We are excited to welcome parents to the Fall 2021 Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 4th! Sign up links will be emailed to you and available on the website after Fall Break.

Conferences will be held from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm. Virtual options will be available at the family's request. There is no school that day, but we encourage you to bring your children with you to their conference. If your family owes any fees, conference day is a great day to make payments at the front office.

ABSENCES AND TARDIES

Tardies:

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.

Dear VCS Families,

It’s so great to see students back at both our VCS West and VCS East campuses. Our VCS staff are my heroes because I’ve seen what they’ve done to make instruction accessible during an unprecedented time.

However, this is the first letter that I’ve ever written like this. Let it hopefully be the last. It is unfortunate that we have noticed an unpleasant trend of parental anger and disrespect toward VCS staff members this year that I feel I must address.

While it is likely less than 10% or our population, I’ve witnessed or learned of an alarmingly high number of incidents involving angry and upset VCS parents, grandparents, and guardians who are inappropriately taking out their frustrations on VCS staff members. This negativity is creating a toxic atmosphere. Almost daily at both campuses, VCS front desk staff, teachers, administrators, and staff monitoring traffic control are faced with parental disrespect, impertinence, and rudeness. Some parents are even refusing to obey basic safety guidelines like following traffic flow patterns. This disrespect and rudeness has got to stop.

Although we are still “getting back into the swing of things” after an incredibly difficult year, there is never an excuse for disrespect. We teach our students the VCS “H-A-W-K” character traits of Honor, Achievement, World Citizenship, and Kindness. Let’s reflect upon these important character traits, and do our best to teach them to others through our own personal example, especially kindness.

We must make an immediate effort to end the disrespect and disregard of school rules. I believe we can. In fact, I propose that all in the VCS community commit to intentionally thanking our VCS staff, and acknowledging the difficult set of responsibilities that they are now facing. They are here to help your children succeed in school and in life. Please make it your priority to value and respect your VCS teachers, support staff, and administrators.

While we’re all faced with daily uncertainties, we still have so much to be thankful for. Let’s focus on those things and be kind and respectful to the people who are here for your children.

Thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

Jay Cerny, Ed.S.

Executive Director, Vanguard Classical School

Cold weather has arrived! Colorado weather can be unpredictable, so proper outerwear is very important. Please send your children to school prepared for inclement weather. This includes a coat warm enough for outdoor weather, hats, and gloves. Outdoor recess is an important part of the day. Unless the temperature outside is well below freezing or weather conditions are dangerous, we will send students outside for recess and dismissal. For this reason, it is essential that they are warm enough to stay outside. If your student's coat or other belongings go missing, be sure to check the Lost and Found in the front office.

With the winter months come the possibility of school closures and schedule changes. The decision to change school schedules because of adverse conditions is based on one factor; the safety of all students and staff.

• Vanguard follows the district (Aurora Public Schools ie. Adams-Arapahoe 28J) with regard to school closures, late starts, etc. and we reserve the right to additional closures if deemed necessary.
• The Director makes every effort to decide and announce decisions to close school before 6:00 am.
• Please refer to your local AM radio (850 KOA) and television stations (KCNC Channel 4, KMGH Channel 7, KUSA Channel 9, KDVR Channel 31) for official notification.
• Vanguard will also announce closures on its website and via School Messenger.

Vaccines are available for individuals ages 12 and older. APS, in partnership with STRIDE Community Health Clinic and the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hosting ongoing FREE vaccination clinics for families. To learn more about the clinics and to sign up, visit aurorak12.org/vaccine.

Individuals who are symptomatic should get tested for COVID-19. Please remember that COVID-19 testing is free and available through COVIDCheck Colorado.

This is the school nurse reminding you that if you received a letter regarding a failed vision screening, please follow up with a vision provider. If any family needs vision assistance or help with low cost appointments and glasses, below is a list of providers in the Aurora/Denver area. If you need further assistance, please reach out to me. If your family needs support, we do have vouchers to help with the cost of glasses and eye care at any VSP provider.

Thank you!

Throughout the school year students in grades KG-8 will be provided implementation of evidence based curricula.

Second Steps K-6 Curriculum- Students will learn invaluable skills that help them through school as well as their community. Second Step program provides age appropriate games, activities, and media engage students and set children on a path to lifelong success.

The program offers social and emotional concepts that provide an extra dimension to education, focusing on improving cooperation, communication, and decision making. In a world where emotional intelligence is critical for lifelong happiness, successful careers, and healthier relationships, social and emotional intelligence gives students a framework for developing these skills.

Children need social-emotional skills to thrive both in the classroom and in life. Social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula teach children techniques to:

● Gain confidence

● Set goals

● Make better decisions

● Collaborate with others in work and play

● Navigate the world more effectively

Why Try Curriculum for grades 5-8, uses visual metaphors to teach important life skills. The curriculum includes: Decisions have consequences, dealing with peer pressure, obeying the laws and rules, plugging in to support systems. Why Try is Evidence Based and Effective for

● Bullying Prevention

● Dropout Prevention

● Changing Behavior

● Improving Academics

● Drug and Alcohol Prevention

● Improving Decision Making

● Truancy Reduction

LifeSkills Curriculum for grades 7&8, addresses multiple risk and protective factors and teaches personal and social skills that build resistance and help youth navigate the challenges of middle high school. Including understanding, reducing and preventing substance use and violence.

LifeSkills is a program that is highly interactive skills based that is designed to promote positive health and personal development. This program helps middle schoolers navigate the challenges of middle high school and prepares them for the independence and responsibilities that they will encounter as young adults.

LifeSkills curriculum is designed to strengthen students abilities in the following areas:

● Personal Self Management- Students develop strategies for making healthy decisions, reducing stress and managing anger.

● General Social Skills- Students strengthen their communication skills and learn how to build healthy relationships.

● Drug Resistance Skills- Students understand the consequences of substance use, risk taking, and the influences of the media.

The Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program is a suicide prevention program that teaches students about the relationship between suicide and depression, this program is for students in middle school and high school. We encourage all students to seek help from trusted adults if they have concerns about themselves or a friend using the acronyms ACT.

● Acknowledge-that you are seeing signs of depression or suicide in yourself or a friend and that it is serious.

● Care- Let your friend know how much you care about them and that you are concerned that they need help.

● Tell- a trusted adult that you are worried about yourself or a friend.