VASD Newsletter

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Summer is in the air – spring sports are in full swing, awards ceremonies are taking place, and graduation parties are being planned! With summer comes the opportunity to welcome students to the Verona Area School District (VASD) Summer School. We provide opportunities for students entering grades K-12 to have a summer experience filled with academic exploration, enrichment, and curricular reinforcement. One of the best parts of VASD Summer School is the infusion of fun into learning to help students and educators find joy in their learning together. Seven hundred and two (702) elementary school students, 322 middle school students, and 443 high school students are registered for Summer School!

On a typical Summer School day for younger students, staff meet them to welcome them into the building. Students are served breakfast and participate in a morning meeting to settle in for the day and build their class community. Teachers have developed various enrichment courses such as video game design, book adventures, chess, cooking, computer coding, Chinese arts and theater, and more. Mid-morning, classes head outside to recess to run, swing, play, and socialize with friends. Then, it’s back to class for more learning before being dismissed for the day at noon.

The 6-12 grade students are served breakfast and head into enrichment and core courses that build essential skills. High school students can take enrichment, for-credit, and/or credit recovery courses to help them earn credits toward graduation. This year, teachers have developed various courses incorporating algebra, ACT preparation, biology, creative writing, electronics, and more. As part of VASD’s continuing focus on multilingual opportunities, students can take Spanish for Journalism and Expository Communication, which combines the richness of the Spanish language with the essential skills needed for compelling journalism and expository writing for effective communication. The Summer School day closes at noon for our 6-12 grade students.

Summer School will occur from Monday, June 17, to Friday, July 19, from 8:00 am -12:00 pm. There are no classes on June 19th or the week of July 1. Sugar Creek Elementary School will house all elementary (grades K-5) courses. Verona Area High School will house all middle/high school (grades 6-12) courses.

Laura Marquardt serves as the Summer School Coordinator, Lesley Morrison is the middle/high school Summer School Principal, and Marlene Koch is the elementary Summer School principal. See the Summer School website here for additional information.

Did you know that the Verona Area School District also offers various summer sports, conditioning, strength, and band camps? More information on sports, conditioning, and strength camps is available on the VASD Camps webpage here and band camp information has been emailed to families of students entering grades 6-12.

In the February 2024 VASD Newsletter, Dr. Clardy shared a column about addressing concerns related to vaping and other substance use. As part of that column, VASD committed to providing a Facebook Live informational session for families. The session, How to Save a Life: Learning about the Fentanyl Poisoning Crisis Affecting Families, is now available here on YouTube or by clicking the image below.

During the session, you will hear facts and figures, personal stories, and strategies to support your children as they navigate various settings and situations in their own lives. You will also learn where you can access different types of resources.

This session is one way that we can work collaboratively to create a safer and healthier environment for our students to learn and thrive. Together, we can confront the multifaceted challenges posed by substance use and abuse. Together, we can address the dangers inherent in substance use and addiction.

The 2024-2025 school day start and end times are now available. The calendar on the website has also been updated here.

Join Dr. Clardy as he shares updates and interviews guests from around the district. In the Loop with the Sup will be posted about every two weeks on Wednesdays. Listen here!

Episode 17: Pupil Services in VASD: Counselors, Health Services, Psychologists, Restorative Practices, Social Workers

Episode 18: Student Advisory Member Experience with VAHS Students Sophie and Sidney

Episode 19: Art Education in the VASD

Coming Soon!

Episode 20: Verona Area High School Principal Brian Cox - First Year at VAHS in Review

Episode 21: Special Mother's Day Edition with Dr. Clardy's Mom, Mrs. Linda Bell

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6th - May 10th. Let your favorite teacher know they are appreciated by taking a moment to send them a shout out. We'll publish it on our website and let the staff member know. What a great way to share your gratitude!

On Wednesday, April 24th Badger Ridge Middle School students taste tested different varieties of pizza to see if they continue to prefer a menu favorite, Big Daddy Pizza, or if a different pizza would be more preferred. Each student that participated had the opportunity to vote on their preferred pizza. Our Food & Nutrition staff offer tasting opportunities for students throughout the school year to provide variety and assess if an item would be popular on the lunch menu.

School breakfast and lunch menus are easy to find on the global icons on the VASD website.