Phoenix Family News
October 17, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
October 17: Fall Conferences 4:00-8:15 pm
October 17: Bond Information Session @ ERHS 6:00-7:00 pm
October 18-20: No School - Non-School Days
October 23-27: CogAT Testing for 2nd Graders
October 26: Picture Retake Day
October 27-November 2: PTA Book Fair
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Scholastic Book Fair Vouchers
Please note that the vouchers will be available on a first come, first served basis, and vouchers will only be able to be used towards the purchase of a book.
Attendance Line 651-425-7506
CogAT Testing for 2nd Graders
All 2nd grade students will be taking the CogAT Assessment the week of October 23-27. This assessment measures a student's reasoning and problem solving skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. The assessment is a part of a balanced assessment system used in South Washington Schools. Some important ways we use CogAT data are:
- to help teachers develop the best learning plan for each child and support their unique learning needs, and
- as part of screening all students for additional Talent Development and Advanced Academic Services in conjunction with the Measures for Academic Progress (MAP) reading and math.
To learn more about the CogAT an how we use the results in SoWashCo, head to the website, To opt a student out of this test, parents/guardians must fill out this opt out letter, linked here. For opting out, return this form by October 23rd.
Battle of the Books Family Emails
Water Damaged Library Books
PTA Scholastic Book Fair News
Save-the-date! Our fall Scholastic Book Fair will be held October 27-November 3rd. We will hold two family shopping events: Monday, October 30 from 4-6 p.m. and Thursday, Nov 2 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. At the family shopping event we will accept cash/checks. All other shopping outside of these events will need to be with an eWallet or electronic payment (credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc). Students not able to attend the family shopping events will have opportunities to shop during the school day by classroom appointment.
To create an eWallet, visit our book fair website Book Fair Homepage (scholastic.com) Note: any unused funds from a previous eWallet were converted into an eGift card on your Scholastic account. You need to create a NEW eWallet for each fair and can use the eGift card balance to fund the eWallet.
We will need volunteers to make this book fair a success! Sign up here! Working the book fair is fun—most positions require no previous experience. Kids are allowed to work with you or stay in the parent room during your shift. Sign up here! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F49ADAE2AAAFB6-45068682-fall
Now Hiring!
- 1.0 OR 2.0 hour/day Crossing Guard paraprofessional - Hours are 8:15-9:15 am and/or 3:15-4:15 pm and the rate of pay starts at $20.38 per hour.
- 2.0 hour/day Lunch/Recess Paraprofessional - Hours are 11:10 am-1:10 pm, rate of pay starts at $20.38 per hour.
October 17th Bond Information Session 6-7pm ERHS
When: October 17th, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: Loft Stage at East Ridge High School
What: Principal Smokrovich and Assistant Superintendent Schaefer will be presenting pertinent information regarding the upcoming Bond request on the November 7th election. All ERHS high school parents/guardians as well as feeder school parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more and get questions answered at this session.
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.
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
YR Toon Time, Grade K-5
Have fun while exploring the world of cartooning and improving drawing skills in a supportive and nurturing environment. Beginners are welcome! Open to all elementary-aged students. Toon Time is offered after school at Cottage Grove, Grey Cloud, Hillside, Middleton, Pine Hill, Red Rock, Royal Oaks and Valley Crossing elementary schools, check website for details.
SoWashCo CARES Winter Clothing Drive
Cold weather is just around the corner. To help keep children warm this winter, SoWashCo Community Education is partnering with SoWashCo CARES Education Foundation to help match students in need with new, winter coats, snow pants, boots and waterproof gloves.
Give Help
Community members and organizations can donate items by filling out the donation form, fulfilling an item from the Amazon wish list or contributing financially. Winter clothing donors will be paired with students in need. You will then be contacted with the requested winter clothing items for a specific child and which school to drop off your donation. To sign up, visit the ‘Give Help’ section at sowashcocares.org.
Get Help
Donated winter clothing will be available for families in need of assistance through your school’s social worker or at pop-up shopping events beginning in Nov. We will do our best to fulfill every request, however, requests are not guaranteed. For more information, visit the ‘Get Help’ section at sowashcocares.org.
Paper copies of the request forms are available through your school’s social worker or principal. Completed paper forms can be returned to your school’s front office. For more information or a translated version of the form, please contact sowashcocares@gmail.com or call 651-425-6671.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Information from Previous Newsletters
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
Volunteers
Limited Lunchroom Visitor Sign-up Link
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.
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