Dabney Discussion V6I7
School News from the Veterans Park Elementary Principal
Molly's Message...
More Exciting News About the Playground!
Pennies for the Playground is going well and thus far we have raised over $3,000.00
Upcoming Events
- SPIRIT & Hat Day / Woot Woot Wagon - February 3
- New Student & Kindergarten Registration - February 6-20 (9:00-1:00)
- Midterm of 3rd Nine Weeks - February 8
- PTA Meeting - February 9 @ 7:45
- Wellness Wednesday - February 15
- Family Focus Night - February 15
- 5th Grade Band Concert @ Southern Middle School - February 16 @ 6:30
- No School: President's Day - February 20
- Prevention Awareness Parent Night - February 23 @ 5:30
- SBDM Meeting - February 27 @ 3:00
- Read Across America Week -February 27 - March 3
- SPIRIT & Hat Day / Woot Woot Wagon - March 3
February SPIRIT Project
Our VPE Spirit Project for the month of February is partnered with the American Heart Association and Joint Pediatric Heart Care Program for their event, "Bring a Ball to the Ball". During this month, we will be collecting sports balls (basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc.) that will be donated to children in Eastern Kentucky to promote physical activity. A designated box will be located out front of the counseling office in the front hallway where students may donate new sports balls which will then be packaged up and donated to organizations affiliated with Shaping Our Appalachian Region. Thank you for continuing to join with us in our efforts to support Kentucky children and families.
Winter Weather Procedures
With the winter season upon us, we are providing an update on this year’s severe weather procedures.
During the 2022-23 school year, Fayette County Public Schools may utilize Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) in place of school closings or delays for severe winter weather. NTI will allow students to continue learning when weather conditions make it unsafe to attend school and to potentially avoid extending the school year to make up for cancellations.
To clarify, a closure (snow day) means school is closed, and there are no school activities. Snow days will be made up or added to the school year’s calendar. An NTI weather day, however, counts as a school day since students will participate in learning at home. With NTI, there is no need to make up or add a day to the academic calendar.
How will it work?
When severe winter weather is predicted, our schools will send Chromebooks home with students the day before the weather system is forecasted to affect our area in preparation for a potential NTI weather day. In some cases, we might not be able to predict a weather event and might find it necessary to close or delay school.
FCPS will make a final decision by 5 a.m. to determine if we will use an NTI weather day, closing, or delay. You will receive an email, phone call, and text message notifying you of the district’s decision.
On NTI weather days, students will use their Chromebooks to complete classwork virtually from home. Students will log into Google Classroom, where their teachers will have posted assignments. Classes will not participate in live instruction via Zoom, but teachers will hold office hours – times when they are available to meet virtually with students or families who would like additional support. VPE office hours will be from 8:00-10:00 am.
Students who are unable to complete their work on an NTI weather day because of power outages or other issues will have three school days after returning to school to complete and submit missed assignments.
Where can I find more information? Is there anything I need to do to prepare?
VPE has NTI details on our school’s website, shown below and hard copies were sent home with students in December. If an NTI weather day is announced, your student’s school will send home schedules and login information. In addition, you can visit www.fcps.net/weather for details about the district’s winter weather procedures.
If you have questions about Google Classroom, student email accounts, Chromebooks, or other tools students will use to access and submit assignments on NTI weather days, resources are available on the FCPS eCurriculum Help page.
You can also call the Tech Help Desk on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at (859) 381-4410 for assistance with Chromebooks and student email accounts.
Additionally, please take a moment to update your contact information and communication preferences in Infinite Campus so that you do not miss any notifications about winter weather.
NEW KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FOR 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten and New Student Registration is coming up this spring. FCPS typically opens the window for registration in February and once dates are officially set we will share date/time specifics with families and community members. However, until then you can start the process by completing the online registration and finding the required documents below to be able to register.
To enroll a new, first-time student, families may begin the process online here. Items to bring with you are:
Deed and/or Current Lease
Utility Bill
Birth Certificate (Official Copy)
Current Immunization Certificate
Proof of child’s recent preventative health care exam
Proof of an eye exam (due by Jan. 1)
Proof of a dental exam (due by Jan. 1)
Court documents pertaining to your child, if applicable
Please note that Patriot Place openings for incoming Kindergarteners is now on a lottery system. Please read below for more information on Patriots Place Registration.
