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Phoenix Family News
December 1, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
December 7: Gateway 4 and 4-5 trip to Biztown
December 12: Gateway 5 Music Showcase at East Ridge High School (9:30-11:30 am)
December 14: 5th Grade Multiage Music Showcase at East Ridge High School (9:30-11:30 am)
December 21: Winter Celebration and Sing-a-Long
December 22-January 2: No School - Winter Break
January 2: No School - Teacher Workshop - Licensed Staff work on-site
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Principal's Post
Yesterday, you should have received your child's Progress Report in their Thursday Folder. As you review this progress report, it is important to remember that the scores you see indicate where your student is performing at this particular moment in time in comparison to end of year expectations. Oftentimes standards are complex and have only begun to be addressed or students are working on prerequisite skills as they build into new grade level expectations. The levels you see (1/2/3/4) are not an indication of how successful your student is/isn’t being academically at this moment in time. Rather, the numbers indicate where we are in the stages of learning progression of end of grade level skills. Our hope is that all students will make progress towards and/or achieve end of grade level learning (3) by Spring Reporting.
If you have questions about why your student is receiving a specific level, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s teacher. If you have questions about Standards Based Grading as a system, you can view more information on the District Website, or you can always contact me at 651-425-7503, or our Instructional Coach, Jenna Held, at 651-425-7662.
In Partnership,
Connha Classon, Principal
Valley Crossing Elementary
10 Days of Giving
Valley Crossing student ambassadors are leading our school's 10 Days of Giving this year! Our campaign is focused on collecting healthy, non-perishable snacks for students at Valley Crossing and students across the district.
If you are able to donate, please send in your snack donations with your child from December 4-15. We will be collecting donations on the front gathering steps. All donations will be given to SoWashCo CARES, who will then distribute the snacks district-wide.
Holiday Help
Giving gifts to our family during the holiday seasons can add a lot of extra expenses to our monthly budgets. If purchasing gifts for your children will create significant financial stress for your family, please reach out to one of our school social workers who can connect you with a local program for assistance.
Faith Schulze at fschulze@sowashco.org
Megan Vesel at mvesel@sowashco.org
Phone: 651-425-7699
SoWashCo 5th Grade Music Showcase
On December 12 and 14, Valley Crossing 5th grade students will attend a South Washington County Schools Music Showcase at East Ridge High School. During the event, students will see a performance by the high school band, choir, and orchestra. Students will also be given the opportunity to engage with, and ask questions about, individual ensembles and instruments. This event, in conjunction with your student’s elementary music teacher, will help prepare students for their middle school registration in January 2024. This event is free and will happen during the school day. The full schedule is listed below:
Music Showcase Schedule
- 9:30 - busses load at VCES
- 9:45 - arrival at ERHS
- 9:50 - performance and instrument experience
- 10:28 - students switch
- 10:32 - performance and instrument experience
- 11:10 - students load busses
- 11:15 - departure to VCES
Car Rider Signs
Thank you to the many families that are displaying their car rider signs in the passenger window during pickup! These signs help us get the correct student to the correct car quickly! If you need a purple/green/orange car rider sign to display, please contact your child's homebase teacher to get one. Thanks!
2023-24 Yearbooks
Order your yearbook today from Josten's! Prices go up late December.
SoWashCo Community Education Youth Activities
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online. The latest activities and classes can be found on our website under Get Involved > Youth Activities.
Register now for winter classes!
Print catalogs will be arriving soon. Browse our virtual catalog now at commed.sowashco.org/catalogs.
Featured Class
Winter Break Ninja Camp, Ages 6-13
Develop strength and agility while learning different styles and techniques to master all obstacles!
9-11 a.m., Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 26-29, Conquer Ninja Gym in Woodbury
WHS Children's Concert and Carnival
The Woodbury High School Orchestra is hosting a Children’s Concert and Carnival on Sunday, December 3rdfrom 2:00-4:00pm. Come enjoy a short concert in the auditorium featuring music from Beauty and the Beast, Ratatouille, Avenger’s, and more!! The concert will be followed by a carnival in the cafeteria with games and prizes! Audience members are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character. Admission to the event is free, donations are welcome, and concessions will be sold during the carnival. Can’t wait to see you there!
PHS Lullaby Concert
The Park High School Orchestras will be putting on their 3rd Annual Lullaby Concert and would like to personally invite you and your families! This concert is geared towards our younger community members but is fun for all ages. It will include some well-known movie music and other music that just wants to make you dance or giggle! There will be activities and treats after the concert, as well, like an instrument petting zoo and a chance to make your own instrument. Best part: we encourage everyone to join us by dressing in their PJ’s! Hope to see you there!
End of Day Transportation Changes
Recently, we have been receiving many last minute calls about transportation changes for students. To ensure students get home safely, we ask that you share any transportation changes with your child's teacher, preferably the day before or the morning of the transportation change (before 9:00 am when students arrive). Please call the main office if you do not receive a response from your child's teacher.
