Please take a moment to review the following information for important updates and reminders.
Student Absence Notifications: If your child will be absent, please notify the school as early as possible by calling the office or sending an email to ensure their absence is documented properly. This helps us to support your child’s learning and keep track of attendance. If your child is not feeling well and you're uncertain about whether he/she should attend school, please feel free to contact our School Health Line for guidance at (763) 528-4550 from 6:00a.m-7:00am. Our nurse is ready to provide advice and support. Your child's well-being is our top priority.
Uniform Expectations: Please be reminded that all students are expected to follow the school's uniform guidelines. This includes wearing appropriate school colors and clothing. Please refer to the parent handbook for further details on uniform standards.
No Parking in the Student Drop-Off Zone: For the safety and efficiency of drop-off and pick-up, please refrain from parking in the designated student drop-off zone. This area is reserved for quick drop-offs to keep traffic flowing smoothly.
MCA Testing: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) testing will be taking place soon. Please ensure your child is well-rested and prepared for the testing days. All 3-5th grade students will be taking the Reading MCA on March 18 and 19, Math on April 15 and 16, and 5th Grade Science on April 22. We encourage all students to do their best!
Dress Appropriately for the Weather: With the changing seasons, please remember to send your child to school dressed appropriately for the weather. This includes jackets, hats, gloves, and boots as needed. Students will be going outside for recess, so ensure they are prepared for the elements! As the weather warms, students tend to get wet and dirty at recess. An extra pair of socks in their backpacks is always a good idea.
Parent Engagement Events: Watch for upcoming parent engagement events throughout the month! These will provide great opportunities to connect with other families, learn more about your child’s education, and get involved in school activities. We look forward to seeing you there!
Dental Services by Ready, Set, Smile: Ready, Set, Smile will be offering dental services for students in April. If you would like your child to receive services, please contact Mr. Kevin or Mr. Rene.
Thank you for your continued support! Let’s make March a successful month for all our students.
Warm regards,
Jason Kuhlman
PreK
In PreK, we have just wrapped up our Clothing and Five Senses units! The students have had so much fun exploring different textures, identifying sounds, and even using their sense of smell to guess scents. They also loved learning about different types of clothing and practicing dressing for the weather.
Recently, we started our Building Study. During this study, we will explore different types of buildings, what they are made of, and who helps construct them. The kids will have opportunities to create their own structures, experiment with different materials, and learn about the important role buildings play in our community. Additionally, PreK is focusing on letter recognition to ensure our students are kindergarten ready! We have introduced fun and engaging activities to help them identify and name letters in exciting ways.
With the cold weather lately, we haven't been able to get outside as much as we would like, but we still take advantage of the warmer days when we can. Please make sure your child comes to school with a hat, mittens, snow pants, a warm jacket, and boots every day until the snow melts and temperatures warm up consistently. If you need help gathering these items, please reach out to your Pre-K teacher. Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait for more fun learning ahead!
Kindergarten
In January and February, Kindergarten students learned all about their Community. They learned about places in their neighborhood, who their neighbors are, and community helpers. To connect with this learning, classes went on a field trip to the Columbia Heights Public Library and the Columbia Heights Fire Station. After reading stories about this topic and then visiting places on our community, Kindergarten students wrote and shared about their learning!
Literacy Specialist
When kindergarten, first, and second graders come to the library for their specialist time, they are learning about C.A.R.E.S., which stands for:
Cooperation – Working together, sharing, and listening.
Assertion – Speaking up in a respectful and confident way.
Responsibility – Taking care of actions, behavior, and learning.
Empathy – Understanding and caring about others’ feelings.
Self-Control – Managing emotions and making good choices.
By practicing C.A.R.E.S., students create a positive and supportive classroom, build friendships, and develop skills that will help them in school and beyond.
This past month, we focused on empathy and read I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde, Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, and The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig. Students read, wrote about, and discussed real-life situations where they could practice empathy in their daily lives.
March 13th Immunization/Well Child Exam Clinic - Family Center
This clinic will be held in the Family Center on March 13th from 2:30-6:30pm in the Family Center. Well child visits and immunizations will be offered at this clinic. By appointment only; you will receive a phone call the week of the clinic to notify you of your appointment time. These visits will be free of charge for our families. Please contact Keturah Spriggs, District Nurse, with any questions or concerns: 763-528-4580 or spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us.