PATRIOT PLACE REGISTRATION
RECESS & COLD WEATHER
At VPE we have two 15-minute recesses/movement breaks each day and we will try to go out as the weather permits for students to get some fresh air.
Please note that if the temperature is above freezing and the ground is dry, we will go out. Please try to send your child in outerwear that will keep them warm during these colder days. We also encourage families to label coats with student names so if they go missing we can return them to the correct owners. Many times students will try to head out to recess without their coats, and if teachers see them in their cubby, they will encourage them to put them on.
PLAYGROUND FUNDRAISER
Dear Veterans Park Elementary Families and Community Partner,
At Veterans Park Elementary we are committed to making sure that our students have a wonderful environment in which they can learn, grow, and play. We are excited to announce that after 25 years, we are getting a new playground that will be safer and more accessible for all children.
By April of 2023, we need to raise $100,000 to meet our fundraising goal which will allow us to include additional playground equipment, sunshades and a Pour-N-Play Rubber Bond surface in the playground construction. This surface option will allow our playground to be handicap accessible, and be a safer solution for all children that will last for 30+ years.
This is where you come in! Will you join us in working toward this goal? A donation of any amount will help us ensure that the playground at Veterans Park Elementary is a safe place for students to play for many years to come. Families and community partners have the opportunity to be a part of the playground forever through sponsorship. Sponsors will be recognized at the groundbreaking event upon playground completion, and be included on a plaque that will remain on the playground for years to come. Sponsorship will be recognized at the following donation levels:
Platinum - $10,000 +
Gold - $5,000 +
Silver - $2,500 +
Bronze - $500
Your involvement makes a difference! When partners make an investment in local schools like Veterans Park Elementary, the entire community benefits. Please consider helping us lay the foundation for a safe place for students to play. If you are interested in donating, please contact Molly Dabney, VPE Principal or Heather Robbins, VPE PTA Representative and we can discuss next steps.
We hope to hear from you soon, and look forward to partnering with you to make a difference at Veterans Park Elementary!
Sincerely,
Molly Dabney
Veterans Park Elementary Principal
859-381-3161
molly.dabney@fayette.kyschools.us
Heather Robbins
PTA Representative
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Just a reminder that when we have parents in the building we need to following the following protocol:
Parents and guardians do not need to be approved volunteers to eat lunch with their child, attend conferences, performances, etc.
Parents DO need to be approved volunteers to go on field trips, help with classroom parties, assist with teams or clubs, etc.
CAFETERIA UPDATES
Negative Balances
Please remember that VPE is no longer a free feeding site and students who have not applied for free and reduced lunch will be charged for all meals (breakfast and lunch). When students accrue a negative balance families will be receiving letters indicating the amount owed. If you have questions please reach out to Robin Lund our cafeteria manager at robin.lund@fayette.kyschools.us or if you need help to apply for free and reduced lunch contact Nicole Love our Family Resource Director at nicole.love@fayette.kyschools.us
Lunch With Your Student
Families & Parents are welcome to join their students for lunch this school year. So as not to displace a student from his/her class, we ask that parents eat at the round tables (in the cafeteria or front hallway) with only their child. Please note that VPE’s wellness policy does not allow fast food lunches or soft drinks for you or your child in the cafeteria. Please help us promote healthy living by not bringing in outside fast food. Finally, for safety’s sake, strollers may not be in the cafeteria during lunch.
Paying for Lunch
Send lunch money to school in a labeled envelope. Lunch accounts may be accessed at My School Bucks - https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home Accounts can be paid and monitored from this site.
INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL
Did you know that parents can access Parent/Campus Portal to update telephone numbers and emergency contacts? This is also a great way, once your student is in 4th grade or above, to follow their grades and assignments!
Visit: Infinite Campus / Overview for information on how to sign into and set up Parent/Campus Portal. There is also an app available for your smartphone.
