Dear Parents,

On Friday, February 24, 2023, Pre-K - 5th grade students participated in STEM Career Day, an event aimed at preparing students for post-secondary success. Students and teachers came to school dressed in attire that depicted STEM careers. Students' outfits included police, firemen, doctors, teachers, engineers, surgeons, veterinarians, nurses, astronauts, and artists! They were amazing! Parents and local business representatives presented a wealth of career information to students through a variety of stimulating presentations.

Vanderlyn hosted more than forty professionals from Emory Children’s Care, Georgia State University, Dunwoody Fire and Rescue, Delta Airlines, The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Dunwoody Police, and Kaplan Orthodontics, just to name a few, who shared important career information with students. Most importantly, students learned first-hand how the STEM disciplines play a pivotal role in the real-world workforce.

Career Day was designed to support the Vanderlyn STEM Framework while increasing parental involvement and community engagement. As educators, we believe the members of our community serve as an important resource in the overall development of our students. In addition, we are extremely fortunate to have parents who support our quest to provide our students with opportunities that extend the learning beyond the classroom. I know that through our continued partnership, we can make a difference in the lives of our students. Together, we can ensure their success in the 21st century workforce.

STEM Career Day was a STEMtastic experience, thanks to our host, Counselor Dr. Norris-Brown and our awesome parent and business partners! We appreciate your continued support as we make every effort to provide our students with the necessary tools that will make them college and career ready. By providing them with early exposure to STEM disciplines, they will develop a life-long love of learning and be better prepared for subjects that will make them more marketable in a global society. I'm proud to be a STEM nerd. It's electric, chemical and downright magical! Math and science can change the world!

Your STEM Leader,

Mrs. Crenshaw

Staff Appreciation Week was full of food, fun, fellowship, and many surprises! A special thank to Brittany Dunlap, Teacher Appreciation Chair, for rocking this year's Oscar's theme, The Stars of Vanderwood. On behalf of the VES faculty and staff, I want to extend a HUGE thank you to our awesome PTO and all the many volunteers who gave their time and resources to make us feel special. Mission accomplished! Because of your relentless support, we provide a premier learning experience for all of our boys and girls while sustaining a successful partnership between school, home and community. Vanderlyn is truly the "Best School On Earth!"

Last Wednesday, Ms. Ketabi escorted Vanderlyn Singers to the Dunwoody Cluster Concert , a musical event for all local elementary and middle schools. The students had a blast!

Students and staff did a great job exhibiting the traits of "kindness". Kudos to two staff superheroes, Dr. Norris-Brown and Mr. Rudolph, for setting the dress tone for the weekly themes!

March (23 Instructional Days) - Women’s History, Youth Art & Exceptional Children’s Month

• 2nd - Read Across America
• 10th - Independent Learning Day: Students Do Not Report
  
• 12th - Daylight Savings Starts
• 13th - DCSD Board Meeting
• 14th - Start of 13.5-week grading period
  
• 22nd - 9 wk. Progress Reports Sent Home
  
• 27th - PreK Lottery Drawing

Other Important Dates

• Spring Break: Schools Closed April 3, 2023 – April 7, 2023
  

The Georgia Parent Survey was developed to measure parent perceptions of school climate at your child’s school.

All parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating that all schools receive. Survey responses are anonymous, self-reported, and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. The Georgia Parent Survey is also available in Spanish. Parents may select the Spanish version within the survey. The Georgia Parent Survey link is posted below.

DeKalb’s curriculum for grades K-12 is aligned to the state-adopted Georgia standards of excellence in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In addition to core studies, students in DeKalb County Schools are offered a variety of coursework to develop the whole child.

In our implementation of the curriculum, we use various resources to guide our work in each content area. The different resources allow us to meet and individualize student's learning needs. We invite parents to partner with us to reinforce skills and concepts while at home.

Parents may access the district curriculum, by clicking on the button below, for all grades and content areas. Thank you.

A comprehensive student/parent handbook is attached below that outlines our school policies procedures, and other helpful information.

Please download the handbook using the attachment below and save it for reference throughout the school year.

Please review and save the list below so you are aware who to contact when questions arise.

• PTO Membership Toolkit - PTO Co-Presidents: Sara Graviss or Whitney Gaines: vanderlynelemPTO@gmail.com
• Family ID Hang tags (carpool or walkers) - Andrea Gillett: andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Reporting your child's absence from school - Email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school registrar, Ms. Andrea Gillett: andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Student illness, medicine requests, medical forms: Ms. Sumi: sumati_jayaraman@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Changes in transportation/dismissal - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our front office secretary, Andrea Gillett:andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org. This must be done by 12pm!
• Bus Transportation Concerns: Vernell Jackson at vernell_jackson@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions about school breakfast/lunch: Cafeteria Assistant Manager, Juliana Phipps: juliana_m_phipps@dekalbschoolsga.org
• School library resources, Chrome Book Requests: Gail Pansini: gail_pansini@dekalbschoolsga.org
• General questions pertaining to your child's class - email your child's homeroom teacher
• Questions regarding gifted eligibility - Gifted Liaison, Julia Weiss: julia_weiss@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to ASEPD (After School Extended Day Program) - Co-directors Julia Weiss or Demetreia Adderley: julia_weiss@dekalbschoolsga.org and demetreia_head@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to class schedules, progress reports, grades, and report cards - Assistant Principal, Griffin Nichols: griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to districtwide assessments (MAP, CogAT, GA Milestones, ACCESS) - School Test Coordinator/Assistant Principal, Griffin Nichols: griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org.
• Questions regarding counseling, social, emotional/behavioral concerns, bullying: Counselors: Grades 3rd-5th Jessica Lee: Jessica_lee@dekalbschoolsga.org or Grades Pre-K-2nd: Dr. Candice Norris-Brown: candice_norris-brown@dekalbschoolsga.org
• Questions pertaining to schoolwide operations - email Principal Tracey Crenshaw: tracey_crenshaw@dekalbschoolsga.org

The school calendar is set by the Dekalb County School District. Please click the link below to view the 2022-2023 school calendar.