VO News You Can Use
Dr. O's Weekly Parent Newsletter
January 22, 2018
Dear Village Oaks Families,
One of the things that makes NCSD such a special place is our commitment to community service. This year our student lighthouse team is leading VO’s role in a district-wide food drive. As a district, we are going to help stock a local community pantry. Our school has been asked to collect cereal--all types of cereal will be accepted. The deadline for the drive is February 2, 2018. Our student lighthouse team will have grade level collection boxes placed near the main office and posters will be hung throughout the building to promote the food drive. Thank you for donating!
Sincerely,
Alex
VO School Day Conversations
What was last week’s Playworks Go Word? (Playworks Go Words are words used by adults in the cafeteria, playground, and classroom to help students transition from activities.)
As students exit the cafeteria on their way to recess they are told to “catch a bubble”, what does that mean?
After the Pledge of Allegiance each morning students are reminded to Believe, Achieve, and ___________ (Succeed)?
Compassion in Action
Attached is our Jan./Feb. Compassion in Action Newsletter from our Social Worker, Elizabeth Elster.
VO Skating
Thank you to all of the parents who volunteered to help us with the Skating Unit in PE.
The Skating Unit started on January 15th. As part of the unit, students will practice skating during their scheduled gym class.
If you haven't done so yet please be sure to submit your child’s shoe size as soon as possible.
Please consider volunteering to help the children put on their skates and pads.
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders need a great deal of help in particular.
Remember that volunteers must complete a Volunteer Background Check before they can work in the classrooms or chaperone field trips. Volunteer Background Check Form
Forms are also available in the office.
Below is a picture from week one of the unit...
NCSD Preschool
Please see the attached flyer for information about our Preschool Open House on Wednesday, January 24th from 5:30 pm - 7:30 at 25745 Taft Road.
VO BONAVENTURE Family Fun Night
Join us on Thursday, January 25, 2018 between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm for the Village Oaks Bonaventure Fun Night. Admission is $7.50. All children between 3 and 17 must pay to enter. Skate rental is included with admission. Questions contact Jill Zimmerman at jillcatherine77@yahoo.com
Bingo at VO
Come join us at VO for a fun family night of BINGO on Friday, February 2 @ 7 pm!
VO Girls Scouts Parent Meeting
Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
PTO is CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
Your support to our school in the volunteering of your time is extremely valuable to all of us! We cannot help our students and staff in the planned activities without YOU! Please consider signing up for one of our committees at the link below: VOICE Link
Your time is so greatly valued and appreciated!
VO VOICE Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraiser
It’s Pizza!Pizza! time...and just in time for the Super Bowl! Stock up with the Little Caesars Pizza Kits, which are perfect for at-home dinners during the cold winter months, great to have on hand for after school snacks, and will make a great addition to any Super Bowl party! The pizza kit flyer and order form will go home with students this Monday. The sale ends on Friday the 26th and the pick up date is the afternoon of Thursday, February 1st. We will need volunteers to help count, sort, pack and distribute orders on delivery day beginning at 1:30pm. Please email Lisa Trainor lgarav@hotmail.com or Lana Genter lanagenter@gmail.com if you can help out! Thank you! Thank you!
NCSD Food Drive
From January 22nd-February 2nd we will participate in our annual NCSD Food Drive. Starting on January 22nd we will begin collecting cereal for the food drive--all cereal will be accepted. Boxes to drop off the food will be located near the main office.
Snow pants Donations
If you have snow pants that your child has grown out of, VO would love to put them to good use. Feel free to drop off any snow pants donations to the main office. Thank you!
VO Flags
One of the things that makes our building so special is our diverse student population--we have families in our community who come from all over the world! To celebrate our global diversity we have hung flags in our cafeteria that represent many of the countries of our VO families. As a gift from our retirees from last year we were given ten flags of the following countries: Israel, India, England, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, China, and USA. Thank you to our parents who have also donated the following flags: Poland, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Nepal, Greece, Pakistan and Armenia. If you would like to purchase a flag of your country of origin or to represent one of the many nationalities of our school please visit Amazon and search for an ANLEY 3x5 flag: VO Flags
Before purchasing and donating the flag to our school’s collection please contact me or one of our secretaries with the flag information so we can make sure that another family has not already ordered the same flag.
Spotlight on Students
3rd Graders Collaborating
After school at VO
We have a few new after school classes starting at VO, Chess Scholars and Stage Stars. Please see the attached flyers for the exciting details!
Playworks
Village Oaks & Orchard Hills Elementary are proud to be part of the Play movement as the first two schools in the Novi School District to make play a priority with Playworks! Playworks is the leading nonprofit in Michigan and nationally using play to transform schools. A Playworks recess creates a place for every kid on the playground to feel included, be active, and build valuable social and emotional skills. Please click on the link below and read the attached Playworks article to learn more about our partnership and Patrice our Playworks Coach!
Check out Alex, Emily, and Savannah a few of our 4th grade Junior Coaches from Mr. Guilmette’s class...
Playworks Games & Cheers
Below are a few games and a cheer that were recently introduced to our students:
4 Corners is a great indoor/outdoor game. Here are the rules:
The player in the middle will close their eyes and count slowly and loudly from 10 to 0.
While they are counting, all others may stay where they are or quietly move to a different corner. When the counter gets to 0, everyone must be at a corner (if not they must sit down).
After counting, the player in the middle points to the corner of his/her choice and can only open their eyes after having done so.
Anyone standing in that corner must sit down.
If no one is standing at the chosen corner, all players sitting may stand up and get back into the game.
When only one player is left standing, s/he becomes the counter for the next round.
Bridge Ball is an excellent game that was introduced last month but can still be played in the snow.
Coach P introduced a cheer called “Bazooka Bubble Gum” which can be a great end of recess cheer.
Looking Ahead
1/25/18: ½ Day of school--Dismissal 12:30pm
1/25/18: Bonaventure Fun Night at 6:30pm
1/26/18: Records day!--No School
2/2/18: Report cards
2/2/18: Voice Bingo Night at 7pm
2/13/18: 2nd Grade concert at 6:30pm
Parent Pick-up/Parking & Bus Stop Expectations
As you pick up your children before/after school please be mindful of our neighbors and do not park in front of their driveways or mailboxes. We also ask that parents please park in our parking lot and keep your pets in your cars. Thank you for your understanding.
Please remind our students that VO expectations/rules apply at our bus stops. We ask that all students are on their best behavior as they wait for their bus.
Please do not drop off children before 8:55am. We do not have any supervision outside prior to this time. If you arrive late, please walk your child into the office and sign them in. Thank you.
CARE
Please remember if there is a change in your child's CARE schedule you need to notify Holly no later than 3:15. She will then contact the teachers. Holly Bengle can be reached at
holly.bengle@novik12.org or (248) 449-1307.
Keep Connected on Twitter
Village Oaks Elementary
VO school hours: 9:08 am-4:00 pm
Office hours: 8:15 am-4:15 pm
Attendance line: 248.449.1301
Office phone number: 248.449.1300
Email: Alexander.ofili@novik12.org
Website: www.novi.k12.mi.us/vo/
Location: Village Oaks Elementary School, Willowbrook Drive, Novi, MI, United States
Phone: 248.449.1300
Twitter: @NoviVillageOaks