January 2025

Happy New Year!

We hope you are reading this after a break full of rest and connection with loved ones. We had a wonderful break with our families. And, we are thoroughly enjoying welcoming our Falcons back to VFE. We've missed them!

As we all reacclimate to our school community we are setting the foundation for learning by focusing on re-establishing routines and relationships this week. We encourage families to re-establish routines at home as well, especially making time to connect as a family each day, calm bedtime and morning routines, nightly reading, and limiting screen time. While these may seem like small things, when students feel rested, connected, and regulated, they are ready to learn. Thank you for partnering with us!

Make it a great year to be a Falcon!

Adam Uhler, Principal & Angela Kelly, Assistant Principal

To ensure a successful return to school, we spent a few days revisiting our school-wide expectations and routines called Falcon Foundations (also called PBIS rotations).

On Wednesday 1/8, we completed our Falcon Foundations Rotation through various locations throughout our school like our lunchroom, our bus line area, recess area, and car pick up. Teachers reviewed expectations for other areas throughout our school while in the classroom.

This month is all about Perseverance, “pushing yourself through challenges and obstacles.” We all experience challenges in our lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or that we want to give up on a big task. It is important to develop tools that help us work through those challenges in order to grow in those moments instead of giving up. How might you practice Perseverance as a family this month?

Challenge #1: Consistency is hard. Have each person in the family commit to 1 thing they will do

each day this week. Maybe it is flossing, drinking a certain amount of water, getting to bed at a certain time, limiting screen time, or exercising. Create a place where each person can tally their

progress and see who can keep their streak going the longest!

Challenge #2: Can you fit your whole body through an index card? While it sounds impossible, with

the correct folding and cutting technique, you can make it happen! Give each family member a 4x6 index card and a pair of scissors. Ready for the answer? You can find the directions and solution online by searching: “Fit Your Body Through an Index Card.”

Throughout the first two weeks of school, students are learning about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each class is reading the book Martin's Big Words and discussing ideas of respect, equality, freedom and hope. This learning will culminate when our students share their ideas at our assembly on Friday, 1/17.

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be NO SCHOOL on Monday January 20. Let's celebrate his legacy.

3-D Printing Club begins January 9 and meets each Tuesday from 3:20 to 4:20 in the STEM room.

Robotics club begins Jan 11 and meets each Thursday from 3:20 to 4:20 in the STEM room. Please be in front of the building at 4:20 to pick up your student for each club.

Save the date for our Family Math Night! More details to come!

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is hosting its annual STEM Fair & Art Show on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Bonney Lake High School from 10am-2pm. All families are encouraged to attend.

As always, we are excited to see students of all ages showcase their incredible work through a variety of STEM projects. All K-12 students are invited to submit a project on a topic of their choice. This year, students in grades 3-12 are required to submit and present their projects digitally using Google Slides. While they will still present their work in person at the STEM Fair, this new digital format streamlines the process for those wishing to enter the Discovery Regional Science Fair.

Please explore the project packets below for more information:

K-5 STEM Fair Project Information

The deadline to register a project is Friday, January 24th at 3pm. Due to planning needs and space constraints, late submissions will not be accepted. Please note: projects do not need to be completed by January 24th, but the topic needs to be chosen.

The upcoming PTO meeting will be on January 22nd at 4:15pm. We encourage all families and community members to attend. Information about upcoming PTO events and give families an opportunity to ask questions.

We will be preparing a soup and salad lunch spread for the staff to enjoy. If you would like to contribute items, use the Sign Up Genius Link.

Please drop-off all items to the VFE front office by 1/22. Thank you for helping the PTO show appreciation.

Join us for our annual Donuts with Grown Ups event!

Feb. 4 7:30-8:10am

Feb. 6th 7:30-8:10am

Please choose one date to attend. Donuts and coffee will be served.

Join us for our unforgettable evenings celebrating our students' remarkable musicians and growth at our Grade Level Concerts at the Bonney Lake High School Performing Arts Center. Experience the talent and dedication of our young performers as they showcase their skills in a night filled with music, dance, and creativity.

Save the Date: VFE 3rd and 4th Grade Concerts!

4th Grade - March 6th at 7pm

3rd Grade - March 6th at 5:30pm

We look forward to seeing you there for a wonderful night of music and celebration!

Mark your calendars for an exciting evening as the VFE Choir takes the stage at the Sumner-Bonney Lake All-District Choir Festival! This event will bring together choirs from across the district to celebrate the power of music and showcase incredible talent.

• Date: Tuesday, February 25th

• Time: 7:00 PM

• Location: Bonney Lake High School Gym

Our choir students are working hard to prepare an amazing performance that will make VFE proud. Don’t miss this opportunity to see their dedication and talent come to life on stage!

We hope you’ll join us to cheer them on and enjoy an inspiring evening of choral music. See you there! 🎵

If your student will be absent from school for 2 or more days for a planned trip we require a pre-arranged absence form be completed and returned to the school prior to the trip. Please contact your students' teacher or the front office at 253-891-4700 for a copy of the required form.

If you have a child in Kindergarten or 1st grade, please ensure they have an extra pair of clothing in their backpack.

Deciding when a child is too sick to go to school can be a difficult decision for parents to make. Please use the guidelines & When to stay home from the health department to help you. Call the school nurse if you need further guidance.

Also, if your child has a health condition that requires treatment, medication, or any kind of extra support at school, please reach out to me and I would be happy to assist.

Thank you,
Paula Hemminger, VFE School Nurse
253-891-4700

Winter may bring weather conditions that require school schedule delays or closure. Deciding to cancel school is a difficult decision that the District takes seriously.

Here is the Inclement weather information. and procedures.

Being at school, on time, every day is critical for students' success. Our teachers have planned engaging and important work for the school days and it is important for your child's social-emotional, and academic success that they are here as much as possible.

Our goal is 95% daily attendance. That means students missing 9 of less days in the year. Studies show that this leads to greater student success later in life.

The Community Cultural Celebration Event will be 4/26 from 11a-2p at Bonney Lake High School.

We are encouraging all families to apply for free/reduced lunch. Please use the link below to apply. If you would prefer a paper copy, please call the office at 253-891-4700.

Free/Reduced Lunch Application

If you have questions regarding school lunches or student lunch accounts, please visit the child nutrition webpage on our district website or call 253-891-6450.

If your family needs support anytime throughout the year, please email our school counselor at kaitlyn_johnson@sumnersd.orgThere are resources to support families in their time of need.

Below is the Right at School Newsletter for January 2025. Please see the RAS calendar for the daily activities.

If you have questions about Right At School, please email victor_falls@rightatschool.com or look at their website.

Please check our website for updates.

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