EDUCATION MATTERS
TO SCHOOL EDITION
V A L L E Y P A R K S C H O O L D I S T R I C T
One Community. One Campus. Limitless Learning.
AUG 13
Kindergarten Jump Start - 8-11:30AM
AUG 14
Kindergarten Jump Start - 8-11:30AM
AUG 19
Early Childhood Center Parent Orientation - 5-6PM
AUG 20
Early Childhood Center Meet the Teacher - 2:30-3:30PM Kindergarten - 5th Meet the Teacher - 3:30-5:30PM Middle School Open House - 4-6PM High School Open House - 4:306:30PM
9th Grade and New Student Parent Meeting (only Parents/Guardians)6-6:30PM
AUG 21
9th Grade and New Student Orientation - 9AM-12PM
AUG 24
First Day of School High School
7:40AM - 2:40PM
Middle School
7:40AM - 2:40PM
Elementary 8:15AM - 3:15PM
Preschool 8:15 - 11:15AM & 12:003:00PM
Kim Bellchamber, President
Phyllis Geary, Vice President
Rebecca Menley, Secretary
Lisa Finder, Treasurer
Elicia Bailey, Director
Yasmin Chittakhone, Director
Pete Coates, 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 call, a text message and an email 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
SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMPLIANCE PLAN
The Valley Park School District (VPSD), along with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provides free appropriate educational programs for various disabling conditions through special education programs.
The VPSD, through the Special School District, is responsible for providing appropriate services to children birth to 21 years of age who have a diagnosed disability
The VPSD Local Compliance Plan is available for public inspection in the Assistant Superintendent's office from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., by appointment only If you know of any student in the VPSD who falls into the areas listed and is not receiving assistance, please contact SSD Director of Special Education , Julie Schroeder, (636) 923-3621.
WHAT IS DYSLEXIA? FREE AND REDUCED MEALS
Dyslexia is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition, spelling, and decoding abilities. Dyslexia is a neurological condition caused by a different wiring of the brain, and its inherent characteristics exist on a spectrum - with all students having unique abilities Research states that one in ten people may have dyslexia.
At Valley Park, our goal is to identify any and all students with reading difficulties and provide research-based strategies to help them grow and learn Our identification meets and exceeds state mandates as we do our best for students.
REPORTING ABSENCES
If a student is absent from school, parents or guardians are required to call the District’s main phone number, (636) 9233500 If no report is made, as a safety measure, the school may telephone the parents at home or at their place of employment to verify the absence.
Valley Park participates in the free and reduced-price meal program for families unable to pay full price for meals served 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 www vpschools org/foods ervices or by visiting your child’s school office Contact our 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
VOLUNTARY INTERDISTRICT CHOICE CORPORATION (VICC)
Valley Park School District has determined that the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC) and its officers, employees and agents are school officials with legitimate educational interests because they act for and on the behalf of the district with respect to transfer students and the transfer program, and because they seek to advance the interests of both A transfer student’s attendance records and other educational records relevant to the student’s participation in the program or to the program itself may accordingly be disclosed to VICC without obtaining written consent from the parent/guardian or eligible student.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC NOTICES CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE.
WWW VPSCHOOLS ORG/BACKTOSCHOOL
LEGAL NOTICE: STUDENTS' RECORDS
ESSA COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
HEALTH SERVICES: ALL SCHOOLAGE 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...
RATULATIONS, SARAH NEWTON!
WeareincrediblyproudtosharethatValleyParkMiddle Schoolseventh-gradeEnglishLanguageArtsteacher, SarahNewton,hasbeenselectedasoneofonly35 RegionalTeachersoftheYearinMissouri!
Sarahwaschosenfrommorethan600outstanding educatorsrepresenting321schooldistrictsacrossthe state Thisrecognitioncelebratesherdedicationto creatingaclassroomwherestudentsfeelsupported, challenged,valued,andempoweredtosucceed.
Sarahwillnowadvanceinthe2027MissouriTeacherofthe
thstatesemifinalistsscheduledtobeannouncedin August Sarahspassionforstudents,commitmenttoexcellence,andpositive impactexemplifywhatmakesValleyParksuchaspecialplacetolearnandgrow. WearesoproudthatSarahwillrepresentValleyParkthroughoutMissouri!
