Mid-October Update
Juergens' Journal
Important Dates in October:
10/14 - After School Enrichment Classes Begin this Week
10/13-10/19 - Week of School Administrator (See October Resolutions)
10/23-10/31 - Red Ribbon Week
10/26 - VG Carnival- SATURDAY 12:00-5:00 PM
10/31 - Halloween - Special Schedule (Follow a Wed. Bell Schedule)
11/1- No School (Students and Staff)
Message from Principal Juergens
Hello Families,
We have made it through the first half of October; it is hard to believe we are halfway through the 1st Semester.
📚 A note from Mrs. Hoxworth our VG Librarian: Thank you Falcon Families for attending our Book Fair! Your support contributed to generating funds for the library. A special shout out to the volunteers who helped set up, count coins, and box up the book fair- THANK YOU! We'll see you next year!
🏃Thank you to all who participated in the RUN FOR EDUCATION yesterday, it was so nice to see so many families and students enjoy this special district-wide event.
❤️ Red Ribbon Week begins next Wednesday through Halloween and we have great spirit days for your children to participate in; see below for details.
🎉 Our Annual Carnival is coming up on Oct. 26th. See below to purchase wristbands and volunteer to support your class booth.
🎃 Lastly, we will once again enjoy Halloween morning with the annual VG parade (see map below for class placements so you can get a great view). Also, check out the costume guidelines.
Please follow us on Instagram; as frequent reminders are posted there in a fun and creative way: vista_grande_school_parents
Your Grateful Principal,
Osi Juergens
Important Links
24/25 Helpful District Links:
24/25 Helpful Vista Grande Links:
District Information
October District Resolutions
October
San Ramon Valley Unified School District recognizes the month of October as Safe Schools Month. Safe schools provide an environment where teaching and learning can flourish and creating a safe environment for all students to thrive is the priority of our district and each of our schools.
We will continue to work with a broad spectrum of local community partners, law enforcement, mental health professionals, parents, students, teachers, and staff to take any threats of violence seriously and to develop, implement and monitor policies and programs that foster and support a positive school climate, free from harassment and violence.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District recognizes the month of October as National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying is physical, verbal, nonverbal or written conduct, sexual or emotional harm, or intimidation with respect to sex, gender, ethnicity, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, physical or mental disability, marital or parental status, age, sexual orientation, or physical and social characteristics intended to cause harm.
SRVUSD, schools, classrooms, teachers, students, parents, and the broader community are encouraged to engage in a variety of awareness and prevention activities and curriculum designed to make our community safer for all children and adolescents.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District recognizes the week of October 13-19 as School Administrator Week. Our administrators are dedicated and passionate lifelong learners who believe in the value of quality public education. SRVUSD appreciates our administrators and the incredible impact they make on the lives of our students. During this week we show appreciation for all school administrators and education leaders including principals, assistant principals, special education leaders, school business officials, classified leaders, the Superintendent, and assistant superintendents.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District recognizes the week of October 23-31 as Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, smoking, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign. SRVUSD’s students, parents/caregivers, faculty, staff members, and administrators can symbolically honor their commitment to healthy, drug-free lifestyles by displaying red ribbons on their clothing and/or personal items, and by encouraging a drug-free lifestyle during the week of October 23 - October 31.
VG School Information
After School Enrichment
STARTS THIS WEEK
Fall ASE Dates are: Oct. 14, 2024 - Dec. 14, 2024
No activity dates: Oct. 31, Nov. 1, Nov. 11, Nov. 25-Nov. 29
Red Ribbon Week at Vista Grande
Oct. 23-31
Each year we work towards earning our NO PLACE FOR HATE CERTIFICATION and during Red Ribbon Week we focus on ANTI-BULLYING opportunities to ensure our students are kind, caring, and respectful.
Here are a few ways we will participate in Red Ribbon Week.
Red Ribbons will be hung around our campus
Students & staff are encouraged to participate in the spirit days
THIS YEAR CLASSES THAT SHOW THE MOST SPIRIT BY THEIR PARTICIPATION
WILL BE AWARDED WITH EXTRA RECESS!!!
Carnival Donations
Please consider donating to our Carnival in one of the following ways:
Donate to Carnival Decor Donate Here
Donate to your Classroom Carnival Basket
Donate an item for our raffle prizes for our students: Sports Memorabilia, Legos, Games, Gift Cards, etc.
Sponsor an event or booth- Starting at $250
Reach out to our Carnival Chair, Heather Zanin, with any questions.
Thank you,
Vista Grande Carnival Committee
carnival@vistagrandepta.org
VG Carnival
Saturday 10/26/24 from 12:00-5:00
We are counting down the days until Carnival!
You can purchase your Pre-sale Wristbands for Carnival Now!
The wristbands give you access to all the Carnival Fun and include Popcorn and Water from the Snack Shack.
Click on the link below for more information.
** Click Here to order Wristbands **
Check out your classroom Booth sign-ups below.
The booths will be completely set-up, and all supplies are provided by PTA. We would love for you to join us and run your class booth for an hour (or as long as you want!).
We are still in need of Volunteers for Carnival. Volunteers are essential to helping Carnival run smoothly. The booths will be completely set-up, and all supplies are provided. We would love for you to join us and run your class booth for an hour (or as long as you want!). Please also check out the link for "all-classes" for additional support needed.
Volunteer Sign-Ups:
All Classes- Snacks, Set-up, and Breakdown
TK and Kinder Classes- Cake Walk
1ST- Montevago/ Trompas Skeeball Booth
2ND- Deutsch/ Maheshwary Class Booth
3RD- Knese/ Sheridan's Class Booth
4TH- Jones (Wells) Class Booth
5TH- Ingamells (Solomon) Class Booth
5TH- Dillingham/ Peterson Class Booth
Thank you! We look forward to a very fun and successful carnival!
