VFE Falcon Family Newsletter
September 2022
Principal's Message
Dear Falcon Families,
Thanks to your support, we've had a tremendously successful opening of the 22-23 school year. We are already making strides toward our Promises to know, value, and support each student. The focus of the first few weeks has been building the foundation of learning--routines and relationships. For the Blue Crew, this starts with positively greeting each student by name each morning, and continues with intentional learning activities that build on students' strengths and interests while encouraging connection throughout the day. As you likely will notice, soon the academic load will increase as we leverage our relationship and connection in service of our core purpose--ensuring that each child learns. Your support is vital. Please continue to make sure your child is getting plenty of playtime away from screens, reading each night, and getting a full night's rest.
Also, please take a moment to review key areas of the newsletter including the section on meal prices, the Family Technology agreement, and school supplies. We appreciate you!
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
Make it a great day to be a Falcon!
Wade Jerdee, Assistant Principal & Adam Uhler, Principal
Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
This year's theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation." You can read more information here: The National Council Hispanic Employment Program Managers.
We’d love to share how your building or department is recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month on our social media, newsletters and website. Tell us how you’re celebrating by emailing us at communications@sumnersd.org.
Car Pick Up Dismissal Reminders
You and your children have done a great job building routines that support a positive experience at school! We do need some help improving. Like many of you, I am concerned about the traffic and unsafe driving conditions on Rhodes Lake Road near our dismissal time. In addition to the safety concerns, our traffic is blocking busses trying to get to other schools from two school districts. The Blue Crew is working hard to make effective adjustments that will help load cars more efficiently while ensuring the safety of each and every child.
Thanks to a lot of patience and creativity, we had our quickest dismissal yet with cars departing campus by 3:35 PM. We need to get even better. We need dismissal to be done by 3:25 PM and we need to keep the traffic on the roads near campus moving. We need your help making this happen.
We would like to remind you about implementing a staggered release based on dismissal tag numbers. The staggered release should allow fewer cars to arrive on campus at the same time and keep traffic flowing. When the right cars are here at the right time, we can load 16 cars every minute. We are requesting that families maintain the following schedule.
Car tags 0-90 arrive on campus between 2:50-3:10
Car tags 91-181 get in line at 3:15
Car tags 182+ and any one-off requests get in line at 3:20 PM
To make the dismissal process more efficient, all students with a dismissal tag will get a corresponding tag for their backpacks.
Keeping students safe is our highest priority! Please have your dismissal tag hanging on your rear view mirror or your ID ready during dismissal so that we can ensure the safety of our students.
We appreciate your perseverance and patience!
School Supplies
Thank you to the parents who have already made their school supply donations. We have collected about 41% of the school supply donations. If you haven't yet made your donation for school supplies, please send your $25 donation in the following ways:
- Make an online payment,
- call the office to make your donation over the phone
- send it with your student to school (ask them to drop it off in the office or give it to their teacher).
Family Technology Agreement Forms
Changes to School Meal Prices 22-23
This school year, there are some important changes to meal prices. A national school meal waiver that provided free meals for all students due to the pandemic expired over the summer. This means that meals are no longer free for everyone.
We encourage families to apply for free meals! Applications can be found at sumnersd.org/meals. Applications are confidential. To receive these benefits, families can fill out a Consent to Share Eligibility form here. Additionally, paper copies will be sent home Friday 9/16. You can return the forms to Victor Falls or send them to Child Nutrition Services.
Families may want to check their student meal account balances before school starts. You are able to add funds to your student's account by going to https://www.sumnersd.org/Page/3244 to make online payments or by calling the Child Nutrition Office at (253) 891-6450 to add money over the phone with a debit or credit card.
See below for meal prices for the 2022-23 school year:
Picture Day 10/7
Pictures can also be ordered online through the Dorian Website.
Family Assistance
We have resources to help families in need. Would a weekend food bag, clothing, or meal support during the holidays for your student be helpful? Please send an email to the school counselor at courtney_arbaugh@sumnersd.org to assist you with getting support.
Staff Appreciation Day 9/30
Donated Items are asked to be dropped off on Thursday 9/29 to the Victor Falls Office. If you have any questions please contact the PTO at vfepto2013@gmail.com
Please Return Register for Kindergarten Signs
General PTO Meeting
NO SCHOOL 10/14 for Staff Training Day
Key Dates
Please check our website for updates.
09/06--First Day of School for Grades 1-5
09/09--Frist Day of Kindergarten
09/12--First Late Start: School Starts at 10am
09/19- Late Start: School Starts at 10am
09/26-Late Start: School Starts at 10am
10/03-Late Start: School Starts at 10am
10/7-Picture Day
10/10-Late Start: School Starts at 10am
10/14- No SCHOOL -Staff Training Day
10/17-Late Start: School Starts at 10am
10/24-Late Start: School Starts at 10am
For other key dates, check your mailbox soon for the 2021-22 school year calendar.
Victor Falls Elementary
Email: VFE@sumnersd.org
Website: sumnersd.org/vfe
Location: 11401 188th Ave Ct E, Bonney Lake, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 891-4700
Twitter: @VictorFallsEle1
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