Dear Valley Families,
As hard as it is to believe, we are quickly nearing the end of the first semester of the 2024-25 school year! With less than three weeks remaining until the end of Quarter 2 and the start of Winter Break, time seems to be flying! Please note that report cards for this quarter will be sent home on Friday, January 10, 2025.
As a reminder, we take students outside for recess when the “real feel” temperature is 20 degrees or higher. Please send your child with warm winter clothing such as a coat, gloves, hat, and scarf so they can stay cozy during outdoor play.
Our Lost and Found is overflowing with jackets, coats, and other items left behind by students. To help ensure items are returned, we encourage you to write your child’s name inside their belongings. We are also fortunate to have a supply of donated winter items like coats, hats, gloves, and shoes available to students who need them. Please reach out if your child could benefit from these resources!
For our students who enjoy breakfast at school, we will be making a few changes to our procedures. In order to get through breakfast prior to the start of physical education classes, beginning Monday, December 9, 2024, students who purchase breakfast will take their food to their classrooms to eat. Doors will open for breakfast at 9:00, just as they do for all students when that change is made next week.
Cold and flu season is quickly approaching and we know that proper handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness. We encourage you to remind your child to practice good hygiene by washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom.
As a reminder, our Winter Break will take place December 23, 2024-January 3, 2025. I hope that all of our staff members, students, and families are able to spend time together making precious memories during this time!
The staff of Valley Elementary wishes you and your family a joyful, healthy, and memorable holiday season!
Sarah Chivington
Principal
Attendance at school is an important part of your child's education. Ohio House Bill 410 has strict attendance guidelines, and you can read more about those requirements here. Our Building Office Assistant, Shannon Wyatt, has created a helpful list of do's and don'ts to help your family avoid a truancy or chronic absenteeism letter. Please call her at (937) 429-7597 with any questions!
Attendance Do's and Don'ts
- DON'T forget to report an absence to the office! Call 937-429-7597, option 1 OR email valleyattendance@gocreek.org. If the absence is not reported by 10:00am, our automated calling system will call home for any absent student who we have not heard from.
- DO keep your student home until they are 24 hours symptom free, without medication.
- DON'T forget to get a doctor's note and turn it into the Valley office when your student visits the doctor during school hours. Each student has 10 absences per school year that a parent can excuse, however, if you get a doctor's note, the absence does not count against the 10 you are allotted. Doctor's notes should be turned in within 5 days of the absence.
- DO let us know in advance of any absences due to a vacation. The district is no longer using vacation request forms, therefore, an email to valleyattendance@gocreek.org is the best way to let us know about an upcoming vacation. The district excuses 5 vacation/out of town days per school year.
Thank you for making your child's attendance in school a priority!
December Events
2 - BookMobile Visit (1st Grade)
3 - Math Club Meeting
4 - Character Ed Day - Wear RED!
5 - Student Advisory Council Meeting
10 - Writing Club Meeting
12 - Writing Club Meeting
13 - Beaver Buck Boutique Open at Lunch
17 - Math Club Meeting
19 - Student Council Meeting @ 8:10
20 - End of 2nd Quarter
23-January 3 - Winter Break
