Valley Viking News
August 8, 2023
Welcome to School Year 2023-2024
Teacher assignment letters will be sent out systemically on August 10th beginning at 4 PM. Thank you for your patience. To some, the grouping of students might seem like a simple sort, but what we want you to know is that many people in our building look at these lists and provide feedback. While they review the lists they are thinking about the match between each student and their instructional program as well as social emotional needs. We also work to keep class sizes the same among teachers in the same grade to the greatest extent possible. This takes time and many eyes. We have a fantastic staff here at Valley who are dedicated to the growth and development of our students!
Please continue reading for important information start the year off right!
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Hyde
Back to School Night
Just a reminder that we will be hosting our Open House on August 21st from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM for students in grade(s) 1-5. On this day the school will be open during the aforementioned times for students and families to visit and find their classroom as well as meet their teacher. There will not be a schedule for formal presentations on this day. Kindergarten families should have received a separate communication regarding a schedule for this evening to ensure that our K families and students are prepared for the first days of school.
We will hold a Back to School Night on September 13th from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM to provide more in depth information to families regarding what they can expect their students to learn in all content areas throughout the year. We have made this change in response to feedback from the survey completed by families last school year.
VES School Supply List
Bus Route Information
Bus route information will be available online on August 12th by accessing the link provided below. You should check back periodically until the first day of school as changes may occur due to late registrations.
Information that you have provided, either at registration or by updating us through a phone call or email, is what is used to route buses. It is important that we note any changes that may have occured for your family as soon as possible so that we can ensure safe transport of your child in the way you intend.
If you do not have Internet access or need assistance, please do not hesitate to call.
Car Rider and Walker Procedures
If there have been any changes in your child’s transportation information since you completed the enrollment forms, please contact the office at Valley to let us know. This is important so we know where your student will be going after school.
Morning Car Rider Drop-Off
Please stay in a single file line while dropping off your child in the back of the school. You will enter the parking lot through the Horine Rd. entrance, make an immediate right and proceed straight through to the blacktop area. This is for all car riders in grade Kindergarten through 5.
Please do not park your car in this lane, get out of your car, or pull alongside another vehicle. This is a “kiss and ride” zone. If you need to come into the school, please park your car in the front parking lot.
When dropping off, please move forward toward the gym entrance and someone will open the door for your child. Thank you in advance for making drop off smooth and safe for all involved.
Please do not park or drive in the bus lane between the hours of 8:30 and 9:00 am.
Afternoon Car Rider Pick –up
Please stay in a single file line while picking up your child in the back of the school. You will enter the parking lot through the Rt. 180 (Jefferson Pike) entrance, turn right into the second entrance of the parking lot and proceed through the parking lot to the blacktop area behind the school. This is for all car riders in grade Pre-Kindergarten through 5. (The Horine Rd. entrance is only to be used for buses entering the school between the hours of 3:15 and 4:00 pm.)
All afternoon car riders will be issued a “car rider number” to connect parents and students. You can register for a car rider number at Back to School night or during the first week of school. If you do not have a car rider number, you will be asked to show a picture ID.
Your child will be waiting with a staff member on duty.
Please do not park or drive in the bus lane between the hours of 3:15 and 4:00 pm.
Walkers
Students living between Valley Elementary School and Lander Rd. are walkers. We will have a crossing guard between 8:30 – 9 am and 3:30 – 3:45 pm for walkers of homes across the street.
Announcing Our New PTA Board Members and a NEW Website
Jenni Nakamoto-Callan - PTA President
Rebecca Gedalowitz - PTA Co-Vice President
Kate Forsha - Co-Vice President
New PTA Website
School Meal Information
Everything you need to know about school meals can be found here, including meal prices and free and reduced meal applications. Please see the flier below for updates for the 23-24 school year.
School Cash Online
Through School Cash Online, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, field trips, and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children, and in no time you will be able to make payments online. Through School Cash Online, FCPS is able to accept many different payment forms.
https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com/
Find Out First and One Call Now
Volunteer Training
Parents, Guardians or Community Members must complete volunteer training before volunteering in any school in Frederick County. This training must be completed annually which means that if you were approved last year, you must stilll complete the training this year in order to volunteer in our school. This training must also be completed if you plan to chaperone on a field trip. Please use the link below to access this training if you would like to volunteer in our school.
Volunteer Training and Registration
Completion of this training is processed first at the county level. It is important to complete this training several days prior to the volunteer opportunity. We are not able to expedite this process.
We will be hosting a volunteer event in early September. At this event we will share information specific to volunteering at Valley as well as provide access to the online training for anyone who would like to complete that training but just haven't had the opportunity. Look for more information to be shared via Find Out First.
FCPS Important Dates Year at a Glance
FCPS Year at a Glance (These are important dates as of 7/25/2023 and are subject to minor alterations. Please refer to fcps.org for the most up to date information).
August
August 23 (Wednesday) First Day of School
September
September 4 (Monday) Schools* and Offices Closed
September 22 (Friday) 3 1/2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
September 25 (Monday) Schools* Closed
October
October 11 (Wednesday) 4-Hour Delayed Opening: Elementary and Middle Only (Parent-Teacher Conferences), No 1/2 Day Pre-K; High Schools Open on Time
October 12 (Thursday) 4-Hour Delayed Opening: Elementary and Middle Only (Parent-Teacher Conferences), No 1/2 Day Pre-K; High Schools Open on Time
October 13 (Friday) 3 1/2-Hour Early Dismissal: Elementary and Middle Only (Parent-Teacher Conferences), No 1/2 Day Pre-K; High Schools Open Full Day
October 20 (Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
October 27 (Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
November
November 22 (Wednesday) Schools* and Offices Closed
November 23-24 (Thursday-Friday) Schools** and Offices Closed
December
December 1 (Friday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
December 25-26 (Monday-Tuesday) Schools** and Offices Closed
December 27-29 (Wednesday-Friday) Schools** Closed
January
January 1 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
January 15 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
January 16 (Tuesday) Schools Closed*
January 17 (Wednesday) Schools Closed*
February
February 16 (Friday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
February 19 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
March
March 22 (Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
March 29 (Friday) Schools** and Offices Closed
April
April 1 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
April 2-5 (Tuesday-Friday) Schools* Closed for Students
May
May 2 (Thursday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal for Students
May 14 (Tuesday) Schools** Closed
May 27 (Monday) Schools** and Offices Closed
June
June 5*** (Wednesday) 2-Hour Early Dismissal/Last Day of School for Students
*BOE Determined
**State Mandated (See page 40)
***FCPS will make up days closed for inclement weather or other emergencies in the following sequence: June 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12. If no snow days are used, the last day for students is Wednesday, June 5. The June 2-hour early dismissal will occur on the last day of school for students. The school year will provide 180 days for students. Dates are subject to BOE revision.