Principal's Post: Parent Edition
Vanderlyn Elementary 2022-23: Vol.28
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Vikings,
It is hard to believe that this is the final week of school! Summer Break is right around the corner! We are almost to the end of another school year, and my how the time has flown! Yes, it is unbelievable that only 3 days remain before we end the 2022-23 school year! As we approach the finish line, everyone is busy here at Vanderlyn preparing for the successful end of the school year.
I am amazed how much the students have learned! The performance growth that I have seen from August until now speaks to the relentless efforts of teachers who are dedicated, determined, and committed to teaching and learning. I am filled with delight as I listen to students read, sing math songs, and create high-level PBL and STEM projects.
This year has been nothing short of AMAZING! As we prepare for a strong close to this year, I want to thank students, parents and the entire VES staff for the collaborative partnership that is the cornerstone of the Vanderlyn School Community.
To our PTO and PAC… I am so proud! Words cannot express my appreciation. I look forward to our continued work together as we challenge ourselves and our students to set the highest standards and achieve our ambitious goals.
To our AMAZING teachers and staff... I am beyond grateful for your guidance and support—your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Words cannot capture my appreciation! Your passion for teaching and nurturing young minds is truly inspiring, and I am forever grateful for all that you have done for our VES family.
To our wonderful parents...Thank you for all the love, care, and dedication that you pour into your child(ren)! We are dedicated to providing your child with a quality education, and we could not do this without your relentless support and cooperation. We are delighted at the progress our students have made and are assured that they are more knowledgeable and independent as they finish the school year strong. We have felt your constant and consistent commitment behind the scenes and on the front lines.Thank you for allowing us to play a pivotal role in shaping your child's future.
To our amazing VIKINGS students of Vanderlyn Elementary School… Thank you for all your hard work throughout the school year. I am so honored to be your principal! The love and passion that I have for my job, I owe it all to YOU! I wish you all the very best summer vacation possible, and I look forward to welcoming you all back, refreshed, for what will be an exciting, new academic year. Until next school year, here’s wishing you love, laughter and learning!
With Viking Pride,
Princi"PAL" Crenshaw
We are excited to offer our students the opportunity to culminate their learning and many accomplishments through our annual Awards Day celebration. Please mark your calendars accordingly as parents are invited to attend. All celebrations will be held in the cafeteria on the following dates and times.
Please be advised that parking is limited. The following considerations should be made: carpool with a neighbor, walk if possible, or park at St. Luke's church and walk. Please be mindful of all parking laws in the neighborhood so that you will not be subjected to a parking citation. We look forward to seeing you as we celebrate the achievements of our scholars!
May 22nd
8:15a.m. Grade 1
9:15a.m. Grade 2
May 23rd
8:15a.m. Grade 3
9:15a.m. Grade 4
May 24th
8:30a.m. 5th Grade Celebration
Criteria for Awards 2022-23
PRINCIPAL’S LIST
All A’s, S’s and/or E’s in every subject area for the cumulative average (final grade) for the entire year. All S’s in Conduct Evaluation Criteria. This includes a passing grade in PE, Art, Dance, Band & Music and no suspensions. This is the highest honor roll and represents the top performing students.
HONOR ROLL
All A’s, B’s, S’s and/or E’s in every subject area for the cumulative average (final grade) for the entire year. This includes a passing grade in PE, Art, Dance, Band & Music. Conduct is not included. Any in-school/out-of-school suspensions will disqualify a student from this recognitionCERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
Certificates of Achievement are designed to demonstrate that the student has completed coursework and has shown growth and development relating to the general curriculum.
STEM/PBL DAY, featuring 1ST GRADE MARKET DAY, 3RD GRADE WAX MUSEUM, 5TH GRADE SHARK TANK AND THE barnyard MOOSICAL!
Something to "MOO" About: 1st Grade BarnYard Musical
Vanderlyn Elementary's "Intent to Return Survey"
***This only needs to be filled out if your child(ren) WILL NOT be returning for the 2023-2024 school year. (Please note that this does NOT apply to current 5th grade students who will be entering 6th grade next year).
