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Phoenix Family News
April 5, 2024
Important Dates Ahead...
April 25: Kindergarten Meet & Greet for 2024-25 kindergarteners
May 3: K/1 Music Program – Pajama Party!
May 17: 4/5 Music Program
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
VCES MCA Testing Window: Grades 3-5
- April 15-19 – Reading
- April 22-25 – Math
- April 29-May 3 – Science (5th only)
Valley Crossing Twins' Day Out
Dear Valley Crossing Elementary Families,
We’re going to a Twins game! Your family is invited to take advantage of the tickets being offered to families of Valley Crossing Elementary.
Families and staff can purchase Twins tickets for the price of only $14.00.
Valley Crossing Elementary Night at Target Field will be on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 1:10 p.m. when the Twins take on the Boston Red Sox! Let’s all take this great opportunity for our community to get together outside of the classroom, have fun, meet other Valley Crossing Elementary families, and cheer for the Minnesota Twins!
NOTE: There is extremely high demand for tickets to this game and the number of seats allocated to Valley Crossing Elementary is limited. Orders will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot guarantee that all orders will be filled and any requests that are unable to be filled will be returned to your student as soon as possible.
To join us on this special night, please order your tickets through EduTrak: TWIN TICKETS MAY 4TH
You can also print the PDF Flyer below if you prefer to send in a paper copy and pay by check or cash. If you choose this option, you can complete the order form and return it directly to the office along with payment. We will number the orders and fill them in the order they are turned in. We look forward to seeing you at the game!
- Link to Pay Fees on SoWashCo website: SoWashco Pay Fees
- How to create an account in Edutrak: EduTrak Parent User Account Setup Instructions
- Need help with or have questions about EduTrak? Email fees@sowashco.org
Recess on Monday, April 8th
Out an abundance of caution for our students, Monday’s recess will be indoor due to the solar eclipse. The eclipse is scheduled to begin around 1:00 pm, peaking at 2:00 pm. However, with it being increasingly in the news, and no way for our staff to guarantee that our students won’t be trying to view it at recess, we are erring on the side of safety.
Looking at the weather forecast for Monday, weather forecasters are predicting clouds with a 70% chance of rain, as of now. If there is significant cloud cover and no rain, we will make an announcement that we will be outside. However, our default will be indoor recess. We thank you in advance for understanding our need to keep all students safe.
Safety Drills at Valley Crossing
Safety is our top priority at Valley Crossing. Next week, students and staff will be participating in scheduled practice safety drills. These drills include a state wide Severe Weather Drill and our annual spring Bus Evacuation Drill. Both of these practice drills will take place on Thursday, April 11.
This spring we will also be completing our remaining annual practice safety drills. These safety drills include drills such as secure, fire (evacuation) and a hold-in-place drills.
We will support our students and staff in calmly and safely practicing these annual safety drills.
Student Council Service Learning Project
Beginning April 8th to April 19th the Valley Crossing Student Council is collecting new Dog/Cat Pet supplies for their Service learning project! The two rescues chosen are: Pet Haven of MN and Humble Hounds MN to donate to!
Collection boxes are in each neighborhood gathering space for students to put donations in. Student Council members thank you in advance for considering a donation!
SoWashCo Community Education Youth Activities
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online. The latest activities and classes can be found on our website under Get Involved > Youth Activities.
Now Available! Summer Athletic Camps and Clinics
- 75+ camps and clinics in June, July and August.
- Opportunities for preschool through grade 12
- A wide variety of team sports, recreational athletics, skill development and speed and strength training.
- Learn from certified coaches, licensed teachers and knowledgeable staff including SoWashCo high school athletics coaches.
- Opportunities to practice with players from the East Ridge Raptors, Park Wolfpack and Woodbury Royals athletics programs.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
VCES Welcome to Kindergarten Open House
All incoming Kindergarten students and families are invited to our "Welcome to Kindergarten" open house!
