The Stingray

Happy Veterans Day to all of our veterans! Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you made for our freedom and independence. My father was in the military and served for 22 years, and we moved every few years. Being a child in a military family was not always easy, therefore, I appreciate the commitment and support your families have made as well. Again, I thank you for your service!

As we gear up for the holidays, please remember attendance is important to every student's learning. At this time, their curriculum rigor is increasing and they need to be here to give themselves the best chance at achieving their best learning potential. We understand there are needs that arise requiring them to miss school. Should they miss school, please encourage your student to attend academic coaching to make-up the curriculum they have missed. These are the best option to help your child succeed!

Highlights in this newsletter:

• Intramurals
• Discovery Day
• PTA Food Drive
• Basketball Schedules

Have an amazing week!!

Brenda Rayburg

Robert L. Vale Principal

#RaysUp

Main Office 210-397-5700

Academic Coaching is available daily from 7:55am - 8:30am. Students are encouraged to attend Academic Coaching for homework support, re-teach/re-test opportunities, or to receive additional tutoring for their coursework.

Parents are encouraged to check HAC for student progress including grades and attendance and to communicate with their students' teachers for questions or concerns.

Students enrolled in High School Credit courses must meet the attendance requirement in order to earn credit for the course. Students with excessive absences or failing grades may be denied credit. High School Credit Courses in middle school will impact a student's high school transcript including class rank and GPA.

Fall Semester Courses- No more than 8 absences.

Spring Semester Courses- No more than 9 absences.

Full Year Courses- No more than 17 absences.

Semester Courses

MAPS (Fall)/Comm Apps (Spring)

Innovative Thinkers A/B HS

AVID A/B HS

Full Year Courses

Algebra 1 HS

Art 1 HS

Studio Art HS

Spanish 1/2

Principles of Human Services

Principles of Applied Engineering

Students needing to complete their HB1416 Hours may attend afterschool tutoring beginning, October 7th. Please see flyer for additional information.

Transportation is not provided.

Hello Stingray Families!

Please go to the Counselor Smore Link to see what we have been up to and where we are going. Our Anti Bullying and Red Ribbon Week are right around the corner. The link to request a counselor is also in the Smore. We look forward to a great year!

Click Here for Counseling Smore

Have a great week!

The Vale Counseling Team

Did you know that if your child is registered for public school in Texas (including PreK & Kinder) your student is required to attend school. Once students have 17 or more absences, your student is at risk for failure and/or retention.

Your student must attend 90% of the school year, regardless of whether or not the absences are excused or unexcused. A student/guardian shall receive an Attendance Warning Notice after 3 unexcused absences in a 4 week period. If a student receives 10 unexcused absences the student and guardian are subject to prosecution at the San Antonio Municipal Court for a Class C misdemeanor. Classroom teachers will be calling home to check on students when they are absent. Please let us know if attendance becomes a concern for you so we can see how to assist you and your student. If your student misses a day due to a medical or personal reason, please be sure to send a note to the office or email sonia.hernandez01@nisd.net with your note attached.

Throughout the school year we will continue to celebrate students who attend school regularly through individual incentives as well as various grade level competitions. Please encourage your student to attend school on time, every day, every period.

Grade level competitions - every other week the grade level with best attendance will have morning recess.

Single Ticket

Price Adult - $4.00 plus processing fees

Student - $2.00 plus processing fees

We encourage students to support their friends and athletes during athletic events. Students are required to pre-purchase tickets, report to the cafeteria and must remain in dress code to attend games. Once student Id's are distributed, they will be required for students to attend athletic events. Once the students are escorted to the student section, they must remain in the student section for the duration of the game. However, they will be given the opportunity to buy concessions and use the restroom. Students who leave campus prior to the game, and then return to the campus, may not attend the game unless they have a parent/guardian with them. Students who attend athletic games need to be picked up by 6:45 PM. If they are not picked up by this time, they risk not being able to attend any future games or campus events. Finally, it is a privilege for students to attend the athletic events and must follow the student code of conduct while at all extra curricular events. Students should be cognizant of their language and use encouraging words during the event. Adhering to these guidelines will help make it a great year!

To ensure a successful athletic season, please take a few moments to read the UIL expectations of spectators at our events (page 6 - UIL Parent Info Handbook).

Parking and Student Pick-up/Drop-off - Thank you for helping keep our students safe. A couple of reminders when dropping off and picking up students: 1.) Please make sure to have your student use the designated crosswalks to avoid being hit by a car. We have had a couple of close calls of students almost being hit by a car when not using the crosswalks. 2.) Also, when dropping off or picking up your student, please pull all the way up until you cannot pull up any further. By pulling all the way up this helps keeps the line moving and minimizing the traffic on Ellison Road. 3.) Please park in a parking space while waiting in the parking lot for your student to arrive to your car after school. Cars are not allowed to park behind parked cars while waiting. 4.) Students should only enter cars in the pickup line along the curb closest to the school. We only have one pickup line and it is hazardous to allow students to enter cars that are not in line against the curb. You may park in the parking lot and have your student use the crosswalk to get to your car. We have a staff member crossing students at both crosswalks. Thank you for your cooperation with these safety procedures.

