Viking Pride~
January 11, 2024
Hello Valhalla Community,
I hope this email finds you well and that you enjoyed a restful and joyful holiday break with your loved ones. As we embark on the new year, I wanted to take a moment to welcome everyone back to school and share some important updates and reminders.
Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. We had a successful first half of the school year, and I am confident that together, we will make the second half just as rewarding for our students.
See you next week for our monthly VPFA meeting 1/17 & at Pastries with Pappas at 8:30 am in Thor Hall 1/19!
Friday, 1/19 Special Spirit Day *Red & Gold* to cheer on our 49ers as they play in the Divisional Round on Saturday ! 🏈💛❤
We are looking forward to multicultural night on 1/24 and getting ready for Black History Month.
Thank you for signing up for Friday Treats and Lunch duty (More info below).
Thank you once again for your continued collaboration and trust. Let's make the rest of the school year a fantastic and fulfilling experience for our students. Wishing you all a prosperous and joyful 2024!
Theodora 🖤😎
Miss Pappas
Hello Viking Families,
Welcome back to school! Hopefully you all had a good break and your students are excited to be back at school. When students return to school after an extended break there can be higher than normal anxiety. Speak positively about returning to school, seeing friends, and ask questions about topics that will give a happy answer. Helping your students to reframe the situation will help them to lower their anxiety.
A fun and quick activity you can do to help reframe is a gratitude rainbow. You can print out a rainbow and some strips of paper, or have your child make it themselves, to include positive things about school, friendships, sports, or anything that could use a bit more positivity.
Next week we will have our monthly assembly about school procedures and expectations. Each grade level will meet with Ms. Pappas and myself to talk about what the school's expectations are and how we can all help keep Valhalla a great place for everyone.
Also next week is Pastries with Pappas, which I will also be attending. If you have any questions or concerns you are welcome to chat with me then or can always email me at buellc@mdusd.org. Thank you Valhalla families and have a great three day weekend.
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Chad BuellSchool Counselor
Valhalla Elementary (x86455)
VOLUNTEERS
All volunteers must follow district guidelines before volunteering in your classrooms. Volunteers must be fingerprinted and TB tested. We are keeping a list of approved volunteers for our school in the office. Click HERE to go to MDUSD's Volunteer page.
*COVID vaccination status is no longer required.
Visitors to the campus during school hours MUST sign in at the office and receive a sticker/badge. We have a very large campus, and we need all adults on campus to be easily recognized as having a purpose for being here. Let's all help keep our campus safe and secure.
Parking:
The parking lot in front of the school is for staff only. Each staff member has a specific space assigned to them. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN ANY SPOTS IN THE PARKING LOT. You may park on the street only and thank you for being courtious of our neighbores. We apprecaite your cooperation.
After school enrichment - winter session:
Happy New Year, Valhalla families! As you prepare for your kids to go back to school tomorrow (yippee!!), don't forget to take a look at our awesome after school enrichment schedule and sign up ASAP! Classes begin Monday 1/22 and several classes still have plenty of space!
Some updates:
Sports Fitness on Thursdays is now open to Kinders! ⚽️⚾️🤸♀️
Junior Picassos Art + Design on Thursdays is now open to 2nd-5th grades 🎨
Sibling discounts can be applied toward after school art class, ceramics, and cheer! If you registered your children prior to the discount code becoming available, you should have received notice of a refund and new payment being processed.
Visit https://www.homeroom.com/sites/valhalla-elementary-school-pleasant-hill/enrichment for more details! And as always, please feel free to reach me at valhallaafterschoolenrichment@gmail.com for assistance.
January Calendar
1- New Year's Day
15- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No school)
17 - Wednesday, VPFA meeting @6pm library annex
19 - Friday, Pastries with Pappas @ 8:30am Thor Hall
Special Spirit Day *Red & Gold* to cheer on our 49ers as they play the Divisional round! 🏈❤💛
22 - Monday, Site Council @ 3pm via zoom
23 - Tuesday, Dine & Donate @ Panda Express all day
24 Wednesday, @6pm Thor Hall Multicultural Night
January Birthdays 🥳🎂🎈
23- Anna Barber, cafeteria
23- Kathleen Myers, IA
23- Stephanie Ortiz, secretary
Favorite things! 🎁
Want to give a teacher or staff member a treat?! Click here and see what they may like!