Thank you!
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Information from the Nurse
CHPS Families,
Due to ongoing Measles outbreaks around the country, we want to remind you to make sure your family’s vaccines for this very contagious disease are up to date. Please make sure the health office where your student attends has the most up to date vaccine records. More information about measles is availableon the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)’s websitein Spanish, Somali and Hmong.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine series is 97% effective against measles. Students who are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine have a low risk of becoming sick with measles. If you are not sure if your child has had one or more measles shots, contact your doctor or clinic. You can also request your immunization record by visitingFind My Immunization Record or find outwhere to get vaccinated.
Watch for Symptoms:
●Rash AND
●Fever AND
●Cough OR runny nose OR watery/mattering eyes
What to do if symptoms develop:
●If anyone in your home develops these symptoms, call your doctor or clinic right away.
●Stay at home and avoid having visitors until you have talked with your doctor or clinic.
●Keep your child out of school or child care if they have symptoms.
●If anyone who lives in your home develops symptoms, MDH may contact you with additional information and recommendations.
We hope you had a wonderful start to the new year! February is a busy month, and we want to share important updates with you. Please take a moment to review the following information for important updates and reminders.
🏫 School Updates & Reminders:
☎️Emergency Contact Information: It is critical we have updated emergency contact information for your child. In case of an emergency and we cannot get ahold of parents or guardians, we need an emergency contact to get ahold of. Please check your ParentVue account or call Mrs. Patricia to update this information.
📢 Important Immigration Information: We understand that recent immigration changes may be causing uncertainty for some of our families. Please know that Valley View Elementary is a safe and welcoming place for all students. Our priority is ensuring that every child feels secure and supported in their education. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our school office or local community organizations that can provide resources and guidance.
📢 Phone Scams: We were recently notified by a parent of a scam call they received indicating their daughter was hurt at school. The callers knew both parents' phone numbers and their child went to school in Columbia Heights. The parent knew it was a scam because both of her children were with her at the time of the phone call. When mom starting questioning the caller, the caller could not tell her the exact name of the school, and became frustrated and hung up. Please know if we are calling in regards to your child, we will always identify ourselves, and indicate we are Valley View Elementary. As a reminder, you always have the right to ask: Who is the Principal, who is the Secretary, and even who is the “New Mr. Kevin.” Scammers most likely won’t have this information. This will inform you if it truly is a call from our school.
👕 Uniform Reminder: A friendly reminder that students should wear their uniforms daily. Our uniform consists of our Valley View Polo (Blue or Yellow), kaki or blue pants, and an optional Valley View Fleece. If your child needs assistance with uniforms, please contact the front office for support. Mrs. Cindy will be sending home email reminders to students who come to school not in uniform.
📚 Homework Expectations: Homework is an important part of reinforcing what students learn in class. We encourage parents to help their children establish a consistent routine for completing homework. If your child needs extra support, please reach out to their teacher for resources or tutoring options.
📅February 6- Culture Night 5-7 pm: Families are encouraged to attend to showcase all the cultures at Valley View. We encourage all families to learn about the cultures that make up our wonderful school. Sample various cultural food, learn about different countries, and watch various dance routines.
📅 February 14-Friendship Day Classroom Celebrations: We encourage students to express their friendship and love for their classmates. We ask parents not send candy or sweets, but rather cards or notes show kindness and friendship.
📅 February 19and 20- Parent Teacher Conferences: These are by appointment from 3-6:30 pm. Please keep an eye out for an email this week to schedule your child’s conference if you haven't already, along with confirmation reminder slips coming home in your child’s backpack! We encourage all parents/guardians to attend!
Thank you for your continued support! If you have any questions, please contact the school office at 763-528-4201.
Warm regards,
Principal Kuhlman
LEAP
LEAP attended the Creativity Festival at the U of M-Ted Mann Concert Hall last month. This field trip exercised their creativity, strengthened their problem-solving skills, while igniting their imagination. Some sessions included: Amazing Origami, Making Your Own Game, and Learning to Breakdance. These sessions were led by local teaching artists and STEM professionals.
