Week three and the students are settling into their new classrooms, getting to know their teachers and grades 4, 5, and 6 have started their Electives!

Our first Dollar Dress is this Thursday, September 2^nd, 2010. For our new families, Dollar Dress Days are an opportunity for our VASA Explorers to wear regular clothes to school, in place of their standard dress code by bringing in a $1.00. Since this month has five Thursdays, we will have a second Dollar Dress Day on Thursday, September 15^th, 2010. Please remember, all clothing must be school appropriate.

Please make sure to visit our website for VASA Explorer news, updates, school dress code.

We look forward to seeing you at 6:00 PM on Back to School Night scheduled for Thursday, September 9^th, 2010.

To insure we have a warm and safe environment for our students, there are five VASA Explorer Expectations all VASA students are asked to follow:

1. 1. Listen
2. 2. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3. 3. Use kind words.
4. 4. Stay on task.
5. 5. Always try your best.

We, here at VASA, believe these five expectations are life-long skills that will help the children be successful throughout their lives. Please review them regularly with your children.

Safety is a priority at VASA, so just a friendly reminder to drop off and pick up your students going South on Glenn. Students will be waiting to be picked up at the blue tables. Students are not allowed to wait on the grassy knolls behind the cafeteria due to discipline issues.

As always, we thank you for allowing us the privilege of working with your children and appreciate your continued involvement and support here at VASA: Where Learning Comes to Life!

Looking forward to a stellar Explorer Year!

Ms. Fuerte

Executive Director

CHEER Volunteers Needed

VASA STUDENTS NEED YOU!!

We are calling all parents who are interested in helping coach the VASA Cheer Leaders to contact the office at 559.497.8272 by September 1, 2010. We will need to know what days and times you are available.  Volunteering in this capacity will help you fulfill your 20 volunteer hours for the year.  Expectations for volunteer cheer coaches are:

-       Must be fingerprinted through FUSD ($50.00 fee to FUSD)

-       Able to organize cheer events and collaborate with VASA Staff

-       Able to work collaboratively with our After School Program

-       Sign cheer squad up for competitions/parades, etc.

-       Able to coach practice consistently each week or when practices are scheduled

Cafeteria News

VASA CAFÉ

Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 7:55 a.m.  Please have your children arrive on time for breakfast!  The new breakfast food is a hit, if you haven’t tried it please stop by the cafeteria, you will not be disappointed!

Reminder: VASA is not sending out lunch order forms for the 2010-11 school year.  Envelopes are being provided in the office to submit payment for meals.  When your balance is getting low a payment reminder and envelope will be sent home with your child.  Payment must be made in advance for your child to eat at school unless they are on the free meal program.  Once again if you have any questions please call (497.8272) or email Beth in the office.

bhatch@vasaelementary.com

Back to School Night

Thursday, September 9 is Back-to-School Night. Please see the enclosed flyer regarding this family event!  This is a chance for you to see what your child or children have been doing the first few weeks of school.  We will be having a Family Picnic BBQ (donations accepted).  This is going to be a fun and exciting event and we look forward to seeing all of you!

VASA Apparel Order

If you are in need or want of a VASA T-shirt or sweatshirt please complete the order form included in this week’s packet and turn it in by September 10.  We will no longer be keeping them in-stock in the office due to the out of pocket expense for VASA.

Download Order Form

Dollar Dress & Spirit Day

Dollar Dress day is the first Thursday of each month.  Our first Dollar Dress Day is September 2, 2010.  All students participating must bring $1.00 to school or will be expected to wear the normal Dress Code clothing. If you have any questions please call the office.

Spirit Day is every Friday when VASA T-shirts and Spring Fling shirts may be worn with blue jeans.  The jeans must be “blue” in color.

