Check Out What's Going on in Elementary
HELP NEEDED: We need volunteers to help at the Book Fair during Reading Under the Stars and Grandparents Day.
Dear Elementary Families,
Our elementary students are thriving! Last year's MAP results show exceptional growth, with reading and math scores rising well above national norms by spring. These gains reflect the dedication of our teachers and the strength of our academic program, where students are both challenged and supported to reach their full potential. We've just completed our Fall MAP testing and will begin digging into the data. We'll be sure to share more information with you in the weeks to come.
Blessings,
Kris Giannosa
Elementary Principal
2025-2026 IMPORTANT DATES
Check out the BVCS 2025-2026 Important Dates Calendar
Our elementary students are bringing the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss to life this November in Seussical Kids!
You won’t want to miss this colorful, joy-filled musical that celebrates imagination, friendship, and courage.
📅 SHOW DATES AND TIME: November 7th 5:00/7:00 PM // November 8th 1:00/3:00 PM in the 7-12 MPR
📍 LOCATION: The 7-12 Multipurpose Room (building facing Palendale Rd.)
🎟️ PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
We’re partnering with the Modesto Gospel Mission to collect “bundle-up” items for those in need this fall. You’ll see collection barrels around campus beginning next week—bring new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, and blankets to share warmth with our community.
Let’s help the Modesto Gospel Mission prepare for their Thanksgiving at the Mission outreach by giving generously!
Save the Date: BVCS Golf Tournament!
Our annual Golf Tournament is set for Monday, Oct. 27 at Spring Creek Country Club! Enjoy a great day with fellow parents, alumni, and friends while supporting the BVCS Impact Fund and our students. register at bvcsgolf.maestroweb.com.
We can’t wait to celebrate our amazing grandparents and special friends on Friday, November 16th/17th! This special morning includes classroom visits, student performances, and a chance to see what makes BVCS such a wonderful community for every generation.
📅 Save the date — we look forward to celebrating with Grandparents!
It’s Book Fair time! The BVCS Book Fair will be open October 14–17 at the Elementary Campus, offering a great selection of Christian books for every age. Stop by, explore new stories, and help support our school library.
JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL STARTS MONDAY OCTOBER 13
6-8th Grade Girls Families,
We have adjusted the start date for 6-8th grade girls basketball to Monday, 10/13, as the girls volleyball season has ended early. Generally your season will be Monday-Thursday 3:15-5:00. However the first 2 weeks will be on a different schedule. Please note the following dates:
We will be starting tryouts/practices Monday, October 13.
Practices that week will be Monday, 10/13 & Wednesday, 10/15.
No practice, Monday, 10/20
Tuesday, 10/21 Practice & Parent Meeting (5:15 in the MPR), practice Tuesday-Thursday that week
Probable game Friday, 10/24 (pending confirmation with opponent)
Practices will be in the MPR for the month of October and move to the ARC in November
If you have not already completed your clearance to participate, log into homecampus.com. A current sports physical must be uploaded to your account and signatures completed for us to clear your participation. This must be completed by 10/21.
If you have any questions regarding sports clearance contact michellec@bvcs.org
To contact the coach with questions, text: Jill Meems, 209-548-2589
Teacher Wish Lists for the 2025-2026 School Year
Click on the live link below:
Kinder Wish Lists: Mrs. Edsberg's Miss Ward's Mrs. Litt's
1st Grade Wish Lists: Mrs. Bridges' Miss Jacobson's
2nd Grade Wish Lists: Mrs. Austin's Mrs. McCall's Mrs. Saunder's
3rd Grade Wish Lists: Mrs. Hernandez/Scott's Mrs. O'Leary's Mrs. Stubbert's
4th Grade Wish Lists: Mrs. Garcia's Mrs. Hughes Mrs. Picanco's
5th Grade Wish Lists: Mrs. Boren's Miss Westfall's
6th Grade Wish Lists: Mrs. Meyer's Mrs. Kennedy's Mrs. Stel's
PE Wish List Music Wish List STREAM Wish List Barton Wish List
Weather Parameters: Students will eat indoors when the weather is below 50 degrees (feels like) or over 100 degrees according to the Weather Channel App. Students will also eat indoors and refrain from outside activity if the air quality is 4 or greater according to Valley Air, rainy or extremely windy.