Students in LEAP have also collaborated with Global Academy STEAM students for a fun “Flat Stanley” "-like experience. Global Academy students wrote us a letter and included a 3-D figure of themselves. We read their letter, took pictures, and wrote our pen pals back. It was a fun experience getting to know students from a nearby school.
5th Grade
5th grade has been hard at work coming back from Winter Break! We have been learning how to multiply and divide fractions in math, working hard on our SpringMath skills, and starting up a new science unit!
In literacy, we have been diving head on into our unit on wordplay and learning though The Phantom Tollbooth. We have been creating our own character that would be in an imaginary city of Abandoned and creating stories about how they are "abandoning" their roles in school! The 5th graders have been having a great time writing about these characters and we're looking forward to all the stories they will write this unit!
Music
Hello Valley View Families!
Hopefully you stayed warm with all of the chilly weather we’ve been having lately. Now with it warming up a bit, things are looking up! Below are some important updates.
Grade Level Updates:
Pre-K and Kindergarten are continuing to explore different ways to make sounds using their voice as well as exploring moving to music in a group. They are also exploring the concept of steady beat and using their four different voices (singing, speaking, whisper, and calling voice).
1st Gradeand 2nd Grade are currently working on preparing for their upcoming concert. The theme this year is “Colors of the Rainbow” where each song that is sung is a different color! Due to some scheduling conflicts, the concert date has been moved to March 20th at 6:00pm. We apologize for the inconvenience and we hope families can still come!
3rd Grade has been working on songs that include moving in partners as well as moving in a group. We have also been learning songs from cultures different from our own, like Sakura, a Japanese folk song that is about the blooming of the cherry blossom trees in Japan.
4th Grade has worked with a guest artist from a local music program called the VocalEssence WITNESS Program learning about three trailblazers of the freedom movement: Claudette Colvin, Ruby Bridges, and Mari Copeny. They also explored the different songs paired with each of them and created their own movements in association with the lyrics. 4th graders will soon be going to a field trip to Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota watching members of the VocalEssence Choir perform on February 21st.
5th Grade has been working reading rhythms where beats are grouped in 3, exploring different tempos, as well as moving with groups and with partners through various songs.
Concert Dates:
From 1st to 5th grade, students have the opportunity to perform a concert for families. Here is a list of the concert dates to put down on your calendars!
1st/2nd Grade |March 20th, 2025 @6:00p| Valley View
3rd Grade (VV, HL, NP) | May 22nd, 2025 @5:00p | Silverwood Park
LEAP/4th/5th Grade | May 1st, 2025 @5:00p | Valley View
See you soon,
Mr. Chao
Book Fair
Dive into an ocean of books at our Under the Sea book fair. Feb. 19 - 21. Check out the book fair homepage for all the details.
We know deciding whether or not to keep a sick student home can be tough. Here are some resources that might help.
Attendance is important, but what should you do if your student is sick? The current district policy allows students to come to school as long as they are not contagious. Please follow these guidelines for when your child should stay home due to illness: https://vv.colheights.k12.mn.us/family-resources/parent-information11 If a family member is ill, it is not an excused absence. Students should only stay home if they are ill, not if a family member is ill.
Maintaining Good Attendance Through Winter:
We know sickness will spread more readily in the winter, and that could lead to students needing to stay home from school. Limiting other types of absences during this time of year can help students keep a consistent school schedule so they can still get the social, emotional and academic benefits that school offers.
Despite cold weather and shorter days, regular school attendance ensures children continue building essential skills in reading, math, and social interaction without interruption. Missing school during this time can lead to learning gaps that are harder to recover from as the year progresses.
Plus, Minnesota winters often bring unique educational experiences and seasonal activities that enhance learning and community connection!
Valley View Attendance Reminders:
Please call the Attendance Line at 763-528-4204 within 48 hours of the school day that your student is absent. You must call EACH DAY your student is absent. Calling the attendance line does not ensure the absence is excused. Please see the list of excused & unexcused absence reasons listed in the Student Rights and Responsibilities - Columbia Heights Public School District page 47-48. Your child’s health is important to us, if you do not have insurance or need medical resources, contact the school social worker.
