Back to School 2023 Education Matters

FALL 2023

AUG 10 & 11 Kindergarten Jump Start

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AUG 21 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

Lisa Finder, President Kim Bellchamber, Vice President Phyllis Geary, Secretary Richard Schmitt, Treasurer Rebecca Menley, Director Faye Peats, Director Adam Watson, 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 our messaging system.

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.

WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?

FREE AND REDUCED MEALS

Dyslexia is characterized by Valley Park participates in the free and reduced-price difficulties with accurate meal program for children and/or fluent word unable to pay full price for recognition, spelling, and decoding abilities. Dyslexia is meals serviced in schools.

Eligibility is determined SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT a neurological condition caused by a different wiring based on income and the COMPLIANCE PLAN of the brain, and its inherent number of people living in a The Valley Park School household. You can characteristics exist on a District (VPSD), along with spectrum - with all students determine eligibility and the Department of apply by visiting having unique abilities.

Elementary and Secondary www.vpschools/foodservices Research states that one in Education provides free or by visiting your child’s ten people may have appropriate educational school office. Contact our dyslexia. programs for various At Valley Park, our goal is to Business Office at (636) 923disabling conditions through identify any and all students 3618 with any questions. special education programs. with reading difficulties and The VPSD, through the The U.S. Department of Agriculture provide research-based Special School District, is strategies to help them grow (USDA) prohibits discrimination in responsible for providing and learn. Our identification all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national appropriate services to meets and exceeds state origin, age, disability, and where children birth to 21 years of mandates as we do our best applicable, sex, marital status, age who have a diagnosed for students. familial status, parental status, disability. religion, sexual orientation, REPORTING ABSENCES genetic information, political The VPSD Local Compliance If a student is absent from Plan is available for public beliefs, reprisal, or because all or school, parents or guardians part of an individual’s income is inspection in the Assistant derived from any public assistance Superintendent's office from are required to call the program. To file a complaint of District’s main phone 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., by discrimination, write USDA, number, (636) 923-3500. If appointment only.

Director, Office of Civil Rights, If you know of any student in no report is made, as a 1400 safety measure, the school the VPSD who falls into the Independence Avenue, SW, may telephone the parents areas listed and is not Washington, DC 20250-9410 or at home or at their place of receiving assistance, please call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720employment to verify the contact SSD Director of 6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal absence. opportunity provider.

Special Education , Julie Schroeder, (636) 923-3621.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC NOTICES CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE. WWW.VPSCHOOLS.ORG/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...

2018-2019

From our Finance Department

17.40%

2019-2020

23.25%

2020-2021

32.84%

Fund Balance Growth over the last 5 years.

2021-2022

37.56%

2022-2023

42% (projected)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Why is a healthy Fund Balance so important? A district’s financial cash reserves must be adequate to protect the short-term and longterm educational opportunities for that community’s children against some type of financial disruption and provides a way to set money aside for major expenses either scheduled or unscheduled. The establishment of sufficient and stable district cash reserves is considered a prudent business practice and demonstrates solid financial planning, sound fiscal management, a strong district fiscal position and shows the district are good stewards of the community assets.

HEALTH SERVICES: ALL SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN MUST BE IMMUNIZED All students must present documentation of up-to-date immunization status, including month, day, and year of each immunization before attending school.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) allows a 4-day grace period. Students in all grade levels may receive immunizations up to four days before the due date.

Missouri-required immunizations should be administered according to the current ACIP schedule, including all spacing, (CDC.Gov/vaccines/schedules).

To remain in school, students “in progress” must have an Immunizations In Progress form (Imm.P.14) on file. In progress means that a child has begun the vaccine series and has an appointment for the next dose. This appointment must be kept and an updated record provided to the school. If the appointment is not kept, the child is no longer in progress and is noncompliant. (i.e., Hep B vaccine series was started but the child is not yet eligible to receive the next dose in the series.)

Religious (Imm.P.11A) and Medical (Imm.P.12) exemptions are allowed. The appropriate exemption form must be on file. Unimmunized children are subject to exclusion from school when outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases occur.

1. Last dose on or after the fourth birthday and the last dose of pediatric pertussis before the seventh birthday. Maximum needed: six doses.

