VCS East Hawk Talk
September 2021
COVID-19...What We're Doing at VCS
Dear Vanguard Classical School families:
We want to emphasize the importance of having everyone do their part to keep our community safe during this new “Delta” wave of COVID-19. At both VCS East and VCS West, we start with what Aurora Public School (APS) is requiring for safety, and then go even further with additional measures because we care so much about the safety of our students and staff. We are in constant communication with APS as well as Tri-County Health regarding the most current COVID-19 safety protocol and procedures.
Here is what we are currently doing:
All staff are required to be vaccinated.
All students and staff at both buildings are required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.
All students entering either VCS building are temperature screened.
Additional nursing space is utilized at each campus to provide additional safety.
Teachers are following "social distancing" protocols” throughout each campus.
Each campus has a Day Porter to assist with disinfecting/cleaning.
All common surfaces, door handles, etc. are disinfected throughout the day.
Bathrooms, & other common areas are cleaned regularly throughout the day.
Both campuses are cleaned each night with desks, chairs & surfaces disinfected.
Touchless disinfectant dispensers are located throughout each building.
Disinfectant wipes have been provided for each classroom so that staff can wipe down desks and other classroom surfaces throughout the day.
Upgraded HVAC systems and filters have been installed at each campus to minimize air flow transmission risk.
VCS has purchased additional HVAC filtration systems for every VCS room.
Sneeze guards have been installed at the front desk areas of each campus.
Touchless purified water drinking stations have been added at both campuses.
Parents/guardians cannot access either building during drop-off or pick-up.
Between drop-off and pick-up, parents/guardians can only access the front desk area and must wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.
For your own peace of mind, it is also important to note that since August 15th, all VCS students have been required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Also, since the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, all VCS staff have been required to be vaccinated, and since August 22nd, all VCS staff have been required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
What can you do to help us keep our VCS community safe?
Teach your children COVID-19 safety through your own personal example.
Screen for symptoms and keep your children home if they show ANY symptoms: (fever/chills, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, headache, body aches).
Keep ALL children at home even if just one is symptomatic or has tested positive.
Send your students to school with masks that fit correctly.
Wear a mask if you are on campus. We can provide one at the entrance.
At home: practice frequent and correct hand washing.
In your community: wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands.
Get vaccinated. We cannot emphasize enough that it is the singular, most important thing for you to do to keep your children and our community safe.
Get tested. There are free testing sites for all APS families throughout Aurora and at the APS Central Offices. To find a local community testing site near you please visit Tri-County Health Department’s testing website.
Have a plan in place to pick up your child if they become ill during the school day.
COVID-19 remains active in our communities and exposure could occur outside the school setting. Please monitor all members of your family for symptoms of COVID-19. Individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should stay home, isolate, and seek testing. People with symptoms should report all test results to VCS to determine when you can return. If you are concerned about possible exposure and/or the severity of you or your child’s symptoms, consult your healthcare provider. If you have questions please contact the VCS front office at 303-338-4110 or info@vanguardclassical.org.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. VCS is a strong community, and it takes each of us to do our part to be successful. Let's keep our kids learning best by keeping them in school with their teachers!
Sincerely,
Jay Cerny, VCS Executive Director
Emily Van Luit, VCS East Principal
Keria McCafferty, VCS West Principal
Dennis Steele, VCS Business/Operations Director
Annie Garner, VCS East Nurse
Alisha Porter, VCS West Nurse
Absences and Tardies
Tardies:
We have now begun to record tardies. Please remember that students are to be in their seats and ready to learn by 7:50 am. The doors open at 7:30 am, so make sure to drop your children off on time, or sign up for FREE before/after care.Absences:
Make sure to notify the front desk of absences. If we don't hear from you, our attendance system will automatically call you to verify the absence.
Carline
Students Must Be Picked Up On Time
- K-4 dismissal is at 3:15 pm
- 5-12 dismissal is at 3:24 pm
ALL students must be picked up NO LATER than 3:45 pm. If you find you are unable to pick your child up by that time, register them for Innovation Learning, Inc. (FREE child care).
Families of children who are not picked up by 3:45 pm, and who are not registered with Innovation Learning will be charged $1.00/minute after 3:45 pm.