Students who are absent due to illness more than ten (10) days per year will receive a letter notifying the parent/guardian of the excessive absences and requesting a doctor/clinic verification of any further illness. If no verification is provided as a result of the absence, each absence will be recorded as “unexcused”.
Open enrolled and boundary exception students with a significant number of absences may not be allowed to return for the 2025-2026 school year.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s attendance or if you need help in getting your child to school regularly. We work hard to make our school environment a place where everyone can be safe, healthy and learning. We will do our best to listen and partner with you so that our children have a successful year.
We hope your winter break was filled with joy, rest, and quality time with loved ones. As we kick off the new year, we are excited to continue supporting your child’s academic growth and well-being. Please take a moment to review the updates and events happening this month. Thank you for your partnership in making Valley View a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Reminders:
Winter Weather Gear: Please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the cold weather. Hats, gloves, and warm coats are essential, as students will have outdoor recess unless temperatures drop below 0°F.
Attendance Matters: Consistent attendance is key to academic success. If your child will be absent, please notify the office by 8:30 AM.
Morning Drop-Off: For safety, please use the designated drop-off zone. Do not park in the student drop off lane. Please do not drop off on the east side of the school between Valley View and CA. That is a bus only zone for Valley View.
Students may be dropped off at 7:20 and no earlier. Students will not be let into the building before 7:20, as staff are not on site to supervise students.
January Highlights:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: In honor of MLK Jr., classes will engage in discussions and activities centered on his legacy and the importance of kindness, equality, and community.
Winter Extravaganza: Join us for a fun evening! We will be meeting at McKenna Park for sledding and bonfires. The entire family is welcome to attend. Join us for hot dogs, hot chocolate, and smores.
Winter Benchmark Assessments: Teachers will be conducting mid-year assessments in reading and math to monitor progress in January. Results will be shared with parents in the student progress reports at the end of Quarter 2. We are very excited to see the progress our students have made over the past 4 months.
Spotlight on Learning:Students in grades 3-5 are in the midst of module 2 of Wit & Wisdom, our new 3rd-5th grade literacy curriculum. This module, 3rd graders are learning all about outer space, 4th graders are learning about extreme settings, and 5th graders are learning about wordplay. Ask your students what they are learning in literacy--they will amaze you with what they have to share!
Community Resources:
Winter Clothing Drive: If your family is in need of warm winter clothing, please contact the school office. Donations are also welcome and can be dropped off during school hours.
Food Pantry Assistance: Valley View partners with SACA and Every Meal to support families. Contact the office for more information.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and school community. Here’s to a fantastic January at Valley View Elementary!
Jason Kuhlman
Valley View Principal
PE- Tennis Shoes Reminder
As we enter the colder and snowy months, please remember that students are expected to have a pair of tennis shoes on their P.E. days.
3rd Grade
December is off to a roaring start in 3rd grade! We recently wrapped up our first unit in Wit and Wisdom, a deep dive into the sea. We learned about everything from sharks and giant squid, to phytoplankton and the real life adventures of Jacques Cousteau. Our next module/unit of study is all about space! Our students will learn about space through technology, art and literature. We’ll also learn all about how Galileo Galilei contributed significantly to the modern understanding of space, and how the astronauts of Apollo 11 participated in a historic event that put people on the moon! We are looking forward to space challenging our understanding and imagination!
4th Grade
Fourth Graders have been spending the last few weeks learning about the Indigenous People native to Minnesota, the Dakota and Ojibwe! We got to learn about different artifacts the Dakota and Ojibwe used through our Native American trunk. We looked at things like Birch Bark Bowls, Turtle Shells and even the bones of different animals! We heard different Native Legends like the Legend of Minnesota and the Legend of Three Sisters. Students even got to color artwork made by a Native Minnesotan artist named Marlena Myles.
