Dear VCS Community,
As we head into this winter break and the holiday season, I have been thinking a great deal about the times that we find ourselves in as we rear and educate our children. There is so much conflict and suffering occurring around the world and we are parenting and educating in times of great uncertainty.
I personally take some comfort in the work of our organization; in my view our diverse by design model is more important than ever- creating a space for people of different backgrounds to come together, recognize others’ perspectives and humanity, and treat one another with kindness is essential in this time. We aim to be a community where all of our members are respectful to one another, appreciate one another, and feel safe. I am grateful to belong to and lead a community that values these principles and expectations. I also find myself buoyed by the incredible commitment and support our staff and families have for one another and for the school. Partnership between the VCS staff and family volunteers made so many wonderful events possible this month, from our VCS talent show to Generations Day to the Winter Ball.
Thanks to each of our community members for your partnership and support.
I wish everyone a peaceful, joyful, and restorative winter break and a happy new year!
Please read below to learn about VCS highlights, our annual giving campaign reflection, a reminder about our application window, our latest equity spotlight, and important information about antigen testing before we return from winter break.
VCS highlights!
VCS Annual Talent Show: On 12/8 we culminated our annual giving campaign with a fabulous talent show that showcased the talents of our students, as well as the dedication and talents of our behind the scenes (and in front of the camera, in the case of Mr. Valley Charter!) of our parents. Thanks to everyone for a very fun evening that helped to raise much needed funding for our unique VCS program.
VCES Generations day: On 12/14 we welcomed grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other special guests on campus for Generations Day. This is a special day during which students get to showcase their school experience and learn about what elementary school was like for their special guests. Guests enjoyed a performance by our 4th and 5th grade cheer team and they heard two songs performed by our kindergarten and 5th grade musicians.
VCES Harpist Assembly: On 12/4, VCES students were treated to a performance by Alfredo Ortiz, a South American harpist. During the presentation, students learned about South American cultures especially related to music, the qualities of the harp, and holiday traditions.
VCMS Winter Ball: On 12/14, VCMS students were treated to a winter wonderland where they enjoyed dancing, a photobooth, wonderful snacks, and games! Thanks to Victoria Caja , the staff sponsor for the dance and all the parent volunteers!
VCMS 7th grade field trip to SOFI stadium: Today our 7th graders took a trip to SOFI Stadium, where they learned about the history of the area, how the stadium came to be, and the engineering of the stadium.
VCS Talent Show and Annual Giving Campaign Reflection
The 4th Annual VCS Talent Show on December 8th was a fabulous culmination to our Annual Giving Campaign! Between the two schools, we raised nearly $90,000. Fundraising is a reality for every school and VCS is no different. Our fall fundraising is essential in helping Valley Charter Schools bridge the budget gap that we face year after year and ensures that we will continue to provide valuable additional experiences, services, enrichment, and activities for each and every student. We are so thankful for your support. We are grateful for our strong fundraising legacy and our families’ willingness to invest in the future of VCS. If you did not participate but still wish to donate, it’s not too late. Click here to give.
Thank you to the following families for their support this fall!
2023 VCS Annual Giving Honor Roll
| Perch Abrahamyan Jose Aguirre Melissa Alexander Allen Family Jessica Angel Heidi and Matthew Ardine Alicia Avery Adam and Rebecca Avery Bertha Avino Mirna Banegas Asucena Banuelos Nicole Lisette Barrere Johanna Basa Florencia Bate Averi Bell Bennett Family Gloria and Rigoberto Bernardino Boehmer Family Andres Bonomie and Veronica Pinerua Paper Pie Books Amanda S Borden Marc Bossley Leighton and John Bowers Brasile-Stewart Family Buxton Family Deysi Canas Everett J Candelas Celeste Capaldo-Smith Ada Castillo Belen Ceja Harmony Cervantes Kwanjai Chaisomboon Susana and Dan Chang Mirna and Nick Chau Rikke Christensen Cole Family Angela Colls Combes Family Rachel Concepcion Sean and Susan Congdon Connaghan Family Coronado Family Maria Cortes Rosas Covington Family Tarras Cross D’Anna Family Dadon Family April David Anna and Yaret de la Cruz Melissa Derringer Lucia Diaz Iva Dominguez Downer Family Nicole Drake Katy Rae Dushane Eisele Family Elliott Family Kimberly Ellis Angelica Elvira Myrna Escobar Sean and Tirzah Flores Paul Francis and Joanna Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Franco Dara Frazier Berg Gabrelian Andrea Garcia Hector Garcia Vidalia Garcia Brian Gatus Gaudreau Family Godwin Family Zoila Gonzales Estela Gonzalez Julia Gonzalez Saul Gonzalez Amanda Graber Glenda Grajeda Signe Grant Iridian Guzman Robin Gwynne Hedges Family Hernandez Family Jeanelyn Hirahara Gretchen Hoerdemann Natalie Horwitz