Back-To-School Night

Thursday, September 9

5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Family Picnic BBQ

Provided by: Royal Dining Catering

$5 donation per family

6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Visit Classrooms

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Family Picnic BBQ Menu

BBQ Chicken Breast, Hamburger, Hot Dog, or Veggie Burger

Fresh Fruit

Fresh Salad with homemade dressing

Coleslaw

Lemonade or Fruit Punch

(Available as supplies last)

$ave Around Coupons Books are on sale from all 6^th VASA students or in the office for only $20.  All coupons are good until December 31, 2011.  Anyone can also call Gloria Schwindt at 322-8478 to arrange delivery of coupon books or pick up of sales money.

Parents of 6^th grade VASA students, please see Gloria Schwindt about selling $ave Around Coupon Books to offset the cost of 6^th grade study trips this school year.  We earn $8 for every book sold, and each child is asked to sell five.

Also, 6^th graders have taken over recycling efforts at VASA this year.  ALL VASA FAMILIES & COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS, please gather your recycling. We will soon offer curbside deposit of ALL plastic and cans!  6^th graders are on their way to a fantastic year!

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS SEPTEMBER 9^TH

VPO would like to have a bake sale at Back to School Night.  Please plan to bring home made or store bought baked goods to the school on Thursday, Sept. 9^th.

If you have time to work the Bake Sale table at any point during Back to School night, please call the office at 497-8272 with your name and telephone number.

VPO would also like to hold a Uniform Sale at Back to School Night. This is an opportunity to buy uniform pants, uniform shirts, as well as shoes and sweaters within dress code policy, and backpacks for $1!  In order to hold the Sale, we need donations of your student’s gently used items J  Please drop off or send with your child, the following items compliant with Dress Code Policy: pants, shirts, sweaters, jackets, shoes and back packs. Please make sure there are no holes, rips or stains.  Thank you.

We are still collecting Box Tops – send them in!!  We will submit the next batch of Box Tops at the end of September – let’s beat last year’s September deposit of $200!!!!!!!

And don’t forget to use your S.H.A.R.E.S. cards at all FoodMaxx and SaveMART stores to maximize benefits to VASA – Where Learning Comes to Life!

Week one has come and gone! It is great having the children back on campus; they are truly missed during the summer months.

Everyone is working hard to make this a great year. There are five VASA Explorer Expectations all VASA students are asked to follow:

1. 1. Listen
2. 2. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
3. 3. Use kind words.
4. 4. Stay on task.
5. 5. Always try your best.

Please ask your children about what each expectation looks like and sounds like. The staff and I have been reviewing what the expectations look like and sound like every day. We, here at VASA, believe these five expectations are life-long skills that will help the children be successful throughout their lives.

Safety is a priority at VASA, so just a friendly reminder to drop off and pick up your students going South on Glenn. Students will be waiting to be picked up at the blue tables. Students are not allowed to wait on the grassy knolls behind the cafeteria due to discipline issues.

Please make sure to visit our website for VASA Explorer news, updates, school dress code.

The Intermediate Teaching Team will be discussing their electives and informing you about the processes we will be using to choose electives throughout the year.

We look forward to seeing you at 6:00 PM on Back to School Night scheduled for Thursday, September 9^th, 2010.

As always, we thank you for allowing us the privilege of working with your children and appreciate your continued involvement and support here at VASA: Where Learning Comes to Life!

Looking forward to a stellar Explorer Year!

Ms. Fuerte

Executive Director

CHEER Volunteers Needed

We are calling all parents who are interested in helping coach the VASA Cheer Leaders to contact the office at 559.497.8272 by September 1, 2010.  We will need to know what days and times you are available.  Volunteering in this capacity will help you fulfill your 20 volunteer hours for the year.  Expectations for volunteer cheer coaches are:

-       Must be fingerprinted through FUSD ($50.00 fee to FUSD)

-       Able to organize cheer events and collaborate with VASA Staff

-       Able to work collaboratively with our After School Program

-       Sign cheer squad up for competitions/parades, etc.