2026-2027 MISSOURI SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
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)
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
2026 MISSOURI CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
All children must present documentation of up-to-date immunization status, including month, day, and year of each immunization before attending child care/preschool. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) allows a 4-day grace period. Children 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).
Parent/Guardian (Imm.P.11) and Medical (Imm.P.12) exemptions are allowed. The appropriate exemption form must be on file. Unimmunized children are subject to exclusion from child care/preschool when outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases occur.
To remain in child care/preschool, children “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 facility. 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.
Tanja Boyet, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, Earns Two National ASBO Scholarships
Valley Park Executive Director of Finance and Operations Tanja Boyet has been selected to receive two prestigious national scholarships from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International: the 2026 Emerging Leaders Scholarship and the 2026 Brian Mee SFO Scholarship.
Thesehighlycompetitivehonorsrecognizeschoolbusinessprofessionalswhodemonstrateoutstanding leadership,acommitmenttoprofessionalgrowth,andadedicationtoservingtheirschoolcommunities Throughthesescholarships,Tanjawillparticipateinnationalleadershipdevelopmentopportunitiesand continuepursuingtheCertifiedAdministratorofSchoolFinanceandOperations(SFO)credential Tanja'sleadershipandcarefulstewardshipofdistrictresourcesplayanimportantroleinsupportingstudents, staff,andtheValleyParkcommunityeachday Wecongratulateheronthesewell-deservednational recognitionsandareproudtohaveherrepresentValleyParkonthestateandnationalstage.
Putting Students First: Valley Park Earns Perfect State Review Score
Valley Park School District recently received outstanding news from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Following the MSIP 6 Cycle 2 Round 1 review of
thedistrict'sContinuousSchoolImprovementefforts,ValleyParkearnedaperfectscoreof42outof42 possiblepoints.
Thedistrictreceivedfullcreditineveryareareviewed,includingitsContinuousSchoolImprovementPlan (CSIP),implementationefforts,continuousimprovementpriorities,implementationresponses,andclimate andculturework.
Thisachievementreflectstheintentionalandcollaborativeworktakingplaceacrossthedistrict.Itrecognizes ValleyPark'scommitmenttothoughtfulplanning,clearpriorities,effectiveimplementation,andacontinuous focusonprovidingthebestpossibleoutcomesandexperiencesforstudents
Help Shape the Future of Valley Park Graduates
WhatshouldeveryValleyParkgraduateknow,value,andbeabletodo beforetheyleaveourschools?
ValleyParkSchoolDistrictisdevelopingaPortraitofaGraduate,ashared visionoftheknowledge,skills,andcharactertraitseverystudentshould developbeforegraduation Thiscommunity-createdvisionwillhelpguideour schoolsforyearstocome,andwewantyourinput.
Joinusforaninteractivecommunityconversationwhereyou'llhelpansweran importantquestion:WhatwillValleyParkgraduatesneedtothrivein college,careers,relationships,andlife?
�� Tuesday,August11,2026
�� 6:00to8:00p m
�� ValleyParkSchoolDistrictOffice-OneMainStreet
This is your opportunity to share ideas, hear different perspectives, and help shape the future of Valley Park students. Please RSVP by Friday, August 7, at www.vpschools.org/pog Together, we can ensure every Valley Park graduate is prepared to succeed, lead, and make a positive impact.
Kindergarten Parents! Kindergarten Jump Start is on August 13th and 14th! This program will allow our youngest students to transition to school prior to our 1st-5th grade students arriving in the building. We can't wait to welcome you to Valley Park Elementary School, class of 2039!
Questions? Please contact our elementary office at (636) 923-3600.
OLR
YOUR INVESTMENT at Work
Thanks to the support of our community, Proposition B projects have transformed our entire campus and is almost complete!
While a few finishing touches remain, these improvements are already creating exciting new opportunities for our students and staff. The final projects will be completed before the start of school.
