Phoenix Family News
May 31, 2024
Important Dates Ahead...
May 31: St. Ambrose last day of school (busses will run slightly earlier after this date)
June 5: VCES Last Day of School / Progress Reports sent home in Thursday Folders
June 5: Closing Ceremony, 2:00 pm
June 5: PTA Spring into Summer Event, 4:30-7:30 pm
(Note there will not be an Open House next year due to Assessment Days - staff will be at the Fall Festival instead to meet & greet families!)
September 4: First day of school for K-5
September 16: PTA Fall Festival 4:30-7:30 pm
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Important Bussing Information
As you may know, many of our busses have St Ambrose and Valley Crossing students riding on the same busses. PLEASE NOTE that St. Ambrose's last day of school is Friday May 31st.
From June 3rd-5th, Valley Crossing students may arrive at PM bus stops earlier than usual due to the fact that there are no St Ambrose students on the bus.
Please be ready for your student any time after Valley Crossing dismissal time (3:50pm). If you have any questions, please reach out to our transportation department at 651-425-5303.
Parent Portal
Having troubles with Parent Portal? Please email for assistance! Reach out to
icsupport@sowashco.org with any troubles you may be having!Lost & Found
When you're visiting school, please take one more look at the Last and Found. We will donate what is left on Thursday, June 6th. Thanks!
Summer Reading & Summer Checkout
Check out this slideshow for summer reading programs around the community! There are reading rewards at Barnes and Noble, Half Price Books, Chuck E. Cheese, the Washington County Library, and more! This slideshow also has some book recommendations. And don’t forget about our Summer Reading Maze to track your reading!
Families will also have opportunities to come and check out books from our own Valley Crossing Library! Save the dates for June 26, July 31, and August 14 from 9am-12pm. Come and say hi to the VCES Media Specialists and check out some books with your family!
Medications in the Health Office
On Monday, June 3rd, we will be sending any over-the-counter medications home with students who have medications in the health office. Please look for a labeled stapled brown bag in their backpack.
On Wednesday, June 5th, all Epi Pens, inhalers and other emergency medicines will be sent home with students that have these medications in the health office. Medications will also be in a labeled stapled brown paper bag and in their backpacks.
If you do not want any medications sent home in backpacks please call the health office at 651-425-7502 to schedule a pickup time.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
The Health Office
VCES Closing Ceremony
PTA News
Attention VCES families, staff, alumni and incoming Gateway families! You are invited to our third annual Spring into Summer event on the last day of school Wednesday, June 5 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Event includes food trucks, inflatables, a DJ, and face painting!
Participating food trucks include: Mansetti's Pizza and Pasta, Pretty Great Cake Shakes, KCM Egg Rolls, The Dawg House, Kona Ice, Grey Duck Concessions (gluten free truck), and Youniverse Foodie Waffles. All trucks are giving back a portion of sales to the PTA. The entertainment is provided by the PTA and food/beverages are for purchase.
This is not a "drop off" event. Children must be supervised.
We need volunteers to make this event a success. We will need help with set up (approximately 4:00 p.m.) and tear down (7:30 p.m.) We will also need a few people to help during the event to make sure things run smoothly. If you can give any time between the hours of 4:00-8:00 p.m. please email valleycrossingpta@gmail.com. Thank you!
Spring into Summer Promo Video - All are welcome to join us!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
VCES Peace Garden Club
We are excited to share the work of our fabulous Peace Garden Club under the leadership of Brenda Mondry, 4-5 teacher, and Shelly Rice, Interventionist. This year, our 22 young gardeners have truly outdone themselves. Over the past weeks, they have tirelessly planted, weeded, cleaned the garden, moved rocks, and created beautiful new paver and stepping stone paths. The Peace Garden looks absolutely stunning thanks to their efforts.
As we wrap up this season, please keep an eye out for some new signs that will be posted in the garden in the coming weeks. These signs will include gentle reminders on how to best enjoy and care for this special space.
Once again, thank you to everyone who participated and supported our garden club. Check out the improvements next time you're onsite!
Are You Moving?
If you will be moving over the summer and your child will no longer be attending Valley Crossing Elementary next year, please contact the main office. It is very important that you notify us so that we can transfer your child’s records to their new school. Please email Merita LaPlante at mlaplant@sowashco.org or call 651-425-7500. Thank you!
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