Phoenix Family News
October 6, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
October 6: NO SCHOOL - K-5 Prep Day
October 9: PTA Dress like an Olympian Day (or any athlete)
October 9: PTA Meeting in the VCES Office Conference Room 4:00 pm
October 10: PTA Dress like a Superhero Day (or your teacher!)
October 10: PTA Davanni's Night, 4:00-8:00 pm
October 11: PTA Sunshine Day (wear Sunglasses and/or a Hat!)
October 12: Fall Conferences, 4:00-8:15 pm
October 13: PTA Fall Fun Run (Schedule of Specialist times can be found HERE) - visitors MUST check-in at the main office before attending the Fun Run. Please note that pets are not allowed at the Fun Run. Thank you!
October 18-20: No School - Non-School Days
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Fall Pictures are Ready to View!
School Pictures are Ready!
View and order at https://shop.jostenspix.com/login
- VALLEY CROSSING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Event Code: FE101623
- Also Needed: Infinite Campus Unique Student ID
Kindness in Chalk Day
Fall Conferences Oct 12 and 17
The second 15 minutes of the conference will be a goal setting conference with you, your child, and your child’s teacher.
The conference sign-up link for your child's teacher was sent via email today. If you did not get an email or if you need help signing up for a conference, please call the main office at 651-425-7500. Thank you!
Volunteers
Limited Lunchroom Visitors Process
Valley Crossing will be able to host limited 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 Sept/Oct/Nov Valley Crossing 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.
PTA News and Fun Run Fundraiser Updates
Our Fun Run is coming up next Friday, October 13th!!! Our back up weather day is Monday, October 16th. Families are welcome to attend! Look HERE to see what time your student(s) will run. Please note that all visitors must check in at the Main Office before heading out to the Fun Run.
So far, we have raised over $30,000 and earned the following “Fun Days”:
- Monday, October 9th - Dress like an Olympian (or any athlete)
- Tuesday, October 10th - Dress like a Superhero Day
- Wednesday, October 11th - Sunshine Day (wear sunglasses and/or a hat!)
There is still time to donate online at GetMovin! Checks can also be made to Valley Crossing PTA.
IF we raise $45,000, the students will earn a Frozen Treat Party! We are hoping to celebrate this on Friday, October13th (on Fun Run Day!). Keep the donations coming!
- In being mindful of the students with food allergies, we have included the ice cream choices for review (Frozen Treat Options).
- All products being offered are "peanut free," however we are aware that some products may be "Manufactured in a facility that processes nuts." The PTA will provide Strawberry JonnyPops (Jonny Pops allergen info) or a sugar free option to those students requiring an alternative.
- Please let your child's teacher know if your child will need a JonnyPop or a specific choice due to dietary need.
Thank you for helping to make the 2023 Fall Fundraiser a huge success!
Upcoming Dates!
- PTA meeting Monday, October 9 at 4:00 pm. Kids are welcome!
- Upcoming meal night: Tuesday, October 10 from 4-8 p.m. at Davannis!
- Fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held October 30- November 3! Watch for more info on shopping times and volunteer needs!
Now Hiring!
- 1.0 hour/day Crossing Guard paraprofessional - Hours are 3:15-4:15 pm and the rate of pay starts at $20.38 per hour.
- 6.25 hour/day HN/Resource paraprofessional - Hours are 9:00am-3:45pm and the rate of pay starts at $20.38 per hour.
What's on the November 7th Ballot? Learn more here!
SoWashCo Schools has two bond questions and a levy question on the ballot.
Question 1 addresses safety and security enhancements and expansions and renovations at secondary schools. Question 2 addresses elementary school space at schools projected to exceed capacity (Bailey, Grey Cloud, Pine Hill and Red Rock elementary schools); and construction of additional bathrooms at schools only containing a single set/four stalls (Crestview, Hillside, Pine Hill, Pullman and Royal Oaks elementary schools). Question 3 is a Technology Projects levy that revokes our current technology levy and replaces it with a new levy that would increase funding for infrastructure, safety and security relating to technology.
Learn more about the bond questions at sowashco.org/facilityplanning.
Use our Tax Impact Calculator
See potential boundary changes if Question 2 fails using our Boundary Adjustments Tool
Watch SoWashCo Schools Vote 2023 video.
Learn more about elections at sowashco.org/vote-2023/election.
South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) will also be hosting two information sessions about the bond and levy questions that will be on the November ballot.
Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m.: Virtual Community Information Session led by Superintendent Julie Nielsen
Link to Virtual Community Information Session: https://sowashco-org.zoom.us/j/81898414005
Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.: In-person Community Information Session led by Superintendent Julie Nielsen in the Board Room at the District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Road S., in Cottage Grove.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Information from Previous Newsletters
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
SoWashCo is excited to host our first Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Friday, October 6th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at East Ridge High School. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend this free event celebrating and honoring the legacies, contributions, and stories of our Hispanic/Latinx community.
The event features:
- Culturally authentic food and snacks (with options to purchase additional items)
- Culturally authentic games and crafts for kids
- Traditional and popular music and entertainment
We are excited to celebrate with our Hispanic and Latinx students and families. We are stronger together.
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 Class
Embark on Your Spanish Language Journey, in-person or online, grades K-5
Learn practical conversation skills and vocabulary in this 16-week class. Fall session will explore the culture and daily life of a small town in Mexico. After winter break, we’ll return to discover the bustling city of Madrid.
Ready, Set, Play! Building Social Emotional Skills through Creative Play:
A Fun class being offered during MEA break. This laughter filled class is for kids to work on interacting and connecting in a safe environment.We work communication skills, self-confidence through playing improv games and practice exercises that will help build social and emotional skills Come out and play.
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
Julie Funk, Office Coordinator LTS: jfunk01@sowashco.org / 651.425.7501
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
Email: cclasson@sowashco.org
Website: vces.sowashco.org
Location: 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN, USA
Phone: 651.425.7500