STC Newsletter
November 2024
serving students and families at Valley Heights USD#498
based on needs, not income.
Jayne Whitson, Family Advocate
now serving Valley Heights students and families
Mobile Family Resource Center aka-"care bus"
Family Advocate's Schedule
Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson at school during school hours or by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.
The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.
Thankful November
Turns out that being grateful is good for our mental health! And while we should practice it all year round, November is traditionally a time that Americans gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving. When you feel grateful, you are happier and guess what!? It's contagious and others around you are happier too! It will also be easier to think positively with all those "feel good" chemicals releasing! Typically your relationships will improve with others and you will feel healthier and less stressed. Our minds and bodies are wonderfully and perfectly made to be fascinating that way. Join others this November to show your appreciation and gratitude. It will make a difference! 💜
5 ways to show gratefulness
- Write a hand written note or letter.
- Keep a gratitude journal.
- Volunteer!
- Donate.
- Try the 30 days of Thankfulness Challenge.
Grateful for Hygiene Supplies from Giving The Basics
Schools That Care applied to receive hygiene products from a Kansas City based non-profit program at the end of last school year. We have received our first monthly shipment and feel very blessed to have a renewed stock of items including: feminine products, deodorant, combs, shamp0o/body wash, laundry detergent, toothbrushes/toothpaste and bars of soap! Keeping our bodies clean is an important step in caring for ourselves, feeling good about ourselves and keeping our bodies healthy too! When kids are healthy, happy and feel good about themselves, they can learn and thrive too.
Giving The Basics mission is to bring improved health, hope and dignity to struggling children and adults through the procurement, fulfillment and distribution of hygiene products.
Many Thanks to Giving the Basics for helping Schools That Care provide hygiene items to students and families at Valley Heights! Click here to learn more about Giving the Basics..
New Online Crisis Resource Center
Talk about solutions and resources at your finger tips! This new on line Resource Center is available 24/7 and it is FREE! This can help you navigate some of life's biggest challenges like mental health, crisis, disasters, violence, abuse, discrimination and supporting loved ones who may be experiencing these things. We really are all in this together. Be kind and offer your assistance to someone when they are in a valley. Need to talk to someone immediately? Call or text 988. Chat live at 988lifeline.org. Please call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
The November Theme is "Honesty" at Waterville Elementary
Each month at Waterville Elementary, the family advocate teachers K-2nd graders a new word! In November we will discuss honesty and why it is important to honest at all times; at home, at school and with our friends. .Honesty is an important character trait that helps build relationships with others. Being truthful with words and actions is respected by others. They will know they can depend on you when you are true to your promises and play fair with others. Integrity is your commitment to doing the right thing and telling the truth. Parents can help by reinforcing the lessons we learn at school by practicing and talking about them at home too! Click here to download the parent flyer. Thanks for your support!
Families Can Apply for Energy Assistance Beginning Nov. 18 thru LIEAP
If your family or someone you know needs assistance to pay utility bills this season, help is available. Applications for LIEAP will begin this month and be accepted through March 31. Income guidelines apply. Complete the application online. Call 1-877-369-4777 for assistance.
WV Elementary Celebrated STOP Bullying Last Month
Learning how to tell if someone has hurt you and your feelings on accident or on purpose and intentionally is tough sometimes. That's why talking to an adult at school and an adult at home is important! Young children are learning so much about themselves and others that navigating bullying can be difficult. It takes patience, practice and it's everyone's responsibility to STOP it. At school, in class, on the playground, at Colts Round Up, on the bus, during sports and other events we follow these rules:
- We will not bully others.
- We will try to help students who are bullied.
- We will try to include students who are left out.
- If you know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Each K-2 class signed the VH Stop Bullying pledge and learned about responsibilities for themselves and others.
Signing the STOP Bullying Pledge
Kindergarten sports their STOP Bullying Stickers
Signing the STOP Bullying Pledge
Signing the STOP Bullying Pledge
Identifying Responsibilities
Signing the STOP Bullying Pledge
Check out the Colts Closets at your school or the Mustang TradIn for clothing needs for any school or special occasion! Coats, shoes and dress outfits are available. These closets are open during school hours and by appointment with the Family Advocate.
Christmas programs and Holiday parties are just around the corner....check out what nice clothing items are available for your student to wear to special holiday events, family gatherings, family photos and more. They grow so fast! Check out your school's care closet for dress shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, winter coats and more!
