VAIS Family Newsletter

6/3/2024 Full day of school, not a late start

6/3/2024 Dragon Boat Festival, 12:45pm-2:15pm

6/3/2024 VAIS Governance Council Meeting, 6:30-8:30pm VAIS Library

6/5/2024 VAIS 5th Grade Graduation, 1:30-2:20pm

6/7/2024 Last day of school! Dismissal 11:30am

Please welcome Jason Bruner, KC Hunting, James Kokalj, and Katie Lim. Thanks for your dedication to VAIS!

Sincerely,

James Kokalj, President, 2023-2024, Patty Arifin, Vice President

Brandon Braithwaite, Secretary and Evan Henderson, Treasurer

Unfortunately, enrollment throughout VASD is down for 2024-25 kindergarteners, which includes VAIS’s next kindergarten class. VAIS still has several open spots so if you have any new neighbors move in or hear of anyone still looking for kindergarten spaces for next fall, PLEASE encourage them to contact Sally Parks for any questions.

We've planned a few play dates for the summer, so the kiddos (and parents) can get together. These will be low-key, so come when you can and stay as long as you'd like. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, June 20th @ 1pm - Badger Prairie Park

Friday, July 19th @ 10am - McKee Farms Splash Pad

Friday, August 23rd @ 3pm - Fireman's Park Splash Pad

Stop by Kismet Books on Saturday, June 29, from 11 am - 12pm

Join VAIS friends and community members for a story, song, and craft featuring Mandarin Chinese!

Stop by to socialize, enjoy the band, promote our school, and help with a fun BBQ and bakery fundraiser. Sign up to bring supplies or volunteer at the event.

Get ready for the Back to School Kickoff August 28th, 5pm to 6:30pm

Meet your teachers, get familiar with the school, drop off school supplies and write a welcome note in chalk on the sidewalk

Stop by for popsicles at the

2024-2025 NCS/VAIS

Back to School Kickoff.

Meet other caregivers,

play with friends, chalk the walk, and enjoy popsicles!

Wednesday, August 28 from 5-6pm

Futura - Where SPANISH comes alive! Registration is now open for 2024-2025 – All new material and lessons!

Register by 6/5 and take $15 off your tuition! Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity for your student to practice Spanish in an interactive bilingual classroom!

Enroll today: https://futuraadventures.com/wisconsin-region/

See the image below (and again at the bottom of the newsletter, much larger) for the times we release on the last day of school, essentially a "half day" for most schools. The same length of time it takes to get home should take that same amount of time to get home on the last day.

If you have a change in plans and would like to pick up, or are unable to attend the last day, then please email the attendance line for your school to let us know before June 7. We appreciate it!

Hello families! Stop by the office bins to search the lost and found by the last day of school, Friday, June 7 at 11:30am. We will do one final search for names on tags that afternoon, and we'll sort and bag up items we'll keep for washing. Clean, gently used leftovers will go to our shared items here at school or the community closet here in Verona. Thanks for taking a look!

Get outside and get moving this summer at a Tri 4 Schools bike + run or triathlon event! Registration fees come right back to NCS/VAIS for physical education equipment. The races often sell out, so be sure to register early. If you have questions about the events or how to prepare, please contact Ms. Roltgen at roltgent@verona.k12.wi.us

Two of our amazing scholars, Emma Li and Prisha, are featured in the Dane County Anthology project. The theme for the anthology was "Beautiful Disaster." All grade 5 students had the opportunity to submit a piece of writing, poetry, art or cartoon that fit the theme. Both Emma Li and Prisha's pieces were selected along with other students from Dane County schools. Please congratulate these scholars as there was an extensive judging process to be selected. Amazing work Emma Li and Prisha!

VAIS School Supplies for 2024-25: Children will need a backpack, headphones, clean gym shoes and a large, old shirt for art class. Please purchase as many items as possible under your student’s grade level. THANK YOU!!!

VAIS School Supply List

Both schools are invited to School Appreciation night! Last month, we sent home two voucher codes for tickets at the Mallards game on Wednesday, June 19 and first pitch is 6:05pm. If you need another flier, we have just a few left here in the office.