Sincerely,
Mrs. Crenshaw
Registration Information for Next School Year
REGISTRATION LINKS TO BE FOLLOWED FOR ALL RETURNING AND NEW FAMILIES
END OF YEAR AT A GLANCE
The candidate declaration window for Fall 2023 Principal Advisory Council (PAC) elections will be open through 5:00pm, August 25, 2023. Complete the appropriate candidate declaration form using the links below to run for a position on your school's PAC.
PARENT REGISTRATION: https://www.bigpulse.com/179344/register
PARENT REGISTRATION (ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES): https://form.jotform.com/230888535249165
Principal Advisory Councils (PACs) bring parents, school employees, students and community members together to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other's perspectives and share ideas for increasing student achievement and performance.
What is the role of the Principal Advisory Council (PAC)?
- Act as a link between the school and the community
- Encourage the engagement of parents and other stakeholders within the school community
- Work to increase student achievement through transparent operations and shared best practices
- Review the Continuous School Improvement Plan and monitor progress toward goals
To learn more about the work of Principal Advisory Councils, visit: http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/principal-advisory-councils.
THE CURRICULUM FOR ALL DEKALB SCHOOLS
DeKalb’s curriculum for grades K-12 is aligned to the state-adopted Georgia standards of excellence in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In addition to core studies, students in DeKalb County Schools are offered a variety of coursework to develop the whole child.
In our implementation of the curriculum, we use various resources to guide our work in each content area. The different resources allow us to meet and individualize student's learning needs. We invite parents to partner with us to reinforce skills and concepts while at home.
2022-2023 STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK
A comprehensive student/parent handbook is attached below that outlines our school policies procedures, and other helpful information.
Please download the handbook using the attachment below and save it for reference throughout the school year.
Please review and save the list below so you are aware who to contact when questions arise.
- PTO Membership Toolkit - PTO Co-Presidents: Sara Graviss or Whitney Gaines: vanderlynelemPTO@gmail.com
- Family ID Hang tags (carpool or walkers) - Andrea Gillett: andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Reporting your child's absence from school - Email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school registrar, Ms. Andrea Gillett: andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Student illness, medicine requests, medical forms: Ms. Sumi: sumati_jayaraman@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Changes in transportation/dismissal - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our front office secretary, Andrea Gillett:andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org. This must be done by 12pm!
- Bus Transportation Concerns: Vernell Jackson at vernell_jackson@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions about school breakfast/lunch: Cafeteria Assistant Manager, Juliana Phipps: juliana_m_phipps@dekalbschoolsga.org
- School library resources, Chrome Book Requests: Gail Pansini: gail_pansini@dekalbschoolsga.org
- General questions pertaining to your child's class - email your child's homeroom teacher
- Questions regarding gifted eligibility - Gifted Liaison, Julia Weiss: julia_weiss@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to ASEPD (After School Extended Day Program) - Co-directors Julia Weiss or Audrey Brunson: julia_weiss@dekalbschoolsga.org and audrey_brunson@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to class schedules, progress reports, grades, and report cards - Assistant Principal, Griffin Nichols: griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to districtwide assessments (MAP, CogAT, GA Milestones, ACCESS) - School Test Coordinator/Assistant Principal, Griffin Nichols: griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions regarding counseling, social, emotional/behavioral concerns, bullying: Counselors: Grades 3rd-5th Jessica Lee: Jessica_j_lee@dekalbschoolsga.org or Grades Pre-K-2nd: Dr. Candice Norris-Brown: candice_norris-brown@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to schoolwide operations - email Principal Tracey Crenshaw: tracey_crenshaw@dekalbschoolsga.org
2022-2023 School Calendar
April is Autism Awareness Month. Child Abuse Prevention Month, Financial Literacy Month, National Donate Life Month, and National Garden Month.