If you have an emergency change to your child's transportation after 9:00 am, please call the main office no later than 3:00 pm. Thank you for helping us get your child to the correct end-of-day transportation location!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Student Clothing Donations Needed
The health office is in need of donations of spare clothing, please use THIS LINK for specific items requested. Also, if your student is sent home with clothes borrowed from the health office, please wash and return them at your earliest convenience. It is helpful to pack an extra set of clothing to keep in your student’s backpack or locker in case of spills, slips, or accidents. Thank you for your help in keeping our students comfortable during the school day!
SoWashCo Community Education Youth Activities
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) offers activities and classes for youth through SoWashCo Community Education. Activities and classes are conveniently offered at your child's school, partner locations within our community and online. The latest activities and classes can be found on our website under Get Involved > Youth Activities.
Featured Classes
Plan for a fun and creative winter break with these art camps.
- Frosty Fun Camp with Kidcreate 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 27-28, Kidcreate Studio in Woodbury, Ages 4-9
- Rainbow Candy Scene with Kidcreate 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 27, District Program Center in Cottage Grove, Ages 4-9
- Confetti Cake Slime with Kidcreate 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, District Program Center in Cottage Grove, Ages 4-9
Lunchroom Visitors
Valley Crossing welcomes lunch time visitors between October 2nd – May 24th this school year. Based on space and safety requirements, a family member listed in Parent Portal may sign up using our monthly Reservation Link to accompany their child at our guest lunch table. Here is the Dec/Jan/Feb VCES Lunch Link for lunch visitors. PLEASE only sign up for one spot a month to allow for other families to sign up as well.
We ask families to review the process below for visiting your child at lunch:
- Sign up for the visit no later than the day prior to your visit.
- Upon arrival for the visit, present identification and complete the Raptor screening.
- Wear the visitor badge so that it is visible during the entirety of the visit.
- Go directly to the lunchroom and eat in the guest space with your student.
- No friends or additional students will be permitted to join the guest space.
- Visitors may not visit recess time.
- The visit is limited to guest space during the student’s identified lunch period.
- Any outside food brought in can only be shared with your student.
- Do not take pictures, record, or film while at school. Use of cell phones is strongly discouraged for safety and privacy.
- PLEASE only sign up for one spot a month to allow for other families to sign up as well.
SoWashCo Schools Hiring Event
Join us on December 6th for a hiring event with the South Washington County Schools!
Are you a college student looking for flexible work while taking classes? Or a recent graduate who hasn't found a job in your field yet? Are you an Education Major looking to get a foot in the door with schools?
Or are you an active substitute with Teachers On Call and know someone interested in rewarding work with students? Have them attend this event to learn more about how to get started! Teachers on Call employees can get $100 for referrals. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make or the money you can earn!
We are hiring for long-term, full-time building talent roles and on-call substitute roles! Come visit us at the event:
Event Details:
Date: December 6th, 2023
Time:12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: South Washington County District Service Center – 7362 E Point Douglas Rd E, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Don't miss this opportunity to explore potential career paths in education and make a positive impact in your community!
VCES Celebrations
Valley Crossing Elementary is committed to celebrating the following this coming school year:
Fun Run Week - October 9-13
Unity Day - October 17 - wear orange
Veteran’s Day - November 10
10 Days of Giving - December 1-14
Winter Sing-a-long - Dec 21
Half-Way Celebration and Student Council Spirit Week - January 22-26
Friendship Day - February 15 (note: no Valentines please. Students will be making cards at school. More information to come!)
100th Day - February 21
I Love to Read Month - Book Character Day on February 29
Earth Day - April 22
School Hours
8:00 am - School office opens
9:00 am - School opens to students
9:15 am - School day begins
3:45 pm - School day ends
4:00 pm - School office closes
NOTE: The earliest students can arrive at school in the morning is 9:00 am. All students must be picked up at 3:45 pm if not riding the bus home.
VCES Contact Information
Connha Classon, Principal: cclasson@sowashco.org / 651.425.7503
Joy Peterson, Assistant Principal: jpeters4@sowashco.org / 651.425.7523
Merita LaPlante, Office Coordinator: mlaplant@sowashco.org / 651.425.7501
Jen Gackstetter, Office Assistant: jgackste@sowashco.org / 651.425.7507
Faith Schulze, School Social Worker: fschulze@sowashco.org / 651.425.7699
Ashley Boatman, School Psychologist: aboatman1@sowashco.org / 651.425.7661
School Website: https://vces.sowashco.org/
District Website: www.sowashco.org
VCES Office: 651-425-7500
VCES Attendance Line: 651-425-7506
VCES Health Office: 651-425-7502
VCES Fax Number: 651-425-7515
District 833 Student Information: 651-425-6218
District 833 Transportation: 651-425-5303
Valley Crossing Elementary
Website: vces.sowashco.org
Location: 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN, USA
Phone: 651.425.7500