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Phoenix Family News
November 17, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
November 21: End of First Trimester
November 22: No School - Teacher Work Day
November 23-24: No School - Thanksgiving Holiday
November 30: 1st Trimester Progress Reports sent home in Thursday Folders
December 21: Winter Celebration and Sing-a-Long
December 22-January 2: No School - Winter Break
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Thank you, families!
As we enter this season of gratitude, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for each and every one of our families and students. We are truly grateful for the support, dedication, and partnership we have with each of you, because you help us foster a positive and enriching learning environment for our students each and every day. Together, we make Valley Crossing Elementary a place where curiosity is nurtured, friendships are formed, and knowledge flourishes. Thank you for being an integral part of our school family. Wishing you all a joyous and gratitude-filled season ahead!
Connha Classon, Principal
Valley Crossing Elementary
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).
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!
Snacks and Snack Donations Needed
Please work with your student(s) to remember to pack a nut-free snack and water bottle for school every day.
We are also running low on emergency snacks to give out to students who forget their snack. If you are able to donate, we would really appreciate donations of individually wrapped packages of Goldfish or Saltine crackers to replenish our supply. Snacks can be brought to the main office or sent to our School Social Worker, Faith Schulze.
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.
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
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!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Parking Lot Etiquette
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