Sharing activity sheets with families at Kindergarten Family Fun Night
Scooping sherbet into punch cups at Kindergarten Family Fun Night
Cleaning up after Kindergarten Family Fun Night
Spotlight on Senior Project-Aubrey Umscheid
This month I'm especially grateful that Aubrey choose to do her Senior Project with Schools That Care. There is always something to do where I need an extra set of hands or some assistance. Aubrey has become my "go to girl" and I'm so thankful that she's able and willing to tackle whatever is asked of her. She's been reliable, cooperative and ready to roll with anything I request of her, even at the last minute and sometimes changes in plans. To say she's flexible is short for she rolls with the punches and adjusts well to changes. I'm thankful for that, not because we don't plan well in advance, but because life happens and so we live it! I appreciate that she is willing to schedule time to work with me or run errands as needed when she can work it in her school and work schedule. Aubrey doesn't mind working "behind the scenes" or being in the spotlight if necessary. Have you seen this girl in the recent videos "Keeping Up with the Mustangs"?
Some things she may have never thought she'd be doing when she signed up for this gig include, sorting and organizing so many clothing donations, helping out with storage solutions, making popcorn balls for Fall Festival, teaching handwashing to Preschoolers, applying game day temporary tattoos, lending helpful hands at Elementary Family Fun Nights and so much more. She encourages others in her family to help out too! I appreciate all the extra hands on deck. Aubrey has such a genuine and caring heart, especially where kids are concerned. Children put a grin on that girls face and she's so natural with them. I admire how well she can charm a child and win their attention and affection. It truly is a gift to be grateful for! Blessed with the best!
Homecoming Temporary Tattoos
Making Popcorn Balls for Fall Festival
Lil sis (and mom, not pictured) helped with making popcorn balls too!
Fun Times at Fall Festival
Thank you Valley Heights KAYs and BR CAT for sponsoring the Fall Festival Event at the BR Square on the afternoon of Oct. 27. It was a beautiful fall day! Families and Students enjoyed games, foods, crafts, dancing and a costume contest! Schools That Care provided popcorn balls and was seeking donations for snacks for students at school. Some students do not bring a snack to school. Donated snacks are provided for students that forget a snack, don't have a snack at home to bring to school or need an extra snack during the day. Students learn and behave better when they are "hangry"! Please talk with your student, especially student athletes about fueling and preparing their bodies to perform well in class and on the court or field.
Schools That Care spends $400-$500 each semester to help provide healthy snacks for Valley Heights students. If you can help by contributing prepackaged healthy snacks, please drop off snacks at any school office or in a donations basket at our local banks and Dollar General. Healthy shelf stable snacks include nuts, crackers, granola bars, popcorn, gold fish, Cheez-its, pretzels, applesauce, fruit cups and pudding cups. Thank you for your support!
KAYs and Schools That Care are seeking donations to help provide a Christmas Meal Box to families and students in the VH community in December. If you'd like to refer a family you know who would benefit from a family meal box we'd appreciate your input here. Please provide your name and contact information and the name and contact information of the family you refer. Schools That Care will contact the family your refer to make arrangements with the family to receive a food box if they don't have plans for a Christmas meal. https://bit.ly/ChristmasMealReferAFamily If you'd like to donate food or cash for Kays to purchase food items for meal boxes, please bring them to VHHS by Dec. 10. Write Christmas Meal Boxes in your check memo to indicate the purpose of your donation please. If you prefer to make and bake pies to donate for the Christmas Meal Boxes, please sign up here https://bit.ly/VolunteerPieBaking For more information or to ask questions, please contact our Family Advocate.
Food Resources in Blue Rapids & Waterville
Harvesters Mobile Food Pantry-Waterville United Methodist Church on 3rd Tuesday @10AM NOVEMBER 19
BR Food Pantry @ UMC-on, Sat, NOV 23, 9-10AM due to the holiday
Upcoming Dates the Food Pantry will be Open in BR this School Year
To apply for Free/Reduced meals at VH schools for your student(s) please use this button!
Use This Button to apply for Kansas Food Assistance SNAP for your Family.
Use the button below to apply for energy assistance.
Families needing support to provide Christmas gifts to their children can apply to Blue Valley's Giving Tree. income guidelines apply. Must live within Blue Valley service area. Online applications only. Applications due Nov. 18, 2024.
This season there's a reason to teach your family to give with a loving heart! Schools That Care provides necessary items for VH families through out the year during cases of emergencies, crisis, tragedy and just coming up short...There are no income requirements to meet. But we can't do that with out your support! This Holiday Season is a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to choose giving! In place of an advent calendar, you can give and prepare for the holidays in this way. Select an empty crate, tote or laundry basket to fill with items from our needs list above. Each day through the duration of the holidays, you and your children can choose one item to add to the basket. Talk to them about the importance of having the item, what it is used for, it's value to your family and that if your family has an emergency or crisis, Schools That Care will help you and your family too! Click to download and print your copy!
Happy Holidays from the heart! Thank you for your support!