-       Able to coach practice consistently each week or when practices are scheduled

VASA CAFÉ

Reminder: VASA is not sending out lunch order forms for the 2010-11 school year.  Envelopes are being provided in the office to submit payment for meals.  When your balance is getting low a payment reminderand envelope will be sent home with your child.  Payment must be made in advance for your child to eat at school unless they are on the free meal program.  Once again if you have any questions please call (497.8272) or email Beth in the office.

bhatch@vasaelementary.com

Thank you for your patience with this new procedure!!  J

Fundraising News

The 6^th grade class is selling coupon books ($ave Around) for $20 each and can be purchased in the office or with any 6^th grade student.  Please pay with exact cash or check!  This is a great way to support our 6^th grade class and save money all at the same time!

Please continue collecting Box Tops and Campbell’s Soup Labels and turn them into the office!  This is an on-going fundraiser so please continue bringing them to the VASA office.

Dollar Dress & Spirit Day

Dollar Dress day is the first Thursday of each month.  Our first Dollar Dress Day is September 2, 2010.  All students participating must bring $1.00 to school or will be expected to wear the normal Dress Code clothing.  If you have any questions please call the office.

Spirit Day is every Friday when VASA T-shirts and Spring Fling shirts may be worn with blue jeans.  The jeans must be “blue” in color.

Yard Duty/Noon Time

VASA is looking for one to two people to work for one to two hours each school day at recess/cafeteria duty.  This is a paid position.  Please inquire in the office.  An application must be completed along with a current TB Test and fingerprinting (one time fee of $50) through FUSD is required for the position.

We are excited about the 2010-2011 elective schedule! Many changes have been made to the program that we believe enhances it tremendously. Here are the changes in a nutshell:

• Electives will take place Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00-2:30.
• Each 4th-6th grade student will take 4 electives, which will meet twice per week.
• Every Student will take one PE elective.
• Intervention classes will be offered during the elective block. Students who need extra instruction will be identified and tutored in a small-group setting.
• Some electives will offer mid-year enrollment (based on availability).

There is a MANDATORY meeting next Tuesday, August 24, at 6:00 P.M. After a short presentation about our electives, you will sign up for your 1st-6th choices. You will be assigned to classes based on your grade level (6th, 5th, 4th in that order) and your attendance at the meeting (priority enrollment by grade level for those students who attend the meeting with a parent). Classes begin on Monday, August 30. Since nearly all the electives have enrollment caps, many students will not get all the classes that they prefer, but we will make every effort to schedule your electives as close to your preferences as possible. Intervention classes take priority over other electives, but you can be promoted from intervention class as soon as you have mastered the required skills.

Download Elective  Classes Information

1. E. Adams
2. S. Aguerria
3. S. Allen
4. A. Alvino
5. R. Arias
6. S. Barnett
7. T. Bell
8. A. Chavez
9. V. Chavez
10. L. Coronado
11. S. Diaz
12. R. Felix
13. A. Garcia
14. A. Garcia
15. Z. Gardner
16. R. Gartin
17. J. Gutierrez
18. T. Hayes
19. D. Herrera
20. T. Hunt
21. T. Jones
22. M. Keck
23. J. Linton
24. B. Lopez
25. R. Lopez
26. R. Lopez
27. S. Lopez
28. K. Mendez
29. A. Moore
30. R. Munoz
31. J. Newsome
32. D. Ortiz-Nance
33. S. Palermo
34. S. Ponce
35. J. Ramirez
36. W. Rasberry
37. M. Reyes
38. X. Roman
39. M. Sanchez
40. J. Sandoval
41. P. Sanft-Epperson
42. M. Schwindt
43. J. Villalobos
44. B. Wells
45. N. Yamada
46. A. Zapien
47. P. Biedermann
48. C. Farmer

Fall Performing Arts Showcase – October 14 – 6:00 p.m.

All School Review – December 16

School Musical Drama – March 3

ACDA National Honor Choir, March 9-11

CMEA Festival – Mid March

Primary Spring Program – April 28

Spring Performing Arts Showcase – May 26

Dates and times are subject to change

Dear VASA Parents/Guardians:

It has been wonderful having our VASA families back! The children have grown and matured. It always amazes me how we can add some sun, a little water (or maybe a lot) and the children grow in leaps and bounds!