Our staff is committed to the safety and security of our students. To ensure the safety of our students, all visitors are required to sign in at the attendance window and will need to provide an ID. Our campus officer routinely conducts perimeter checks throughout the day to ensure our campus is secure. Our campus officer and administrators are visible in the hallways, cafeteria, front of the school and other various parts of the campus during the day. As always, if you see something, say something!

Fire drills are required to be conducted monthly and Active Threat Drills will be conducted two times each semester. Our district has adopted the "Run, Hide, Fight" approach. If you have not seen the Northside Safety video please click here. If you have any safety concerns and need to make a report, please utilize Northside ISD's Safe Line by calling 210-397-7233 or text: safe@nisd

Social Media Threats

Students have been informed of consequences should they make threats towards others or towards the school. All threats are thoroughly investigated and involve our police officer. Our main goal is to keep all of our students and staff safe. For more information please watch this short video about Social Media Threats and how the district handles these situations.

**NEW** for 2024-2025 School Year

All students will be issued a student identification card by Administration. Students are required to carry their school I.D. card while on campus at all times and for all campus events. I.D.'s are not required to be worn, however student must present his/her I.D. card to any staff member upon request. Students will need ID cards to retrieve breakfast and lunch, purchase tickets to campus events, attend athletic games/events and any other campus functions. The first card is issued free of charge. Lost or stolen cards will be replaced for a $5.00 fee.

Vale students follow the district dress code as outlined below for the 2024-25 school year:

1. Shorts (without holes) of mid-thigh length may be worn.

2. Mid-thigh length skirts, skorts, and dresses may be worn. There should not be a cut or slit in the clothing that extends above the mid-thigh.

3. Appropriate footwear must be worn; backless footwear, Crocs and slides/house shoes are not permitted.

4. Unconventional hair styles that distract from teaching and learning will be prohibited.

5. Any clothes that are suggestive or indecent or which cause a distraction will be prohibited. Specifically, oversized clothing, tank tops, muscle shirts, halter/crop tops, spaghetti straps, exposed backs or midriffs, and see-through garments are prohibited.

6. Indecent/inappropriate patches, writings, or drawings on clothing are prohibited. Undergarments must not be visible.

7. All pants are to be worn at the waist (no “sagging”). Tight fitting pants (e.g. tights, spandex, bicycle pants/shorts, etc.) are also prohibited. Frays or holes may not be higher than mid-thigh. Pajama pants are not permitted except on approved spirit days.

8. Body piercing jewelry is prohibited except for rings, studs or other traditional jewelry. Any piercing that distracts the teaching and learning environment will be prohibited. Facial piercings, such as nose rings and lip rings, are not permitted.

Please remember, final determination of acceptable dress and grooming rests with the principal or his/her designee. If you have any questions concerning the dress code, please call and speak with an administrator.

Our campus has implemented the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs for the 2024-2025 School Year. This means all of the Vale students will receive breakfast and lunch for FREE.

Beginning this year, food deliveries from parents/guardians or delivery services will not be accepted at the campus for students. This procedure helps the school to maintain a safe and academic environment and eliminates unnecessary visitors on campus. Parents/guardians may eat lunch with their student so long as they provide proper identification and sit in the designated area.

Away For The Day (Campus Cellphone/Electronic Device Policy): Students will be required to put away all phones, iPads, and gaming units when they are released to first period at 8:30 AM. Students will not be authorized to use these devices during the school day (8:30 AM - 3:55 PM). Locations include cafeteria, hallway, library, classroom and restrooms. We have found that the distraction they create interferes with the focus of learning. I know that many parents like to communicate with their child while they are on campus, every classroom has a phone, and messages can be sent from the front office. I know this will be a shift for new students, but the distractions of social media, texting, and playing games needs to be removed from campus.

To promote productive hallway transitions, hallway lockers will not be issued to students. Students are encouraged to bring only the necessary school materials, i.e., notebook, pens and pencils. Expensive items should be left at home. Textbooks are in the classrooms for students to use while at school. If your child needs a textbook for home use, contact the school and one can be issued. Students will be issued a P.E. locker for the purpose of storing P.E. uniforms and clothes while in P.E. Students may only access P.E. lockers during their scheduled P.E. time. We encourage students to not share their locker combinations with other students for the security of their items.