5th Grade Band
An exciting time in beginning band. Our students have been learning to read notes, make sounds, and play rhythms so far this year. After hard work, we are now learning the music for our upcoming concert. I have taught students how to learn music on their own so that they can practice outside of school. They are growing in confidence and are beginning to learn songs with five notes in them. We will be playing songs like Rain, Rain, Go Away and Hot Cross Buns. Learning music at home is essential because we only get to meet one time per week to work together. The concert is on January 23rd at 7 pm in the High School main Gymnasium. This concert includes every band member in the district (around 400 students) and will be a great time. Students, of course, will need to arrive at least 30 minutes early to warm-up and find their seats. Let’s Go Band!
Mr. Hanson
WIDA ACCESS Test Approaching
Testing season is just around the corner, the assessment quickly approaching will be the WIDA ACCESS assessment for multilingual students eligible for EL (English Learner) services. Students that receive EL services will be taking this assessment sometime between January 29 through March 1.
What is the WIDA ACCESS Test?
The WIDA ACCESS test is a comprehensive assessment designed to measure your child's proficiency in the English language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This test is important as it helps us gauge their progress in acquiring and using English for academic purposes.
Why is the WIDA ACCESS Test Important?
It's essential to emphasize the importance of your child's participation in the ACCESS testing process. The results not only help us understand their current English proficiency level but also guide us in making informed decisions about the appropriate support and resources they may require for continued success in their academic achievements.
How You Can Support:
To ensure your child is well-prepared for the upcoming ACCESS assessment, we encourage you to:
Promote a Good Night's Sleep: A well-rested student is more likely to perform at their best. Please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before the testing day.
Provide a Nutritious Breakfast: A healthy breakfast can contribute to improved concentration and cognitive function. Please ensure your child eats a nutritious breakfast on the morning of the testing.
Encourage a Positive Attitude: Remind your child that the ACCESS test is an opportunity to showcase their language skills and to try their best. Encourage them to approach the test with a positive attitude and confidence.
Check that Technology is Charged: Remind your child(ren) to charge their computer overnight and bring it with them to school during the testing window. We will send out a follow-up email telling parents/guardians when testing will specifically happen.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the upcoming WIDA ACCESS test or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your partnership in ensuring the success of your child's educational journey.
Reminders from the Nurse
It is a common misconception that cold weather causes illness. While illnesses occur more often in the colder months, this is due to the spread of viruses, not the temperature outside. Spending more time indoors in the winter months means spending more time with germs and bacteria being cycled through the building’s air system. Playing outside in the winter allows time for the body to breathe in fresh air, which can help lower the risk of illness.
It is recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of daily exercise, which can include playing outside. As long as children are dressed appropriately, it is safe and beneficial for their health and well-being to be outside.
Some tips to help prevent and manage childhood illnesses during the winter:
Dress appropriately - it is important to ensure your child is wearing enough clothing when playing outside in the winter time. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, then insulating layers, then finish with a weather resistant outer shell/coat. Children should also wear a hat and gloves.
Wash hands - teach and encourage children to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, washing for at least 20 seconds.
Get vaccinated - the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages six months and older get the yearly flu and Covid-19 vaccine.
Eat well and stay hydrated
Get enough rest
Stay home when sick to prevent spreading germs.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Keturah Spriggs, District Nurse for Columbia Heights Public Schools at spriggsk@colheights.k12.mn.us or at 763-528-4580.
Thank you for your assistance in keeping your student(s) safe and healthy!
Keturah Spriggs, RN, PHN, LSN
District Nurse - Columbia Heights Public Schools
About Us
Creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learning.
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible growth and achievements of our students and community. We are so proud of your student’s success thus far this year. We have seen tremendous growth academically, as well as social emotionally. Your continued partnership is critical to your child’s success. December is a busy and exciting month, and we’re thrilled to share updates, upcoming events, and important information with you!
Cold Weather Gear: Please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for winter weather. This includes a coat, hat, gloves, snow pants, and boots. Labeling items helps return lost belongings! Students will go outside for recess unless the temperature drops below 0 degrees temperature or windchill, therefore it is critical to have them dressed in cold weather gear to enjoy the outside weather.
