We Are A Community Igniting the Joy of Learning and Inspiring Leaders.
We Are A Community Igniting the Joy of Learning and Inspiring Leaders.
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Viking Voice Newsletter
Viking Voice Newsletter
October 9th, 2026 - Volume 6
A Message from Elizabeth Ihle, Principal
A Message from Elizabeth Ihle, Principal
Dear Viking Families,
Welcome October! Welcome Fall! I hope you all enjoyed your week off and are eager to get back into the swing of things. First and foremost, THANK YOU. Your generosity and support during our Boosterthon this year helped us EXCEED our goal of $50k. We are currently now acquiring quotes to replace and add swings, add some shade, and replace one old piece. If we have some money left over, we will be updating the sound system in the cafe and maybe even painting. Be sure to check PTBoard for updates!
During the month of October we will be focusing on Habit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind. Language to use with your children at home can be found in the Habits at Home series you will see each month. Please vote for our Spirit of the Viking Teacher as well as Spirit of the Viking Playmaker that highlights one teacher and one staff member who exemplifies the characteristics of Habit 2.
October is one of my favorite months at school and in our community. With crisp days, fall folliage, football, and all things pumpkin - it always seems to go by too fast. It is also a very busy time with parent conferences, our first online learning day, and all the fun things happening in October. I hope to see you during West Fest - on October 27th at West High School for fun booths and Trunk or Treat. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about anything we do here at VCE. I love to hear your thoughts and perceptions. My email address is eihle@forsyth.k12.ga.us. As I have shared before, one of my committments to you is curiosity. To live into that value, I want to be sure you are heard and able to share ideas. Our LSC, PTO, and PLT are our three parent groups who also such valuable sourses of information and opportunities. Please check out those sections below for specific initiatives they support here at VCE.
With gratitude,
Elizabeth Ihle
Principal
Vickery Creek Elementary School
West Community Events
West Community Events
We’re excited to celebrate VCE West Homecoming Week, October 12–16! 🎉 Throughout the week, students and staff are invited to show their school spirit by participating in our daily dress-up days.
Monday – Rhyme Without Reason: Monday – Rhyme Without Reason: Dress up in a rhyming pair/group or as words that rhyme but do not go together -Ex) Atlanta and Santa
Tuesday – Jersey/Spirit Wear Day: Wear your favorite team jersey or VCE spirit wear!
Wednesday – Teacher/Student Swap Day: Teachers dress like students, and students dress like teachers!
Thursday – Sea of Blue: Wear blue to show your West Forsyth pride!
Participation is completely optional—we simply hope everyone will have fun celebrating together!
We can’t wait to see our Vikings showing their spirit and making it a fun week at VCE!
Go Vikings! 💜💛
Safe- Connected- Thriving (1).pdfNational School Lunch Week - October 12-15!
National School Lunch Week - October 12-15!
National School Lunch Week is coming up! Students who purchase lunch next week will have the opportunity to be entered in a prize drawing daily!
Spirit of the Viking Staff Recognitions
Spirit of the Viking Staff Recognitions
Oliver Brooks
Oliver Brooks
Spirit of the Viking
Spirit of the Viking
We are thrilled to recognize fourth-grade teacher Mr. Oliver Brooks as our latest Spirit of the Viking Award recipient! Mr. Brooks brings learning to life in extraordinary ways, turning everyday lessons into unforgettable discoveries. In his classroom, history comes alive so vividly that fourth graders go home enthusiastically recounting the details of the American Revolution—connecting the geographical dots of the Boston Tea Party, Taxation without Representation, and Paul Revere’s midnight ride with as much excitement as if recounting a story about their best friends. To turn complex historical events into a fascinating, bedtime-worthy discussion for a nine-year-old is the mark of a truly remarkable educator. Thank you, Mr. Brooks, for your proactive leadership, creative instruction, and for making learning so genuinely enjoyable and engaging for our Viking family!
Ashley Greene
Ashley Greene
Spirit of the Viking Playmaker
Spirit of the Viking Playmaker
We are proud to recognize Ashley as our Spirit of the Viking Playmaker of the Month for living out Habit 1: Be Proactive! Ashley is the definition of a forward-thinking team player who consistently takes initiative and steps up without waiting to be asked. Long before the school year officially started, she proactively reached out to grade-level teachers to ask how she could best support them and their students. Her proactive leadership shines through her work with our Tier 2 and Tier 3 programs, where she took the lead in organizing baseline assessments, tracking progress monitoring, and even building custom spreadsheets to keep our student growth data organized and on track. Beyond her daily responsibilities, Ashley is always looking for ways to lend a hand—whether volunteering at Fun Run check-in or stepping in wherever help is needed. Her dependability, foresight, and willingness to go above and beyond make a positive difference across our entire school community every single day. Thank you, Ashley, for your extraordinary dedication to our Viking family!
