The Weekly Update

February

February 13th- Wear Red, Pink & White for Valentine's Day

February 14th- No School for Professional Development Day

February 17th- No School for President's Day

February 19th- 3rd-5th Spelling Bee House Challenge- 1pm (families welcome)

February 20th- Middle School Spelling Bee

February 21st- Dress Like a 100 Year Old for the 100th Day of School

February 21st- American Girl Fundraiser, 5pm (families welcome)

February 24th- 1st Grader's 101 Dalmatian Day

February 26th- 5th Grade Field Trip to Riley's Farm

February 26th- 8th Grade Field Trip to Knotts Berry Farm

February 27th- 1st/2nd Grade Field Trip to "Matilda The Musical"

Dear VAP Families,

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the families who joined us last week for our Student Recognition Assemblies. Your support and encouragement mean so much to our students, and we love celebrating their achievements together.

We also had the privilege of holding our annual CJSF Honor Society Induction Ceremony, where we welcomed 45 outstanding new 7th and 8th-grade members. A special congratulations to Stella T. and Isaac V., our nominees for the Marian Huhn Scholarship Award—well done!

Looking ahead, just a reminder that there will be no school on Friday for Teacher Professional Development Day and no school on Monday in observance of President’s Day.

On Thursday, we’re excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Spirit Day! Students are encouraged to wear Valentine’s colors. Additionally, K-5 students will have their classroom Valentine’s parties, and they are welcome to bring valentines for every student in their class.

That’s all for this week! As always, thank you for your continued support.

We are thrilled to share that our Valentine’s Day Candy Gram fundraiser was a huge success! Thanks to your generosity and support, we raised over $1,500 to help families from our sister school in Altadena who have been severely impacted by the recent wildfires.

Candy grams will be delivered this Thursday, bringing sweet treats and smiles to our students and staff. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make a difference in our community!

Since our school will be closed for President’s Day next Monday, we wanted to give an early birthday shoutout to two spectacular staff members who make a difference every day!

Miss Bella – February 17th
Miss Bella, one of our amazing support staff members, radiates positivity with her bubbly, caring, and kind nature. She brings so much joy to our school, always ready to lend a helping hand and brighten someone’s day with her infectious energy.

Miss Melissa – February 17th
As our dedicated 7th and 8th-grade English teacher, Miss Melissa has a wonderful sense of humor and a calming presence that makes her classroom a welcoming space for all. She is always eager to go above and beyond to help her students succeed, making a lasting impact on their education and growth.

Let’s wish Miss Bella and Miss Melissa an early Happy Birthday and celebrate all the kindness, dedication, and joy they bring to our school!

It's a virtual extracurricular program for ambitious students ages 10-14 looking to discover their academic passion in the STEM fields.

The program is led by researchers at MIT, Caltech, and Stanford who will introduce ambitious students to the cutting edge of their scientific field of interest. They'll work 1-on-1 with a mentor and create and independent project. They can explore cool topic like cryptography, astrophysics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, robotic control, game theory, genetic engineering, and more!

Timeline
Week 1: Introduction to your mentor and align on a topic
Week 2-4: Explore the topic and identify the research question
Week 5-9: Create project with 1-1 support from mentor
Week 10-12: Complete final edits and submit the project for final evaluation

Complete this application to be considered for participation and receive more information.

A huge congratulations to everyone who participated in our January Family Fitness House Challenge! Our students and families logged an incredible number of miles, showing dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to staying active.

Here are the final results:

1st Place: Valor – 548 miles
2nd Place: Isibindi – 182 miles
3rd Place: Dynami – 134 miles
4th Place: Sabio – 80 miles

Way to go, House Valor, for leading the pack! But no matter the standings, every mile made a difference, and we are so proud of all our students and families for getting involved. Let’s keep moving and stay active throughout the year!

In honor of Black History Month, our 4th-grade students explored the inspiring work of contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas during art class. Known for her vibrant and textured portraits that celebrate Black femininity and identity, Thomas’ art provided a rich foundation for our students’ creative expression.

Using a mix of collage, paint, and patterned materials, students created their own portraits inspired by Thomas’ signature style. This project encouraged them to experiment with layering, color, and texture while also fostering a deeper appreciation for representation in art. Their stunning creations are now on display, showcasing their talent and the powerful influence of Mickalene Thomas’ work.

We invite everyone to take a moment to admire their efforts and celebrate the beauty and diversity reflected in their pieces!

