Ventana Vista
February 5th - 11th, 2020
Morning Drop Off
As many of you are aware, the bus service has been unreliable, unpredictable and very disappointing this year. Last week, the frustrations were exacerbated with yet another route affected by the lack of drivers and vehicles. Many of you have resorted to driving your students to school instead of using the bus, which has resulted in a marked increase in traffic at the school in the morning and the afternoon. The stress of this situation is now impacting nearly all families at the beginning and the end of day at Ventana Vista. We want to alleviate some of that stress for our families. Therefore, until Durham is able to resolve the reliability of their transportation for families, VV will allow students to be dropped off starting at 7:30am instead of 7:40 am (10 minutes early) beginning Thursday, February 6th so that the increased number of cars are able to move through the drop off line and get students to class on time. Supervision in the MPR will also begin at 7:30am. The gates to campus will continue to open at 7:52 for students to make their way to classrooms. Please remember that this will only be in place until the transportation issues are resolved, and this is not a permanent solution.
I encourage you to carpool as often as possible to help minimize the additional traffic in the parking lot. Please remember that the back gate is NOT an option for families unless you are ineligible for bus service because you reside in the neighborhood immediately behind the school.
We appreciate your patience and support in this unfortunate situation. We are all working toward the goal of getting your student(s) to school on time.
Sweetheart Dance Etiquette
The Sweetheart Dance is a formal event with formal behavior expectations. This is an opportunity to teach your child manners in a special event setting that is designed for families to have fun together.
All students must be accompanied by an adult who stays at the event. No students may be dropped off.
Students may only be in the MPR or the patio off of the MPR with an adult. The rest of our campus is closed.
Students should not be running in our MPR for any reason--After all, it's not PE, it's a formal dance.
It’s time for our annual Mathathon FUNdraiser
Gather pledges, participate in fun math activities, and collect money to support your school! It's all for our kids. The funds raised from Mathathon go towards Field Trips, Classroom Funds/Grants, Music/Art/PE equipment, Schoolwide Community-Building Events, Publications, Technology Subscriptions, and Staff Appreciation.
Packets with paper pledge sheets and all of the details have been sent home. To register your child on PledgeStar for online pledges, click here: https://pledgestar.com/ventanavistamath/.
Pledge SHEETS are DUE Wednesday, February 19th. Mathathon Week is February 24th-28th. Pledge MONEY is DUE March 6th.
We need volunteers to help! To sign up for Mathathon Week or Lunchtime Practice the week before, click here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0445acae2ea2fc1-mathathon1
Mathathon Monday Spirit Days
Be creative and have fun during our Spirit Mondays:
February 10th - Doubles Day
Let’s count by 2’s, dress like a twin with your best friend!
February 17th - Numbers Day
Each grade wears a different color with your favorite number on it
(tape it, cut it out of paper, etc. Be Creative!):
Kindergarten = Yellow
1st Grade = Green
2nd Grade = Red
3rd Grade = White
4th Grade= Blue
5th Grade= Orange
Science Fair Deadline / Open House
Science Fair projects are due Friday 2/14!! Judging will take place on Monday 2/17 and we will be holding an open house on Tuesday 2/18, 4.30 pm - 6 pm.
There will be a robotics demonstration for families during this time in the Robotics classroom.
Mark Your Calendar-Upcoming Rodeo Break and AZMerit Testing Dates
School will be closed on Thursday 2/20 and Friday 2/21 for Rodeo Break, there will be NO early release on Tuesday 2/18.
Our Spring Break dates are 3/21 thru 3/29. Please plan any vacation during this time.
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AZMerit Testing (Grades 3, 4 and 5)
Writing: Wednesday 4/8
Math Part 1 & 2: Monday 4/20
Reading Part 1: Tuesday 4/21
Reading Part 2: Wednesday 4/22
AIMS Science (Grade 4 Only): Friday 4/10
CFSD Poetry Contest
Does your child love to write? Maybe they will find joy in writing poems!
What: School poetry contest. Grade level winners poems go on to compete with students poems from other schools.
Who: Anyone can enter
How: Poems must be typed (and translated into English if written in Spanish); get official entry forms from teacher or Office
When: Poems must be turned into your teacher by Friday, March 7th
Questions? Ask your teacher, or talk to Mr. Green (tgreen@cfd16.org)
FFO Corner
FFO Meeting - 2/13 at 6pm
Please join us on Thursday for our monthly FFO meeting!
Mary Setliff, Esperero Canyon Middle School Principal will be presenting! Please plan on attending this meeting as it will NOT be on Facebook Live!!
MILEAGE CLUB - THURSDAY 2/6
If you are interested in helping out with this fun activity please see below:
Set Up/Take Down
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d4aa9ac2da7f58-mileage
Monthly Theme Thursday (Feb still available)
Coffee & Chat
Looking to connect with other VV parents? Join us on Tuesday February 11th, right after drop-off at the Bashas’ Starbucks.
Governing Board Members
Amy Krauss, President
Carole Siegler, Vice President
Amy Bhola, Board Member
Doug Hadley, Board Member
Eileen Jackson, Board Member
Mary Kamerzell, Superintendent