Weekly News Bulletin
January 31, 2020
Upcoming Events
- Monday, February 3rd – Early Release at 2:10 for students
- Thursday, February 6th – Gaiser Dual Language Parents Meeting, 6 pm at Gaiser Middle School
- Monday, February 10th – Early Release at 2:10 for students
- Monday, February 10th – MESA after school program, 2:15 – 3:15 pm (see info below)
- Wednesday, February 12th – Itech Open House for Spanish speaking families, 6:30 pm at Jim Parsley Center
- Monday, February 17th – NO SCHOOL – President’s Day
- Monday, February 24th – Early Release at 2:10 for students
- Tuesday, February 25th – Kindergarten Dual Language Parent Meeting, 5 pm
- Tuesday-Thursday, February 25-27 – Book Fair
- Wednesday, February 26th – Books Before Bedtime, 5-7:30 pm
- Monday, March 2nd – Early Release at 2:10 for students
- Monday, March 2nd – Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast for 1st Grade Families, 8:30 am
Attendance Matters – Strive to Arrive on Time
Did you know?
- Your children can suffer academically if they miss 10 percent of school days in a year, or about 18 days. That can be just one day every two weeks and can happen before you know it.
- It doesn’t matter if these absences are excused or unexcused. They all represent lost time in the classroom and lost opportunities to learn.
- Attendance matters as early as kindergarten. Studies show many children who miss too many days in kindergarten and first grade can struggle academically in later years. They often have trouble mastering reading by the end of third grade.
- Preschool is a great time to start building a habit of good attendance. Studies who that poor attendance in preschool can predict absenteeism in later grades
- By middle and high school, chronic absence is a leading warning sign that a student will drop out.
Public Forums About Planned Elementary School Near Anderson
Previously, VPS identified three possible options for two elementary schools that were slated for construction under the bond program. Those options include the following:
- Option 1: Defer the elementary school to be located at NE 25th Ave. and NE 88th Street for a future bond.
- Options 2a, 2b and 2c: Defer the Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts Elementary School or other projects (option 2b or option 2c) to a future bond.
- Option 3: Secure non-voted debt (bank loan) to address the funding shortfall.
With an updated enrollment forecast, VPS has developed a fourth option that the board of directors would like the public to comment on:
- Option 4: Build both new elementary schools, but at a lower enrollment capacity.
This new fourth option would allow both schools—the NE 25th Ave. school and VITA Elementary— to be built. However, instead of housing a combined total of 900 students at the two schools, the new option reduces capacity to 300 students at each school for a combined total of 600 students.
The cost savings of building smaller schools would enable both schools to be constructed within budget while still meeting the enrollment needs of two high-growth, high-development areas in the district.
Updated enrollment projections for Anderson, Hough, Harney, Minnehaha, Eisenhower, Walnut Grove and Hazel Dell elementary schools will be shared at the following public forums (forums have already been held at Anderson, Hough and Hazel Dell). Parents, staff and community members are invited to attend the date and location of the meeting that is most convenient for them. Feedback forms are available at each forum and online on the district’s website.
- Feb. 5, 6-7 p.m. – Harney Elementary School, 3212 E. Evergreen Blvd.
- Feb. 6, 6-7 p.m. – Eisenhower Elementary School, 9201 NW 9th Ave.
Read more at https://vansd.org/public-invited-to-forums-to-learn-about-planned-elementary-schools/
Important Immunization Changes for 2020-2021 School Year
We want your child to start school on the first day of school. Please make sure your child’s immunizations are up to date before you register your child for the 2020-2021 school year. You can avoid the back-to-school rush in August by contacting your child’s doctor now to get the required vaccinations. Beginning August 2020:
- Children will NOT be able to start school unless they are in compliance with Washington state immunization requirements. https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Schools/Immunization
- Medically verified immunization records will be required to complete the certificate of immunization status card for any newly enrolled student. https://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Immunization/SchoolandChildCare/RuleChanges
No Plastic Bag Drive This Year
Due to changes in the recycling program, Sarah J Anderson will not participate in the plastic bag drive this year. Please do not drop off bags at school. Please take your bags to a local recycling center (Winco, Fred Meyer, Safeway, etc.) and help keep our planet clean!
MESA – 5th Grade After School Program
MESA (Math, Engineering, Science, Achievement) is a free after school program where 5th grade students can learn how to solve everyday problems using engineering skills. Fifth grade students can get a program application from Ms. Marissa in the FCRC and must turn them in by February 3rd. Fifteen (15) students will be accepted and they will be contacted. Those accepted will get afterschool snacks, challenges, supplies and fun! The program starts Monday, February 10th. Please contact our Family and Community Resource Coordinator (FCRC), Marissa Valencia-Mendez at (360) 313-1536 or at marissa.valencia-mendez@vansd.org.
Dual Language for Incoming Kindergarteners
If you are interested in enrolling your incoming kindergarten student in the Dual Language program at Sarah J Anderson for the 2020-2021 school year, you must attend one of the following meetings. Sign in sheets will be used to verify attendance and it does not matter which meeting you attend as the lottery and selection will start after the April 28th meeting. You must register your incoming kindergartener at their home school regardless of your desire to attend Anderson’s Dual Language program.
- Tuesday, February 25th, 5 pm, Media Center
- Tuesday, March 24th, 5 pm, Media Center
- Tuesday, April 28th, 4 pm, Media Center
Anderson Elementary Contact Information
Attendance Call In - 360-313-1474
Fax - 360-313-1501
Email: Anderson@vansd.org
Website: anderson.vansd.org
Location: 2215 Northeast 104th Street, Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-313-1500