Hunt Family Debbie Jocz Christopher Jones Maria Juarez Kabaker Family Claudia Karzen Adrianne Koomer Jillian Lang Julie Lang Hyewon Lee Wailan Lee Carlin Letona Robert and Jessica Lim Brian Linares Olivia London’s Family Alberto Lopez Francisca Lopez Mayra Lopez Roger Lopez Alina Lopez Casaya Maryanne and Casey Lorenzen Brigitte and Wisnick Luberice Maziar Majd Anatolii Maldavskii Ricardo Maldonado Frederick Malko Maquindang-Crespo Family Dana and Jeff Marks Cynthia Martinez Roxana Martinez Jessica and Andrew McGlothlin Arlene Mejia Veronica Mekhaiel Adriana Mendoza Merino Family Charlene M Minhinnett Lyndie Monarch Maria Mora William Moran Nidia Morataya Cambri Morris Myrene Family Nascimento Family Nuccitelli Family Hillary Oberstein Maria Ochoa de Enriquez Julienne Orcena Erika Oregon Paez Family Familia Paiz Banegas Lynne Pasternack Clementina Perez Jessy Perez Tatianna Phillips Pinerua Family Nere Pinerua Rosario Pixcar Edgar Polanco Ann Pridipun Steven and Praxy Pulido Shawna Pyatt Michelle Quiroga-Diaz Reich Family Rose Reyes Mark Riddle Joe and Lauren Rivadeneira Ruby Rivas Jasmine Robinson Adriana and Paul Robles Jacqueline Rodriguez Maria Rodriguez Olivia Rodriguez Kristin M Rywalski Pamela Saelieb and Patrick Hunter Briana Sais Jaimie Salonga Mr and Mrs Joseph Salonga David and Christine Seltzer Lillian Sengpiehl and Dan Schnelle Rosa Serrano Dennis Sherman Janet Silva Silverstein Family Eina Simmons Lori Simon-Snyder Gregg and Denise Simpson Singer-Hul Family Mary Skahill and Roberto Ambriz Melanie Smart Eric and Julie Smith Sandra Solis Nikki Somo Soper-Graves Family Baldemar Soto Steccato Family Luisa Steccato Pasquale Steccato Sunga Family Sweet Air Solutions Annie Tucker Lera and Sean Van Straatum Evelyn Vazquez Ana Ventura Magda Vicente Susana Vicente Rosina Vidana Gerson and Jennifer Vielman Daniel Villegas Daria Vinogradova Maria Virgen Alison and Jesse Warshal Xola W and family Dave Wood Leslie Xum Carolyn Yaffe Dianne and Alan Yaffe Elizabeth and Alarick Yung |
VCS “pre-lottery” Application Window Closing!
The school year 2024-25 VCS “pre-lottery” application window will close on February 15th, 2024, and our lottery will be held on February 22nd. If you have an incoming sibling at any grade level (Tk-8) that you wish to apply for, you must submit an application on or before February 15th for our sibling priority.
We want more families like yours at Valley Charter! Remind interested friends and family about the pre-lottery application deadline! There are two more group tours this school year, and our annual Community Fair for prospective families is on campus on February 10th. We need lots of parent volunteers to make this afternoon a success. Email Rebecca Avery (ravery@valleycharterschool.org) to learn more about volunteering at the 2024 Community Fair.
Equity Spotlight
An important strand of professional development at VCS is examining our curriculum through the lens of our equity framework. While not every lesson or unit addresses each of the questions below, as we plan student experiences, we ask ourselves:
-How will all students access the curriculum in this lesson or unit?
-Does this lesson/unit require our students to think critically about relevant issues?
-Are the lives of a diverse group of students reflected in the materials?
-Does the lesson or unit empower students to act?
Please take a look at our 5th grade Young Activist Project, designed by Mrs. Jones and Ms. Hecthman to see how this work comes to life in a unit!
Required Antigen testing on January 7th
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still impacting our schools. These last few weeks leading up to break have been a real challenge as we navigated cases of COVID that led to many staff and student absences. To do what is within our control to contain any disruptions when we return from break, we are asking families to administer an antigen test to students on Sunday, January 7th. Antigen tests were backpacked home on December 19th. In the event that your child tests positive, please complete the appropriate survey. Please also make sure to report any household exposures, as there are protocols we are required to follow related to those as well. Thanks to each family for doing your part to help keep our community as healthy as possible.
- VCES COVID-19 Positive Case Reporting Survey
- VCMS COVID-19 Positive Case Reporting Survey
- VCES COVID-19 Exposure Reporting Survey
- VCMS COVID-19 Exposure Reporting Survey
HAVE A WONDERFUL WINTER BREAK!!! See you in 2024!
Previously shared:
VCS Story Collector
Along with 18 other small charter organizations, VCS is a founding member of the LA Public Charter School Collaborative and a key part of our mission is to raise the public’s awareness of what charter schools are and how we serve our communities effectively. To that end, we are collecting stories from our families and staff members about two foundational and impactful elements of VCS: the positive, nurturing relationships between students and staff and the power of our diverse-by-design model. Do you have a personal anecdote that connects to either of these topics? If so, please fill out our VCS Story Collector to share! Our goal is to showcase these stories on our social media platforms and potentially incorporate them into a larger story for a news outlet. Please feel free to reach out to Rebecca Avery or myself if you have any questions.
Valley Charter School 