Dine & Donate @ Panda Express 1/23/2024 all day! 🐼
2024 Multicultural Night - January 24th, 2024 from 6-8pm in Thor Hall
Hello Viking Parents & Guardians!
#savethedate for our 2024 Multicultural Night - January 24th, 2024 from 6-8pm.
We will give 10 VIKING SHIELDS for every student who attends Multicultural Night!
Want to get involved!? Join us in celebrating the diverse tapestry of cultures at Valhalla Elementary's Multicultural Night by hosting a table.
This is a unique opportunity to share your heritage, traditions, and stories with our community. Whether it's through cultural objects/mementos, traditional dress, or engaging activities, your contribution will add immense value to the event.
Sign up now to participate in this enriching experience, and help us create an evening that showcases the rich cultural diversity of our school. Your involvement is key to making this event a success and an unforgettable experience for all.
**Attendance is free and you don't need to complete the form to attend.
SIGN UP TO TO PARTICIPATE: https://forms.gle/8mQkHE2A8dHC64o67
Coming up:
Friday, February 16 & 19 School Recess — No School
February 21, Wednesday @ 6:00pm Art Fair, Thor Hall "The Skye is the Limit"! 🎨🖼
February 26 Monday - Friday, March 8, Read A Thon! 📚📕💲💰
March 11 Monday - Teacher In Service Day — No School
March 12 Tuesday - 5th Grade Picture Day 📸
March 14 Thursday - Spring Picture Day 📷
March 18 - 21 -5th Grade Outdoor Ed ⛺
March 28 - April 6 School Recess — School Recess — No School 😎🌞
April 19 Friday, 6-11pm Auction fundraiser dinner & dance 💃🕺🎶
April 26 Friday, School Recess — No School
May 6 Monday, - Friday, May 10 - Teacher Appreciation Week 👏💐💙💛
May 15 Wednesday, - Open House 🏫
May 27 Monday, - Memorial Day — No School
June 3 Monday - 5th Grade ceremony & party! 🎉🎈🥳
June 4 Tuesday - Last Day of School!
Save the date: Friday, April 19 2024 6-11pm 💃🕺🎶
Hello Valhalla Parents and Families,
We are in the early stages of planning our school auction fundraiser dinner & dance, which is scheduled for Friday, April 19th, 2024, at the Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill.
Ticket sales will be launching soon!
For us to have a successful auction we need parent volunteers. If you are wanting to meet new parents, learn more about fundraising, and can help throw a fun event, please consider joining our auction planning committee.
You can sign up here to see open positions we still need filled:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA8A72BA5FEC52-46679626-valhalla#/
Can't volunteer! Please help us with donations!
Our donation letter is attached - 2024 Valhalla Auction Letter. We are looking for gift cards, business sponsorships, large raffle items, bottles of wine, overnight vacation stays, and any experiences or local business offerings to help enhance our live and silent auction offerings.
Thank you and we appreciate your support!
-Valhalla Auction Committee
Please join us - We need 2 noon duty supervisors 🌞😎
We are also looking for noon duty substitutes, please click here to apply.
Please reach out to Ms. Pappas for ?s and let me know you have applied! pappast@mdusd.org
Tk/Kinder registration 2024-25 @ Enrollment Center
Breakfast & lunch info: 2023/24 MEALS AT NO CHARGE!
Thank you to Miss Anna and Mr. Marco for always making us delicious and healthy meals and snacks!
Click here for MDUSD's Food and Nutrition Services Department.
January Breakfast Menu
January Lunch Menu
Click here to learn more about California Universal Meals: This includes background, policy, provisions, webinars, resources, FAQs, and contacts regarding California’s Universal Meals Program.
