October Newsletter 2022
Valley View Elementary School
From Principal Kuhlman
Dear Families,
Thank you for a wonderful start to the school year! Students and teachers are getting into the routine and learning is happening every day. We have finished our benchmark testing in math and reading to determine the exact needs of your children. Teachers are creating amazing classroom communities where children feel safe and supported. I am so proud of our school! We are off to a great start!
The number one way parents can support this work is to ensure your child is attending school. COVID has made it very difficult to decide to send your child or not. We are striving to improve our overall attendance this year, as it directly relates to student’s academic success. We know students get sick, but if you have questions as to whether to send them to school or not, please reach out to Nurse Kelly for help. Her number is 763-528-4203. If you suspect your child may have COVID, we are offering at-home tests for families. If your child tests positive, we are requiring them to stay home for 5 days, and then return with a mask for an additional 5 days. If your child has been in contact with another child who has tested positive, you will be notified of such, and asked to monitor for symptoms.
Parent engagement is a critical component to a successful school. You all showed how supportive you are during our Valley View Fall Picnic. We estimated that 400 people attended the event. I was so impressed and humbled as I walked out the recess doors and saw all of our families talking with each other and students playing with each other on the playground. This is exactly the type of school community I want for Valley View. We are planning to have at least one big event each month to bring families into school. One of the most important events is coming up in October and November, Parent-Teacher Conferences. We are inviting families to Valley View to meet with their child’s teacher to go over their child’s progress. Conferences will take place on October 26th and November 3. Please keep an eye out for an email to schedule your time.
I would like to thank all those who are dropping off and picking up their children from school. Our drop-off and dismissal procedures has been the best I have seen in years. People are being patient and waiting their turn when going through the line. Families who have chosen to park on Monroe have helped alleviate a lot of the congestion we normally see. As the weather gets colder, please stick to your routines. It helps keep all of our children safe and the process as efficient as possible. One word of caution, please do not drop your children off in front of the school. Stopping on 49th is illegal and has caused multiple accidents, along with the sun this year. Our goal is to ensure everyone’s safety to and from school.
We are still enrolling students. If you know of friends or family who are looking for a school, please send them to us!
Thank you for choosing Valley View for your children! We are honored to be part of their educational journey.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kuhlman
Student Headphones & Tennis Shoes
Please send headphones with your student to keep and use at school if you haven't yet this school year. As a reminder, students will need tennis shoes on days they have PE. Thank you!
5th Grade
4th Grade
LEAP
Wednesday, September 14th was LEAP Family Information Night. Highland and Valley View LEAP families had the opportunity to meet and connect with other families and their teachers. Families learned more about the LEAP program and had a fun time eating delicious food and chatting with each other. LEAP students had a great learning experience on September 29 with a field trip to the Minnesota State Capitol, where they learned about local government.
Staff Spotlight!
Position: Dean of Students; formerly taught Theater for 9 years at CA
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Education: BA in Theater and English Education at UW-Eau Claire, MA in Educational Leadership and Principal’s License from MSU-Moorhead
Family: I have 3 siblings who have given me 9 wonderful nephews and nieces to spend time with and spoil! I also love spending time with my parents, my cat (Charlie), and my dog (Lola).
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, trying new restaurants, hiking, and attending live theater performances. For the past 10 years, I spent much of my after-school time in the HS Performing Arts Center, directing CA and CHHS productions.
Valley View Elementary Wellness Policy
Valley View Elementary's Wellness Policy supports our students' health by including more opportunities at school for physical activity and better nutrition. Research demonstrates that eating well and being physically active improves academic achievement. Our goal is to make the healthy choice the easy choice for our students.
Together we can make a difference. Families can help promote a positive learning environment by supporting healthy celebrations and snacks that shift the focus from food to the child.
Our staff will be responsible for most of the Wellness Policy, specifically the policy asks the following of parents and guardians:
• Sweet-Free School. Families are encouraged to pack healthy lunches and snacks. Healthy snacks include fruits and vegetables. Celebrations, including birthday celebrations, should be healthy, too. This could include fruit, pencils, stickers, books, etc...
We appreciate your commitment to the wellness and education of our students.
If you have questions about the policy, please call us.
Benefits of Healthy Celebrations
- Healthy Kids Learn Better: Research clearly demonstrates that good nutrition is linked to better behavior and academic performance. To provide the best possible learning environment for children, schools must also provide an environment that supports healthy behaviors.
- Provides Consistent Messages: Providing healthy classroom celebrations demonstrates the school's commitment to promoting healthy behaviors. It supports the classroom lessons students are learning about health, instead of contradicting them. Healthy celebrations promote positive lifestyle choices to reduce student health risks and improve learning.
