November Cougar Trails
Greg Ko, Principal, gko@cv.k12.ca.us
Vannoy Elementary
Email: cheuer@cv.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.cv.k12.ca.us/vannoy
Location: 5100 Vannoy Avenue, Castro Valley, CA, United States
Phone: 510 537-1832
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vannoy-Elementary-School-139292102776055/?notif_t=page_user_activity
President - Gary Howard
Vice President/Clerk - Jo A. S. Loss
Trustees - Monica Lee, Dot Theodore, Lavender Lee Whitaker
Superintendent: Parvin Ahmadi
Principal: Greg Ko
Vannoy Parent Club President: Gloria Strasburger, vannoypresident@gmail.com
A Word From the Principal
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,
We had a great October with our Campus Clean-Up, Fall Festival, and Book Fair. A big Thank You to all of the chairpersons that helped to organize, and give countless hours to lead these events. I also want to extend appreciations to all of you that also volunteered your time to support your school and your children.
Morning Drop-Off
Dia de los Muertos Celebration and Education
Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican ancestry living in other places, especially the United States. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.
This year, we have added to the display in the multi-purpose room, with an assembly to learn about the holiday and a book read in the classrooms. Many of your children have participated in the sugar skulls activity in many of the classes as well. Special thanks to Erika C., Rosario G. and Noemi T. for helping bring this holiday, culture, and learning to our school.
Veteran's Day Recognition
We would like to recognize all Veteran's on November 7th at our Cougar Call. We will have special student performance, the Pleasanton Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 6298, Pleasanton American Legion Post 237 presenting Colors. Please let me know if you will be attending as a Veteran.
Regards,
Greg Ko, Principal
Vannoy Dad's Social ("Dads need friends too!") Monday, 11/13, 7:30pm
"Thank You" to the Clean-Up Families!
Our Annual Fall Festival Was a Blast!
Chickens at Vannoy and the new Coop Troop
To help coordinate our student chicken care team we are having sign-ups via this link. Chicken care will include weekly check-ins, watering, feeding, and collecting eggs. We will have students trained and be on a schedule to help take care of the chickens.
If you do not want your child interacting with the chickens, please use this link.
If you want to sign your child up to be on our new Coop Troop team to take care of chickens, please use this link.
Do you want to be a Volunteer?
IMPORTANT: PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS
November 10th: No School - Veterans Day Holiday
November 15th & 16th: Early Dismissal (1:35 Grades 1-5; 12:25 Grade K) Report Card Minimum Days
November 20th-24th: No School - Thanksgiving Break
2017 Castro Valley Outreach Food Drive
Collection boxes have been placed in each classroom and we ask that you bring in your donations between Wednesday, November 1st - Friday, November 17th.
We are asking for the following donations: aluminum roasting pans, applesauce, beans/can or dry, canned corn, canned cranberries, canned fruit, canned green beans, canned ham (5 lbs), canned mixed veggies, canned olives, canned peas, canned potatoes, canned soups, canned tomatoes, canned yams, chili, cornbread mix, dinner napkins, dried pasta, flour, gravy/can or jar, holiday cookies, jello, juice, pickles, rice, scalloped potatoes, sparkling cider, stuffing/box or bag, and sugar.
The balance of the menu is perishable and will be purchased by our Castro Valley Outreach volunteers. In order to create a well-rounded holiday meal for our families, we need gift certificates in any denomination from Safeway, Lucky's, or Trader Joe's. If you prefer to donate by check, please make the check out to: Castro Valley Outreach
If you have any questions, please contact Noemi Toscano-Gutierrez at noemi.toscano@gmail.com
We appreciate your donations and ask that you donate with dignity. Please be mindful of the expiration date on all non-perishable food items. A million thanks for all of your help!
Food Drive Volunteer Opportunities
- Friday, November 17th: Help collect boxes of food from classrooms and sort in the multipurpose room after school (1:35 p.m.)
- Friday, November 17th: Need volunteers with trucks to transport food from Vannoy to The Church of Jesus Christ of LDS (3900 Seven Hills Road in Castro Valley) around 2:35 p.m.
- Monday, November 20th: Sort food at the church from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (You can stay any length of time. This is a great experience for you and the kids - you won't regret it!).
- Tuesday, November 21st: Continue sorting and boxing food at the church from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 21st: Meet at the church at 1:30 p.m. Help deliver food to families. Trucks are especially needed, but cars are okay too until 4:30 p.m.
Lost and Found
Please make every effort if your child is missing an item they brought to school to check our Lost and Found. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity during Thanksgiving Break.
It is a great idea to make sure your child's name is on all items that come to Vannoy, including lunch boxes/bags and water bottles.
Waste-Free Wednesdays!
You can help your child pack his or her waste-free lunch by including only what your student can eat, using reusable containers or bags, or buying non-perishable foods in bulk. In planning your child's waste free lunch, remember: if you pack any items that need refrigeration make sure you include a reusable ice pack to keep the items fresh.
Waste -Free Lunch Tips:
Include: Sandwiches in reusable containers; whole fruits without packaging; drinks in containers that can be reused, such as thermos, or recycled, such as a can; snacks purchased in bulk and brought in reusable containers; and reusable ice packs.
Don't Include: Individually wrapped snacks such as chips; Straws; Disposable forks and spoons; and juice boxes.
And don't stop after just one day of packing waste-free! Pack your child a waste-free lunch every day and pack your own waste-free lunch for work.
For more information on waste-free lunches, please visit: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/education/lunch.htm
Thank you for your support and please help Vannoy make today and every day a waste-free lunch day!
Please Sign in at the Office . . .
Are you Currently Homeless?
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes:
Children who are:
- sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
- living in motels, hotels, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- abandoned in hospitals; or
- awaiting foster care placement.
Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
If you are homeless and need enrollment assistance, contact your school office, or the Castro Valley Unified School District Homeless Liaison Jim Kentris at 510-537-3000 x1257.
HELP NEEDED!!!
1) Need a parent to help put together shelving storage units
2) Parent interested in working with the district's Equity Task Force. Discuss and share ideas for equity work in CVUSD and at Vannoy.
3) Drone with a camera for aerial picture and operator.
4) Music Matters our new music program needs diverse parents to share knowledge about special traditions and rituals as they are building their music lessons focused on different cultures.
Medication Reminder
In accordance with the California Education Code 49423, students in need of assistance with prescribed medication during the regular school day must have the following:
- A written statement from the physician.
- A written statement from the parent or guardian.
- A supply of the medication must be sent to the school in a container labeled by the pharmacist. The label is to include student's name, doctor's name, medication's name and its dosage. Changes in dosage or time of administration must be verified, in writing, by the physician.
- This includes all medication available without a prescription as well (over the counter) drugs.
Authorization to administer prescribed medication forms are available on the district website.