When you book two grandstand tickets like normal, use these codes and the total is zero. There is only a small fee if you book online, but if you call the office, mail in the form or buy them at the box office there's no fee. If you do not see this flier in the backpack or folder from last Friday, please email mcconnea@verona.k12.wi.us and we'll send a fresh one home.

It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected to participate fully in school activities including recess and physical education. A note from a medical provider is required for activity restrictions.

Please use the following Verona Area School District guidelines to help in decision making (attached here).

Mendota Elementary: October 7, 12-4pm

Holtzman Learning Center: October 19, 10am-2pm

Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District and SSM Health this spring to offer three more school vaccine clinics to get students up to date on their school vaccines ahead of the 2024-25 school year. These clinics will take place out in the community. It is highly encouraged that appointments are scheduled through the website listed on the flier attached. Vaccine Clinic

Here is the link to a Google Public Calendar with this year’s updated NCS events:

VAIS Public Google Calendar

This calendar will be updated continually throughout the year with school events, such as swim and gym days, library days, Picture Day, Back to School Night, field trips, parent/teacher conferences, days off of school, Governance Council meetings, and so much more! We hope that this will make things easier for you!

Have you joined the VAIS Facebook Groups?

All Current families are welcome to join “VAIS Parents Group” on Facebook. We will be posting events and pop-up playdates in this group. This is also a great resource for new parents/guardians to ask any questions they may have. Please also like and follow our VAIS School Facebook here, or take a look at our website here.

Our students experience having two different classroom teachers throughout the day. It can be confusing for families to know which teacher to communicate with at times. If you are reaching out to your child’s teacher, please include both teachers on any communication.

The Bridging Brighter Smiles program is a safe, affordable, accessible way to meet a dental hygienist... right here in Verona Area School District!

Learn more at https://bridgingbrightersmiles.org/

If you need assistance with lunch costs please visit our Free and Reduced Lunch application for information on income levels and an application for assistance.

If your student is ill, has an early morning appointment or early pick up, or will be late arriving to school for another reason, in addition to notifying their classroom teachers please make sure that you contact one of the following PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY:

1) EMAIL VAIS Attendance: vais-attendance@verona.k12.wi.us or

2) CALL the office at (608) 845-4500 (If you are making a change after 11:00 am the same day, then please call the office).

Please do not email the school secretaries directly if possible.

Dear Families,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do throughout the school year and the summer months to encourage and promote reading! I have enjoyed serving as librarian for your amazing children. For those who love statistics as much as I do, please see our year in review infographic celebrating all things library!

Be sure to participate in your local library's Adventure Begins at Your Library summer reading challenge. Here are the quick links to Verona Public Library's program and Fitchburg Public Library's program. Both are open for registration June 1!

With gratitude,

Ms. Roltgen

VAIS Volunteers, thank you for all that you do. Your kindness, hard work, dedication and generosity are truly appreciated. You make our community a better place!

We are restarting our mentorship program for new incoming kindergarten families. The objective of this program will be to pair a current VAIS family with an incoming family. They will act as a resource for any questions the new family may have. If you are interested, add your name to this spreadsheet.

Interested in getting to know our kiddos and helping to build community within our schools? Do you have a couple of hours to spare occasionally or is your time flexible enough that you can come once a week? We would love to have you assist in our lunchroom.

All volunteers will need to be background checked through the district here. **We are especially in need for help on Tuesdays at this time.**

Please complete this short survey with your availability.

Your school needs YOU! Please consider signing up to help shelve library books, create displays, repair items, and assist with schoolwide and classroom project prep. No prior library experience necessary and no long-term commitment required. We are especially in need of help during inventory week, May 20-24. Thank you so much for considering! ~Ms. Roltgen, NCS/VAIS Library Director

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044AADAA2EA7FA7-49484523-endoftheyear#/

The Sunshine Committee is made up of many amazing family members of students from our schools whose mission is to spread kindness and support for families and school staff. They do this by providing support in the form of cards, meals, gift cards, and other resources to families and staff in need of a little pick-me-up. They also have provided support to our school through stocking those awesome bathroom supply baskets in our staff bathrooms and by helping organize our winter clothes.

Canned drinks and packaged snacks are always welcome in the teacher's workrooms, feel free to drop those off any time.

For more information and to assist in brining sunshine to our community please contact Shannon Ratchman at Shannon.Ratchman@lls.org.