Handbook Highlights:
In an effort to increase security all visitors must check in with the elementary office to receive a visitors badge to attend chapel and awards assemblies. For events in the Venue all participants must enter through the east facing door (also facing the worship center).
Any student up through 6th grade who would like to attend an athletic game on the campus must be with a parent at all times. (Parent-Student Handbook pg. 37)
Elementary Drop Off/Pick Up Traffic Plan 2025-2026
Morning Drop-Off Options:
Park and Walk-in: You may park in the North Lot and walk your child(ren) into the school through the North Gate. Students should not be dropped off to walk alone from the North lot. Our playground supervision for all K- 6th grade students begins at 8:00 a.m. Kindergarten students have supervised play available from 8-8:30 am on the kindergarten playground.
Grade 1-6 students have supervised play available from 8-8:30 on the elementary playground and courtyard. To avoid overcrowding on the play structure each grade level is assigned a day - Grade 1 - Monday, Grade 2 - Tuesday, Grade 3 - Wednesday, Grade 4 - Thursday and Grade 5 and 6 - Friday.
Students that are unattended prior to 8:00 a.m. will be sent to X-care.
Drive thru Drop-Off: Our drive through drop-off location will be in the East Lot. To utilize our drop-off location, please drive down the canal entrance off of Tully Road.
Please be aware that we do not staff this drop-off location or our black top areas until 8:00 am. Students may not be dropped off prior to that time unless they are going to X-care and should be walked in by an adult.
Students that are unattended prior to 8:00 a.m. will be sent to X-care.
After School Pick-Up:
Kindergarten (No after school care) will pick up at 12:30 in the courtyard by the flagpole. Please be off campus after pickup by 12:40.
Kindergarten (After school care) will pick up from 12:45-3:00 from the kindergarten playground or can be walked out to the drive-thru pick up lane.
Park and Walk in:
Parents that choose to park and walk-in to pick up their students will meet their student in the courtyard by the flagpole. For this option, we anticipate the best locations to park will be the North Parking Lot. Students that are not picked up by 3:10 will be walked over to X-care. Please be off campus by 3:10
Drive-thru Pick Up: This location is for those parents who wish to remain in their car while picking up their children. To utilize this pick-up location, please drive down the canal entrance off of Tully Road. Only the students on the pick up list will be brought out to the East Lot for drive-thru pick-up. If your student is in Grade 1-3 please use the left lane, if you student is in Grade 4-6 please use the right lane, and if you have students in both please communicate with them what lane you will be using. Please put the colored document (given out at BTSN) with your students last name printed in large bold letters on your dashboard for easy identification. If you have more than one student, only place the colored document of your oldest student. This will help our staff get your student(s) to you.
*We understand that sometimes there are changes to the normal routine. In those instances, please inform the classroom teacher so we can adjust where your child will be picked up for that day.
Classroom Pick-up:
It may be necessary to call a classroom pickup due to air quality, air temperature at 100 degrees or higher, and rain. We will communicate this through email and text alerts.
We love our furry friends but they are not allowed to be on campus unless they are registered as a service animal.
October Birthdays
10/6 Marsha Holbrook
10/10 Kris Giannosa
10/11 Valerie McCall
10/17 Carrie Thompson
10/20 Alissa Litt
10/22 Tiffany Austin
10/25 Karen Anderson
LEGO DONATIONS FOR STREAM
The STREAM program at the elementary school is looking for LEGO donations. If you have any LEGO pieces sitting around your house collecting dust and would like to find them a new home, we have enthusiastic kids eager to play, build, create, and explore with your LEGOS!
Bring your donations to any BVCS office!
SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT! ORDER FROM OUR ONLINE STORE TODAY
RESOURCES
BENCHMARK ADVANCE: English Language Arts Curriculum
ORIGO STEPPING STONES: Math Curriculum
GET THE BOX TOPS APP TODAY!
I EXCEL: A program used to help students excel in Math.
FAMILY FOCUSED TUTORS:
an online tutoring opportunity.
Big Valley Grace Branch Library
209-571-4850 branchlibrary@bvg.org
Hours: Sunday 10am-12pm//Tuesday 8am-12pm//Wednesday 8am-12pm//Thursday 8am-11:30am