Parent Drop Off: When dropping off students, please make sure you stay in your car when dropping off by the curb. If you would like to walk your child to the front door, we kindly ask that you park in a parking space and then walk your child to the front doors. The drop off lane is for parents who are dropping their child at the curb and then leaving immediately. There is no parking in this area. We also ask that you stay off your cellphone while in the parking lot for student safety.
Educational Benefits Forms: If you haven’t filled out your Educational Benefits form, please contact the office or Mr. Rene to do so. These forms bring money into our district to better support our learners.
Volunteer Opportunities: Mr. Kevin has shifted roles and is our new Full-Service Community School Coordinator. Please reach out to him if you are looking to volunteer at Valley View. Each of you have talents and wisdom we would welcome in our school. We are always looking for volunteers to support our classrooms or our after-school programs. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Kevin at 763-528-4256.
Winter Break: School will be closed for winter break from Monday, December 23 through Friday, January 3. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Thank you for your continued support of Valley View Elementary. Let's have a great December!
Warm regards,
Jason Kuhlman
Home-School Liaison
Hello everyone, my name is Rene Argueta, and I'm thrilled to be the new Home School Liaison this year! I'm passionate about creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. With 12 years of experience in family /community programs, I'm excited to be part of the excellent work that is been done here at Valley View.
As a home school liaison, my primary role is to act as a bridge between your family and the school, ensuring open communication and supporting your child's academic success by providing information about school activities, helping you understand your child's progress, addressing any concerns you might have, and connecting you with resources that can further assist your child's learning journey at home.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns; I'm here to partner with you to make this a wonderful learning journey! My phone number is 763-528-4202.
PreK
PreK has finished our first round of assessments. You will see these three times this year. If you haven’t already, you will receive the first report card soon! It is amazing how fast the year is going. The children are getting the routines and rituals down pretty well. We always continue with reminders, and continuing to model the expectations for school.
We will be starting the clothing study soon! They will learn all about appropriate clothing for certain weather and jobs. They will learn to zipper, button, fasten, and lace. We will be helping to teach children how to put on winter gear. The order we teach it in is shoes off, snow pants on, boots on, jacket on, hat on, zipper coat, and gloves on. These skills are very important for pre-k to learn, to take care of themselves.
Kindergarten
In December, Valley View Kindergartners will be learning about retelling a story with a gingerbread theme. We will read multiple books with different variations of the text. Then students will write and act out the story to show their understanding. This is a fun month to watch our young scholars interact with books and share their skills. Our projects help to build our fine motor skills with cutting, coloring, and painting. It is so fun to see how unique each student’s project turns out!
This past month students have learned about shapes. We have read about shapes, painted shapes, and even created a fun shape person. Learning in Kindergarten is always fun. Our students work really hard and are proud of the work they do.
1st Grade
We've been having a wonderful time learning and growing together in first grade! In math, we've been diving into subtraction, discovering how to "take away" and solve problems using various strategies.
One recent highlight in our class was a hands-on engineering project inspired by the "Three Little Pigs"! Using candy and toothpicks, students built structures to see if they could withstand the huffing and puffing of the "Big Bad Wolf"—which was really a fan (or hair dryer!). It was so much fun to watch their excitement as they tested their creations.
In literacy, we're building important reading, writing, and discussion skills. Recently we’ve explored animal habitats, talked about various jobs in the community, and looked at how people throughout history have worked to make our world a fairer place.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to another month filled with fun and learning!
Warmly,
The First Grade Team
2nd Grade
Hello!
The second-grade students have been busy at work! We’ve learned about the elements of fiction:characters, setting, problem, solution and how characters can change throughout a story. We are now learning all about nonfiction and text features. We’ve worked hard to understand place value and the values of each digit in a three-digit number. We can’t wait to see what this quarter brings!
Dazzling Dave
The Science of Spin® is coming to Valley View Elementary!
On December 2, “Dazzling Dave”, National Yo-Yo Master, will present a program called Science of Spin®. As part of this program, he will also teach the sport of yo-yo in Physical Education.
Dave teaches science through the use of toys and sporting equipment. This helps children understand how physics play a part of their everyday life. Yo-Yoing is a part of his demonstration. It is a skill that develops hand-eye coordination, builds self-esteem, enhances motor skills, and teaches the benefits of practice. It is also a lot of fun!
