Valley Creek Cougargram

August 11th, 2023

Big picture
Big picture

A Note from Dr. King and Mrs. Ross

Valley Creek Families,


I have to say that this has been the best start of a school year ever. Our students are working hard learning procedures and building positive relationships. I have loved watching students and teachers connect in the classrooms, hallways, cafeteria and in some cases on the playground!

Parents… you have been such an amazing support. Thank you for being patient as we adhere to our safety procedures during arrival and dismissal. We cut down our dismissal time by 15 min. when we compare last year’s first day of school to this year.

Just a reminder, we will continue to be reviewing procedures at Valley Creek, and will welcome visitors on campus August 30, 2023.

I am so excited for what the year holds. I am looking forward to the great learning and collaboration with you all. Hope you all have amazing weekend.


Sincerely,

Dr. Ebonee King and Mrs. Ross


#VCEstrongertogether

#weareMcKinney

VOLUNTEER AND VISITOR INFORMATION

A valid state or government issued photo ID must be presented each time you visit, volunteer, or pick up a student. Please be prepared to present your physical ID upon arrival.


A background check is required each school year for people wanting to volunteer in McKinney ISD. This includes making copies, lunch duty coverage, classroom parties, field trips, and other volunteering that takes place inside and outside our building. We encourage you to complete your volunteer application as soon as possible to avoid any delay in the processing.


2023 - 2024 VOLUNTEER APPLICATION LINK


ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO FILL THIS OUT NOW SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday August 21st - Alpha Classes begin 3rd grade - Bussed to Webb


Thursday/Friday August 24th/25th - Alpha Classes 4th and 5th grade - Bussed to Webb Elementary


Friday September 1st - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday - No school for students. Teachers will be in professional development and planning.


Monday September 4th - Holiday - No school for staff or students.


Wednesday September 6th - RSVP for Grandparent Lunch due


Friday September 8th - Grandparents Day Lunch - Save the Date! Grandparents and Special Friends are invited to have lunch during their student's lunch time. For this busy event we encourage visitors to RSVP in advance to make the check in process go quicker. Please follow directions and RSVP HERE.

NEWS FROM THE SECRETARY

PLANNERS:

Students in grades K-2 that pre ordered school supplies had a planner included with their pack. Families that did not pre order supplies will be able to purchase their planner for $2.00 from the front office or send in your child's backpack to the teacher. Exact change is appreciated.


Students in grades 3-5 will use a different organizational format and do not need to purchase a planner this year.


SHOPPING REWARDS:

Listed below are two easy ways you can support our campus while you grocery shop!


Mrs. Drabek

23-24 VCE School Supply Lists

Big picture
Big picture
Big picture
Big picture

NEWS FROM THE NURSE

Hello, Valley Creek parents!


It was great to see everyone back at school. Summer break may be over, but summer is not! Please be sure to send your student to school with a water bottle so they can stay hydrated throughout the day. Also, if your child has medications that need to be administered at school, please contact me to make arrangements. Do not send medications to school with your child, including cough drops. Please feel free to contact the clinic if you have any questions. Everyone have a great year!


Marie Kellum, RN

Valley Creek Elementary

office: 469-302-4880

fax: 469-302-2905

mkellum@mckinneyisd.net

NEWS FROM THE COUNSELOR


Please see letter below!


April Jones

M.Ed., C.S.C

School Counselor

Valley Creek Elementary

Big picture

MUSIC, ART, AND PE WELCOME VIDEO TO ALL COUGARS!

NEWS FROM THE MUSIC TEACHER -Valley Creek Choir

Choir is open to all 4th and 5th grade students at Valley Creek! Mrs. Nelson is going over the procedures and expectations in music class, as well as preparing the 4th & 5th graders for auditions (everyone in 4th and 5th can be in choir no matter their audition score).