I can’t believe we are mid way through the first week of school. The children are getting back into their routines and the teachers are setting up their policies and procedures for a stellar year with your children.

The staff is extremely excited about the upcoming year! Please schedule time to attend Back to School Night on Thursday, September 9^th, 2010 starting at 6:00 PM. The teachers will be sharing their educational programs and plans for the year. The information will cover classroom procedures, discipline policies, classroom expectations, curriculum, electives, homework procedures, as well as getting to know your child’s instructor.

There are so many new and exciting opportunities for our VASA Explorers this year! There are new electives for our Intermediate students and innovative opportunities in our Primary grades.

Safety is a priority at VASA, so just a friendly reminder to drop off and pick up your students going South on Glenn.

Please make sure to visit our website for VASA Explorer news, updates, school dress code, and we look forward to seeing you at 6:00 PM on Back to School Night scheduled for Thursday, September 9^th, 2010.

As always, we thank you for allowing us the privilege of working with your children and appreciate your continued involvement and support here at VASA: Where Learning Comes to Life!

Looking forward to a stellar Explorer Year!

Ms. Fuerte

Executive Director

Queridos Padres/Guardianes de Vasa:

A sido un placer en tener nuestras familias de VASA de regreso! Los niños han crecido y madurado. Siempre me impresiona como si agregamos un poco de sol, y un poco de agua (o tal vez mucha) y los niños cresen inmensamente!

No puedo creer que ya vamos a mediado de nuestra primer semana de escuela. Los niños están regresando a sus rutinas y los maestros están preparando sus pólizas y procedimientos para un ano estelar con sus hijos.

Los trabajadores están extremadamente entusiasmados por el ano que viene! Por favor asegúrense y plañen en atender nuestra Noche de Regreso de Clases el Jueves, 9 de septiembre, 2010 a las 6 de la tarde. Los maestros estarán compartiendo sus programas educativos para el ano.

Ay tantas nuevas oportunidades para nuestros VASA Exploradores este ano! Ay nuevos electivos para nuestros estudiantes intermediarios y oportunidades innovadoras en los grados primarios.

Seguridad es nuestra prioridad en VASA, así es que queremos recordarles que dejen y recojan sus estudiantes dirigiéndose sur en la calle Glen.

Por favor visite nuestra página de internet  para  VASA Exploradores noticias, código de vestimenta, y lo que ay de nuevo. Estamos entusiasmados por verlos a las 6 de la tarde para la Noche de Regreso a Clases el jueves 9 de septiembre. 2010.

Como siempre, les agradecemos que nos permitan el privilegio de trabajar con sus hijos y apreciamos su involucramiento y apoyo aquí en VASA: Donde le Damos vida al Aprendizaje!

Mirando adelante a un ano Estelar Exploradores!

Ms. Fuerte

Directora Ejecutiva

• Construction paper (large) – all colors but especially black & white
• Tempera paints – primary colors
• Brightly colored copy paper

Grade 1

• 2 Televisions to be installed in room 1A & 1B
• 2 CD/cassette players and children’s CD’s/cassettes
• Books – picture books, chapter books and class sets
• DVD/VCR
• Books with cassettes or CD’s

Grade 2

• Dry Erase Markers
• Wooden rulers (1 foot)
• Magnifying glasses
• Crayola Model Magic (white)
• Oil pastels (5-10)
• Glue sticks
• Pencils
• Paper (printer, notebook, & graph)
• Art supplies (crayons, pencils, construction paper)

Grade 3

• Digital Cameras
• “Flags” for Flag Football, a full set (the ones that are worn on the belt
• Student Thesaurus’
• Globe – white board attached roller maps of US & World
• Monies to purchase writing curriculum
• White boards (student size) & whiteboard markers