Photo Make-Up Day TK-5th Grade
And 5th Grade Panoramic Photo
Oct. 30th
Students will have a chance to re-take their photo
A separate email will be sent out prior with directions for RE-TAKES
*** 5th graders: will take a group photo RIGHT AFTER THE MORNING ARRIVAL BELL, which will be used in the yearbook & will be available for purchase later in the school year!
Get Ready for Halloween
Teal Pumpkin Project
Halloween can be a tricky time for families managing food allergies. We are hoping to spread awareness in our school community about the Teal Pumpkin Project - from F.A.R.E. (Food Allergy Research & Education).
Putting a teal pumpkin on your doorstep means you have non-food treats available, such as glow sticks or small toys. This simple act promotes inclusion for trick-or-treaters with food allergies or other conditions.
Here is a cute Halloween Inspired Video to explain more:
What is Cultural Appropriation?
Cultural Appropriation is simply taking one aspect of a culture that is not your own and using it for your own personal interest. Cultural Appreciation is when someone seeks to understand and learn about another culture in an effort to broaden their perspective and connect with others cross-culturally. Watch this video.
Halloween: the importance of understanding cultural appropriation. Learn more about cultural appropriation and children’s costumes in this video and resource.
A few more resources:
A parents' guide to cultural appropriation: an expert breaks down kids' Halloween costumes
How to avoid offending anyone this Halloween
Let's Talk About Halloween Costumes and Cultural Appropriation
Halloween Parade: 10/31 @ 8:15 AM
BELL SCHEDULE on 10/31 follows a Wed. Schedule
ALL TK: 8:00-11:30
All Kinder: 8:00-11:30
ALL 1st-5th Grade Grade 8:00-12:50
*See images below for details
More VG Information
SAVE THE DATE- 11/14/24
Vista Grande Science Night
Calling all Scientists- Do you want to create a Science Fair Project to present at Science Night?? Download the FORM and submit to the office by Nov. 8th.
Come enjoy this NO COST, outdoor event with VG families, staff, and students.
Hot Chocolate Provided
This is not a drop-off event, the whole family is welcome!
A night of learning and fun for all.
VG YEARBOOKS
PHOTOS! We need your photos to build the yearbook! Use the Treering App to upload your photos from your mobile device.
CLICK HERE TO UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS
Upcoming upload due dates:
11/15 - Run for Education
12/1- Red Ribbon Week Spirit Days
12/1 - Carnival
12/1 - Halloween
Field trip and general photos of your class should be added to your class folder within 2 weeks of the event.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER A YEARBOOK
Yearbooks are purchased only through treering.com. If needed, the school code is 1015664014764005.
The 10% Early Bird Discount has been extended through 10/31.
Send questions to vgeyearbook@gmail.com
Vista Grande Lunch Menus & Volunteering Info.
Lunch Duty Volunteering Opportunities
Is your child in 1st-5th Grade?
Do you have time or can you make time once or twice a month to volunteer at lunch?
We appreciate the ALL HANDS ON DECK approach and love to have our volunteers support our students either in the MPR while they eat or on the blacktop while they play.
Volunteering Requirements
IMPORTANT: MUST DO- In order to volunteer on campus or chaperone on a field trip
If you would like to volunteer this year please sign up or log in to check the status of your previous sign-up so you are ready to volunteer during the 24/25 school year.
In SRVUSD, we continue to prioritize student safety and improve our procedures for processing and clearing volunteers. Please access SRVUSD's volunteer clearance process via our volunteer management system, Be A Mentor (BAM), to sign up.
2024 Helpful Information
VG Lost & Found
Bagged Up Friday After School- 10/31/24
This year the Lost & Found items will be bagged up and donated on the last Friday of each month. If you want to claim your items please look through the lost and found anytime before the last Friday of each month.
The lost & found cart is located just outside the MPR and is available for families to look through at any time.
*** If you label your children's belongings with their first and last name every effort will be made to deliver their items to their classroom.
VG Spirit Wear
Vista Grande Parent Meetings
UPCOMING VISTA GRANDE PARENT MEETINGS:
CPAP Board Meeting: 10/7 @ 8:00-9:30 AM in the VG Library
Falcon Fund Next Board Meeting: No Meeting in October
PTA Next Board Meeting: No Meeting in October
Site Council Next Meeting: 10/23 @ 2:45-3:45 PM in the VG Library
October Bell Schedule at a Glace
24/25 Bell Schedule Information
REMINDER: Follow Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminders
Our parking lot is VERY TRICKY and can be dangerous if we don't ALL WORK TOGETHER for the safety of our children.
A Few Tips.!!! READ & FOLLOW each of the numbers in the image below.
DO NOT park and leave your car during DROP-OFF or PICK-UP in Lane A or Lane C. Lane B is for passing or leaving Lane A & C to exit the parking lot.
Pull forward in the lot until you can stop to safely let your child out of the car. DO NOT let them out into the Lane B side and DO NOT CUT in front of another car to pull into a spot. Wait in line until you can pull forward.
PLEASE LEAVE THE KEEP CLEAR section CLEAR and only pull forward once there is space to enter the lot past the Keep Clear section.
ONLY USE THE BIG CROSSWALK past the BIG TREE for student crossing. The small crosswalk is a handicap crosswalk.
Please review the full slide deck for more detailed information for TK/Kinder and 1st-5th grade drop off and pick up.
Parking Lot Procedures- Drop-off & Pick-Up
Your cooperation and attention in our lot are extremely important to ensure our students remain safe each day!