Yo-Yos will be provided in Physical Education, so buying a yo-yo is not mandatory. However, if your child does not have a good working yo-yo, the high-quality type used in class will be available at school to purchase with cash from Monday, December 2 through Thursday, December 12.
Items for sale are: yo-yo’s $10 & $15, yo-yo string $2, and a yo-yo hook for $4.
Valley View Site Council Meeting
A message from our Full-Service Community School Coordinator, Kevin Centeno: I would like to invite you to join our Valley View Council. I strongly believe in equal representation of all of our students. I know that our community input and participation is a great asset in reaching our ultimate goal of creating a positive vision of the different activities available at Valley View. We are planning to have our first Valley View Council meeting on December 9th from 5-7pm, at Valley View’s Library.
Monday, Dec 9, 2024, 05:00 PM
Valley View Library
Reminders from the Nurse
Parents and families,
With winter illness on the rise, here are some reminders of the health policies/guidelines we have in place to prevent the spread of illness and keep our students healthy.
When to keep your children home from school:
●Fever over 100 degrees F or higher
●Vomiting or diarrhea
●Rash of unknown origin that has not been assessed by a provider
●Drainage from the eye(s) that is yellow/green in color
●A positive Covid, Strep throat, or Influenza test result
●Uncontrolled cough/respiratory symptoms
When your student may return to school:
●When they have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medications (ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
●When they have been free from vomiting/diarrhea without medication for 24 hours
Please keep your children home when they present with the symptoms listed above and call their school's attendance line each day they are absent. When calling the attendance line, please:
●Say and spell your child’s name and state what classroom/grade they are in, the reason they are staying home, and your phone number.
●If they have tested positive for an illness (for example: Influenza, Covid, Strep Throat, Chicken pox, Measles, etc.)
●Has Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI): a fever of 100.0 degrees F or greater and a sore throat or cough
●Has Measles symptoms = Rash AND Fever AND one of these: Cough OR runny nose OR discharge from eyes
If your child has not yet gotten the Influenza vaccine or Covid booster, please call their provider to discuss. These vaccines are not required by the State of Minnesota, but these immunizations help to reduce the spread and severity of illness in our schools and community. Thank you so much for your cooperation in keeping your student healthy! If you have any health or attendance related questions, please call your school’s health office or the District Nurse and we will assist you.
Thank you,
Keturah Spriggs, RN, PHN, LSN (she/her) - District Nurse for CHPS
Columbia Heights High School Theater Presents "Shrek the Musical"! Head to Far Far Away and step into the world of Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey and the rest of the crew NEXT WEEK!
All shows will take place in the CHHS Performing Arts Center (PAC):
Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 6th at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7th at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m.
The show is free for all CHPS staff and students to attend! Tickets for adults are $6 and non-CHPS student tickets are $4, which you can purchase at the door or online.
About Us
Creating worlds of opportunity for each and every learning.
We hope this newsletter finds you well as we enter the beautiful month of November! This is an exciting and busy time at our school, with many activities and events planned. Below are some important updates and reminders for the month.
Important Dates:
November 4: Flex Learning Day-Students Zoom with their teachers at 8:30
November 5: No School
November 6 and 14: Conferences by appointment from 3:00-6:30
November 6-8 and 14: Fall Book Fair
November 12: PreK-2nd Family Morning Meeting at 7:30-8:30; Parent Academy at 8:30-9:30
November 13: 3rd-5th Family Morning Meeting at 7:30-8:30; Parent Academy at 8:30-9:30; PTO at 4:30 pm
November 27-29: No School
Parent-Teacher Conferences- November 6 and 14:
We look forward to seeing you during our Parent-Teacher Conferences. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher and discuss their progress. Please make sure you have scheduled your meeting time through the online link that was emailed to you. If you need assistance, contact the school office. Schedules are very tight for the classrooms, so please arrive a little early to help us keep on schedule. If you show up at a different time you may be asked to come back at a different time to be respectful of other’s scheduled time.
