Phoenix Family News
May 28, 2021
Important Dates Ahead...
May 31 - No School
June 2 - Last day of school
- June 2 - Device return day for VLA students 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Calendar and Schedule Updates
The latest calendar updates are available at sowashco.org/calendar.
A Note from the Principal
A long weekend is upon us. I hope you get to enjoy the great outdoors and time with family and friends. Students have two more days of school next week, and we are excited to have some fun with our students as we close out a year like no other. Thank you for your support of our amazing school and teachers. We appreciate your partnership! The final Phoenix Family Flyer will be sent on Wednesday, June 2.
Virtual Learning Academy (VLA) Device/Material Turn In
- When: Wednesday, June 2nd from 10am-2pm
- Where: Front Sidewalk (in the front of the building) of Valley Crossing Elementary
- Details: Please park your car in the school parking lot. You will then walk to the designated table to turn in your students device and any other materials outlined by the classroom teacher. Tables will be designated by grade level (K/1, 2/3, 4/5 and Gateway). Staff will check off that you turned in your device and materials. All staff will be following recommended safety guidelines (masks and social distancing). We ask our students and families to please do the same. Device Check-in Sheet
- Note: If the designated time does not work for your family please reach out to your classroom teacher and an alternative plan will be determined. In case of rain, drop off will move to front entryway for rain coverage.
VNN Registration 2021-2022
Are you Moving?
Now Hiring Reading Corps Tutors for 2021-22
Tutors are needed for the 2021-2022 school year at Valley Crossing Elementary to help our students succeed. Can you help us spread the word? Reading tutors help our students gain the confidence and skills they need to be successful learners.
Tutoring isn’t just a meaningful way for people to give back to the community; it also helps create bright futures! Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students in grades K – 3. No experience is necessary as Reading Corps provides great training in strategies proven to help students build skills and become better readers.
Valley Crossing has 2 part time positions available that have flexibility with committing to serve 25 or 18 hours a week during the school year. Tutors can choose to begin in August, September, or October.
Tutors Receive Great Perks!
Learn reading strategies to apply with their own children/grandchildren
Receive a paid stipend every two weeks
Earn up to $4,441 for college tuition or student loans. Tutors 55 and older may gift the award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child.
Free health insurance and child care assistance for those who qualify
Click Here to Apply at VCES! Have a question? Know someone who would be a great tutor? Apply at the link above, contact join@servetogrow.org or call 866.859.2825. You can also contact Rachael Marrier, VCES Reading Specialist, at rmarrier@sowashco.org for more information.
Summer Reading
Classlink Directions
Summer SOAR: SoWashCo Online Academic Resource
Summer SOAR is an online learning option designed by your District 833 teachers to align with Minnesota state academic standards. It is a seven week course updated each year to help students currently in grades K to 7 to become familiar with grade level curriculum for the coming school year and review material from the grade level just completed. Students can access Summer SOAR from any device with the Internet and can work at their own pace each week. There will be videos with instruction, activities, readings and other engaging content in the areas of mathematics and reading. Help stop sum- mer learning loss by signing up to have your child log on and participate in this fun online course. Stu- dents can work at their own pace whenever it fits in your family schedule. A new lesson will open each Monday morning. There will be 7 lessons in all. Students can always go back to review the previous weeks’ lessons. Prevent brain drain and SOAR into next school year with these fun activities this summer.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion. Please register for your child’s SY 21-22 grade level. After your registration is received, information to access the program will be emailed to you from Community Education before the first lesson is available.
Summer SOAR will begin June 21st and be available online through August 12th.
Register today at no cost for Math, Reading or both courses at sowashco.ce.eleyo.com.
Looking for Summer Camps and Classes?
Community Ed has so many to choose from.
Here are links to a few elementary camps you do not want to miss.
Skill School with Coach Spring, June 8-July 1, LRES, Ages 4-6
Kealy Volleyball Academy (KVA), June 14-16, LMS, Grades 3-5
How to Draw, June 21-24, OMS, Ages 5-12
Intro to Game Coding, July 5-8, OMS, Grades 1-4
Jr Engineering: Crazy Gears and Wheels, June 14-17, ERHS, Grades K-3
Park High School Boys/Girls Tennis Camp, July 26-29, PHS, Ages 5-10
Soccer Shots – Empower Program, Fridays, June 25-Aug 27, ROES, Ages 4-8
ERHS Soccer Academy Skills Camp, July 26-30, ERHS, Ages: 5-12
Camp Invention, July 26-30, OMS, Grades K-5
Mini Raptors Summer Soccer Camp, July 26-30, ERHS, Ages 5-9
Hip Hop Dance Party, August 9-12, ERHS, Grades K-5
And so many more! Sowashco.ce.eleyo.comSummer Fun
Illnesses, Absences and Quarantines
Please be sure to call in to our attendance line to report absences or illness: 651-425-7506
Any sick student who is sent to school, or is determined to be sick during the school day, will immediately be sent home.
- The 14-day quarantine period will remain in place. If staff or students had close contact with an infected person, the Minnesota Department of Health may direct us to keep them out of school for a minimum of 14 days.
- If your student is in quarantine due to a school-related exposure and you received a district quarantine letter, you do not need to call attendance every day.
If a family member has symptoms, please keep your child home from school. You can call the office to report the absence and our school nurse will explain the next steps based on your situation.
If anyone in your household has a pending Covid test due to having symptoms, we ask that everyone stays home until the results come back.
Please do not enter the building if you or anyone in your household is ill or tested positive for Covid. We can provide contactless delivery of materials or walk students out to be picked up, if need be.
We ask that families be prepared for the possibility that their child’s class could move to distance learning at any time due to a potential COVID-19 exposure.
We acknowledge that families may be frustrated, but we ask that our staff be treated with respect. They cannot change a student’s quarantine period.
If you have questions, please call our Health Office at 651-425-7502.
Vacations and Other Extended Absences
VCES Information Links
- Family Technology Support Line: 651.425.HELP (4357) - M-F 7:30-4:00
- VNN Channel Page - Tune in each morning at 9:15 am as your Morning Meeting starts!
- Resources for Families: https://www.sowashco.org/about/fall_2020/family_resources
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 / 651.425.7542Valley Crossing Elementary
Email: cclasson@sowashco.org
Website: vces.sowashco.org
Location: 9900 Park Crossing, Woodbury, MN, USA
Phone: 651.425.7500