2. 8-12 Grades: Tdap, which contains pertussis vaccine, is required.

3. Grade 8-11: One dose of MCV is required. Dose must be given after 10 years of age. Grade 12: Two doses of MCV are required unless the first dose was administered to a student who was 16 years of age or older, in which case only one dose is required. At least one dose must be given after 16 years of age.

4. Kindergarten-12 Grade: Last dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday. The interval between the next-to-last and last dose should be at least six months.

5. First dose must be given on or after twelve months of age. If MMR and Varicella are not administered on the same day, they must be at least 28 days apart. The 4-day grace period does not apply to live vaccines.

6. There must be at least four weeks between dose one and two; at least 8 weeks between dose two and three; at least 16 weeks between doses one and three and final dose must be given no earlier than 24 weeks of age.

7. First dose must be given on or after twelve months of age. If Varicella and MMR are not administered on the same day, they must be at least 28 days apart. The 4-day grace period does not apply to live vaccines.

Kindergarten-12 Grade: As satisfactory evidence of disease, a licensed health care provider may sign and place on file with the school a written statement documenting the month and year of previous varicella (chickenpox) disease.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Young children are more susceptible to serious complications associated with certain diseases and have different immunization requirements than older children. For your convenience, please refer to the table above with the recommended immunization schedule for persons aged birth to 19 months or older. www.vpschools.org/immunizations *PCV and Hib vaccines: The number of doses a child needs to complete the series depends on the age the child begins the series.

The tables above are provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. For more information, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ or call: (800) 219-3224.

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 continue our 3-year journey with PBL! This is the second of three different cohorts that 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 #2 has been chosen and includes 30 teachers. Congratulations to this group which includes, Megan Basler, Hannah Byers, Becky Custard, Nina DiGregario, Michael Dothage, Jill Elder, Abigail Espenschied, Jinnie Fitzgerald, Brandi Greenhaw, Aubrea Grundstad, Caitlin Houston, Allison Hungate-Wood, Kelly Kaiser, Jill Karagiannis, Robert Keough, Ruth Koehr, William Lancaster, Kristen Light, Alexis Mathews, Gloria McDonnell, Sarah Newton, Jamie Papan, Julie Paulsen, Jocelyn Puett, Stephen Schwartz, Michelle Sencibaugh, Tim Siebe, Marianne Wecker, Tristan Wood, and Jaclyn Zieger. We can't wait to see what limitless learning opportunities this second cohort will bring to the students at Valley Park School District!

2022 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT CELEBRATIONS FOR VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT The Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) is the statewide system that outlines expectations for school practices and student outcomes. MSIP supports the statewide goal that each student graduates ready for success in college, career and life. MSIP measures are combined to create an Annual Performance Report (APR) for each local education agency (LEA) and building. APR is the primary factor in classification of school districts.

VPSD scored in the top 25% of districts in the State of Missouri.

Earned 100% of points possible for our Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) work with 8th graders.

Earned 100% of points possible for our Kindergarten Entry Assessment.

Earned 96.2% of points in Continuous Improvement.

Above average growth in both ELA & Math as a District

Stay tuned for more information about the Valley Park School District student achievement celebrations for the 2023-2024 school year!

Thank you, Fenton Masonic Lodge #281!

T he me mbe r s ma de a g e ne r ous dona t i on t o Va l l e y Pa r k E l e me nt a r y S c hool ! Moni e s wi l l g o t owa r ds s uppl i e s , f ood, hy g i e ne i t e ms , a nd c l ot hi ng f or our s t ude nt s !

We a r e be y ond g r a t e f ul f or y our c ont i nue d c ommuni t y pa r t ne r s hi p .

Tax Free Weekend is August 4 - 6 SUMMER SAFETY AND SECURITY UPGRADES Re s e a r c h s hows t ha t whe n s t ude nt s f e e l s a f e , t he y ' r e mor e a t t e nt i v e a nd e f f i c i e nt i n t he c l a s s r oom a nd ha v e f e we r s y mpt oms of de pr e s s i on. S t ude nt s who a r e e ng a g e d a nd a t t e nt i v e mor e of t e n e x pe r i e nc e l ong - t e r m a c a de mi c a nd l i f e s uc c e s s . Be l ow a r e s ome of t he s a f e t y upg r a de s t he Va l l e y Pa r k S c hool Di s t r i c t ha s c ompl e t e d t hi s s umme r f or a s a f e a nd s uc c e s s f ul 2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4 s c hool y e a r :

Security film on all interior classroom doors with windows that would allow reach to a door handle in the case of an emergency.

