VO News You Can Use
Dr. O's Weekly Parent Newsletter
NCSD Mission Statement
Developing each student's potential with a world class education.
February 10, 2020
Dear Village Oaks Families,
Happy Monday! As our Mid-winter Break quickly approaches, below are a few reminders I’d like you to note:
We have no school on February 17th and 18th due to our break.
We thank all of our parents who come into our building to volunteer; please remember to stop in the office to sign in and sign out before you exit the building.
We have many great afternoon programs at VO for our students. For parents who come after school hours to pick up their child from an enrichment program (not CARE) remember our main entrance door is unlocked at 4:55 pm.
As a staff we are very intentional about the language we use at VO to create a culture of academic risk taking. In our classrooms our teachers understand the importance of thoughtful feedback as we develop our students into critical thinkers. Check out the short video below to learn about the power of intentional language, which might influence how you praise your child at home as they work on different tasks.
Sincerely,
Alex
Who’s ready to light up the night?
Kindergarten Ready?
NCSD Food Drive--Thank You!
2nd Annual Invention Convention needs Volunteers!
Village Oaks is holding its 2nd Annual Invention Convention, on Thursday, February 20th. The Invention Convention is Project and Creativity Based learning opportunity put on by the Henry Ford and the Stemie Coalition. Each year, students from around the country and world work to create inventions that solve problems facing society. Students work either individually or in small groups to do the following: identify and research problems, brainstorm solutions and research existing products, ideate and design invention prototypes, and create displays and sales pitches for their ideas. Any interested Third and Fourth Grader is able to participate in this school activity and competition. To help ensure that this will be a successful event, we need volunteers to serve as judges. A volunteer judge could be anyone- a professional, a consumer, an educator, a parent, a scientist- because everyone has their own unique perspective on the problems facing the world (big problems like climate change, or small problems like keeping the family room clean), and how we can best solve them.
A commitment to help with the 2020 VO IC would entail:
Being present from 5:30~7:30 on February 20th, the night of the Convention (snacks will be provided)
NOT REQUIRED but if possible, attend a Judge Training session from 6:00-6:45 Tuesday February 11th
Ideally we are looking for 10-15 volunteers who are able to make this commitment. Scoring at our VO IC would determine which students and inventions get to move on to Regional (Oakland University) and State Level Competitions (The Henry Ford Museum). If you are interested in judging please reach out to Nick Weigel-Hubler at nicholas.weigel-hubler@novik12.org or Paige Morris at paige.morris@novik12.org. Thank you!
VO Equity Professional Development
Box Top Collection Time
Parents of Fourth Graders-Growth & Development Lesson
The 14th Annual Green Gala
Donations to the Novi Educational Foundation have allowed us to fund $17,280 in grants and programs at Village Oaks in just the last few years. The Green Gala is a premier event where parents and community members show their support for the great work that happens everyday in our school district.
The NEF and our presenting sponsors invite you to attend our 14th annual Green Gala on Saturday, March 21 at The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The evening will include dinner, a silent auction, an escape room, casino gaming, a wine pull, an interactive photo mirror, and more!
The Killer Flamingos are returning to provide the entertainment.
Tickets are now available for purchase now on the NEF website. An early bird discount is available until February 29.
Why attend?
Money raised will benefit the students in the NCSD
Major VI from the High School will be performing
Student presentations
New this year - a dinner duet (steak and chicken) or a vegetarian/vegan/gluten free option
Please join us on 3/21 for an evening of fun and entertainment.
Remind Transportation Updates
Click here to sign up for Remind
If you don't have a smartphone, you can get text notifications for Village Oaks Bus updates. Text the message @cf3aa7 to the number 81010. If you're having trouble with 81010, try texting @cf3aa7 to 248-236-1777.
NCSD Lice Information
As school is now in session, it is important to remember the guidelines for avoiding head lice. It has been found in classrooms already this year so please be vigilant in looking for it and treating it effectively. The website below has very helpful information.
VO School Day Conversations
- During our last Leaderific Friday lesson in our Villas we discussed the importance of seeking first to understand, then be understood. What are some of the ways or times throughout the day at VO we listen before we speak?
At VO, we have HEART!
In Novi Community School District we believe in promoting high expectations for academics, meeting the emotional well being of our students and celebrating positive behavior for all of our learners.
