News from Fir Grove
February 4, 2020
From the Principal
Dear Fir Grove families,
Happy February. Hope the winter is treating everyone well. It was a rainy January, and we hope that February will be a bit drier. Construction has started for our new school building, with construction expected to conclude in winter 2021. VPS is giving the Fir Grove community the opportunity to select a name for our new school building. Classrooms are starting to generate potential names, and I want to solicit potential names from our school community as well. Using the district guidelines below for selecting a new name for a school, please email me your suggestions by February 28, 2020. The selections from families and students will be forwarded to the VPS School Board for final selection.
Persons who have attained national or local distinction in the fields of education, arts and sciences, politics, military achievements, and statesmanship
Past US presidents, or past Washington national senators or representatives
The geographic characteristics of the area in which the facility is located
Significant or historical names, persons, places or things that are of significance to the Vancouver community
Benefactors who have made substantial contributions to the facility, its equipment or programs of the facility
Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) has a levy on the ballot this February. I encourage you all to vote, if you are able to do so.. If you have questions about the levy on the ballot, you can find more information at www.vansd.org/levy. Here are some facts about the levy.
If approved by voters, the supplemental levy for education and operations would maintain current levels of programs and services in VPS.
The new levy would supplement the educations and operations levy passed in 2019.
The levy would pay for locally funded teacher positions that maintain smaller class sizes.
All schools in the district would benefit from the levy.
The levy would help schools continue to improve student achievement and graduation rates.
Without revenue provided by a supplemental levy, the district would face shortfalls that require budget cuts and layoffs.
Supplemental levy collection would begin in 2021.
The estimated rates per thousand are:
43 cents in 2021
41 cents in 2022
40 cents in 2023
If voters approve the supplemental levy, the 2021 rate combined with the current education and operations levy would be $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The supplemental levy will appear on the ballot in the special election on Feb. 11, 2020.
There is no School Monday February 17 in recognition of President’s Day.
If there is inclement weather, any delayed opening or closure will be posted on the district website (www.vansd.org) and broadcast on local TV and radio stations. You can subscribe to FlashAlerts updates on Vancouver Public Schools website (which will send you an alert if there is a delay or closure), and you can also download the Vancouver Public Schools App for notifications of delays or closures.
This winter has been a hard one for colds, coughs and flu’s. If your child has a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, please keep them home so they do not spread their illness. They are welcome to return to school when they have been symptom free for 24 hours, per Clark County Health Department. If they have been absent for 5 or more consecutive days, we will need a doctor’s note stating your child is not contagious before they return.
Reading to your child daily, and having your child read daily is a great daily activity which can be done at home to help support your child’s learning. If you want additional ideas to support your child’s learning, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or our Academic Coach Emily Jinnah- Emily.Jinnah@vansd.org. Thanks for partnership in supporting your child. We value your trust.
Jeremy Berliss
Fir Grove Principal
jeremy.berliss@vansd.org, 360-313-1800