesa1@urbandaleschools.com

Nurse: Jenny Villegas; villegasj@urbandaleschools.com

FFO: Madison Punsalan; punsalanm@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