Messages from Memorial
April 2022
MEMORIAL VIKINGS WITH HEART USE HONESTY*EFFORT*ATTITUDE* RESPECT*TEAMWORK
Dear Memorial Parents and Guardians,
I hope that you have had a chance to review your child's third grading period report card. They are now on the Skyward Parent Portal. If you have any questions about your child's report card please contact your child's teacher. As we go through this last grading period, remember you can check on your child's grades and progress at any time using the Skyward Parent Portal. Don't let them sneak up on you.
As you read through this newsletter, please look at the summer school and ILEARN information. VCS Elementary Summer school is open to all students now in grades K-4. See below for sign up information. ILEARN stands for Indiana Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network. It is our state assessment for students in grades 3-8.
Students in all grades are now taking the third round of NWEA tests this year. Please encourage your child to do their best. NWEA gives us a measurement of growth and achievement levels for each student in Reading and Math. The goal is to have a continual growth pattern going up. The NWEA reports will be sent home after the close of the test window towards the end of April. Your child's teacher will let you know when the reports are being sent home.
As we near the end of the school year, we will be planning Field Day, a PTO Family Movie Night, Saturday Night Live for 4th and 5th graders, and an end of the year celebration for fifth graders. All of these events will need parent volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, you will need a completed limited background check. This form can be returned to the school office to be processed. More information will be coming about the events and volunteer opportunities.
Your Partner in Education,
Mrs. Debra Misecko
Dates to Remember
APRIL
6 - National Paraprofessional (Teacher Assistants) Day
8 - 1/2 day for students- Dismissal is at 12:00 p.m.
11 Snow Make-up Day - School in session
13 PTO Meeting at 3:30
23-24 PTO Silent Auction (Virtual)
27 - National Administrative Assistant/Secretary's Day
30 - Saturday Night Live for fourth and fifth grade
18 - May 13 ILEARN test window for grades 3-5
MAY
2- 6 School Staff Appreciation Week
3 eLearning Day & Incoming Kindergarten Assessments
4 National School Nurse Day
6 National Lunch Hero Day
6 PTO- Outside Movie Night
17 Field Day (20th - Field Day Rain Date)
25 Fifth Grade Celebration
STEM NIGHT at MEMORIAL
Please let your neighbors and friends with kindergarteners know!
VCS Elementary Summer School Details
Dear Elementary Parents and Guardians,
Valparaiso Community Schools will offer two sessions of elementary summer school this year.
- Session 1 will run from June 2 - 21
- Session 2 will run from July 11 - 28
All elementary summer school classes will be held at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Parents may choose which session they would like their child to attend.
VCS has made recommendations to parents for students who we believe need an opportunity to bridge the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school year. Additionally, parents may elect to register their student for summer school should they believe an opportunity to bridge this year and next is essential for their child. Parents electing to register their child for summer school may do so by the registration deadline of April 13, 2022.
2021-2022 Elementary Summer School will provide targeted and differentiated instruction to meet students’ needs. VCS will have a licensed mental health counselor present during both sessions to provide services for students.
Summer school will be in person only and hosted at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Classes will be in session from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM each day. Students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast with the school doors opening at 7:45 AM. Procedural information will be sent to parents who register at a later date.
Please feel free to contact Elementary Summer School Principal, John Miller, via email
johnmiller@valpo.k12.in.us should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
VCS Elementary Administration
IREAD3
ILEARN for Grades 3, 4, and 5
The Department of Education has additional information and resources related to ILEARN on their website. The flyer below may also be found at this link.
A Great Parenting Opportunity
Tips on talking to your child about the Ukraine/Russian war
Many of our students are noticing and hearing things about the Ukrainian invasion by Russia. Students are bringing this topic up in classes, with their friends, and with their teachers. While this can be a scary time for everyone, regardless of their age, it is important to be able to speak with your child about the recent and ongoing events. Here are some ideas about how to have this difficult discussion.
- Hold space for them to speak and tell you about their thoughts and fears
- Validate their feelings
- Keep it simple, factual, and age appropriate
- Try to not over explain
- If age appropriate, show a map of Europe and the regions
- Limit their exposure to scary images and news - -Tik Tok, Facebook, and Instagram are flooded right now with images, videos, and stories of war
- Reassure them that adults are working hard to resolve this conflict
As always, please reach out to me if you notice signs of anxiety or concerns with any of our Memorial Students. Here are some articles that could be useful as you navigate this difficult discussion.
-Leann Seip, LCSW
MEMORIAL PTO
The following people serve on the PTO Executive Board. Their time and talents have been greatly appreciated by staff and students.
President - Kristen Elinkowski
Vice President - Rose Gutshall
Treasurer - Megan Taylor
Secretary - Rae Smedley
If you are interested in serving on the PTO executive board next year, please contact Mrs. Misecko or Mrs. Elinkowski. There are also open committee chair positions for the following committees: Scholastic Book Fair (November), SNL (May), Staff Appreciation Week (May), Silent Auction (April), Fall Fest (October), Fifth Grade Celebration (May)\. If you are interested in chairing one of these events, please let Mrs. Misecko or Mrs. Elinkowski know.
Memorial Elementary PTO updates can be found on the Memorial Elementary PTO Facebook page, and the Memorial PTO Website.
Box Tops for Education Continues
Memorial Elementary
Email: dmisecko@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: valpo.k12.in.us/Domain/337
Location: 1052 Park Avenue, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: 219-531-3090
Twitter: @Valpo_Memorial