Auditions will take place during music class starting on Friday, August 25-Thursday, August 31st. No student will sing alone. During their music class, 4th & 5th grade students will fill out a form letting Mrs. Nelson know if they would like to be in Cougar Choir or Honor Choir (auditioned choir), or, if they do not want to be in choir. If they put “no thank you” their name will not be put on a choir list.


Results will be posted outside the music room on Tuesday, September 5th. 4th & 5th grade students who said they want to be in choir will find their name and see if they are in Cougar Choir or Honor Choir. They will then take the Registration Packet home to you! This packet will have ALL the information you need for the year! If your child will be able to participate in choir, you will follow the directions in the registration packet to sign them up!


Who can be in choir?: 4th & 5th graders at Valley Creek

How do I receive choir info?: Your child will bring home the registration packet to you the week of Tuesday, September 5th if they said they would like to be in choir.


​​Kara Nelson

Valley Creek Music Teacher

VC Music Room Instagram

ARRIVAL REMINDER

We are excited to have students back to school! Parents were allowed on the first day of school to walk their children to their classes. This is a reminder that going forward all students that carpool or walk/bike are to enter the front main entrance independently. There are staff members on duty in the building helping students make it to their class on time.

STUDENT REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT

  • Information regarding MISD enrollment can be found here: MISD ENROLLMENT
  • Returning students registration information and snap codes have been emailed for this upcoming year. If you have not received it or have questions refer here first: RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION.


Mrs. Dharamraj

Campus Registrar

469-302-4804

hdharamraj@mckinneyisd.net

ABSENCES

When a student is absent a parent must provide to our campus registrar written documentation for the reason for the student's absence. Per the MISD Student Handbook pg. 33 of 104:

Documentation after an Absence: (All Grade Levels) within three (3) school days of the student’s arrival or return to school, a note signed by the parent that describes the reason for the absence must be delivered to the appropriate campus office for attendance documentation.


Please include in the note:

  • Student’s Legal Name

  • Date(s) of Absence

  • Reason for Absence

  • Attach Doctor’s Note, if applicable

Please communicate any absence information to our Campus Registrar, Mrs. Dharamraj at: hdharamraj@mckinneyisd.net

AFTERNOON DISMISSAL CHANGES (FOR EXAMPLE: WALKER CHANGED TO CARPOOL ON A RAINY DAY)

To help ensure a smooth dismissal process, if your child will be going home a DIFFERENT way than they usually do, please fill out our DISMISSAL CHANGE FORM that day.


  • The form will open at 8:00AM each morning for dismissal changes and will close at 2:30PM each day. Please let us know before 2:30PM if you need to change the way your child will go home for that day.

  • Teachers are actively teaching during the day and will be notified by the front office of changes in dismissals for their students.
  • Change requests after this time cannot reliably be met and can cause a delay in your student's dismissal or require you to visit the front office to receive them.
Big picture

YEARBOOK ORDERING & PICTURE SUBMISSION DIRECTIONS

Big picture
Big picture

STUDENT BREAKFAST/LUNCH ACCOUNTS

Before the first day of school families may only fund their child's breakfast/lunch account online, or using their new app, using My School Bucks. More info on their site here: MY SCHOOL BUCKS.

On or after the first day student accounts may be funded online or in person. Our cafeteria can only accept cash or checks for in person payments.

MISD meal costs and nutritional information may be found HERE.

FREE AND REDUCED MEALS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS

Applications need to be filled out every year. This is your reminder that you can fill out the application before school starts again to be enrolled in the program for the 23-24 school year. Applications can be filled out at anytime.

Follow this link for information about MISD Meal Programs.

BREAKFAST MENU

Big picture

LUNCH MENU

Big picture

MISD EVENTS

Big picture
Big picture

CLUB 360 AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE PROGRAM

This link has been updated with information about the 23- 24 school year Club 360 program.

Here is the link for enrollment information for our campus Valley Creek Club 360.

Club 360 is managed by MISD childcare services with our campus as a site.