A - E

What & Purpose:

Students receive visual art lessons 

When & Where:

Once to twice a month; Room 2

Audience:

TK-5th

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

Contact Irma Grant, Art Teacher

What & Purpose:

This is a wonderful fundraiser conducted every other year at Valley View.  In collaboration with the Art Teacher, Mrs. Grant, the PTA works with Art to Remember to upload Valley View students’ artwork.  Each student who participates in the program will have an individualized page via Art to Remember where family members can order a variety of merchandise adorned with their child’s art.  

When & Where:

During the fall.  Online purchasing.

Audience:

Valley View families

Volunteer Opportunities:

The Art to Remember committee consists of 1-2 volunteers.  This involves working with Mrs. Grant to create a project, working with Art to Remember to receive materials, class lists, etc., collecting and mailing artwork and delivering purchased goods to teachers.  About 5 hours a month for 3-4 months.  To volunteer you can sign up via Future Fund or reach out to the PTA President.

Volunteer Clearance 

N/A

More Information:

Art to Remember

What & Purpose:

Valley View has been identified under  “Additional Targeted Support and Improvement” (ATSI) status based on Chronic Absenteeism for Students with Disabilities and Students who are Two or More Races.

When & Where:

Annual state review of data on the CA Dashboard.

Audience:

All students

Volunteer Opportunities:

Help get the word out about why attendance matters.

Help create solutions for attendance challenges.

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

Contact Andrea Withers, Principal

What & Purpose:

Back to School Night is an opportunity for Parents/guardians to meet their child’s teacher and to learn about their child’s upcoming school year.  

When & Where:

August 15th 5:00-8:00 pm - Information Tables Open in the MPR

TK-2nd Grades:  5:30-6:30 pm - In classrooms

3rd-5th Grades:  6:30-7:30 pm - In classrooms

Audience:

Parents/guardians 

Volunteer Opportunities:

N/A

Volunteer Clearance 

N/A

More Information:

Reference the Mustang Memo and classroom communications for more information.

What & Purpose:

Band class is an opportunity offered to all fifth grade students to learn an instrument, ranging from percussion to brass to strings.  Instruments can be rented or students can use an instrument they already have at home.  Students in need can request support for an instrument of their choice.  All instruments must stay at home, and students are expected to bring the instrument to/from home/school on the day Band is offered (Thursdays).  

When & Where:

One period, once a week

Audience:

5th graders

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

Contact Jason Borris, Band Instructor

What & Purpose:

Hosted by the Valley View PTA, the goal of Book Club is to introduce students to new authors, genres, and book titles they may not have known about yet. The hope is to provide mirrors to their own lives, as well as provide windows to better understand different lives and experiences and that everyone walks away loving to read. One grade level appropriate book is provided to each registered student and breakfast is served at each meeting.

When & Where:

One Wednesday a month from 8-9 am (October - May) in the Valley View MPR.

Register for Book Club during Annual Registration or no later than late August via Future Fund.  A registration fee applies and scholarships are available. Check flier or Book Club website for more specific details.

Audience:

Students / Parent Volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities:

Parents are welcome to volunteer to lead and organize Book Club as well as facilitate groups, help purchase breakfast items or serve breakfast.  Volunteers to lead and organize are requested in the Winter/Spring. Volunteers to facilitate are requested during registration.  Volunteers to purchase and serve food are requested monthly via SignUp Genius. Volunteers to read a book to the group are requested monthly.

Volunteer Clearance 

Level I

More Information:

To inquire about volunteering, visit https://sites.google.com/vvespta.org/vv-book-club/home and connect with the Book Club leads.

What & Purpose:

A “Caught Ya” is a blue paper ticket about the size of an index card that is given to a student by a staff member when that student is “caught” following one of the three school rules.  

The three school rules are listed on the Caught Ya, with a checkbox next to each to indicate which rule the child was “caught” following.  The child’s name and room number are written on the “Caught Ya” and the ticket is put into a grade-level specific box for a prize drawing each month at the Spirit Assembly.  

Fourth and fifth graders have the option to hold onto their tickets to spend them at a “store” on goodies such as Rubik's Cubes and bouncy balls.

When & Where:

Any time a student is “caught” following one or more of the three school rules (in or out of class)

Audience:

Students

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

The three school rules are Show Respect, Make Good Decisions, and Solve Problems.

What & Purpose:

The Chess Club is offered by Emerald Hills Chess and is open to 1st-5th grade students.  Students are taught interactive lessons by a professional coach, compete in tournaments with trophies for top finishers and play exciting variants like Bughouse and Chess 960.  Students sharpen their strategy and develop resilience through fun and healthy competition.

When & Where:

13 Wednesday mornings (alternating with Book Club) from 8-9 am during the 2023-2024 academic school year.  A fee is collected for this program. Scholarships are available. Students meet either in the Valley View Library or MPR.

Audience:

Students

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteer opportunities to liaise with Emerald Hills Chess and the VV PTA are available.  Reach out to the VV PTA via their website to inquire.

Volunteer Clearance 

Level I

More Information:

Valley View PTA Website: https://www.vvespta.org/home

What & Purpose:

The “Coffee with the Principal” is an opportunity to informally chat with the principal and with other parents/guardians.  The principal reviews her monthly report, sharing key ideas and information and offering topics for discussion.  Parents/guardians are invited to bring their own topics, suggestions, concerns, and ideas to the table.

