VAIS Family Newsletter

10/2/2024 National Custodian Day

10/14/2024 Futura Language classes begin

10/15/2024 - Family Conferences, 3:00-6:30pm

10/17 - 10/18/2024 - No School, Fall Break

10/21/2024 - Governance Council Meeting, 6:30-8:30pm, VAIS Library

10/25/2024 - November newsletter deadline for Miss Amelia

10/25/2024 - VAIS and NCS Fall Carnival, Veteran's Park

10/29/2024 - VAIS Community Gathering, VAIS gym 7:35am - 8am

We want to make sure everyone is safe during school arrival and dismissal. Therefore, we ask that families and students using wheeled transportation walk their bicycles, scooters, and other forms of wheeled transportation when they are using the school sidewalks and paths with other students and families present. This is to avoid any collisions. This is especially true with any type of electronic bicycles or scooters.

Here is the language from the VASD Family Handbook about this:

Wheeled Forms of Transportation

Wheeled forms of student transportation including, but not limited to, bikes, skateboards, roller blades/skates, scooters, hoverboards, and “heelies” (shoes with built-in wheels) are not to be used on school property during the school day. Students who use these for transportation to/from school are required to walk or carry the items on school property. Students with “heelies” need to have another pair of shoes to wear during the school day. Inappropriate use may result in confiscation of the equipment and parent/guardian notification.

The VASD Elementary School Family Handbook is a good resource for families. Families are encouraged to review this information and refer to it throughout the school year. It is also available on our website.

Please consider writing a note of appreciation for one or more of our hard working custodians!

Ms. Mel

Mr. Fred

Ms. Ming

Join VAIS for a story time at the Alicia Ashman Library before the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association perform a Lion Dance on Saturday, October 5 at 9:15-11:00am. A VAIS teacher will run a story time about the Mid-Autumn festival and lion dancers.

We are looking for volunteers to help with a craft, share info about our school, and pass out coloring sheets.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C44A9A828A4FA7-51011963-vais

Please join us at the Fall Carnival on Friday, October 25th from 4:30 - 6:30 at Veterans Park in Verona. There will be six carnival stations for kids to participate in with fantastic prizes. You will make your own pumpkin bag to take your goodies home in, and paint your own mini pumpkin! Bob's BBQ and SoHo Food Truck along with Kona Ice will be there to purchase dinner and dessert.

Here is the Sign Up Genius link to volunteer.

Bring your kids to the VASD Kids Expo on November 2 from 9am to noon at Badger Ridge Cafeteria. Local businesses, daycares and schools will have family-friendly activities or crafts for kids. The purpose of this event is to let people know what our community offers young families.

Represent VAIS at our booth! We need volunteers to share info about our school and help out with calligraphy water mats, moon cake playdough and coloring sheets. Donate leftover Halloween Candy for us to give out at the booth.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C44A9A828A4FA7-51483797-kids#/

If your student is ill, has an early morning appointment or early pick up, or will be late arriving to school for another reason, in addition to notifying their classroom teachers please make sure that you contact one of the following PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY:

1) EMAIL VAIS Attendance: vais-attendance@verona.k12.wi.us or

2) CALL the office at (608) 845-4500 (If you are making a change after 11:00 am the same day, then please call the office).

Please do not email the school secretaries directly, we appreciate it! The attendance line email is the best way to communicate with school.

Futura - Where SPANISH comes alive! Registration is now open for 2024-2025 – All new material and lessons!

Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity for your student to practice Spanish in an interactive bilingual classroom!

Enroll today: https://futuraadventures.com/wisconsin-region/

It is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. Children who come to school are expected to participate fully in school activities including recess and physical education. A note from a medical provider is required for activity restrictions.

Please use the following Verona Area School District guidelines to help in decision making (attached here).

Mendota Elementary: October 7, 12-4pm

Holtzman Learning Center: October 19, 10am-2pm

Public Health Madison & Dane County is partnering with Madison Metropolitan School District and SSM Health this spring to offer three more school vaccine clinics to get students up to date on their school vaccines ahead of the 2024-25 school year. These clinics will take place out in the community. It is highly encouraged that appointments are scheduled through the website listed on the flier attached. Vaccine Clinic

Here is the link to a Google Public Calendar with this year’s updated NCS events:

VAIS Public Google Calendar

This calendar will be updated continually throughout the year with school events, such as swim, Picture Day, Back to School Night, field trips, parent/teacher conferences, days off of school, Governance Council meetings, and so much more! We hope that this will make things easier for you!

