Back to School Edition 2022 Newsletter

FALL 2022

AUG 15 HS Freshman & New Student Orientation Day ES Kindergarten Jumpstart

AUG 16 MS 6th Grade Orientation Day ES Kindergarten Jumpstart

AUG 17 Preschool Open House

AUG 18 Preschool Meet the Teacher ES Meet the Teacher MS Open House

AUG 22 First Day of School

EDUCATION MATTERS BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT One Community. One Campus. Limitless Learning.

EDUCATION MATTERS VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Pete Coates, President Faye Peats, Vice President Phyllis Geary, Secretary Nicole Martinez, Treasurer Kim Bellchamber, Director Lisa Finder, Director Jeremy Picker, Director Dr. Tim Dilg Superintendent of Schools Jaime Gast, Editor Director of Communications In case of emergency. . .

Occasionally, severe weather conditions or other emergencies make it necessary to close school. The Superintendent tries to make the decision to close school by 5:30 a.m., or earlier if possible. When classes are postponed or canceled, a phone & text message will be sent out to all students, parents and legal guardians through Infinite Campus.

School closings are also broadcast on KMOX (AM 1120) and TV stations KSDK Channel 5, KMOV Channel 4 and FOX Channel 2 & Channel 11; and are posted on the District’s website, Facebook and Twitter.

NOTE: If school is closed, all other school-related activities are canceled for that day.

PARENTS AS TEACHERS PAT is offered at no cost to in-district parents. PAT features education about developmental expectations and observations, parent meetings and group connections/family events, health and developmental screenings, and community service referrals.

Please call (636) 923-3531 to set up an appointment.

WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?

Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, spelling, and decoding abilities. Dyslexia is SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT a neurological condition caused by a different wiring COMPLIANCE PLAN of the brain, and it’s inherent The Valley Park School characteristics exist on a District (VPSD), along with spectrum - with all students the Department of having unique abilities.

Elementary and Secondary Research states that one in Education provides free ten people may have appropriate educational dyslexia. programs for various At Valley Park, our goal is to disabling conditions through identify any and all students special education programs. with reading difficulties and The VPSD, through the provide research-based Special School District, is strategies to help them grow responsible for providing and learn. Our identification appropriate services to meets and exceeds state children birth to 21 years of mandates as we do our best age who have a diagnosed for students. disability.

REPORTING ABSENCES The VPSD Local Compliance If a student is absent from Plan is available for public school, parents or guardians inspection in the Assistant Superintendent's office from are requested to call the District’s main phone 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., by number: appointment only.

If you know of any student in (636) 923-3500. If no report is made, as a safety the VPSD who falls into the measure, the school may areas listed and is not telephone the parents at receiving assistance, please home or at their place of contact SSD Director of employment to verify the Special Education , Julie absence.

Schroeder, (636) 923-3621.

FREE AND REDUCED MEALS Valley Park participates in the free and reduced-price meal program for children unable to pay full price for meals serviced in schools.

Eligibility is determined based on income and the number of people living in a household. You can determine eligibility and apply by visiting vp.k12.mo.us/foodservices or by visiting your child’s school office. Contact Natalie Hughes in the Business Office at (636) 923-3618 with any questions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 7206382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC NOTICES CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE. WWW.VP.K12.MO.US/BACKTOSCHOOL

LEGAL NOTICE: STUDENTS' RECORDS HEALTH SERVICES: ALL SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN MUST BE IMMUNIZED FERPA NOTICE: YOUR RIGHTS PUBLIC NOTICE: STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES COMPLIANCE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AT VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL SUPPLY LISTS AND MORE...

Kindergarten Jump Start begins August 15.

The Jump Start Program will allow our youngest students to transition to school prior to our first-fifth grade students arriving in the building. We cannot wait for the graduating class of 2035 to join us!

Important Dates and Details: • Meet your Teacher on Thursday, August 11, 3:30-5:00PM • Jump Start Program half-day Friday, August 15, 8:00-11:30AM • Jump Start Program half-day Monday, August 16, 8:00-11:30AM Questions? Please contact our elementary office at (636) 923-3632.

LIMITLESS

LEARNING COHORT As part of our Strategic Plan Pillar 1: Our Students and Pillar 2: Our Team, the Valley Park School District has committed to developing student-centered classrooms and personalized learning experiences for all students.

As outlined in our plan, we are committed to providing high-quality, sustainable professional learning that positively impacts student learning. Included in Pillar 1 is a commitment to provide project-based learning (PBL) opportunities to all students in Valley Park. We are thrilled to begin a 3-year journey with PBL beginning this month!

Based on teacher requests, Valley Park will be offering a high-quality professional learning experience for PBL by bringing in the experts, our partners at New Tech High School in Napa, California. This PBL professional development opportunity will span over the course of the next 3 years. Three different cohorts will be provided with summer training, additional PD days during the school year and ongoing coaching and support straight from New Tech High, The Center for Excellence. New Tech High provides cutting edge professional development, training, and support for educators, schools, and districts looking to transform their practices.

Cohort #1 has been chosen and includes 22 teachers. Congratulations to our first group which includes, Trish Alexander (4th), Anne Campbell (1st), Stacy Castro (K), Caitlyn Gillman (K), Julie Kulik (Lead Math Interventionist), Kayla LaBeaume (2nd), Mary McKelvey (Art), Courtney Shamel (4th), Carly Warhurst (2nd), Michelle Wirick (1st), Angie Buckman (PE and Health), Lauren Fahy (Math), Chelsey Merz (Math), Mary Patton (Social Studies), Tom Probst (Social Studies), Caree Schroll (Math Specialist), Tessa Weiland (Math), Emily Krumm (Social Studies), Katie Libby (Business Education), Sara Magalli (Communication Arts), Rick Neal (Communication Arts) and Cassandra Pinney (English). We can't wait to see what limitless learning opportunities these special cohorts will bring to the students at Valley Park School District!

ATHLETICS

Fall practice begins Monday, August 8th Who: Boys Soccer - Volleyball - Cross Country - Softball When/Where: Individual coaches will be in contact Please bring your Physical Form and Preparticipation Form.

Athletes must have these items prior to practicing.

Questions? Call the Athletic Office: (636) 923-3614.

Visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/athletics for forms and the most up to date information.

DO YOU NEED A PHYSICAL?

Yes. Every student athlete needs an up to date

physical. Physicals are up to date for two years from the date of the physical and must be valid throughout the entire sports season.

Preparticipation forms need to be completed annually. Visit www.vp.k12.mo.us/physicalform for the physical form to be filled out by your physician.

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT ONE MAIN STREET VALLEY PARK, MO 63088

NOTE: DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE: Please check the district web site, www.vp.k12.mo.us, for the latest information on school activities or follow us on social media.

Facebook.com/Valley.Park.School.District

Twitter @ValleyParkSD

Instagram @valleyparkschools