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Phoenix Family News
December 8, 2023
Important Dates Ahead...
December 12: Gateway 5 Music Showcase at East Ridge High School (9:30-11:30 am)
December 13: 4th & 5th grade Human Growth & Development Lessons
December 14: 5th Grade Multiage Music Showcase at Woodbury High School (9:30-11:30 am)
December 21: Winter Celebration and Sing-a-Long
December 22-January 2: No School - Winter Break
January 2: No School - Teacher Workshop - Licensed Staff work on-site
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
Emergency Closings and e-Learning Days
There may be some rare storms or situations that requires South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) to close all district buildings and cancel schools, programs and all learning activities due to wind chill, snow, ice, hazardous roads, inclement weather or other situations.
In the event that an e-learning day is called, families will receive notice of an e-learning day through an automated phone call, email and/or text message with at least two hours notice prior to the school start time. Teachers will be available online and by phone during regular school hours. During an e-learning day, students will log in to SeeSaw from home with their district-issued device (Chromebook or iPad) to access assignments. An e-Learning day helps minimize the disruption to academic progress due to an emergency school closure. It’s important to note that not all school closures will be designated as an e-learning day. If an e-learning day is called at the elementary level, on Day 1 and beyond, elementary students will choose activities through SeeSaw from a choice board. These choice boards and more information about emergency closings and e-learning days can also be accessed on the District Website under Emergency Procedures/e-Learning Days.
Art to Remember
Art to Remember orders will be coming home with students next Monday, December 11th. If you have any questions or concerns about your order, please contact Ms. Nutting at anutting@sowashco.org, Seesaw message or 651-425-7622. Thank you for your support!
10 Days of Giving
Valley Crossing student ambassadors are leading our school's 10 Days of Giving this year! Our campaign is focused on collecting healthy, non-perishable snacks for students at Valley Crossing and students across the district.
If you are able to donate, please send in your snack donations with your child from December 4-15. We will be collecting donations on the front gathering steps. All donations will be given to SoWashCo CARES, who will then distribute the snacks district-wide.
Holiday Help
Giving gifts to our family during the holiday seasons can add a lot of extra expenses to our monthly budgets. If purchasing gifts for your children will create significant financial stress for your family, please reach out to one of our school social workers who can connect you with a local program for assistance.
Faith Schulze at fschulze@sowashco.org
Megan Vesel at mvesel@sowashco.org
Phone: 651-425-7699
SoWashCo 5th Grade Music Showcase
On December 12 and 14, Valley Crossing 5th grade students will attend a South Washington County Schools Music Showcase at East Ridge High School on the 12th and Woodbury High School on the 14th. During the event, students will see a performance by the high school band, choir, and orchestra. Students will also be given the opportunity to engage with, and ask questions about, individual ensembles and instruments. This event, in conjunction with your student’s elementary music teacher, will help prepare students for their middle school registration in January 2024. This event is free and will happen during the school day. The full schedule is listed below:
Music Showcase Schedule
- 9:30 - busses load at VCES
- 9:45 - arrival at ERHS/WHS
- 9:50 - performance and instrument experience
- 10:28 - students switch
- 10:32 - performance and instrument experience
- 11:10 - students load busses
- 11:15 - departure to VCES
Car Rider Signs
Thank you to the many families that are displaying their car rider signs in the passenger window during pickup! These signs help us get the correct student to the correct car quickly! If you need a purple/green/orange car rider sign to display, please contact your child's homebase teacher to get one. Thanks!
2023-24 Yearbooks
Order your yearbook today from Josten's! Prices go up late December.
PHS Lullaby Concert
The Park High School Orchestras will be putting on their 3rd Annual Lullaby Concert and would like to personally invite you and your families! This concert is geared towards our younger community members but is fun for all ages. It will include some well-known movie music and other music that just wants to make you dance or giggle! There will be activities and treats after the concert, as well, like an instrument petting zoo and a chance to make your own instrument. Best part: we encourage everyone to join us by dressing in their PJ’s! Hope to see you there!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
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!
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). Please call the main office if you do not receive a response from your child's teacher.
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!
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.
Register now for winter classes!
Print catalogs will be arriving soon. Browse our virtual catalog now at commed.sowashco.org/catalogs.
Featured Class
Winter Break Ninja Camp, Ages 6-13
Develop strength and agility while learning different styles and techniques to master all obstacles!
9-11 a.m., Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 26-29, Conquer Ninja Gym in Woodbury
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.
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