Mirror film on all exterior windows in the middle school. This cuts down visibility from perspective intruders.

Wind screen for fence along Vance Road will be installed. This will hinder visibility of our students on the playground as well as keep road debris from flying onto the playground area.

Updated and enhanced safety drill schedule (fire, tornado and intruder drills) and emergency evacuation maps have been updated throughout the entire district. These updates and well-crafted emergency evacuation plan is just another step in keeping our students and staff safe and will ensure a quick and secure exit during emergency situations.

Ki nde r g a r t e n J ump S t a r t be g i ns Aug us t 1 0 . T he J ump S t a r t Pr og r a m wi l l a l l ow our y oung e s t s t ude nt s t o t r a ns i t i on t o s c hool pr i or t o our f i r s t f i f t h g r a de s t ude nt s a r r i v i ng i n t he bui l di ng . We c a nnot wa i t f or t he g r a dua t i ng c l a s s of 2 0 3 6 t o j oi n us !

I mpor t ant Dat es and Det ai l s : • Ki nde r g a r t e n Me e t y our T e a c he r on We dne s da y , Aug us t 9 , 3 : 3 0 - 5 : 0 0 PM • J ump S t a r t Pr og r a m ha l f - da y T hur s da y a nd F r i da y , Aug us t 1 0 & 1 1 , 8 : 0 0 - 1 1 : 3 0 AM • E a r l y Chi l dhood Me e t y our T e a c he r on T hur s da y , Aug us t 1 7 , 2 : 3 0 - 3 : 3 0 PM • 1 s t - 5 t h Gr a de Me e t y our T e a c he r on T hur s da y , Aug us t 1 7 , 3 : 3 0 - 5 : 3 0 PM Que s t i ons ? Pl e a s e c ont a c t our e l e me nt a r y of f i c e at (636) 923-3632.

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.

Valley Park School District has a new Website and app!

Che c k out our ne w a nd i mpr ov e d Va l l e y Pa r k S c hool Di s t r i c t We bs i t e a nd App a t www. v ps c hool s . or g! Cl i c k t he QR c ode be l ow t o downl oa d t he a pp on y our c e l l phone . VPS D di s t r i c t e ma i l a ddr e s s e s wi l l a l s o be c ha ng i ng t o our ne w URL . T o e ma i l , us e t he s t a f f me mbe r ' s f i r s t i ni t i a l a nd t he i r l a s t na me @v ps c hool s . or g e x a mpl e : J ohn Doe - j doe @v ps c hool s . or g

SUMMER FACILITY UPGRADES To ensure student success and foster operational excellence while remaining good stewards of District spending, the Valley Park School District has completed the following upgrades this summer in addition to the enhancements of the Wellness Room and Collaboration Space we shared in the last issue. Thank you to the Valley Park School District Board of Education for supporting our decisions for these updates and their continued support of Valley Park Schools.

High School Commons

The Valley Park School District has repainted the entire commons, installed a fully functional AV system and added all glass white boards for use during class meetings or lessons.

Field House Floor The Field House floor has been resurfaced, painted and sealed.

It looks beautiful! This work will allow 8-10 more years of use of our current floor before the need for replacement.

Fifth Grade Pods This year we have re-imagined what the fifth grade pods could look like and have re-opened them to increase student engagement and endless possibilities for limitless learning.

ATHLETICS Fall practice begins Monday, August 7th 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.vpschools.org/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. Visit www.vpschools.org/physicalform for the physical form to be filled out by your physician.