- Promotes a Healthy School Environment: To improve eating behaviors, students need to receive consistent, reliable health information and ample opportunity to use it. Healthy celebrations are an important part of providing a healthy school environment.
- Creates Excitement About Nutrition: Children are excited about new and different things, including fun party activities and healthy snacks. School staff and parents need not worry that children will be disappointed if typical party foods aren't served in the classroom. Holiday treats and traditional birthday parties with cake can still be available at home.
- Protects Children with Food Allergies: When parents send in food, it is difficult to ensure the safety of children with food allergies. Schools can protect food-allergic children by providing nonfood celebrations or, if food is served, obtaining it from known sources such as the school food service program.
Attendance Policy
Kindergarten through 5th grade:
Students should be at school by 7:45am. Learning starts at 7:55am. Doors open at 7:20am for breakfast.
Please call the Attendance Line at 763-528-4204 within 48 hours of the school day that your student is absent. If leaving a message, please provide:
Your name
Phone number
Student’s name
Reason for absence
You must call EACH DAY your student is absent.
A Note about Excused Absences:
Under Minnesota State Law, legal reasons to miss school include illness (throwing up, fever, diarrhea, COVID symptoms or quarantine), medical appointments, religious holidays, court and family emergencies approved by administration (i.e. death in the family, house fire, etc.). In these instances, schools are authorized to seek verification for absences.
(Note: a full day of absences is rarely required for an appointment)
Absences that are NOT excused include:
-Family vacations
- Needed at home/babysitting
-Another sibling is ill
-Overslept
-Car Trouble
-Weather (unless district is closed due to weather)
-Missed bus
-Not immunized
Medical Letters:
Students who are absent due to illness more than ten (10) days per year will receive a letter notifying the parent/guardian of the excessive absences and requesting a doctor/clinic verification of any further illness. If no verification is provided as a result of the absence, each absence will be recorded as “unexcused”. Exceptions to the ten (10) day limit may be made for extended illnesses or if the student has been sent home ill by the school health office. Absences due to Coronavirus requiring a student to quarantine will not count towards the 10 days medical letter.
Truancy:
A child is considered truant if he or she is absent from class without a legal excuse for seven (7) days. A child will be considered truant if the child has not lawfully withdrawn from school with his or her parent’s/guardian’s permission. The school attendance team will file truancy with the county in which the child lives after six (6) days of unexcused absences. A student who has missed 15 consecutive days for any reason must be dropped from enrollment and the student must re-enroll.
Open enrolled students with a significant number of absences may not be allowed to return for the 2023-2024 school year.
*In Minnesota, it is considered the Parent/Guardian’s responsibility to ensure the child’s attendance (if child is under the age of 12 years old.) Every school day matters. Missing just a couple days each month can add up to poor academic outcomes. You are key to improving your child’s school engagement and success.
Full Attendance Policy can be found in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook,
https://www.colheights.k12.mn.us/ ->Family Resources -> Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
October Parent Seminar
Upcoming FREE Parent Seminar: GOLD Assessment in PreK on Monday, October 17, 6:00-7:00pm at the Family Center. For families with children ages three to five years. Parents will learn about why we assess, what we assess, and how we use assessment in PreK 3, PreK 4, and Mini Adventures Child Care. Parents will learn about the GOLD Assessment tool and how it is tied to curriculum, instruction, and state standards and parents will have the opportunity to ask questions. Spanish interpreter is provided. Limited child care is available, pre-registration by calling 763-528-4517.
PTO Information
Many parents agree that this year is feeling different from years past. We're starting to meet each other and get connected. What a breath of fresh air! The Valley View Parent group (PTO) would love to invite you to deepen that community. Our next meeting is from 6-7pm on Thursday, October 13 in the school library. You're welcome to bring your kids and we'll have some snacks.
The PTO strives to enhance the school experience for every student by encouraging family involvement, building a sense of community and supporting the staff through volunteering time and fundraising efforts. At our meeting this month, we will focus on raising some new money for our school during the holiday season and figuring out how to get more parents helping in the school. We would love to have your thoughts at this meeting! Bring a friend.
If you would like to hear more, email valleyviewmnpto@gmail.com to get our next update. There will also be a link to join the meeting virtually. If you would like to volunteer in the school, ask Ms Shari at the front desk to start a background check for you and ask your student's teacher how you can help.
We hope you meet a new friend and that you enjoy the beauty of our colorful state this month!
Bethany Ledford, on behalf of the PTO leader team
About Us
All Belong, All Succeed
Email: KuhlmanJ@colheights.k12.mn.us
Website: https://www.colheights.k12.mn.us/VVES
Location: 800 49th Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights, MN, USA
Phone: 763-528-4200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VVisd13