Innovation Learning, Inc.
FREE Meals!
Apply for Free and Reduced Lunch
It is important for every family to complete a Free and Reduced Lunch Application every school year even if they think they do not qualify. Applications are available at payschoolscentral.com and only take about 10 minutes to complete. If you applied last year, click ‘Login’ to enter the site and apply again for the 2021-22 school year. If you are applying for the first time, click ‘Register’.
Families who require assistance completing the application may contact the Nutrition Services Department at 303-343-0295 or their child’s school.
Why are Free and Reduced Applications Important?
- If your child qualifies for free or reduced price lunches, they qualify for free or reduced price breakfasts at school, free or reduced field trip admissions, and even free or reduced school fees (does not include athletic fees).
- Your child and many others may receive other school benefits. The number of applications that are returned and approved can affect how much funding our school gets to help students meet academic benchmarks, including materials like books and computers.
Some parents are concerned about listing income amounts and social security numbers on the application. Any personal information you provide will not be shared. Free and reduced price meal applications are confidential. Your information will only be used to determine your child's eligibility for the school meal programs. We cannot share your information without your written permission. Students who receive free and reduced price meals are not identified. No other students or staff will know who is and who is not receiving free or reduced meals.
School Accountability Committee
FSCP (Family, School, and Community Partnership Committee)
Homecoming/Spirit Week!
Fall Sports
Middle School:
- Co-Ed Cross Country
- Co-Ed Flag Football
- Girls Volleyball
High School:
- Co-Ed Cross Country
- Girls Volleyball
Soccer Shots (K-3 ONLY)
Celebrations and Classroom Parties (p. 28, Parent/Student Handbook)
VCS expects teachers to keep both the number of parties and time spent away from academic study to a minimum. Teachers are traditionally asked to use the last period of the day for a party. VCS does not celebrate religious holidays. VCS wishes to make sure that all students feel included, therefore we encourage families to include all students if birthday party invitations are passed out at school.
Food items for Core Knowledge celebrations, Culture Fair, birthday celebrations, etc. should primarily be store bought and in individual packaging. Should families choose to prepare a food item (i.e. tamales for our 1st grade Mexican Fiesta, mashed potatoes for our Kindergarten Thanksgiving celebration, etc.), recipes including all ingredients must be shared, and items must be submitted to teachers no later than two weeks prior to the event, and will be pre approved by a member of the leadership team. Approval will be communicated to families one week prior to the event. Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in items being sent home without any consumption.
For birthdays, especially, families can drop items off at the front desk, but will not be allowed to go to classrooms as this will disrupt learning. Treats should be passed out to students at the very end of the day, and ideally right before dismissal.
School Photos are Available to View and Order!
You should have received an email directly from Jostens with a link to the website (you can also click the button below).
PHOTOS NOT APPEARING IN YOUR GALLERY?
FIND YOUR STUDENT USING EVENT CODE: FE161921
DID YOU KNOW?
- You can personalize your photos with a variety of backgrounds and text!
- Photos are shipped directly to your home!
- High-res digital downloads are available!
- If you have more than one child, you can order together and pay once!
Discounts on Internet Services
The following companies are providing discounts on internet.
CTL lifeline
https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/community-development/lifeline.htmlxfinity essentials
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/comcast-broadband-opportunity-program
VCS is not affiliated or associated with any of these programs. Families will need to apply directly with the companies.
October Count is Friday, 10/1!
What is October Count?
The State of Colorado uses the October Count process to determine the amount of funding a school will receive based on enrollment numbers.
When is October Count?
The October Count Window is from September 24-October 8, 2021. This is a two week period in which we are required to account for student attendance. The most important day of the window is Friday, October 1, 2021, which is Count Day.
October 1, 2021
On Wednesday, October 1, 2021, every student must be in their seat by 7:50 am. It is very important that we have all students present for the entirety of the school day, and for this reason we ask that you avoid scheduling appointments, trips, or early pick-ups on this day.
COVID Vaccines
COVIDCheck Colorado
Immunizations & Medications at School
You can find the exemption forms below or at this website:
Quick Links
Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Contact Ms. Torres, Ms. Petit, or Ms. Holtz for assistance at 303-338-4110.