VO News You Can Use
Dr. O's Weekly Parent Newsletter
NCSD Mission Statement
Developing each student's potential with a world class education.
September 9, 2019
Dear Village Oaks Families,
The first week of school was fantastic! Students and staff were excited to meet each other, teachers focused on creating safe learning communities in their rooms, and we began establishing rules/expectations throughout our building to guide students to success. I encourage all parents to attend the upcoming curriculum nights so you can learn more about our teachers, school routines, and the curriculum in each grade level. Please enjoy the images below from the first week of school!
Important reminders:
- Directory order forms are due on Friday, Sept 13.
- Please keep pets off of school grounds as you pick up your children before and after school.
- During afternoon pick-up please park your car in the parking lot and refrain from using the parking spots in front of our school.
- The NEF All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, Sept 14 from 7:30am-10:30am. (See flyer below.)
Sincerely,
Alex
VO's First Annual Fun Run!
Dear VO Parents,
We are so excited to announce our first annual FUN RUN sponsored by VOICE. This event will be a fundraiser for the school and take place during the school day on Friday, October 4. We will be sending more information home with your students later this week. If you'd like to volunteer to help coordinating this event or helping during the day of the event please email Debbie Luke at debbielukehomes@gmail.com.
New Staff Highlight--Brenna McGinn & Laura Candela (Resource Room)
Hello Village Oaks families, I am a new special education resource teacher and I wanted to introduce myself to you. My name is Mrs. Laura Candela and I will have the privilege of working with the 3rd and 4th graders this year. This is my 7th year as a special education teacher and 10th year teaching, and I have another 15 years experience working as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. My family has lived in Northville since 2005 and I have a son who is working as an artist/animator in California. I am thrilled to be joining the Novi Community Schools and very excited to work together to help your child have a great beginning to the 2019-20 school year.
Cub Scouts at Village Oaks
Are you interested in having exciting adventures with us in Cub Scouts at Village Oaks? Please join us at 7 pm, Tuesday, September 10 in the Village Oaks cafeteria for Join Scouting Night. We will explain the program in detail and answer any questions. Everyone is welcome! Bring your kids so they can meet and play games with current Scouts from our Pack. Cub Scouts is a program within Scouts BSA for boys and girls from 5 to 11 years old (K-5). The Cub Scouts program hosts a lineup of hands-on activities and adventures focused on: Character Development, Spiritual Growth, Good Citizenship, Sportsmanship and Fitness, Family Understanding, Respectful Relationships, Personal Achievement, Friendly Service, Fun and Adventure. Ask your kids about the Cub Scouts assembly from September 5 to get their input, and we hope to see you there! https://pack239novi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Pack-239.pdf
2019-2020 Curriculum Nights
Please mark the following dates on your calendars:
2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade- Tuesday, September 17th 6:30pm-7:30pm
Kindergarten & 1st Grade- Thursday, September 19th 6:30pm-7:30pm
ESL Curriculum Night -October 15th 6:30pm-7:30pm
Title One & Specials Curriculum Nights - October 17th 6:30pm-7:30pm
Hearing and Vision Screenings Provided in Oakland County Schools
Hearing and vision screenings are required by Michigan Law (The Public Health Code 368 of
1978) and are provided annually in Oakland County schools by Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) at no cost. Screenings help identify vision and hearing difficulties that can affect a child’s school performance, speech and language skills and social development. OCHD Public Health Technicians do not diagnose any conditions but can make parents/guardians aware if a child may need further follow-up from a doctor.
- Vision screening occurs in pre-school, 1st , 3rd , 5th , 7th , and 9th grades
- Hearing screening occurs in pre-school, kindergarten, 2nd , and 4th grades
Your child’s school will notify you about scheduled screening dates in the 2019-2020 school
year. Please ensure your student is in attendance on screening days. For more information: visit www.oakgov.com/health , call OCHD’s Hearing and Vision program at 248-424-7070, or contact
your child’s school.
Birthday Books
Birthdays are fun for everyone and we love making your child’s special day memorable for years to come! This year Village Oaks Elementary will be implementing a new policy for birthday celebrations. In lieu of treats such as cupcakes and ice cream, all classrooms (K-4) will start using Birthday Books! Birthday Books are a great way to share the love of reading with your child and the entire class. It encourages a “Readerly Life,” and donating a book is a way to leave a legacy in your child’s class for years to come! Once the book is donated, it will always be on the Birthday Bookshelf.
VO School Day Conversations
- When a staff member tells you to 'catch a bubble' as you are walking in the hallway what does that mean?
- Can you name some friends that you made during the first week of school?
- At VO students Believe, Achieve, and __________ (Succeed) ?
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
Check out our Novi Bobcats below who do a great job of teaming up and collaborating!
Novi Food Service
Information regarding our lunch program and monthly menus can also be found on the district web-page. Go to the section District and choose Food Service. Applications for free and reduced lunch are also located on this web-site. Please remember you must apply each year in order for your child to receive free or reduced lunch prices. Lunch prices will be 2.50 for lunch. Milk comes with lunch but students can purchase just milk for .50 cents. Village Oaks also offers a breakfast program. Students can purchase breakfast for 1.50. Fees will be deducted from your child’s lunch account.
Coffee with the Superintendent
Please join Dr. Steve Matthews, Superintendent, along with Detective Jon Zabick and Detective Julie Warren at the upcoming Coffee with the Superintendent.
Date: September 11, 2019
Time: 10:15 - 11:15 AM
Where: The Novi Public Library
Topic of Discusssion: Keeping our schools and students safe
GEMS After School Math Enrichment
Hi Third and Fourth Grade Parents:
Do you know that at the end of fourth grade your child will take a test that determines whether or not they are placed in advanced math classes at Novi Meadows? Children who place into this advanced math path will have the opportunity to take further advanced classes in high school such as AP Calculus and AP Physics. The GEMS (Grow Excellence in Math and Science) program has helped many students onto this advanced math path and we would love to help your child too. Our program emphasizes excellence in mathematics, problem solving, analytical and critical thinking skills starting from a young age. We strive to prepare our students for competitive exams (AMC 8, GAUSS, CML, MOEMS (Math Olympiad)) as well as enable them to ace standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. As students progress, they gain high test scores, better grades in school, more self-confidence, and admission to top universities.
Please refer to the Novi Community Education (novicommunityed.org) catalogue for details of schools and locations for these after school classes. Please visit www.gemsenrichment.com or write an email to info@gemsenrichment.com for further information.
A flyer is also attached for your perusal.
Thanks and best regards,
Anupam
Email: info@gemsenrichment.com
Phone: (313) 308 5616
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
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, England, 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 and Scotland. 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.
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
9/10/19-New Family Welcome Meeting 9:15am-10:00am
9/14/19--NEF All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast: 7:30am-10:30am
9/17/19--2nd, 3rd & 4th Grade Curriculum Night: 6:30pm-7:30pm
9/19/19--Kindergarten & 1st Grade Curriculum Night: 6:30pm-7:30pm
9/24/19--Bonaventure Family Night
10/02/19--Student Day & Picture Day
10/04/19--Fall Fun Run/Walk
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: 8:15 am-4:15 pm
Attendance line: 248.449.1301
Office phone number: 248.449.1300
Email: Alexander.ofili@novik12.org
Website: www.novi.k12.mi.us/vo/
Location: Village Oaks Elementary School, Willowbrook Drive, Novi, MI, United States
Phone: 248.449.1300
Twitter: @NoviVillageOaks