Please check out the information presented at each monthly VPFA meeting & Pastries with Pappas. Thank you!
School Site Council:
ID: 86389409396
Passcode: 57mgUIgm
Meeting #1 Monday, 9/11 @ 3pm
Meeting #2 Monday, 10/23 @3pm
Meeting #3 Monday, 12/11 @3pm
1/22
2/12
3/18
National PTA’s Multicultural Calendar: 📅
Our books of the month follow their guidelines.
Yearbook Photos Needed: 📸
Please share pictures for the yearbook including the fun run pics to valhallayearbook@mdusd.org
Thank you from Ms. Robinett
Friday treats for Valhalla's staff! 🥯🍩🧀🍪☕🥪🍕
Let's show our teachers and staff how much we appreciate them by bringing treats every Friday. Please sign up for a slot to bring a treat for the staff to the teacher's lounge on a Friday morning.
We have approximately 30 staff members.
View on Konstella Thank you!
Lunch Time Volunteers Needed! 11:30-1pm daily!
Calling parents, grandparents, friends or neighbors to help provide additional supervision during lunch and lunch recess. Please feel free to sign up for one shift or many (or all!). It's a great way to connect to our campus and see your kids in action!
Check in to the office when you arrive and we will set you up!
Please consider volunteering by signing up on the Konstella link ...if it is full and you are cleared to volunteer and want to come help...JUST COME ON BY! THANK YOU!!!
Amazon supply/wish list:
Tamara Robinette, second grade, click here for her Amazon supply/wish list.
Kerry Phillips, fifth grade, click here for her Amazon supply/wish list.
Scarlett Fivey, fifth grade, click here for her Amazon supply/wish list.
Eva Solis, 🌱Valhalla Garden🌻🦋, click here for her Amazon supply/wish list.
Donor's Choose:
Ms. Fairbanks, TK, click here for more info and to donate- Color My World
Help me give my students Rainbow in a Bottle and a Drying Rack.
Mrs. Hollander, TK, click here for more info and to donate - Dramatic Play in TK!
Help me give my students components missing in our dramatic play area: a pretend refrigerator, table and microwave.
Mrs. Motta, Kinder, click here for more info and to donate - Art for Kindergarten
Help me give my students new art supplies so they can create projects. We need new markers and construction paper.
23-24 Yearbook 📘📸🌲
Please order this year's yearbook! It will be full of fun memories of our wonderful times together!
TreeRing plants 1 tree for every yearbook purchased and the quality of these yearbooks are fantastic - it's also a great fundraiser for our school!
Please see the attached flyer and purchase your yearbook:
www.treering.com/validate
code: 1015925122132765
Make sure to select THIS YEAR's book: 2023-2024 (you can also purchase previous years' books).
How to help out at Valhalla!
MDUSD has approved parent volunteers inside and outside the classroom. Volunteers must have a valid TB test, & fingerprints on file. Please reach out to Mrs. Stephanie Ortiz, our secretary, ortizste@mdusd.org. Please reach out to your teacher for further information regarding helping in the classroom or sign up on Konstella to volunteer at lunch. (Link to sign up coming soon!)
Click here to apply to be a volunteer on campus including lunch duty, PE, classroom parents, the library, reading lab, the garden or to help at future field trips.
Covid-19 Updated Procedures:
MDUSD is following the county guidance, which can be found by clicking here.
Our vision & theme for 23-24:
Valhalla Elementary School strives to provide a safe and orderly environment conducive to learning which supports all members of its community, both educationally and socially.
We strive to prepare students to be successful life-long learners and to be happy, kind, and contributing adults in a global society.
We strive to foster mutual respect, appreciation of diversity, and high individual self-esteem.
We strive to accomplish our goals by cultivating high levels of achievement and commitment on the part of students, parents, staff, and the broader community.
🌟 Our theme for this year is "Reach for the Stars!" 🌟
Follow us on Twitter
Email: PappasT@mdusd.org
Website: https://ves-mdusd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Location: 530 Kiki Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA, USA
Phone: (925)687-1700
Twitter: @VikingPridePH