At Village Oaks Elementary, we are building a culture of collaboration, leadership, and citizenship. As a school community, we strive to:
- Have a growth mindset
- Empathize and show kindness
- Act responsibly
- Respect everyone
- Team up and collaborate with others
Show Kindness
Our Sunshine Squad had their first meeting on Friday and they are working to create more ways to spread kindness throughout VO...way to lead with HEART!
VO Family Fun Night--BINGO!
Volunteer and Donation Opportunities
VOICE 2019-2020
Hello Parents,
Our VOICE (PTO Organization) is seeking volunteers for chairpersons for several of our committees. If you have interest in volunteering with VOICE during this school year, please check out the Sign Up Genius link below. If you'd like more information, please contact Debbie Luke at debbielukehomes@gmail.com
Yearbook Committee Seeking Photos
Do you have some great photos you would love to see in the yearbook?
Please submit them to the Yearbook Committee e-mail: VOYearbookPTO@gmail.com
Be sure to include a description of the event/activity in the photo, as well as the class if appropriate.
Save the date for Spring Fling! April, 24, 2020
We need many volunteers for this event to be successful. If you have any questions about a committee position please email debbielukehomes@gmail.com
Please consider volunteering by using the link below to sign up.
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 VO retirees we were given flags of the following countries: Israel, India, United Kingdom, 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, Uruguay, Ecuador, Portugal, Spain, Central African Republic, South Africa, Wales, Iceland, Australia, Armenia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Russia, Scotland and Yemen. 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.
VO G.R.L. Power Club
G.R.L. Power Club members successfully participated in their first event towards preparing to pitch their business ideas at the June VO Shark Tank. Mrs. Teresa, owner of Dancing Eye Gallery, in Downtown Northville, welcomed our new VO club members to ask her questions about how she started her business. She also agreed to be a guest shark for the Kid's Shark Tank in June. The next G.R.L. Power Club meeting will take place on Tuesday February 25th from 6:30-7:30pm in the VO project room. Leaders will continue their preparation toward balancing entrepreneurship and fun!
Playworks
This year NCSD elementary schools will partner with Playworks to enhance the learning experiences for students throughout the district. 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!
Looking Ahead
2/11/20--Second Grade Concert 6:30pm-7:30pm
2/17/20 & 2/18/20--Mid-Winter Break No School
3/13/20--End of second trimester
3/16/20--Beginning of third trimester
3/16-3/20/20--Book Fair
3/19/20--Parent/teacher conferences
3/24/20--3rd Grade Concert 6:30pm-7:30pm
3/26/20--Bonaventure Skate Night 6:00pm-8:30pm
3/30-4/3/20--Book Fair
4/3/20--Celebration of Thinking Grades K, 1 & 2 9:15am-10:15am
4/3/20--Celebration of Thinking Grades 3 & 4 2:30pm-3:30pm
Parent Pick-up/Parking & Bus Stop Expectations
As you pick-up and drop off your children please be mindful of the following:
- Do not park in front of our neighbors' driveways or mailboxes.
- Park in our parking lot and keep your pet in your car.
- For the safety of our students do not walk your children through our bus loop as students are loading/exiting our busses.
- Stay in your car as you drive through our car loop.
- 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.
We ask that you remind your children that VO expectations/rules apply at our bus stops. We expect all of our students to be on their best behavior as they wait for their bus and we appreciate your help.
Thank you for your support!
CARE
Please remember if there is a change in your child's CARE schedule you need to notify Holly Bengle 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.
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VILLAGE OAKS MISSION
The mission of Village Oaks Elementary is to create and maintain an educational environment that supports academic achievement, consistent with district, state and national standards to meet all students' learning needs.
VO 2018 National Blue Ribbon Exemplary School
Village Oaks Elementary
VO school hours: 9:08 am-4:00 pm
Office hours: 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Attendance line: 248.449.1301
Office phone number: 248.449.1300
Email: Alexander.ofili@novik12.org
Website: https://vo.novi.k12.mi.us/
Location: Village Oaks Elementary School, Willowbrook Drive, Novi, MI, United States
Phone: 248.449.1300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NoviVillageOaks
Twitter: @NoviVillageOaks