Direct link to the FAQ’s:
Transportation Safety
Transportation is one of the biggest worries for a teacher and making sure students arrive and get home safely. We are welcoming & dismissing close to 800 students on a daily basis and we need to ensure that every child gets to school and their home safely. Please help us by following these procedures:
Do not make unnecessary afternoon transportation changes, and only make changes during the school day in the case of an emergency.
All changes in transportation must be in writing and before 1:30 pm….please don’t email your child’s teacher with changes because they can’t be honored. Please email vpetransportation@fayette.kyschools.us to make a transportation change.
Parents please stay in your cars during arrival/dismissal and allow for staff to help students in and out. It is for your safety too!
Be a good role model and only cross at the crosswalk!
Do not drop students on Clearwater Way and please wait until you reach the sidewalk to allow students to get out of the car on the sidewalk side only.
We can not have cars in the bus loop until after all buses have arrived which is typically at 7:20ish therefore, if dropping students prior to 7:20 please use the parking lot side to drop off students.
A helpful hint….there isn’t a line in the car line at 7:20 but tends to be one at 7:40! Come early to keep from having a tardy!
Absences/Tardy- Excused?
Two Steps to an Excused Absence!
If your child is absent, please call the school at 381-3161 before 7:30 am. An automated absence call will go out to all absent students at 10am.
For an absence to be excused, it must be followed up with a hand written excuse within 3 days and sent to VPE Office. FCPS Board Policy does not allow us to accept notes after this time and absences will remain unexcused. Remember, when you take your child to a doctor or dentist, get a note.
See all the details in the FCPS Code of Conduct.
What is an Excused Absence/Tardy?
Death of an immediate family member
Illness of Student: Parents have a total of 10 notes to write for student's illnesses. After 10 cumulative absences due to illness students are required to present a written statement from a medical professional for each additional absence for the school year in order to be excused.
Religious Holidays & Practices
Medical & Dental Appointments
Family Emergencies: limited to three cumulative absent events per school year, as approved by the Principal.
Family Vacations & Trips are NOT Excused Absences!
Detailed Attendance Policy
Excused Tardies and Absences
Students who are absent from school are required to have a legitimate excuse as defined by the Student Code of Conduct. Please call the office at 381-3161 before 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the absence. Families must ALSO, within three days of a student’s return to school, present a note signed by his/her parent/guardian or a doctor for an absence to be excused. If a note is not received within three days, the absence shall be deemed unexcused.
Excused Absences
• 6 excused absences – Letter from the principal will be sent with a reminder that a child can only have 10 parent notes
• 10 excused absences – Letter from the principal will be sent to families that they must have a doctor’s excuse for any further absences or they will be unexcused.
Unexcused Tardies
• 6 unexcused tardies – Letter from the school principal will be sent.
• 9 unexcused tardies – Letter from the school principal will be sent.
• 12 unexcused tardies -- Letter from the school principal will be sent.
When a student is determined to have 12 unexcused tardies, a final notice letter from the school shall be sent to the parent/guardian specifying the legal consequence of the accumulated unexcused tardies and delivered in a home visit by the school and/or district.
After any additional unexcused tardies, school personnel shall make a truancy call to the Pupil Personnel Office at IAKSS.
Unexcused Absences
• 3 unexcused absences -- Letter from the school principal will be sent.
• 6 unexcused absences – Final notice that the child is identified as habitually truant is mailed and delivered in a home visit by the school.
After any additional unexcused absences school personnel shall make a truancy referral to the Pupil Personnel Office at IAKSS.
PTA MEETINGS - IN PERSON OR ZOOM
This year we will be offering PTA meetings on two platforms - in person and on Zoom. They are scheduled for the second Thursday of each month at 7:45 AM in the VPE Library or using the following Zoom link: https://fcps-net.zoom.us/j/99018941544
WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED…
Twitter - @vpepatriot
Instagram - vpeinaction
Infinite Campus - Attendance, weather calls & more! https://fayetteky.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/fayette.jsp
Email: molly.dabney@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: http://www.veterans.fcps.net/
Location: 4351 Clearwater Way, Lexington, KY, USA
Phone: 859-381-3161
Twitter: @vpepatriot