Have you joined the VAIS Facebook Groups?

All Current families are welcome to join “VAIS Parents Group” on Facebook. We will be posting events and pop-up playdates in this group. This is also a great resource for new parents/guardians to ask any questions they may have. Please also like and follow our VAIS School Facebook here, or take a look at our website here.

Our students experience having two different classroom teachers throughout the day. It can be confusing for families to know which teacher to communicate with at times. If you are reaching out to your child’s teacher, please include both teachers on any communication.

The Bridging Brighter Smiles program is a safe, affordable, accessible way to meet a dental hygienist... right here in Verona Area School District!

Learn more at https://bridgingbrightersmiles.org/

If you need assistance with lunch costs please visit our Free and Reduced Lunch application for information on income levels and an application for assistance.

Dear Families,

This year, we will offer quarterly opportunities to show your appreciation for staff The first chance centers on FOOD and is right around the corner. Please sign up to contribute to a Conferences Night Soup and Salad Bar OR bring a donation to restock the fridge and pantry with grab-and-go snacks and drinks. NEW THIS YEAR! We've surveyed staff and included "staff favorites" on each Sign Up Genius. Bring one or more of those items and make someone's day! Let's see how quickly we can fill this Sign Up Genius and let staff know how much we appreciate them.

Sincerely,

Tiff Roltgen, VAIS

Hannah Bassetti, NCS

VAIS Volunteer Committees

At VAIS, our vibrant community of teachers, staff, students, and families thrives through events celebrating Chinese culture and expanding our presence in Verona. To ensure the success of our charter school, we rely on volunteer support. Consider joining a committee to actively engage with VAIS!

Governance Council

Contact: James Kokalj <jameskokalj@gmail.com>

The VAIS Governance Council makes the high level or “big picture” decisions concerning the day‐to‐day operations of VAIS. Functions of the Governance Council include, but are not limited to budget allocations, capital expenditures, grant proposals, personnel, curriculum, assessments, policies and procedures, direct committee responsibilities, and goals and future of VAIS.

Family Engagement

Contact: Tiffani Roltgen <tiffaniroltgen@gmail.com>

This committee will offer a wide variety of ways for families and community members to engage at VAIS including volunteer opportunities, staff/teacher appreciation, school parties/events and student/family social activities.

Community Outreach

Contact: Jenn Tzeng <jennifer.tzeng@live.com> or Kendall Li <kendallrwagener@gmail.com>

This committee will focus on ways to create sustainable student enrollment and retention, including social media plan, outreach and marketing, and 4K ambassador list.

Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 15th 7-9pm at Verona Public Library

FUNdraising

Contact: Joanne Mueller <joanne.j.huang@gmail.com> or Amy Kennedy <amykennedy247@gmail.com>

The FUNdraising Committee is in charge of raising funds for the charter school materials such as Chinese curriculum, special events, extra materials for teachers, etc. We achieve this through a variety of events, direct fundraisers, and community events.

Budget

Contact: Evan Henderson <evan.a.henderson@gmail.com>

This committee works with the VAIS Director to plan and manage the annual school budget.

Interested in getting to know our kiddos and helping to build community within our schools? Do you have a couple of hours to spare occasionally or is your time flexible enough that you can come once a week? We would love to have you assist in our lunchroom; we could really use assistance on Mondays.

All volunteers will need to be background checked through the district here.

Please complete this short survey with your availability.

The Sunshine Committee is made up of many amazing family members of students from our schools whose mission is to spread kindness and support for families and school staff. They do this by providing support in the form of cards, meals, gift cards, and other resources to families and staff in need of a little pick-me-up. They also have provided support to our school through stocking those awesome bathroom supply baskets in our staff bathrooms and by helping organize our winter clothes.

Canned drinks and packaged snacks are always welcome in the teacher's workrooms, feel free to drop those off any time.

For more information and to assist in bringing sunshine to our community please contact Tiffani Roltgen at roltgent@verona.k12.wi.us or Hannah Merryfield at dorshorh@verona.k12.wi.us.