VAIS Family Newsletter

11/2/2024 Verona Area Kids Expo 9am-Noon, Badger Ridge Middle

11/6/2024 K/1 Field Trip to the Verona Fire Department

11/13/2024 Picture Re-take Day, 8-10am

11/15/2024 Incoming VAIS Tour, 9-10am

11/18/2024 Governance Council Meeting, VAIS Library 6:30-8pm

11/19/2024 Outreach Comm. Meeting, Verona Public Library 7-8pm

11/25/2024 4/5 Tea Ceremony, 1-2pm

11/26/2024 K/1 Tea Ceremony, 12-1pm, 2/3 Tea Ceremony, 1:15-2:15pm

11/27-29/2024 No School - Thanksgiving Break

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.

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#/

Wreaths and Florals Holiday Sale

October 28 - November 8

We're proud to partner with Hann's Christmas Farm and VAIS parent, Patty Arifin, on this fundraiser! We'll be offering a variety of holiday wreaths and floral centerpieces - look for the flyer and order form in your student's backpack. Orders may also be placed via Google form using this link: https://bit.ly/VAISwreaths2024

Pre-order opens on Oct. 28. Approximate pick-up/delivery date is Nov. 25-27.

Order/payment deadline is Nov. 8.

Please contact April: 714-234-8054 or april.ong@gmail.com for any questions.

Date, time, location: Thursday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m. at Ichiban Sichuan restaurant

Details: Join other VAIS parents and caregivers for delicious Chinese cuisine at Ichiban Sichuan Restaurant! This event is intended for grown-ups to get to know each other and experience Chinese dishes together. Please RSVP by Nov. 18 via the Facebook event or SignUpGenius form or by contacting Diana Shelton (dianafshelton@gmail.com) so that we can make a reservation.

Nominations for Wisconsin teachers can now be submitted here for the 2025 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship awards. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship recognizes teachers who have demonstrated a superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, have motivated others, and have provided meritorious service both in and outside the classroom. These awards include a $6,000 grant for the educator and a $6,000 grant for their school! Deadline is November 12th.

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.

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).

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.

Family volunteers help make VAIS the vibrant place it is and are so appreciated! Please consider signing up for one or more of the opportunities below. If you plan to volunteer in ANY capacity in the building this school year, NOW is a great time to take a few minutes to fill out the required background check form so you are ready to go when asked. Please note background checks must be completed no later than 1 week prior to the event. Once passed, this background check is valid for 2 years.

Volunteers for Recruitment events

Sign up to volunteer at our recruiting events. We need parents to share info about our school at tours, mini-school, and kindergarten night. The Sign Up Genius or emailing jennifer.tzeng@live.com are the easiest ways to support our recruitment initiatives.

Our upcoming tours are the first opportunities to help out:

Tour: VAIS teachers and staff will guide a tour of our school and explain our immersion program.

Friday, November 15 at 9am

Wednesday, December 11 at 7:45am

Friday, January 17 at 9am

Thursday, February 6 at 7:45am

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C44A9A828A4FA7-52575632-vais#/

Interested in helping recruit new families to VAIS? Have ideas to get the VAIS name out in the community? Join our Outreach committee meeting on November 19, 2024, 7pm at Verona Public Library

Volunteer for Chinese Tea Ceremony Classroom Celebrations November 25-26: Sign up here to lead a simple craft (all supplies provided), read a story (book provided), or serve tea. Scholars love having their grown ups in the classroom!

Join a committee and support VAIS! Volunteers are key to our success and it's a super rewarding experience. Opportunities include: Governance Council, Family Engagement, Community Outeach, FUNdraising and Budget. To get involved, email jennifer.tzeng@live.com.

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 merryfih@verona.k12.wi.us.