Phoenix Family News
October 14, 2020
Calendar of Events - NOTE HYBRID DAYS NEXT WEEK
- VNN Live Link! - Live each morning at 9:15 am
- VCES Mindful Movement Minute Link - Live each day at 2:30 pm
- October 19 - No School, K-12 Prep Day
- October 20 - Group B In-Person / Group A Distance Learning
- October 21 - Group A In-Person / Group B Distance Learning
- October 22 - Group B In-Person / Group A Distance Learning
- October 23 - Group A In-Person / Group B Distance Learning
- NOTE: There is NO Friday Flex instruction day the week of October 19-23. Group B students are in person on Tuesday/Thursday and Group A students are in person on Wednesday/Friday.
- October 20-30 - Fall Conference Window (see below for more information)
- For updated calendars visit our District Website or District A/B Hybrid Calendar
A Note from the Principal - 2020-21 Virtual Opening Ceremony
As you may know, we have a long-standing tradition of welcoming new students and staff to the building at our Opening Ceremony each fall where new students and staff get the opportunity to walk through arches to the song, “Step by Step.” Students and staff don’t walk under the arches again until they leave the building for new places (new town, new school, etc).
This year posed a challenge in the fact that we could not come together at our traditional ceremony in the gym, but we were able to collect pictures and video from our hybrid and VLA students and families to re-create what we would normally do in person. Our 2020-21 Opening Ceremony video was shared with students and families through SeeSaw today, but please feel free to enjoy it again HERE!
Battle of the Books - Virtual!
VLA Book Checkout
Fall Conferences
We have a long-standing tradition of student-led conferences, and while we won't be having our traditional 15 minutes for you to review your child's Progressfolio, we do ask that your child be part of the 15-minute conference with the teacher to review what's going well and to set goals for our upcoming time together. We hope to return to our "student led" format for our spring conferences.
If your child receives special education and/or EL services, case managers will also be reaching out to families to schedule a 15-minute time to connect. Specialist teachers will also be available to meet with families. You can schedule a conference time with them or just drop in their WebEx room on the following nights (click on the specialist's name to access their WebEx room):
- Sarah Lanners/Media - 10/22 4-6pm, 10/27 4-8:15pm, 10/29 4-6pm
- Alissa Nutting/Art - 10/20 4:30-8:15pm, 10/27 4:30-7:30pm, 10/29 4-5:30 pm
- Michelle Lieder/K-3 PE - 10/20 4:30-8:45pm, 10/21 4:30-8:45pm
- Amie Schroeder/4-5 PE - 10/20 4:30-8:45pm, 10/21 4:30-8:45pm
- Stacey Burwick/K-3 Music - 10/20 5-8pm, 10/21 5-8:15pm, 10/26 5-7pm
- Mary Slette/4-5 Music - 10/22 4-8pm, 10/26 4-8:15pm
If you'd like to connect with Mrs. Classon or Mrs. McDonald at any time during the conference window, please let us know!
2020-21 Yearbooks & Fall Pictures
Fall pictures have been scheduled for November 9th and 10th to accommodate both A and B students. VLA students will have an opportunity to get their pictures taken as well. The VLA picture time is on November 10th from 4:00-6:30 pm. More information will be coming as the date approaches.
Notes from our School Social Worker
Dr. Gervais is excited to be able to offer you or your child(ren) the opportunity to meet with her virtually in 15-minute increments: https://calendly.com/drgervais/meeting-with-dr-gervais
Any questions or resource needs, please contact Dr. Gervais at jgervais2@sowashco.org
Resources for Families - District 833 has a website that will link you to a variety of resources from food, mental health, and unemployment and so much more. Bookmark this page for future use: https://www.sowashco.org/about/fall_2020/family_resources
Free Parenting Education Series: What is ADHD? How does it affect kids? - November 18, 2020 - 6:30-7:45pm - Virtual - For more information and to sign up, GO HERE
PTA News
Fall Fundraiser
Our Fall Fundraiser has begun! While it may look different this year, we are doing our best to still bring some fun and teamwork to Valley Crossing! You should have received the Fitness Fundraiser and BINGO flyers this week, which you can also access here:
To register, visit the Fundraiser Registration Site
School Identifier code: 5d2f3c17caf66
Fundraiser will run through Nov 13th.
2020 Fitness Fundraiser Information Video
Fall Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is back! While the Fair will be exclusively held online this year, we still plan on making it a fun and joyous experience for our kids. The Online Fair will include features like: Valley Crossing’s own online store, games for kids, virtual store walk-throughs and more. Remember, every dollar you spend will benefit our school directly (25% back in rewards!)
Save these dates and view our school’s Fair site:
Fair Dates: Monday, October 26- Monday, November 8
Online Store: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/valleycrossingelementarysch1
Note: The shopping link will not be activated until the fair begins on October 26th.
We can’t wait to “see” you at the Fair!
Any questions? Contact Susan Vance 952-334-2572 or valleycrossingpta@gmail.com
PTA Meeting
Join us on Monday October 26th at 4:30 for our virtual PTA meeting. All are welcome and encouraged to sign up to be a member on Memberhub. If you are interested in joining us, please email valleycrossingpta@gmail.com for the meeting link. Don’t forget to visit the National PTA website to learn about the benefits of becoming a PTA member.
Memberhub
Please use this link to sign up a new account: vces.memberhub.com/join/jkw58d
Returning families: Your MemberHub login will carry over from past years. Login HERE
VCES Contact Information
Connha Classon, Principal: cclasson@sowashco.org / 651.425.7503
Kristine McDonald, Assistant Principal: kmcdonal@sowashco.org / 651.425.7523
Merita LaPlante, Office Coordinator: mlaplant@sowashco.org / 651.425.7501
Jen Gackstetter, Office Assistant: jgackste@sowashco.org / 651.425.7507
Jen Gervais, Social Worker: jgervais2@sowashco.org / 651.425.7605Family Technology Support Line: Fall 2020 website / 651.425.HELP (4357) - M-F 7:30-4:00
Valley Crossing Elementary
Email: cclasson@sowashco.org
Website: vces.sowashco.org
Location: 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN, USA
Phone: 651.425.7500