2020 - April 1st Newsletter
Valley Oaks School
Community Service - Ava Milus
In addition to fulfiling her 5 hours of required community service for the semester, Ava will be earning elective credit.
Senior Robert Terry has likewise been working with young children - 4th graders - as an assistant baseball coach. He just turned in his Verification Form for his 5 hours of community service - but he spent far more than 5 hours! Robert loves baseball and has been playing all his life. His neighbor and friend is the coach for Petaluma Valley Little League and so Robert naturally found himself helping out. He said he loved it! Thanks, Robert!
Congratulations!... Bright News Student ~ Nicholas Barajas
Role Model, senior Meredith Patchett
newcomer - Raime Dayton - welcome!
Just to Add Some Humor...
There are so many entertaining board games to play with people in your house around a table (in addition to virtually with people far away).
newcomer - Bella Perrone - welcome!
Continuing to Work - Assistant Principal Mr. Smith
Continuing to Work - Principal Ms. Lofton
Principal Ms. Lofton is working from her desk at school during our Shelter-in-Place and she shared this with staff members recently:
"School is NOT closed for the year. The building is. If you listen closely you can hear the hum of hard working teachers, administrators, and support staff preparing to save the day in ways and means never seen before."
Thanks, Ms. Lofton!!!
Continuing to Work - Ms. Kesseru
These 3 photos are courtesy of secretary Susan Cook - thanks, Susan! Susan has been coming to campus to help teachers and students stay on track.
Sports - Sofia Doolittle & Lacrosse
Sports - Minna Stess & Olympic Skateboarding
In early March, 8th grader Minna Stess already had 2 Olympics pre-qualifying competitions in China canceled due to Coronavirus, but she was still very excited about having her 14th birthday on a trip to Peru in April for a competition. On March 11th, Japan said they had boosted containment efforts, but a week later we all got the news that the Tokyo Olympics are now postponed. Minna is on the U.S. Olympics team of six competitors for Park Skateboarding (there are two disciplines: park and street). Only three will get to go (no alternates) and the decision will be based on the remaining qualifying competitions before the games. We are so proud of Minna's extraordinary focus and determination and personal sacrifice! When you see her again or if you notice her, please be sure to encourage her as this is probably a very disappointing time. Ideally, Minna will give the VOS community some positive news soon about how her chances of qualifying may be increased now that there is another year to prepare.
Sports - Callan Sheldon & Badminton
college bound - Nozomi Hallberg
Hopefully This Made You Smile...
college bound - Beau Miller
Graduate Gabe Adelman with His Family
Bell Ringing Ceremony!
Gabe is one of our rare graduates that has been with us for four or more years. We will miss his energy and friendliness and school pride so much!
Staff with Graduate Gabe Adelman
Science Lab - Henry Wilson
U.S. History - Devin Jones
P.E. Group Work Out
Vitalant is looking for blood donors (16 years +)
There is a blood shortage because of the Covid-19 shut-down. Vitalant is open.
Here is Vitalant's ad: "There is a hero inside each of us, ready to make a difference when others need our help. When you donate blood you are a hero. Think about how the people who needed those donations feel about you. You are, without a doubt, a hero to them." It could take up to 3 hours to donate your blood depending on how you want it drawn - plus time to drive to Santa Rosa.
Kindness Is Contageous Too
We encourage all students to stay motivated to do community service. We understand that it is almost impossible right now to do typical community service activities.
Helping people, the environment, and animals is very fulfilling and rewarding - a great thing to do for your own personal mental health. In this photo a rescued newborn zebra imprints on the volunteer caregiver's stripes as if it were its mother's. Baby zebras, after imprinting, are able to find their mothers amidst a herd of identical-looking striped mother zebras.
Consider Writing a Letter to an Isolated Senior
Letter to Students and Parents from Ms. Leigh, VOS counselor
Benjamin Franklin said...
Humor is Healing
Abraham Lincoln said...
Thank you!
Important Upcoming Dates in April and May
April 1st, Wednesday: This was the time for our monthly Informational Meeting but it has been changed to April 8th.
April 8th, Wednesday: Mr. Smith, our assistant principal, is giving the monthly Informational Meeting as a VIRTUAL MEETING for parents and students interested in VOS. Please contact Susan, our secretary, via email (not phone) to get on the invitation email list: SCook@PetK12.org
April 3rd & 24th, Fridays: CANCELED - PE Group Work Outs from 2:30 to 4pm (We meet even in excessive heat or rain because we have the gym.)
March 20th through 21st, Monday through Friday: CANCELED: State Testing Week
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May 1st, Friday: SCHOOL MAY RE-OPEN, if so then the following dates will happen...
May 8th, Friday: PE Group Work Out for Group #2, from 2:30-4 (We meet even in excessive heat or rain because we have the gym.)
May 12th, Tuesday, 6pm: Two Valley Oaks students, 10th graders Henry Wilson and Sofia Doolittle will make a presentation about VOS to the PCS School Board, 5:45pm to 7pm, at the School Board Meeting in the Board Room at the district office. All are invited!
May 13th, Wednesday, 3:30-4: Mr. Smith, our assistant principal, is giving the monthly Informational Meeting at 3:30 in Building #2 for parents and students interested in applying to transfer to VOS. Please contact Susan, our secretary, to get on the welcome list.
May 14th, Thursday, 6-7pm: VOS Open House night All students are required to attend and
to present their Academic Portfolio to a family member.
May 22nd, Friday: PE Group Work Out for Group #1, from 2:30-4 (We meet even in excessive heat or rain because we have the gym.)
May 18th through 22nd, Monday through Friday: This is the last week of student-teacher appointments for VOS students. Bring back all materials. Students will be given instructions on how to do the Returning Student Assignment that will be due in August. Students with questions need to ask their teachers for help now, before school is out for summer.
May 25th, Monday: Holiday - VOS is closed
May 26th through 29th, Tuesday through Friday: this is a teacher work week, no student appointments
May 26th, Tuesday, 2-3pm: 8th Grade Promotion Celebration
May 27th, Wednesday: High School Graduation; Lucchesi Community Center: 9am breakfast for grads, 9:30-11:30 mandatory rehearsal, & 7pm ceremony - grads must arrive at 6pm.
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Our Valley Oaks School website will have the important dates for the entire new school year (2020-2021) by the end of May.
Past Newsletters
Newsletter Dates: September 1st, October 1st, November 1st, December 21st, February 1st, March 1st, April 1st, May 21st
Connect...
Email: NParker@PetK12.org
Website: https://www.petalumacityschools.org/valleyoaks
Location: 540 Vallejo Street, Petaluma, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 778 - 4794