Education Matters Fall 2026

FALL 2026

EDUCATION MATTERS BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

VALLEY PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT 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 & 12:00 3:00PM

BOARD OF EDUCATION 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.

WHAT IS DYSLEXIA?

FREE AND REDUCED MEALS

Dyslexia is characterized by Valley Park participates in difficulties with accurate the free and reduced-price and/or fluent word meal program for families recognition, spelling, and decoding abilities. Dyslexia unable to pay full price for SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is a neurological condition meals served in schools.

COMPLIANCE PLAN caused by a different wiring Eligibility is determined based on income and the of the brain, and its The Valley Park School number of people living in inherent characteristics District (VPSD), along with a household. You can exist on a spectrum - with the Department of determine eligibility and all students having unique Elementary and Secondary apply by visiting abilities. Research states Education provides free www.vpschools.org/foods that one in ten people may appropriate educational ervices or by visiting your have dyslexia. programs for various At Valley Park, our goal is to child’s school office. disabling conditions Contact our Business Office identify any and all through special education at (636) 923-3618 with any students with reading programs. questions. difficulties and provide The VPSD, through the research-based strategies Special School District, is The U.S. Department of Agriculture to help them grow and responsible for providing (USDA) prohibits discrimination in learn.

Our identification appropriate services to all its programs and activities on children birth to 21 years of meets and exceeds state the basis of race, color, national mandates as we do our origin, age, disability, and where age who have a diagnosed best for students. applicable, sex, marital status, 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.

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.

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.

We are incredibly proud to share that Valley Park Middle School

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...

CONGRATULATIONS, SARAH NEWTON! We are incredibly proud to share that Valley Park Middle School seventh-grade English Language Arts teacher, Sarah Newton, has been selected as one of only 35 Regional Teachers of the Year in Missouri!

Sarah was chosen from more than 600 outstanding educators representing 321 school districts across the state. This recognition celebrates her dedication to creating a classroom where students feel supported, challenged, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Sarah will now advance in the 2027 Missouri Teacher of the Year selection process, with state semifinalists scheduled to be announced in August. Sarah’s passion for students, commitment to excellence, and positive impact exemplify what makes Valley Park such a special place to learn and grow.

We are so proud that Sarah will represent Valley Park throughout Missouri!

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.

(+: If a child has been immunized using the ACIP timing recommendations, he/she could have more than the required doses for child care.)

AP

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) DATA 87% of students who took an AP exam in the spring scored a 3 or higher compared to 60% nationwide.

87%

VALLEY PARK STUDENTS

60%

NATIONWIDE

Stay tuned for more information about the Valley Park School District student achievement celebrations for the 2026-2027 school year!

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.

These highly competitive honors recognize school business professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to professional growth, and a dedication to serving their school communities.

Through these scholarships, Tanja will participate in national leadership development opportunities and continue pursuing the Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO) credential.

Tanja's leadership and careful stewardship of district resources play an important role in supporting students, staff, and the Valley Park community each day. We congratulate her on these well-deserved national recognitions and are proud to have her represent Valley Park on the state and national stage.

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 the district's Continuous School Improvement efforts, Valley Park earned a perfect score of 42 out of 42 possible points.

The district received full credit in every area reviewed, including its Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP), implementation efforts, continuous improvement priorities, implementation responses, and climate and culture work.

This achievement reflects the intentional and collaborative work taking place across the district. It recognizes Valley Park's commitment to thoughtful planning, clear priorities, effective implementation, and a continuous focus on providing the best possible outcomes and experiences for students.

Help Shape the Future of Valley Park Graduates What should every Valley Park graduate know, value, and be able to do before they leave our schools?

Valley Park School District is developing a Portrait of a Graduate, a shared vision of the knowledge, skills, and character traits every student should develop before graduation. This community-created vision will help guide our schools for years to come, and we want your input.

Join us for an interactive community conversation where you'll help answer an important question: What will Valley Park graduates need to thrive in college, careers, relationships, and life?

📅🕕 Tuesday, August 11, 2026 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 📍 Valley Park School District Office - One Main Street

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.

OLR

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.

PROPOSITION B UPDATE

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.

Science Lab

PROGRESS

by the Numbers HIGH SCHOOL RENOVATION

99%

COMPLETE FACS Lab

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

96%

COMPLETE

BAND ROOM ADDITION & RENOVATION Future Soccer Field and Track

95%

COMPLETE

OUTDOOR TRACK AND SOCCER FIELD

90%

Tentative Project Schedule: July 31: Sod installation - Week of August 17: Rubberized surface installation

Visit our Prop B website at www.vpschools.org/propbprogress for ongoing updates on our progress. We continue to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our community for passing Prop B, enabling us to continue our limitless learning journey for years to come.

