Director’s Corner
Dear VASA Students, Parents & Guardians,
Warm greetings go out to you all from all of us here at VASA.
We would like to update you on the great things happening here at VASA.
If you would like to see something we do not have in the VASA VOICE please let me know.
If you have any photographs from VASA events that you would like to share please email them to me or drop them off at the office. We would like to include them in the VASA VOICE.
Parker, the Fresno Grizzlies Bear, will visit in March 2nd! He will be kicking off our Wild About Reading program. This program is designed to reinforce the importance and excitement of reading. Students will be challenged to read 10 books in 5 weeks. If they meet this challenge they will receive 2 free Fresno Grizzlies tickets.
As a friendly reminder we will be out of school on Feb. 15, & 16. The 16th is a staff in- service day and we will be having trainings and lots of collaboration.
The fruit we are receiving from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant has been delicious. It is offered to every student during their AM recess each day.
As always, we appreciate your ongoing support! If you would like to volunteer your time or services in anyway, please let us know, so we can schedule an appointment to discuss the opportunities you are offering VASA.
Have a wonderful week,
Ms. Fuerte
Spotlight Grade: 3rd Graders
Third Graders are exploring the world of animals! We began our unit study on animal adaptations to their environment. We will see through a bean experiment how camouflage really increases an animal’s survival! TRY IT.
You’ll need some black beans, white beans, and black-eyed peas, and a timer.
First, mix together some black and white beans onto a plate; get your timer set for 10 seconds. Now pretend you are a hungry bird looking for a tasty meal. Try to pick up as many black beans (moths) as you can in 10 seconds. Write down how many you caught! Over time, the coloring on the insect changes due to environmental conditions.
Now mix the white beans with the black eyed peas (moths that have adapted their coloring) onto a different plate, set your timer for 10 seconds.
Record how many you caught! Compare the results. What population of bean survived the black bean or the black eyed pea?
We are looking forward to our field trip to Sierra Foothill conservancy near Table Mountain and Millerton Lake. While there we will be observing animal habitats, animal adaptations, and Indian cultural history. Related to our animal and habitat studies, students will conduct research on an animal of their choice and write a report.
We encourage parents to take their child to the library to gather resources or supervise their computer time as they work on their report.
Peach Blossom Performance
Peach Blossom Festival 2010 is scheduled for March 18 and 19. We will most likely be attending on the 18th as each school only attends one day of the festival. When we receive more information on the date and time we will put it in the VASA Voice.
VASA Representatives:
Siobhan Trammel 4A Citlalli Sanchez 4A
Autumn Cabrel 4A Sarah Lopez 4A
Cassie Montejano 4A Jillian Hancock 4A
Jasmine Vargas 4B Jennifer Linton 4B
James Wimpey 6A
Butterfly Vang 6A Cecilia Soto 6A
Mrs. Campbell’s First Grade Classroom
Sandra Diaz 4B Alison Betts 4B
Victoria Chavez 5B Joelene Sandoval 5B Destiny Ortiz-Nance 5B Marissa Keck 5B Kayla Nino 5B
Gia Finkle 2B Daniel Hipwood 2B Soley Madrigal 2B
Show Kids ‘U’ Care
Cuddle up and read a book!
Paint a picture together and hang it on the refrigerator!
Book of the Week…
Henry in Love
By: Peter McCarty
Age Level: 3-6
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
On the day that Henry’s mom includes a special blueberry muffin in his lunch, Henry’s teacher moves his desk next to Chloe. A smitten Henry — a young cat — gives his tasty treat to the attractive bunny. Soft illustrations and an understated text combine to create a winning portrait of infatuation and friendship.
Brought to you by: www.ReadingRockets. org
Valentine Grams
The Valentine Grams will be delivered to the classrooms on February 12 at the end of the day.
All sales go directly back to VASA Classrooms! This fundraiser is sponsored by our very own VASA Parent Organization. We would like to extend a special thanks to Mr. Coleman & VPO for putting the grams together and organizing the entire gram process!
VASA After School Program (ASP)
As a reminder, those After School Program parents who are making payments need to make them on a regular basis. Please bring all payments to the office and our staff will make sure you receive a receipt as verification. ASP greatly appreciates your continued support.
ASP will be celebrating the Chinese New Year on February 11, 2010!
Box Top Fundraiser
Keep collecting Box Tops and when your envelope is full bring the Box Tops in (keep the envelope at home to keep collecting)!
Our last Box Top Check was $209.94. Great Job!!
They are due February 28th but we will keep collecting for next year! So please continue to send them even after February 28th. We want to turn in as many as possible in order to receive the money in April. Thank you and keep collecting!!
Attendance, Tardies, & Absences
Your student’s attendance is very important. If they are missing school they are missing instructional time. If your child is sick they must have a doctor’s excuse in order for the absence to be an excused absence.
If your child is sick and will not be in school you must call the office before 10 a.m. If you are requesting homework for the day missed you must request it before 10 a.m. and it will be available for pick-up in the office between 3 and 4 p.m. that day.
If your student has poor attendance you will be receiving a call to schedule an appointment with Ms. Fuerte. We want to help you in any way we can.
If your child is going to miss more than 2 days we can put them on an Independent Studies contract.
Bullard Cal Ripken Baseball Sign-Ups
Late sign-ups! There is still room in all age groups. Late sign-ups will be held Tuesday, 7p.m., February 9 (tonight) at Dicicco’s Italian Restaurant at Herndon and West. You can also bring your player up to Fig Garden Elementary this Saturday, February 13 at 9:00 a.m. during our Minor and Major tryouts. If your child will be playing in the Minors or Majors, please have them ready to tryout.
Age groups are:
-Ages 4-6 T-Ball
-Age 7 and under. Machine Pitch (Rookies)
-Age 8 Machine pitch/Player pitch (Farm)
-Ages 9-10 Player pitch (Minors 9 or 10)
-Ages 11-12 (Majors 11 or 12) We are playing baseball
A player’s age on April 30th of that year determines his/her “League Age”.
There are no tryouts for T-Ball, Rookies, & Farm.
Players should be in full baseball gear, including cleats, cup, glove, and hat. The tryouts will last about 2 hours, depending on the division and number of players. The tryouts are meant to be a fun experience for the kids! All players will be chosen for a team!
For more information visit: www.bullardcalripken.org/