2026 FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES
8/27/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ GATEWAY SCIENCE
8/28/26 TBD SOFTBALL @ BARB CHARBONEAU TOURNEY
8/28/26 5PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ BOURBON HIGH SCHOOL
8/28/26 6:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BOURBON HIGH SCHOOL
8/29/26 TBD SOFTBALL @ BARB CHARBONEAU TOURNEY
9/01/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ GATEWAY STEM
9/01/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL
9/02/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS LUTHERAN ST CHARLES
9/03/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
9/03/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
9/04/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ WRIGHT CITY HIGH SCHOOL
9/08/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/08/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/08/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/08/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/09/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS ST PIUS X 9/09/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL
9/09/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL
9/11/26 4PM JV SOCCER @ MRH
9/11/26 5:30PM V SOCCER @ MRH
9/11/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. URSULINE ACADEMY
9/11/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. MRH
9/11/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS MRH
9/15/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
9/15/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
9/15/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
9/16/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
9/17/26 5:30PM V SOCCER @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
9/17/26 7PM JV SOCCER @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
9/17/26 5:30PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL
9/17/26 7PM V VOLLEYBALL @ HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL
9/18/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ LADUE HORTON WATKINS
9/18/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
9/18/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
9/21/26 4:15PM V SOCCER VS WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL
9/21/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL
9/21/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL VS. PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
9/21/26 4:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL
9/22/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP
9/28/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
9/28/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
9/28/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL VS. FOX HIGH SCHOOL
9/29/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. MRH
9/29/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS MRH
9/29/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
9/29/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ MRH
9/29/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ MRH
9/30/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ ORCHARD FARM HIGH SCHOOL
9/30/26 5:30PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ CRYSTAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL
9/30/26 7PM V VOLLEYBALL @ CRYSTAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL
10/02/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
10/02/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
10/02/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ ST LOUIS PATRIOTS
10/02/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
10/02/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
10/05/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL VS LUTHERAN SOUTH
10/06/26 4PM V SOCCER @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
10/06/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
10/06/26 4PM V SOFTBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL
10/06/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
10/06/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL
10/07/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS HAZELWOOD WEST
10/08/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL
10/08/26 4:30PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS STEAM ACADEMY
10/08/26 6PM V VOLLEYBALL VS STEAM ACADEMY
10/09/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP
10/09/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP
10/09/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 10/12/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY
10/13/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. METRO HIGH SCHOOL
10/13/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ ST CHARLES WEST
10/13/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ MCKINLEY CLASSICAL
10/13/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ MCKINLEY CLASSICAL 10/15/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MED & BIO 10/15/26 4:15PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. GATEWAY SCIENCE 10/15/26 5:45PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. GATEWAY SCIENCE
9/22/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP
9/22/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP
9/23/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS PARKWAY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
9/24/26 4PM V SOCCER @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/24/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/25/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ METRO HIGH SCHOOL
9/25/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
9/25/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETICS
Fall practice begins Monday, August 10th
Who: Boys Soccer - Volleyball - Cross Country - Softball When/Where: Individual coaches will be in contact. Please complete your Physical Form and Preparticipation Form through Final Forms at www.vpschools.org/finalforms. Athletes must have these items prior to practicing. Questions? Call the Athletic Office: (636) 923-3544 Visit www.vpschools.org/athletics for forms and the most up to date information.
10/16/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ DUCHESNE HIGH SCHOOL 10/16/26 6PM JV SOCCER @ DUCHESNE HIGH SCHOOL 10/20/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. BISHOP DUBOURG HIGH SCHOOL
10/20/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS BISHOP DUBOURG HIGH SCHOOL 10/22/26 5PM V SOCCER VS SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 10/22/26 6:30PM JV SOCCER VS SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 10/26/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS ST PIUS X 10/26/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. ST. PIUS X 10/27/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ WRIGHT CITY HIGH SCHOOL 10/27/26 6PM JV SOCCER @ WRIGHT CITY HIGH SCHOOL
DO YOU NEED A PHYSICAL?
Yes, all student-athletes must have a current physical on file. Physicals are valid for two years from the date of the exam and must remain valid through the entire sports season. To get started, create a Final Forms account at www.vpschools.org/finalforms and download the physical form to take to your physician.
Dates and times will be updated and can change, please visit www.vpschools.org/athletics for the most up to date information CHECK
CALENDAR!
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
Join our Golden Club!
Valley Park residents age 60+ can get a free Golden Club Card for entry to school plays, concerts, and regular season home sporting events Members are also invited to two special breakfasts, our Heroes Day in November and our Golden Club Breakfast in March. For more information, contact Jaime Gast at 636-923-3690 or jgast@vpschools.org.
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.
