VCS East Hawk Talk
November 2021
Thank you to all who contributed and attended this year's Trunk-or-Treat event! It was a huge success!
Parent/Teacher Conferences are Thursday, November 4th
We are excited to welcome parents to the Fall 2021 Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 4th!
- K-4: Families received invitations to sign up for time slots.
- 5-12: All teachers will be at tables in the Cafetorium, and families will meet with teachers as they become available. All 5-12 teachers will take a lunch break from 12:00-1:00 pm, therefore they will not be meeting with families during this time.
Conferences will be held from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm. Virtual options will be available at the family's request. There is no school that day, but we encourage you to bring your children with you to their conference. If your family owes any fees, conference day is a great day to make payments at the front office.
Scholastic Book Fair
When: 10/29-11/4 (after school and during conferences)
Where: VCS East Media Center or ONLINE
Panda Express Fundraiser
Absences and Tardies
Tardies:
We have had an excessive amount of tardies. Please remember that students are to be in their seats and ready to learn by 7:50 am. The doors open at 7:30 am, so make sure to drop your children off on time, or sign up for FREE before/after care.Absences:
Make sure to notify the front desk of absences. If we don't hear from you, our attendance system will automatically call you to verify the absence.
Kindness Letter from Mr. Cerny
Dear VCS Families,
It’s so great to see students back at both our VCS West and VCS East campuses. Our VCS staff are my heroes because I’ve seen what they’ve done to make instruction accessible during an unprecedented time.
However, this is the first letter that I’ve ever written like this. Let it hopefully be the last. It is unfortunate that we have noticed an unpleasant trend of parental anger and disrespect toward VCS staff members this year that I feel I must address.
While it is likely less than 10% or our population, I’ve witnessed or learned of an alarmingly high number of incidents involving angry and upset VCS parents, grandparents, and guardians who are inappropriately taking out their frustrations on VCS staff members. This negativity is creating a toxic atmosphere. Almost daily at both campuses, VCS front desk staff, teachers, administrators, and staff monitoring traffic control are faced with parental disrespect, impertinence, and rudeness. Some parents are even refusing to obey basic safety guidelines like following traffic flow patterns. This disrespect and rudeness has got to stop.
Although we are still “getting back into the swing of things” after an incredibly difficult year, there is never an excuse for disrespect. We teach our students the VCS “H-A-W-K” character traits of Honor, Achievement, World Citizenship, and Kindness. Let’s reflect upon these important character traits, and do our best to teach them to others through our own personal example, especially kindness.
We must make an immediate effort to end the disrespect and disregard of school rules. I believe we can. In fact, I propose that all in the VCS community commit to intentionally thanking our VCS staff, and acknowledging the difficult set of responsibilities that they are now facing. They are here to help your children succeed in school and in life. Please make it your priority to value and respect your VCS teachers, support staff, and administrators.
While we’re all faced with daily uncertainties, we still have so much to be thankful for. Let’s focus on those things and be kind and respectful to the people who are here for your children.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Jay Cerny, Ed.S.
Executive Director, Vanguard Classical School
Winter Weather is Coming!
Cold weather has arrived! Colorado weather can be unpredictable, so proper outerwear is very important. Please send your children to school prepared for inclement weather. This includes a coat warm enough for outdoor weather, hats, and gloves. Outdoor recess is an important part of the day. Unless the temperature outside is well below freezing or weather conditions are dangerous, we will send students outside for recess and dismissal. For this reason, it is essential that they are warm enough to stay outside. If your student's coat or other belongings go missing, be sure to check the Lost and Found in the front office.
With the winter months come the possibility of school closures and schedule changes. The decision to change school schedules because of adverse conditions is based on one factor; the safety of all students and staff.
- Vanguard follows the district (Aurora Public Schools ie. Adams-Arapahoe 28J) with regard to school closures, late starts, etc. and we reserve the right to additional closures if deemed necessary.
- The Director makes every effort to decide and announce decisions to close school before 6:00 am.
- Please refer to your local AM radio (850 KOA) and television stations (KCNC Channel 4, KMGH Channel 7, KUSA Channel 9, KDVR Channel 31) for official notification.
- Vanguard will also announce closures on its website and via School Messenger.
Core Virtue of the Month: Stewardship
Calling all Veterans and Active Military Members!
In honor of our virtual observation of Veterans Day on Thursday, 11/11, we're asking families to provide photos of your favorite members of the military (veterans or active). Please email your photos to info@vanguardclassical.org by Monday, 11/8.
The VCS East Giving Tree
It's almost time for our annual VCS East Giving Tree! This is a perfect way to help someone from our community.
Starting Monday, 11/29, there will be a tree by the front desk filled with wishes from the VCS East families we will be sponsoring this holiday season.
Each ornament will have needs and wishes (clothing, toys, and more) from our sponsored families. As ornaments get placed on the tree, feel free to take as many as you wish and purchase a gift written on the ornament. Please if you take an ornament, make sure to purchase and deliver the unwrapped gift to us by Friday, 12/10. VCS East staff and students will wrap the gifts for our families. Sponsored families will pick up wrapped gifts on Friday, 12/17.
Please make sure to only take ornaments from the tree that you are confident you would be able to provide. If you take an ornament and can no longer get the gift noted on the ornament, please place it back onto the tree for someone else to grab.
FSCP (Family, School, and Community Partnership Committee)
We're really starting to pick up steam with our FSCP committee, and we are EXCITED!
School Accountability Committee
Discounts on Internet Services
The following companies are providing discounts on internet.
CTL lifeline
https://www.centurylink.com/aboutus/community/community-development/lifeline.htmlxfinity essentials
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/comcast-broadband-opportunity-program
VCS is not affiliated or associated with any of these programs. Families will need to apply directly with the companies.
COVID Vaccines
COVIDCheck Colorado
Quick Links
Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Contact Ms. Torres, Ms. Petit, or Ms. Holtz for assistance at 303-338-4110.