Grade 5

• Monetary donations to set up fish tank
• Hand soap & paper towels for classroom sink
• The following books (can be used if in good condition): Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Spears, The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Spears, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, Holes by Louis Sachar, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner, Johnny Tremaine by Esther Forbes, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket
• Computers (monetary donation or newer, good condition working computers)
• Monetary donations for Math textbooks
• Thesauruses (class set of 24)

Grade 6

• A Macbook Lab (to share with art & music)
• Decks of cards (used are fine if complete set)
• Really good dictionaries with word origins

Art

• Pot holder type weaving looms & the craft loops that go with them.  The art room has 8 & we need 14 more for a class set.  They are about $5.50 a loom at Target or Michaels.
• Screw drivers (Philips & regular) 6 of each

Music

• Good quality band instruments (used is fine, but in good condition)
• Concert Choir vests or sweaters (navy blue with the VASA Crest embroidered)
• Macbook Lab with imovie, idvd, full version of garage band (will share lab with art & 6^th grade)

Reading Resouce teacher

• Read Naturally Curriculum
  • Sequenced Series
  • Phonics Series
  • Assessments

• $200 for G.W. purchases; assessments

Cafeteria

• Monetary donations to purchase a Hand-washing station Linoleum to replace carpet
• Microwave

Office

• Flat screen monitor for front desk computer
• Cubicles
• Wood to make swing doors (monetary donations welcome)
• 3 Laptops

Garden

• Round pebble rock for garden pathways
• Weed control fabric
• Drip irrigation system with timer and instillation

Cheer

• Pom-poms

Welcome back to school! We are extremely excited to have your children and your families back at Valley Arts & Science Academy. To our new students and families, welcome to VASA, where learning comes to life!

We hope you all had a wonderful summer vacation, enjoying time with your families, just as many of us did. Some of us rested, relaxed and caught up on summer reading, others traveled, organized their homes, reconnected with family, and of course, some of us worked. Summertime, for me, represents a time for growth and change. Last week I was offered an opportunity to grow and change and would like to share it with you, if I may.

My family decided to go camping up in the Sequoias. At the beginning, I was not very enthusiastic about traveling up a mountain past 7000 feet for rest and relaxation but my family decided it was time to try something new.

We all worked hard at getting ready for our new venture. Off we went on our trip to the Sequoias! Well to make a long story short, one thing after another seemed to go wrong. I was rear ended in the parking lot of a grocery store. No one was hurt and I took care of the situation. My husband and I think differently and ended up taking two different routes to the same point. Approximately thirteen miles from our destination my mode of transportation decided it was tired and shut down completely. So there I am, stranded on a two lane mountain road. Oh, by the way did I mention there was no cell phone reception and it was starting to get dark. A Good Samaritan stopped to help and was able to locate my husband and bring him back down for us.

My recent journey took me into the unknown and made me uncomfortable. Once I embraced the change it became a positive and empowering experience. I also learned how to do things in several distinctive manners. I believe achieving success at VASA is very much like my adventure, a little uncomfortable, at times challenging, requires divergent thinking, consistent communication, and students, parents, and staff working together to achieve our goals.

The faculty and staff have been working hard all summer planning a stellar year for our VASA Explorers. Many changes have occurred during the last few months and several new faces will be on campus this year. VASA is at the cusp of an exciting new year and we ask you to join us in becoming true VASA Explorers! Let us all embrace the many opportunities for learning new things and getting to know new people.

Please make sure to visit our website for VASA Explorer news, updates, school dress code, and we look forward to seeing you at 6:00 PM on Orientation night scheduled for Thursday, August 12^th, 2010. We are all excited about seeing all our VASA Explorers on the first day back to school this year, Monday, August 16^th.

As always, we thank you for allowing us the privilege of working with your children and appreciate your continued involvement in your student’s education throughout the school year. Your ongoing support in and out of the classroom will enrich and enhance your sons and daughters educational experience here at VASA.

Enjoy the adventure!

Ms. Fuerte

Executive Director