AUGUST 18 - OCTOBER 25 ATHLETICS SCHEDULE 8/18/23 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ PARKWAY SOUTH JAMBOREE 8/25/23 TBD V SOFTBALL @ RITENOUR TOURNEY 8/26/23 TBD V SOFTBALL @ RITENOUR TOURNEY 8/26/23 TBD V SOCCER @ BISHOP DUBOURG TOURNEY 8/28/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. ROSATI KAIN 8/28/23 TBD V SOCCER @ BISHOP DUBOURG TOURNEY 8/29/23 V VOLLEYBALL POOL PLAY HANCOCK TOURNEY 8/29/23 4PM V SOFTBALL @ HERCULANEUM 8/30/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK TOURNEY 8/31/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK TOURNEY 8/31/23 TBD V SOCCER @ BISHOP DUBOURG TOURNEY 9/01/23 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ MRH 9/05/23 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. FESTUS 9/05/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. FESTUS 9/05/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/06/23 4PM V SOFTBALL @ ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL 9/07/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/23 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ LINDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/23 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/11/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP. 9/12/23 4:15PM V VOLLEYBALL @ MRH 9/12/23 5PM JV SOCCER @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/12/23 6:30PM V SOCCER @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/12/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/13/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL 9/14/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ PRINCIPIA 9/14/23 5PM JV SOCCER VS. DESOTO HIGH SCHOOL 9/14/23 6:30PM V SOCCER VS. DESOTO HIGH SCHOOL 9/15/23 JV SOCCER @ MRH 9/15/23 V SOCCER @ MRH 9/15/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ BRENTWOOD 9/15/23 TBD V SOFTBALL @ ST. PIUS X TOURNAMENT 9/16/23 TBD V SOFTBALL @ ST. PIUS X TOURNAMENT 9/18/23 4PM JV SOCCER VS. WINDSOR 9/19/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/19/23 JV SOCCER @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 9/19/23 V SOCCER @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 9/19/23 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/20/23 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. LUTHERAN NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 9/20/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. RITENOUR

9/21/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. CRYSTAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL 9/22/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP. 9/23/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ BOURBON HIGH SCHOOL TOURNEY 9/25/23 4:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ AFFTON HIGH SCHOOL 9/25/23 4PM V SOFTBALL @ NERINX HALL 9/26/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/26/23 JV SOCCER @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/26/23 V SOCCER @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/27/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. ORCHARD FARM HIGH SCHOOL 9/28/23 5PM JV SOCCER @ NORTH COUNTY SENIOR HS 9/28/23 6:30PM V SOCCER @ NORTH COUNTY SENIOR HS 9/28/23 4:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/28/23 4PM V SOFTBALL @ COR JESU ACADEMY 9/29/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/29/23 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/02/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. MRH 10/02/23 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ LUTHERAN SOUTH HS 10/03/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/03/23 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. MRH 10/03/23 6PM JV SOCCER VS. MRH 10/03/23 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ HAZELWOOD WEST HS 10/04/23 4PM V SOFTBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/05/23 6:30PM JV SOCCER @ PACIFIC 10/05/23 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL 10/05/23 4PM V SOCCER @ PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL 10/06/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/06/23 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/09/23 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS. MRH 10/10/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP. 10/10/23 V SOCCER @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP. 10/12/23 4PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL 10/13/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ GATEWAY HIGH SCHOOL 10/16/23 4:15PM JV SOCCER VS. LUTHERAN SOUTH HS 10/16/23 6PM V SOCCER VS. LUTHERAN SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL 10/18/23 V VOLLEYBALL @ METRO ACADEMIC & CLASSICAL HS 10/18/23 4PM V SOCCER VS. COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & BIOSCIENCE 10/19/23 5PM V SOCCER @ SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 10/19/23 6:45PM JV SOCCER @ SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 10/23/23 V SOCCER @ METRO ACADEMIC & CLASSICAL HS 10/25/23 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. FREDERICKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL 10/25/23 6PM JV SOCCER VS. FREDERICKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Date s a n d times will be updated and c a n c h a n g e , plea s e v i sit www.vpschools.org/athl e t i c s c a l e n d a r f o r t h e m o s t u p t o d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n .

ACTIVITY BUS: Resident middle and high school students staying after school for school-sponsored activities can be transported home on the activity bus Monday through Thursday. Daily route is determined by student drop off. The bus leaves at 4PM from the bus circle. To ride the bus, students must sign up with the supervising teacher.

There is NO activity bus on Fridays or the day before a holiday.

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

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

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