When & Where:

Monthly; Alternating mornings and evenings

Audience:

Parents/guardians

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

English/Spanish translation 

What & Purpose:

“COST teams identify and address student needs holistically and ensure that the overall system of supports works together effectively. A COST is a multidisciplinary team of school staff and providers who: • Create a regular forum for reviewing the needs of individual students and the school overall. • Collaborate on linking referred students to resources and interventions. • Support students’ academic success and healthy development.” - COST Web Page

When & Where:

Weekly; Valley View’s Conference Room

Audience:

School and District Staff

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

Students whose specific needs require additional support or interventions may be put forward for COST team review.  The COST team may suggest resources such as an SST, counseling, social worker support for the family, and so forth.

What & Purpose:

Hosted in partnership with the Valley View Science teacher and the PTA, students in grades 3-5 are invited to an evening dinner to meet with local scientists to learn about their various fields of work in an effort to inspire the STEM fields of study and careers.

When & Where:

An evening in March at the Valley View MPR.

Audience:

Students Grades 3-5, parents and community members who work or study in various STEM related fields.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Opportunities for scientists to attend the event and speak with students.  Opportunities will be announced by the STEAM Fair Committee as the event draws near.  Visit the Valley View PTA website, PTA Monthly Newsletter or Weekly Mustang Memo for specific opportunities and details.

Volunteer Clearance 

Level I

More Information:

https://www.vvespta.org/home

Pleasanton Unified School District website: HERE

What & Purpose:

Volunteering to chaperone a field trip is a great way to participate in your student’s education and a huge responsibility. To volunteer as a driver/chaperone on a field trip, parents/guardians will need PUSD Extended Level Clearance plus Driver.

Volunteers who will be transporting students as a driver for field trips, extra-curricular activities and/or athletic events.

Level 3 volunteers are cleared for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 volunteer activities. This level of clearance requires: 

• TB Clearance Verification

• Driver’s License scan via the Raptor system when checking in through the main office of a school site

• Live Scan Fingerprinting (DOJ and FBI);

• Volunteer Driver Transportation Form

• Auto Insurance Coverage Declaration Page—All drivers must maintain liability insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury, $25,000 property damage, $5,000 medical payment per occurrence, and uninsured motorist coverage of at least $100,000/$300,000.

When & Where:

Opportunities to chaperone will be shared by your student’s teacher periodically throughout the year.

Audience:

Parents/Guardians

Volunteer Opportunities:

Teachers will share when and where chaperone’s are needed.

Volunteer Clearance 

Level III

More Information:

Visit the PUSD Volunteer Website to complete the volunteer application needed for Level 3 Extended Level + Driving Clearance. https://www.pleasantonusd.net/families/volunteers

What & Purpose:

ELD Saturday Academy is for English Language Learners who need additional English Language Development support as defined by a score of 1 on the English Language Proficiency Assessment of California (ELPAC).

When & Where:

Varies

Audience:

ELLs who scored a Level 1 on ELAPC OR who are newcomers and have not yet taken the ELPAC, and who are invited and accepted to the ELD Saturday Academy.

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

ELD Saturday Academy is by invitation only.

What & Purpose:

English Language Development is a designated time every day in which English Language Learners receive English Language instruction targeted to their specific level and needs.  During this protected time, the entire grade level does not have specialist classes to attend and no new content (i.e. social studies, science, etc) is taught.  Some grade levels choose to share students and group them based on their ELPAC Levels (1, 2, 3, and 4).

When & Where:

30 min a day

Audience:

English Language Learners, as defined by the Home Language Survey filled out at registration and the student’s ELPAC score.

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

NA

What & Purpose:

The English Learner Advisory Council (ELAC) is a group of parents/guardians and staff who meet to review English Language Learner (ELL) needs and to advise the staff and School Site Council (SSC) on recommendations around goals, programs, and services for ELLs.

When & Where:

Four times throughout the year, for about an hour and a half, in the evenings, in the school library.

Audience:

Parents/guardians of ELLs

Volunteer Opportunities:

NA

Volunteer Clearance 

NA

More Information:

Dinner, childcare, and translation (Spanish/English) are offered.

What & Purpose:

The Scholastic book fair is an in-person book fair where part of the proceeds will be given back to the school to purchase books for the school library and classrooms.

The Scholastic book fair has both Spanish and English books for all ages, including parents.  There are also journals, trinkets, pens, and other small items for purchase.  

Students will visit the book fair with their classroom teacher throughout once during the  week.  They will also be able to visit the fair during recess and lunch time and for a short time after school ends for the day.  There will be one family night as well, where students’ families are welcome to shop at the fair in the evening.  

The fair accepts cash, credit card, and scholastic bucks.  Parents can create a scholastic bucks account for their child.  Scholastic bucks can be used by the student to purchase books and other items at the fair, any remaining money at the end of the fair will roll over to the next year or be donated (it is non-refundable).  Instructions for creating/funding your child’s account will be delivered by email the week or so before the fair begins.

When & Where:

Usually between Thanksgiving and Winter breaks for four days (M-Th).  Classroom teachers will email parents when their class will be visiting the fair so parents can send money or load scholastic bucks.

Audience:

Valley View students and families

Volunteer Opportunities:

Many opportunities.  Volunteers are often needed to help set up/break down the book fair and/or man the book fair hours (during school hours and family night).  Requests for volunteers will be made in early November via the Valley View PTA website, PTA Monthly Newsletter or Weekly Mustang Memo.

Volunteer Clearance 

None to Level I (depending on role)

More Information:

See the PTA Scholastic Book Fair page for more information.