Guidance Lessons:
Beginning in January, weekly Guidance lessons for students in kindergarten and first grade will include content from A Little Spot series by Diane Alber. This curriculum helps students understand and manage feelings (such as happiness, sadness, anger, love, worry, belonging, etc.) through colorful and relatable characters that embody each emotion. Through the use of books, activities, and role play, students will learn coping strategies that assist in emotional regulation, building empathy, and promoting positive self-talk. Additional parent/guardian resources about A Little Spot can be found HERE.
Small Group/Individual School Counseling
The next cycle of small group school-based counseling and lunch bunches begin in January! The Incredible Me group is focusing on discovering individual talents and strengths and celebrating ways in which they are special. The Calm Down Crew is learning and practicing anger management strategies. The Worry Warriors are learning to name, manage, and cope with worries. The Banana Split group is learning to cope with parental divorce and/or family transitions. Lunch Bunches provide opportunities for students to engage in activities and games that promote positive self-esteem and friendship.
Sign-ups for our next cycle of small groups will be sent home in March.
Please contact me if you would like to request individual school counseling for your child or to discuss more immediate questions or concerns.
Carolyn Johnson, School Counselor
Valley Park Elementary School
Email: cjohnson4@pv-eagles.org
Phone: (856) 540-6200 x7812
January 5: School Reopens
January 16: Early Dismissal, Teacher In-Service
January 19: No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 23: Snowed In Day and Winter Parties
January 26: Great Kindness Challenge
February 6: Family Bingo Night
February 12: Valentine's Day Card Exchange
February 13-16: No School, President's Weekend
March 2: Read Across America/Dr. Seuss Day (3/2)
March 6: No School, County Teacher In-Service
March 27: K/1 Report Cards
Please check out our Staff Appreciation Nomination Form that is below! As recommended by parents on our ECAC committee, parents are now able to recognize staff to show their appreciation as part of our school staff recognition program. Staff who are nominated will receive a ticket for special prize drawings throughout the year. A great way to say thank you for staff who go above and beyond!
Feel free to recognize staff throughout the year any time they go above and beyond and you want to say "Thank you!"
Check out our Preschool Website for more detailed information about our Preschool Program at Valley Park such as curriculum, staff information, policies/procedures, and more! Click HERE
Attendance:
Students will be deemed excessively absent at 17.5 school days regardless of reason.
The ONLY excused absences as defined by state code: Religious observance as defined by law; A college visit (only grades 11 and 12); “Take Our Children to Work Day”; Veterans Day;or district board of election membership activities
Parent notes of students who are ill, doctor's notes, and dismissals from the Nurse's office count towards the total number of absences. Please provide doctor’s notes for any medical issues within 3 days following the absence.
Once a student reaches a total of 10 days absent regardless of reason, parents and students will meet with administration to complete an “Attendance Success Plan” outlining goals to help students be successful.
At a total of 18 absences or 20 lateness tardies, regardless of reason, students will be denied access to extra/co-curricular activities, in addition to credit denial/grade retention.
All students who wish to participate in an extra/co-curricular event/activity MUST be in attendance the day of or preceding the event, unless there is a medical note. Students who have been suspended, have been determined to be excessively absent (as described above), and/or excessively tardy will not be permitted to participate in all extra-curricular activities.
Truancy charges may be filed with the municipal court at 10 days absent for students ages 6-16 as well as at 20 times late to school. Every 5th lateness may result in an administrative detention. A student will be on the restricted list for 5, 10, and 15 school days, depending on the lateness infraction number. 5x late=Detention Only; 10x late=5 days on restricted list; 15x late=10 days on restricted list; 20x late=PERMANENT RESTRICTED LIST and possible grade retention/credit denial.
If your student is absent a handwritten note, Valley Park Student Absentee or Change of Dismissal Form, and/or Medical Note must be submitted to the main office. Documentation can be emailed to kkiger@psdnet.org.
*PHONE CALLS FOR CHANGE OF DISMISSALS SHOULD BE MADE BEFORE 2:45 P.M. Thank you!
Completion of Free/Reduced forms will be required for preschool and strongly encouraged for K/1. Thank you!
Menus are available at www.psdnet.org and more information is available HERE .
Metz payments for snacks: cash, check, or schoolcafe.com: Student ID number from PowerSchool is needed. A fee is charged by the company. Please contact the main office for assistance accessing PowerSchool.
Cost of breakfast is located on the website. Free and reduced prices also apply.
PRESCHOOL:
Preschool breakfast will be served during school hours. Please see further information from your preschool teacher.
KINDERGARTEN/FIRST GRADE:
K/1 Breakfast is available before school or in the classroom after arrival. Due to limitations in the classroom, participation before school by those not riding a bus is strongly encouraged. A limited selection is available in the classroom, but students must "Opt-In" to have breakfast delivered to the classroom daily at arrival.
To opt- in, please complete the form HERE or contact your child's teacher.
Please contact the main office or your child's teacher if you would like to make any changes after you complete the form, otherwise your student will be provided with a breakfast daily in the classroom. *This form only needs to be completed once for your student to have breakfast in the classroom daily.
K/1 students, especially those who do not ride a bus to school, are strongly encouraged to attend the Before School Breakfast Program. Entrance is from 8:25 a.m.-8:40 a.m. and no sign up form is needed. If arriving after 8:25, please ring the buzzer at the door to let the staff know that your student has arrived. Students must eat breakfast to participate before school.
Thank you!