Family Morning Meetings- November 12 and 13:
We invite all parents to join us for our special Morning Meeting in classrooms on November 12 (PreK-2nd) and November 13 (3rd-5th) at 7:30 AM. Our students are excited to have parents come into their classrooms to see Morning Meeting. Morning Meeting is a way to welcome students into the classroom and build relationships with their fellow classmates and teacher. It’s also a time to work on Social-Emotional Learning. Parents will meet in the media center with Principal Kuhlman and Mr. Kevin to talk about school in general and what parents can expect in the classroom. At 7:55 parents will be sent to classrooms with their children. Coffee and pastries will be served to parents.
Reminders:
Dress for the Weather: As temperatures drop, please ensure your child comes to school with warm clothing. This includes a jacket, hat, and gloves for outdoor recess. We go out to recess everyday unless the temperature is 0 degrees or below.
Lost & Found: Please remind your child to check the Lost & Found for any missing items. Lost and Found will be displayed during conferences as well. Please check these tables if your child is missing anything. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the month.
School Supplies: If you have not paid for your school supplies yet, we will have a station set up for you to pay at conferences.
We’re excited for all the wonderful activities planned this month and are grateful for your continued support. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Warm regards,
Jason
CHPS Hosting a Well Child & Immunization Clinic
Columbia Heights is hosting a clinic on November 13, 2024 from 2:30-6:30 pm. Well child visits and immunizations will be offered - this is free of charge for our families. Appointments required. If you would like to sign your student up for an appointment, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/cuaoAn54PVSwLRgLA
LEAP students have been reading the novel, Ungifted by Gordon Korman. The novel is a heartwarming and humorous story that reminds us that we all have special gifts to share with each other. During Science, we have been exploring Earth materials: air, water, and soil. We experimented with the effects of solar energy on those materials. We also had fun exploring the VV garden with Ms. Bethany and tasting some of the yummy vegetables.
Art
We've been busy in the art room!
In September, we made leaves for our community tree. Then, each grade level started their first individual project. We are starting to wrap up some of them and you will see pictures in your student's Seesaw account. All projects will be kept at school until the end of the year for our Valley View Fine Arts Night. The artwork will be sent home in a portfolio near the end of the year.
I'm excited for another year with these imaginative artists!
-Alison Thompson
Music
Hello Valley View Families!
It’s good to be back! If I haven’t met you yet, my name is Mr. Chao and this is my 6th year teaching music at Valley View. I’m very excited to see all of the warm smiling faces return and some new faces join us to make beautiful music together. Here’s a synopsis of what each grade is focusing on right now:
Pre-K and Kindergarten are exploring different ways to make sounds using their voice and instruments, as well as different ways to make movements with their bodies.
1st Grade has been working on reading simple rhythms involving quarter notes and eighth note pairs. We are also exploring sounds that are high and low.
2nd Grade has been reading new rhythms, reviewing sounds that are high and low, and exploring different levels of volume where in music, we call them dynamics.
3rd Grade has been working on expanding their singing range and have worked on songs that include 16th note rhythms. We are also exploring how music is put together known as form.
4th Grade has been working on exploring a different rhythm known as syncopa. They’ve also been working on reviewing songs with different tempos (speed of music) and dynamics.
5th Grade has also been working on exploring syncopa through partner activities, reading rhythms where beats are grouped in 3, and exploring different tempos as well. Mr. Hanson and the 5th grade recently went on a field trip to watch the Minnesota Orchestra perform a concert themed “Orchestra in Orbit” where each piece was related to space.
Concert Dates:
From 1st to 5th grade, students have the opportunity to perform a concert for families. Here is a list of the concert dates to put down on your calendars!
1st/2nd Grade | February 27th, 2025 @6:00p | Valley View
3rd Grade (VV, HL, NP) | May 22nd, 2025 @5:00p | Silverwood Park
LEAP/4th/5th Grade | May 1st, 2025 @5:00p | Valley View
See you soon,
Mr. Chao
Book Fair
Aloha! and welcome to Valley View's Book Fair Luau. The book fair will be open November 6, 7 and 8 from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm. It will also be open during conferences on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 14 from 3:00pm - 6:30pm. All students will have an opportunity to shop the fair during one of the three school days. Families are welcome to shop during conferences. Check out our book fair homepage for more information.
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