The Weekly Update

December

December 16th- December 20th- Holiday Spirit Week (details below)

December 18th- Holiday Programs (details below)

December 18th- Last day to submit Kindness Bingo

December 20th- Middle School Ice Skating Field Trip

December 23rd-January 3rd- No School For Winter Break

January

January 6th- No School For Professional Development Day

January 7th- School Resumes

January 10th- Spirit Day- Color Wars (Wear the following colors for your grade: K-Red, 1st- Orange, 2nd- Yellow, 3rd- Green, 4th-Blue, 5th-Purple, 6th- Pink, 7th-Black, 8th- White)

January 15th- Open House- 6pm-7pm

January 17th- Middle School Winter Dance- 6pm-8pm

January 20th- No School For MLK Day

January 24th- End of 2nd Quarter

January 31st- No School For Professional Development Day

Dear VAP Families,

The holiday break is almost here, and we have an exciting week ahead to celebrate the season!

All week long, we’re celebrating Holiday Spirit Week! Be sure to check out the flyer below for details on each day’s dress-up theme—it’s a fun way to spread cheer and showcase school spirit.

Grade-Level Holiday Programs are this Wednesday, December 18th. These special performances are a highlight of the season, and we look forward to seeing you there. Performance times are listed below, so mark your calendars! To make these moments even more festive, we kindly ask that all students arrive dressed in their holiday best.

Please remember to drive slowly and carefully in the parking lot, especially during this busy week. Let’s all show a little extra grace and patience—safety first for our entire community!

Finally, take a moment to explore the rest of this newsletter for updates on upcoming events, important dates, and activities. There’s so much to look forward to, and we are truly grateful for your support and partnership.

From all of us at Van Avery Prep, we wish you a joyful and restful holiday season. Thank you for being such an essential part of our school family!

We are excited to announce an update to our dress code and appearance policy for female students that will go into effect this winter. After thoughtful consideration and input from our middle school leadership class, we will now allow all girls (K-8) to wear uniform pants during the colder months between Thanksgiving and Spring Break.

The uniform pants must be khaki or navy in color, fit appropriately, and be purchased from Tri-Lakes, our approved uniform provider. We recommend you go to Tri-Lakes and get fitted the first time you purchase to make sure you get a good fit. This change was inspired by a few insightful presentations from our middle school leadership class, which addressed important challenges faced by our students. One presentation highlighted the discomfort many female students experience due to cold weather, while the other proposed a student announcement podcast to enhance communication and keep families informed about campus events.

We were impressed by the students’ thoughtful recommendations and are proud to support their initiative. Allowing uniform pants during the winter months is one step we are taking to prioritize student comfort and well-being.

Additionally, stay tuned for updates about the upcoming student announcement podcast. We look forward to sharing more details about this exciting project soon!

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create a positive and responsive school environment.

This month, we are excited to celebrate another incredible staff member who makes a difference in our school every day.

Miss Savannah – December 29th
Miss Savannah is one of our amazing support staff members who always goes above and beyond. She is extremely reliable and hardworking, ensuring things run smoothly no matter the task. Her caring and playful nature with students creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that we all appreciate so much. Happy Birthday, Miss Savannah and thank you for all that you do!

Please note, on Wednesday 12/18, Middle School's spirit day will be "holiday characters."

Our annual shows will take place this Wednesday, December 18th. Please make sure your child comes dressed in their holiday best.

8:00 a.m.: Choir Club

9:00 a.m.: Fifth Grade

10:00 a.m.: Fourth Grade

11:00 a.m.: Third Grade

12:00 p.m.: Second Grade

2:00 p.m.: Kindergarten

3:00 p.m.: First Grade

Miss Karen and Miss Shelby are opening their Kinder-5th Marathon Kids program over Winter break to continue to support students being active while working towards their end of year school-wide goal of 13,600 miles. Students are able to run, walk, hike, or bike with family and friends. Miles will go towards their individual goals as well.

To log your family's activities and miles: click HERE

We’re excited to announce our new Kindness Bingo House Challenge for December! Each student will receive a bingo card filled with opportunities to spread kindness. Families can also print the card at home using the link below.

Here’s how it works:

• Complete acts of kindness and document them to mark off spaces on the card.
• Submit completed bingo cards to the office by Wednesday, December 18 to be entered into a drawing for fun prizes.
• Winners will be announced when we return in January!

Let’s make December a month full of kindness and connection!

Middle School Students: This is a friendly reminder to sign-up early for the ice skating event next Friday.

1. Purchase a ticket for either the 10am or 12pm session on 12/20/24 here.
2. Fill out the waiver for the ice skating rink here.
3. Fill out the Google Form here so we know who is going to what sessions.
4. Save a pdf of the ticket qr code on your phone or print a copy for your child to bring the day of.
5. A paper release form for the school will go home next week. That will just need to be filled out and returned to me before we go.

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!

As the colder months approach, it's essential for us to join forces in ensuring the well-being of our students. Cold and flu season is upon us, and while we can't completely shield our children from every germ, there are proactive measures we can take to minimize the risk of illnesses.

Here are some key precautions to keep in mind:

1. Hand Hygiene: Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.

2. Healthy Habits: Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. This simple habit can significantly reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets.

3. Proper Nutrition: A well-balanced diet helps strengthen the immune system. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Hydration is also key, so remind them to drink plenty of water.

4. Adequate Rest: Make sure your child gets enough sleep each night. A well-rested body is better equipped to fight off infections.

5. Open Communication: If your child is feeling unwell, it's important to communicate with the school and keep them at home until they're fully recovered. This not only helps their own recovery but also prevents the potential spread of illness to classmates.

By working together and implementing these precautions, we can create a healthier environment for our children. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to the well-being of our school community.

• American Girl (Mon/Wed 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
  
• Rubik's Cube (Wednesdays 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Choir (Thursdays 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Garden (Tues/Thurs 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Hooks & Needles (November 12th, 13th,14th 3:15PM- 4:30PM)
• Taekwondo (November 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st 3:45PM - 5:00PM)
• Cheer (Tuesdays 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Crochet For Adults (February 28th- 5:00PM)

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

To view and order photos, visit mylifetouch.com and enter your child’s ID along with the picture day ID: EVTC6WX47.

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.

Buy your yearbook early and save! The early-bird price is $75 until 01/17/25. See info below. All orders must be made online at yearbookordercenter.com.

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