Our first graders have been busy celebrating their love for books with a creative and heartwarming project! Each student chose a book and designed their very own book cover, showcasing their artistic talents and enthusiasm for reading. The result? A stunning "First Grade ❤️'s to Read" display, filled with colorful covers and smiling faces. This beautiful banner is a testament to their creativity and passion for storytelling. We are so proud of our young readers and their growing love for books!

This February, our word of the month is Accountability! Accountability means taking responsibility for our actions, choices, and commitments—even when things don’t go as planned. It’s about following through on our promises, completing tasks on time, and owning up to our mistakes. When we hold ourselves accountable, we learn and grow, building trust with those around us.

We encourage you to have a conversation with your child about the meaning of accountability and brainstorm ways to practice it at home. Whether it’s setting personal goals, admitting mistakes, or taking responsibility for chores, small actions can make a big impact! Let’s work together to make accountability a part of our daily lives.

Great Oak High School invites all 8th-grade students to their Spring Showcase on February 25th! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about student academics, activities, clubs, and everything Great Oak has to offer.

Don't miss out – register here

We are excited to announce that Girls on the Run is coming to Van Avery Prep! This inspiring program is designed to help 3rd-5th grade girls build confidence, develop life skills, and stay active through engaging lessons and physical movement.

Key Details:
📅 Registration Opens: February 1, 2025
🏃 Program Starts: February 24, 2025
⏰ Practice Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM

Girls on the Run is more than just a running club—it’s a girl-empowerment program that fosters friendships, encourages goal setting, and strengthens the community. For more information, visit gotrinlandempire.org/programs or contact Miss Megan at mvalente@vapeagles.com.

Sign up and help your child gain confidence that lasts a lifetime!

We’re excited to announce that registration for our Spring Break Camp is officially open!

Camp Dates:

• Week 1: March 24th - March 28th
• Week 2: March 31st - April 4th

Don’t wait—click HERE to registerand secure your spot today! We can’t wait to welcome your campers for a week full of fun, learning, and adventure this spring!

• American Girl (Mon/Wed, 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
  
• Rubik's Cube (Tuesdays, 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Choir (Thursdays, 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Middle School Choir (Thursdays, 3:00PM- 3:45PM)
• Garden (Tues/Thurs, 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Hooks & Needles (February 3rd, 4th 5th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 3:15PM- 4:30PM)
• Taekwondo (January 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 21st, 23rd, 28th, 30th, 3:30PM-4:30PM)
• K-5th Cheer (Practices on Tuesdays, 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Crochet For Adults (February 28th- 5:00PM)
• K-5th Lego Brick Builders (Tuesdays, 3:45PM-4:45PM)
• K-5th Blend-It-Up (Wednesdays, 3:45PM-4:45PM)
• 3rd-5th Pokemon Build & Battle (Wednesdays, 3:15PM-4:15PM)
• K-5th Chess (Mondays, 3:45PM-4:45PM)

Spring Garden Club registration is open now! Spots are limited, so be sure to secure your child's soon.

Interested in attending or have any questions? Please stop by the office or email them at office@vapeagles.com

Want to celebrate your child’s achievements or promote your business? Now’s your chance to purchase an ad in this year’s yearbook!

It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories or showcase your business in a keepsake that will be treasured for years to come. But hurry—the deadline is quickly approaching, and spots are limited!

See the details below for more information on how to reserve your ad. Don’t wait—secure your spot before it’s too late!

Don’t miss out—order now!

All orders must be made online at:
yearbookordercenter.com

Cost: $85

Secure your copy today!

Reminder: After 3pm on Fridays, please pick up students at Gate B. It's Fun Friday, so students will be participating in activities throughout the school. After 4:30 PM, they will be in the gym. Thank you for your understanding!

Please note the following important information regarding tuition payments:

• Late Fee: If your tuition is not paid by the 5th of the month, a non-reversible late $50 fee will be applied on the 6th.
• Payment Plans: If your tuiton balance remains unpaid by the 15th of the month and no prior payment arrangement has been made with the office, your child will not be able to attend school until a payment plan is established or the balance is settled.

If you're experiencing any issues with Alma and have not yet spoken with Miss Cilisa, please contact her via email at cjames@vapeagles.com . Additionally, please keep an eye out in your mailbox for an email from Miss Cilisa with all important Alma-related updates.

We’re excited to announce our new Refer-a-Friend program! If you’re interested in learning more, please visit our office or reach out to Cilisa at cjames@vapeagles.com for more details.

If you’re interested in being a chaperone or coach this year, please complete the attached live scan form.

Our student information system has updated our text messaging capabilities. Please make sure you enable texts from 888 numbers. Also, save the number in your contacts so that you can easily identify the messages. 888-378-1211