Valley Crossing Elementary
Thursday, April 25
5:00-6:00 pm
We can't wait to meet you!
MCA Information for 3rd-5th Graders
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) administers statewide accountability assessments each year, called the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) in grades 3-8, 10, and 11. Students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) test as an alternative. The test results are a source of information for us to evaluate our services, supports, programs, and classroom instruction. Participation in MCA/MTAS testing is important so that we have accurate data to assess how students are learning academic standards and determine which academic areas we need to improve instruction in.
The MCA/MTAS testing dates for Valley Crossing will be from April 15-19 for reading, April 22-26 for math and May 3-7 for science (5th grade only). We recognize that the testing window overlaps with a number of religious observances and holy days. SoWashCo Schools is committed to honoring and being responsive to the needs of all families and students. Please contact Jenna Held, 651-425-7605, jheld0@sowashco.org , if you have concerns or questions about school testing dates and times, needed accommodations, and/or your student’s participation in MCA/MTAS testing. For more information about the purpose and uses of the MCA/MTAS, please visit the Assessment and Grading website.
Lunchroom Visitors
Valley Crossing welcomes lunch time visitors between October 2nd – May 24th this school year. Based on space and safety requirements, a family member listed in Parent Portal may sign up using our monthly Reservation Link to accompany their child at our guest lunch table. Here is the lunch link for March, April and May. PLEASE only sign up for one spot a month to allow for other families to sign up as well.
We ask families to review the process below for visiting your child at lunch:
- Sign up for the visit no later than the day prior to your visit.
- Upon arrival for the visit, present identification and complete the Raptor screening.
- Wear the visitor badge so that it is visible during the entirety of the visit.
- Go directly to the lunchroom and eat in the guest space with your student.
- No friends or additional students will be permitted to join the guest space.
- Visitors may not visit recess time.
- The visit is limited to guest space during the student’s identified lunch period.
- Any outside food brought in can only be shared with your student.
- Do not take pictures, record, or film while at school. Use of cell phones is strongly discouraged for safety and privacy.
- PLEASE only sign up for one spot a month to allow for other families to sign up as well.
VCES Celebrations
Valley Crossing Elementary is committed to celebrating the following this coming school year:
Fun Run Week - October 9-13
Unity Day - October 17 - wear orange
Veteran’s Day - November 10
10 Days of Giving - December 1-14
Winter Sing-a-long - Dec 21
Half-Way Celebration and Student Council Spirit Week - January 22-26
Friendship Day - February 15 (note: no Valentines please. Students will be making cards at school. More information to come in classroom newsletters)
100th Day - February 21
I Love to Read Month - Book Character Day on February 28 (Please notice date change due to conferences)
Earth Day - April 22
School Hours
8:00 am - School office opens
9:00 am - School opens to students
9:15 am - School day begins
3:45 pm - School day ends
4:00 pm - School office closes
NOTE: The earliest students can arrive at school in the morning is 9:00 am. All students must be picked up at 3:45 pm if not riding the bus home.
VCES Contact Information
Connha Classon, Principal: cclasson@sowashco.org / 651.425.7503
Joy Peterson, Assistant Principal: jpeters4@sowashco.org / 651.425.7523
Merita LaPlante, Office Coordinator: mlaplant@sowashco.org / 651.425.7501
Jen Gackstetter, Office Assistant: jgackste@sowashco.org / 651.425.7507
Faith Schulze, School Social Worker: fschulze@sowashco.org / 651.425.7699
Ashley Boatman, School Psychologist: aboatman1@sowashco.org / 651.425.7661
School Website: https://vces.sowashco.org/
District Website: www.sowashco.org
VCES Office: 651-425-7500
VCES Attendance Line: 651-425-7506
VCES Health Office: 651-425-7502
VCES Fax Number: 651-425-7515
District 833 Student Information: 651-425-6218
District 833 Transportation: 651-425-5303
Valley Crossing Elementary
Website: vces.sowashco.org
Location: 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN, USA
Phone: 651.425.7500