The Weekly Update

December

December 11th- 3rd Grade Field Trip to Western Science Center

December 11th- 4th/5th Grade Field Trip to The Old Globe

December 13th: Last day to purchase Frosty-Grams

December 15th- American Girl Dance- 4:30pm-7pm

December 16th- December 20th- Holiday Spirit Week (details below)

December 18th- Holiday Programs (details below)

December 18th- Last day to submit Kindness Bingo

December 20th- Middle School Ice Skating Field Trip

December 23rd-January 3rd- No School For Winter Break

January

January 6th- No School For Professional Development Day

January 7th- School Resumes

January 20th- No School For MLK Day

January 24th- End of 2nd Quarter

January 31st- No School For Professional Development Day

Dear VAP Families,

I can hardly believe there are only nine school days left before the holiday break! As we approach this exciting time of year, I want to emphasize the importance of ensuring your child is caught up on all their work and is in good academic standing before our two-week break. When we return, the end of Quarter 2 will be quickly approaching, so now is the perfect time to double-check assignments and progress.

We have two exciting field trips happening this week. On Wednesday, 3rd grade will be attending the Western Science Center, while 4th-5th grade will be visiting The Old Globe to see The Grinch.

We are also thrilled to share that our grade-level holiday programs are just around the corner! These special performances will take place next Wednesday, December 18th. Performance times are listed below, so please mark your calendars. To make these events even more memorable, we kindly ask that all students arrive dressed in their holiday best.

Important Friendly Reminder: With football games kicking off this week and the holiday season in full swing, please remember to drive slowly and carefully in our parking lot. Let’s all show a little extra grace and patience—safety first!

Finally, be sure to explore the rest of this newsletter for updates on upcoming events, important dates, and activities. There’s so much to look forward to, and we are truly grateful to have you as part of the Van Avery Prep family. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

This week, we are excited to celebrate two incredible staff members who make our school a better place every day.

Miss Sarah – December 15th
Our amazing front office support, Miss Sarah, is truly an instrumental part of our operations. Her kindness and caring nature shine through in everything she does, always making sure that everyone feels welcomed and supported. We are so grateful for all she does behind the scenes!

Miss Marnie – December 15th
Happy Birthday to the wonderful Miss Marnie, one of our dedicated kindergarten teachers! She gives everything she has every single day to her students, ensuring that each child feels loved and valued. Miss Marnie's caring heart and hard work make her a true gem in our school community.

Let’s wish them both a fantastic birthday week!

Reminder: After 3pm on Fridays, please pick up students at Gate B. It's Fun Friday, so students will be participating in activities throughout the school. After 4:30 PM, they will be in the gym. Thank you for your understanding!

We’re excited to announce our new Kindness Bingo House Challenge for December! Each student will receive a bingo card filled with opportunities to spread kindness. Families can also print the card at home using the link below.

Here’s how it works:

• Complete acts of kindness and document them to mark off spaces on the card.
• Submit completed bingo cards to the office by Wednesday, December 18 to be entered into a drawing for fun prizes.
• Winners will be announced when we return in January!

Let’s make December a month full of kindness and connection!

Middle School Students: This is a friendly reminder to sign-up early for the ice skating event next Friday.

1. Purchase a ticket for either the 10am or 12pm session on 12/20/24 here.
2. Fill out the waiver for the ice skating rink here.
3. Fill out the Google Form here so we know who is going to what sessions.
4. Save a pdf of the ticket qr code on your phone or print a copy for your child to bring the day of.
5. A paper release form for the school will go home next week. That will just need to be filled out and returned to me before we go.

Our annual shows will take place on Wednesday, December 18th. Please make sure your child comes dressed in their holiday best.

8:00 a.m.: Choir Club

9:00 a.m.: Fifth Grade

10:00 a.m.: Fourth Grade

11:00 a.m.: Third Grade

12:00 p.m.: Second Grade

2:00 p.m.: Kindergarten

3:00 p.m.: First Grade

Please note, on Wednesday 12/18, Middle School's spirit day will be "holiday characters."

As the colder months approach, it's essential for us to join forces in ensuring the well-being of our students. Cold and flu season is upon us, and while we can't completely shield our children from every germ, there are proactive measures we can take to minimize the risk of illnesses.

Here are some key precautions to keep in mind:

1. Hand Hygiene: Encourage your child to wash their hands frequently, especially before meals and after using the restroom. Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.

2. Healthy Habits: Teach your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing. This simple habit can significantly reduce the transmission of respiratory droplets.

3. Proper Nutrition: A well-balanced diet helps strengthen the immune system. Encourage your child to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Hydration is also key, so remind them to drink plenty of water.

4. Adequate Rest: Make sure your child gets enough sleep each night. A well-rested body is better equipped to fight off infections.

5. Open Communication: If your child is feeling unwell, it's important to communicate with the school and keep them at home until they're fully recovered. This not only helps their own recovery but also prevents the potential spread of illness to classmates.

By working together and implementing these precautions, we can create a healthier environment for our children. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to the well-being of our school community.

• American Girl (Mon/Wed 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
  
• Rubik's Cube (Wednesdays 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Choir (Thursdays 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Garden (Tues/Thurs 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Hooks & Needles (November 12th, 13th,14th 3:15PM- 4:30PM)
• Taekwondo (November 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, 21st 3:45PM - 5:00PM)
• Cheer (Tuesdays 3:45PM- 4:45PM)
• Crochet For Adults (February 28th- 5:00PM)

Spring Garden Club registration is open now! Spots are limited, so be sure to secure your child's soon.

Interested in attending or have any questions? Please stop by the office or email them at office@vapeagles.com

To view and order photos, visit mylifetouch.com and enter your child’s ID along with the picture day ID: EVTC6WX47.

Please note the following important information regarding tuition payments:

• Late Fee: If your tuition is not paid by the 5th of the month, a non-reversible late $50 fee will be applied on the 6th.
• Payment Plans: If your tuiton balance remains unpaid by the 15th of the month and no prior payment arrangement has been made with the office, your child will not be able to attend school until a payment plan is established or the balance is settled.

If you're experiencing any issues with Alma and have not yet spoken with Miss Cilisa, please contact her via email at cjames@vapeagles.com . Additionally, please keep an eye out in your mailbox for an email from Miss Cilisa with all important Alma-related updates.

We’re excited to announce our new Refer-a-Friend program! If you’re interested in learning more, please visit our office or reach out to Cilisa at cjames@vapeagles.com for more details.

If you’re interested in being a chaperone or coach this year, please complete the attached live scan form.

Buy your yearbook early and save! The early-bird price is $65 until 01/17/25. See info below. All orders must be made online at yearbookordercenter.com.

Our student information system has updated our text messaging capabilities. Please make sure you enable texts from 888 numbers. Also, save the number in your contacts so that you can easily identify the messages. 888-378-1211