COMPLETE

ALL PROP B PROJECTS ARE ON TRACK FOR COMPLETION BY AUGUST 24.

2026 FALL SPORTS SCHEDULES 9/28/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 8/27/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ GATEWAY SCIENCE 9/28/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 8/28/26 TBD SOFTBALL @ BARB CHARBONEAU TOURNEY 9/28/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL VS. FOX HIGH SCHOOL 8/28/26 5PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ BOURBON HIGH SCHOOL 9/29/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. MRH 8/28/26 6:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BOURBON HIGH SCHOOL 9/29/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. MRH 8/29/26 TBD SOFTBALL @ BARB CHARBONEAU TOURNEY 9/29/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/01/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ GATEWAY STEM 9/01/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS. HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL 9/29/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ MRH 9/29/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ MRH 9/02/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS. LUTHERAN ST. CHARLES 9/30/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ ORCHARD FARM HIGH SCHOOL 9/03/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 9/30/26 5:30PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ CRYSTAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL 9/03/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. VERITAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 9/30/26 7PM V VOLLEYBALL @ CRYSTAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL 9/04/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ WRIGHT CITY HIGH SCHOOL 10/02/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/02/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/02/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ ST. LOUIS PATRIOTS 9/08/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 9/08/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/02/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/02/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/09/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. ST. PIUS X 10/05/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL VS. LUTHERAN SOUTH 9/09/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL 10/06/26 4PM V SOCCER @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/09/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. JENNINGS HIGH SCHOOL 10/06/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/11/26 4PM JV SOCCER @ MRH 10/06/26 4PM V SOFTBALL @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/11/26 5:30PM V SOCCER @ MRH 10/06/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/11/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. URSULINE ACADEMY 10/06/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 9/11/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. MRH 10/07/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS. HAZELWOOD WEST 9/11/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. MRH 10/08/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS. PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL 9/15/26 4PM V SOFTBALL VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/08/26 4:30PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. STEAM ACADEMY 9/15/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/08/26 6PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. STEAM ACADEMY 9/15/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/09/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 9/16/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL 10/09/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 9/17/26 5:30PM V SOCCER @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 10/09/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 9/17/26 7PM JV SOCCER @ BAYLESS HIGH SCHOOL 9/17/26 5:30PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL 10/12/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY 10/13/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. METRO HIGH SCHOOL 9/17/26 7PM V VOLLEYBALL @ HERCULANEUM HIGH SCHOOL 10/13/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ ST. CHARLES WEST 9/18/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL @ LADUE HORTON WATKINS 10/13/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ MCKINLEY CLASSICAL 9/18/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 10/13/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ MCKINLEY CLASSICAL 9/18/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ HANCOCK HIGH SCHOOL 10/15/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MED & BIO 9/21/26 4:15PM V SOCCER VS. WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL 10/15/26 4:15PM JV VOLLEYBALL VS. GATEWAY SCIENCE 9/21/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. WINDSOR HIGH SCHOOL 10/15/26 5:45PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. GATEWAY SCIENCE 9/21/26 4:15PM V SOFTBALL VS. PATTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 10/16/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ DUCHESNE HIGH SCHOOL 9/21/26 4:30PM V VOLLEYBALL VS. ROOSEVELT HIGH SCHOOL 10/16/26 6PM JV SOCCER @ DUCHESNE HIGH SCHOOL 9/22/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 10/20/26 4PM V SOCCER VS. BISHOP DUBOURG HIGH SCHOOL 9/22/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 9/22/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ CROSSROADS COLLEGE PREP 10/20/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER VS. BISHOP DUBOURG HIGH SCHOOL 9/23/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL VS. PARKWAY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL 10/22/26 5PM V SOCCER VS. SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 10/22/26 6:30PM JV SOCCER VS. SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL 9/24/26 4PM V SOCCER @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/26/26 4:30PM V SOCCER VS. ST. PIUS X 9/24/26 5:30PM JV SOCCER @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/26/26 6PM JV SOCCER VS. ST. PIUS X 9/25/26 4:30PM V SOFTBALL @ METRO HIGH SCHOOL 10/27/26 4:30PM V SOCCER @ WRIGHT CITY HIGH SCHOOL 9/25/26 4PM JV VOLLEYBALL @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 9/25/26 5:30PM V VOLLEYBALL @ BRENTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10/27/26 6PM JV SOCCER @ WRIGHT CITY HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE COMING SOON! 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.

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.

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.

CHECK OUT THE ATHLETICS CA L END A R! Dates and times will be updated and can change, please visit www.vpschools.org/athletics for the most up to date information.

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

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.

Facebook.com/Valley.Park.School.District

Twitter @ValleyParkSD

Instagram @valleyparkschools