The Village School Bluebird
October/November 2021
Fall Greetings!
Our school year is off to a smooth starts and Villagers have been settling into school routines. It is wonderful to have our students and staff fully back together again!
What a pleasure it was for our team of educators to meet you during our virtual Back to School Nights! We had a wonderful evening sharing highlights of the great work and learning happening in our classrooms! Though we missed having you here in person and the energy it creates in our building, your online engagement and positive feedback are appreciated and helped make the night a success! The Related Arts Team's Presentation can be found here for your convenience if you were unable to attend their session.
In September Villagers learned about the Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, began our school wide celebration of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month and focused on our pillar of character, responsibility through classroom lessons and our VES Morning News!
Villagers and our PTA began October by celebrating our superhero Custodians for National Custodian Day. They are so deserving of our recognition for all they do to keep VES safe and clean! The Week of Respect begins on Monday, October 4th! See the article below for the more about this important week for everyone to participate in and enjoy! In October we also recognize those with disabilities and practice respect throughout the month and year!
In November we shine a light on Indigenous People and Voting Equity in support of our pillar of character, Citizenship.
Visit the VES website for additional information and to veiw our Twitter feed! There you will find the newest additions to the VES school mural by Art Teacher, Mrs. O'Connor. It celebrates the diversity in our community and says, all are welcome here!
Enjoy the beauty of the season!
Ms. Lacy
Principal
Week of Respect Activities and Spirit Days - October 4 - 8
Village Elementary School recognizes the importance of developing and maintaining a positive school climate and providing students with a safe and supportive school environment which encourages academic success and fosters increased social and emotional competence. This year, Village School will celebrate Week of Respect on October 4th-8th. This week is dedicated to providing students with age appropriate opportunities focused on social and emotional learning and character education. Although these topics are a mainstay of our instruction throughout the year, this week allows us to highlight specific topics in a concentrated manner and foster whole school community and unity.
The theme for this year’s Week of Respect is “Back and Better than Ever!” Students will spend the week thinking about how they can have a positive attitude and always try to better their lives, the lives of others, our community and world around us. We are continuously learning and growing from life’s experiences and we do have the power to learn from mistakes and make a positive impact!
Each day during the Week of Respect, information will be shared on the VES Morning News and students will participate in themed Spirit Days and Morning Meeting activities focused on the topic for that day. Be sure to talk with your child about the activities and reinforce that we are always looking for students to show respect throughout the year towards themselves, others and our school. You can discuss how being responsible and respectful includes speaking kindly to one another, resolving conflicts in an appropriate manner, and taking care of our school by keeping bathrooms, classrooms, and the lunchroom clean and safe. We look forward to a fun week filled with opportunities to celebrate all of the ways VES students can show respect.
Week of Respect Spirit Days:
Monday, 10/4: Respect is “No Sweat” - Wear workout or athletic clothes.
Tuesday, 10/5: “We are all part of the same team” - Wear your favorite team shirt, jersey or apparel!
Wednesday, 10/6: “Dreaming of Kindness” - Wear your favorite pajamas! Or if it is your picture day, smile and “Dress your best at VES”
Thursday, 10/7: Taking Care of VES - Wear your VES or Monty Gear! Or if it is your picture day, smile and “Dress your best at VES”
Friday, 10/8: Respect yourself - Wear what makes you happy!
School Picture Days at VES, 10/6 and 10/7
Individual school pictures will be taken at VES by Milan Rose Studios. Safety protocols and guidelines will be adhered to. Class photographs will not be taken. Instead individual pictures will be used to create composite class pictures. Forms were sent home via backpack mail. Picture makeup dates will be scheduled and communicated at a later date.
Picture Days:
- Wednesday, October 6th
- Thursday, October 7th
New Jersey Start Strong Assessment for 4th Graders
Halloween Happenings - Friday October 29th
Halloween related activities will be offered by teachers during the school day. Alternative activities will be available to students that do not celebrate Halloween.
If you are planning activities as a family please review the CDC Tips for Safe and Healthy Holidays.
The MES PTA has planned a variety of Fall-O-Ween activities for families to enjoy including a Halloween House Tour, Pumpkin Decorating/Carving Contest and more. On 10/29 YaYa Noodles will donate 10% of sales to the MES PTA. Your support is appreciated! Click the link above to learn more and have some fun!
VES' Virtual Trick or Treat for UNICEF Drive
Please use this link to help your child and VES support Trick or Treat for UNICEF virtually this year! Thank you so much!
PTA Happenings
Check out the web links below! Your involvement is appreciated!
The Montgomery Elementary School PTA (MESPTA)
Please support the Charleston Wrap fundraiser, become a volunteer and become a PTA member! Details are at the link above. The PTA also has a variety of family fun events to celebrate the season. Check out the Fall-O-Ween events here.
Montgomery Special Education PTA (MSEPTA)
Learn about MSEPTA's mission and goals and ways you can help by clicking on the link above.
Important Dates:
Please take note of the Revised School District Calendars at this link.
Staff Inservice, Early/1:35 Dismissal for Students - November 2-3
(Lunch is served on early dismissal days. Breakfast will not be served. Recess is cancelled. Parent pickup will begin at 1:25 for 4th graders and 1:30 for 3rd graders).
Schools Closed, New Jersey Teachers Convention - November 4-5
Parent Teacher Conferences and Early/1:35 Dismissal for Students - November 18-19, 22-23 - Please expect more details about conferences in advance.
Early/1:35 Dismissal - November 24th
Schools Closed , Thanksgiving Recess - November 25-26
Early/1:35 Dismissal - December 23
Schools Closed, Winter Recess - December 24 - January 2nd