Veteran's Day Information
Veteran's Day Information
Dear Vickery Creek Families,
As a time honored tradition between our shared Vickery Campuses, we look forward to honoring the brave men and women who have served or are serving in the United States Armed Forces at our Annual Veterans Day Celebration on Wednesday, November 11, 2026. We are excited to celebrate, together, the veterans in our Vickery Creek Community. If you have a family member who has served/is serving in a branch of the United States Armed Forces, we invite you to join us as we recognize and celebrate their service and their sacrifice. In addition to honoring our Vickery Creek Community Veterans, we will also be celebrating our nation's 250th birthday as part of the ceremony.
Details
When: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Time: 8:30am for VCE Parade; 9:05am for VCM Parade & Breakfast Ceremony (families of Veterans with students at both schools can attend both parades and the breakfast ceremony @ VCMS).
How to RSVP -Deadline to RSVP is October 27, 2026
Veterans and their families who would like to attend should complete this RSVP by the deadline, October 27. You may also RSVP through the link in the invitation attached to this message.
Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer Opportunity
How to Help (even if you do not have a Veteran attending)
We are looking for Golf Cart Volunteers to help transport our Veterans from the VCE parade to the VCM parade and breakfast ceremony. Please complete this Golf Cart Volunteer Form if you wish to volunteer your golf cart services for our Veterans. You do not have to have a Veteran attending the event to volunteer.
Precess Registration - Open Now!
Precess Registration - Open Now!
Did you miss the opportunity to sign up for precess? Registration is NOW OPEN until Friday, October 16th at 3 PM. Registration is completely digital; please do not print anything off to send in with your student. Students may attend once their receive their pass!
Please note: if you are already registered for precess, you DO NOT need to complete the registration again.
Leader In Me Home Connection
Leader In Me Home Connection
Parent Lighthouse Team News
Parent Lighthouse Team News
Have you ever been waiting in the afternoon car line and remembered you forgot to grab your water bottle? Or maybe you're just feeling like a little afternoon pick-me-up! We have great news! Our amazing Parent Lighthouse Team (PLT) is excited to introduce "Habit Hydration" during afternoon car rider line.
This team was the brains (and the braun) behind our beautiful Habit Garden at the front of the school. We are keeping the "rock" tradition going each year, which means we need more supplies. By purchasing from the Habit Hydration station, you will be supporting this incredible team and their mission and vision. You can pay via SchoolPay (pre-payment accepted if done by 1pm day of), or cash will also be accepted (we kindly ask that you please try to have the exact amount). The best part? Pup Cups will also be available for purchase for $1! 🐾
Our first run through the car line will be THIS TUESDAY, October 13th from 1:50 - 2:20! The team will be back out there on October 21st and October 29th!
MTSS Moment
MTSS Moment
Happy Fall VCE Community! September and October have been exciting months as teachers and support teachers have gotten to know our Vikings and their needs through iReady Universal Screening, classroom assessments, and progress monitoring!
We began daily MTSS time in September, and continue to monitor and provide tiered support for all students throughout the school based on needs. The visual above shows how VCE uses our MTSS time to group students based on skill and provide support daily. Your child's Fall Conference is a great time to discuss your child's needs, supports, and MTSS group with your child's teacher!
Curious to learn more about the MTSS framework? Here is a quick read about MTSS from Reading Rockets: What is MTSS and some tips and information about the benefits of Reading at Home with your child.
Together We Lead, Together We Rise, Together We Grow! 🪴
LSC Update
LSC Update
Our next LSC meeting will be October 15th from 8:00am to 9:00am at VCE. We will learn from Tiffany Mello, our Instructional Coach, and Rachel Keck, our Literacy Coach about their roles and how they support our teachers! All are invited.
PTO News
PTO News
PTO Partner Spotlight
PTO Partner Spotlight
Bloomin’ Blinds of Cumming & Johns Creek
Bloomin’ Blinds of Cumming & Johns Creek makes it easy to find the right custom window treatments for your home or office. Led by Keith and Ashley Sasher, this award-winning and family-owned company brings a mobile showroom experience directly to you, offering custom blinds, shades, shutters, drapery, outdoor shades, awnings, motorization, home automation and repairs. With access to leading brands like Hunter Douglas, Graber, Norman, Alta and more, Bloomin’ Blinds delivers personalized service from consultation to installation.
bloominblinds.com/cumming-ga, 404.360.0906, cumming@bloominblinds.com
FCS News
FCS News
FCS School Calendar
FCS School Calendar
FCS Online News
FCS Online News
Revised2026-2027StudentCalendar.pdfCheck out FCS Online News.
Forsyth County Schools keeps families informed, connected, and confident with a dedicated Online News hub that brings timely updates and district stories together in one easy-to-access place.
How does this newsletter work? New information will be posted on this page. Using the tabs at the top of the page, you will also find information about who we are, what is happening in our West Community as well as Forsyth County Schools. Miss a newsletter? No worries, all previous editions are archived using the tab at the top on the far right.
How does this newsletter work? New information will be posted on this page. Using the tabs at the top of the page, you will also find information about who we are, what is happening in our West Community as well as Forsyth County Schools. Miss a newsletter? No worries, all previous editions are archived using the tab at the top on the far right.
Every 2 weeks a new Voice will be published.
Every 2 weeks a new Voice will be published.
We are a community igniting the joy of learning and inspiring leaders.Next edition of the Voice: October 23rd, 2026
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