On behalf of the Valerius Elementary staff, students and especially our Jhawk Jogger lunch recess running program, we would like to THANK Director Jan Herke andher team for working so diligently to complete the paved loop around the pond. Our students are now able to safely run laps to track their mileage while being supervised by our parent volunteers.

District-Wide

• Monday, October 23: No school due to a teacher in-service/professional development day
• Adventuretime All Day Program (PreK–5) on October 23: Registration had to be completed by September 27 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more

THANK YOU to all who volunteered, donated items, and attended the Fall Festival last Saturday.

It is through these fundraising efforts of PTOs we can often support additional educational experiences outside of the classroom (field trips), playground equipment, P.E. equipment, and support running programs like J-Hawk Joggers.

STEM

1. Coding Kiddos (VIDEO GAME DESIGN!) ($80 for 6 Weeks): Why wait for the next great game when you can make it using ScratchJr®? Using a tablet and a drag-and-drop programming app, students will learn the basics of game design, beginning code, and use those skills to create five game projects including a racing game, alien invasion game, and more!
2. Machine Robotics ($80 for 6 Weeks): Build a bumble bee, frog or design your own predator. Then program the bumble bee to fly and buzz, the frog to leap, and the predator to hunt. {YEL!}’s Teach It! Practice It! Play It!® classroom method emphasizes 21st Century Learning skills like STEM, teamwork, and problem solving.

ART

1. Monsters Art Class ($25 for 1 Week): Just in time for Halloween, students will paint a variety of fun and spooky monsters. Students will be shown how to draw monsters, but they are free to come up with their own ideas and use their own imagination!
2. Whimsical Holiday Art Class ($70 for 3 Weeks): In this three-week class, students will paint and decorate on large pieces of cardboard a special holiday themed art piece for each week. Students will use a variety of multi-media to decorate their projects once they are painted.

RECREATION

1. Chess Club ($116): The YEL Teach It! Practice It! Play It! method keeps students on track with new chess lessons and puzzles each week as well as guided games and in-class tournaments. Class fee includes ChessKid.com membership for the session.

Students PreK-Algebra II this year are engaging in grade level math learning through learning experiences that support students in doing math. Your students' math instruction emphasizes visual representations, real-world contexts, and problem solving while continuing to focus on fluency and application. The benefits of this approach to math instruction is that it increases understanding, engagement, critical thinking skills, long-term retention, and preparation for the future.

As students experience their math instruction this year, there may be new challenges and opportunities as they work alongside their teacher to develop new understandings. Our teachers across the system are engaged and working to support your student as they “do” math and will continue to work to meet your students needs.

Students are not be dropped off or arrive before 8:35am (9:40am on Mondays). This time is when doors open for students to enter and staff supervision begins. Before this time there is no staff supervision for students.

Starting on Monday - A staff member will be reaching out to the parent/guardian if the student arrives unsupervised before 9:40am (8:35am T-F). Thank you for partnering with us to keep all students safe!

PIkmykid Parent App Registration Information

Pikmykid App Registration

Parents and Guardians can now report their students absence using Powerschool Parent Portal. Click on the link below for step-by-step instructions. Web Browser ONLY.

English | Español | Bosanski | Kiswahili

Dean: Derek Wilkins; wilkinsd@urbandaleschools.com

Principal Secretary: Angie Jones; jonesa1@urbandaleschools.com

Office Secretary: Caley Jo Schroeder; schroederc@urbandaleachools.com

Nurse: Katie Scandrett; scandrettk@urbandaleschools.com

Guidance Counselor: Liz Donner; donnere@urbandaleschools.com

FFO: Maddy Punsalan; punsalanm@urbandaleschools.com

Website: https://www.urbandaleschools.com/schools/valerius-elementary/
Location: 3305 92nd St, Urbandale, IA, USA
Phone: 515-457-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valeriuselementary