Weekly Announcements

VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL of STEM

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Wednesday, September 23rd – Tuesday, September 29th, 2020

 

This year we will only be sending out a “Weekly Bulletin” on Wednesday’s.

 

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS AT VMS:

Wednesday, September 23^rd – Distance Learning Day – NO AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS

Thursday, September 24^th – Cohort A

Friday, September 25^th – Cohort B

Monday, September 28^th – Cohort A

Tuesday, September 29^th – Cohort B

Wednesday, September 30^th – Distance Learning Day – NO AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS

Thursday, October 1^st – Cohort A

Friday, October 2^nd – Cohort B

 

STAFF AND STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS: (New announcements are in italic)

From Mrs. Spychalla: 1. Aviation Day – this year the event is online and open to all middle school students – not just girls. It will be held on Saturday, September 26^th. Register at: wai.org before Saturday.

2. Hey Everyone – Math Club is open to all students. Mr. Spiegelberg is the coach. Check in with him for the details.

3. Calling all 7th and 8th graders - the yearlong stock market game will begin within a couple weeks. Teams will consist of two to five students and you will participate online this year. I will post information to 7th and 8th graders on Schoology by the end of the month.  Sixth graders will be able to do the winter/spring competition beginning in January.

 

From Mr. Vaillancourt: Now is the time to sign up for Cross Country, Soccer, and (Girls) Tennis.  No experience necessary to play.  For the first time in 8 years we have activity busses to get you home (VMSS attendance area).  No more excuses, let’s get outside and play!  If you are having trouble signing up, ask a coach for help, we would love to have you on our team; Coach Pelinka, Coach Cross, Coach Scott, Coach Adedeji, and Coach Vaillancourt.  Cohort A and C with last names A through K practice on Monday and Thursday and Cohort B and all others practice on Tuesday and Friday.  Have your parents or guardian sign you up on www.mypaymentsplus.com today!

 

From the Administration:  1. VMSS has bike racks for student use.  Students should park and lock bikes only on bike racks on the east side of the building close to the drop off/pick up lanes in the main parking lot. Please do not chain your bike to trees or lamp posts.  Thank you.

 

2. All students, if you forgot something at home, please pick it up in the main office between classes or during the noontime.  Please ask an adult if you are not sure where the office is. We will not page students for the purpose of picking up forgotten items.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to come and check.

 

Community Education:

Chess!

Learn the game played by kings, queens, presidents, and laureates for centuries. Chess benefits focus, sportsmanship, problem solving, mental fortitude, and more. 

Chess for Beginners 1.0 - Online (grades K-5)

Wed | Sep 23 - Oct 14 | 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. | 4 sessions | $52 | Live Online

Thu | Sep 24 - Oct 15 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | 4 sessions | $52 | Live Online

Chess for Beginners 2.0 - Online (grades K-5)

Thu | Sep 24 - Oct 15 | 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. | 4 sessions | $52 | Live Online

Chess Intermediate & Advanced 3.0 - Online (grades K-5)

Thu | Sep 24 - Oct 15 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | 4 sessions | $52 | Live Online

Chess Advanced 4.0 - Online (grades K-5)

Wed | Sep 23 - Oct 14 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | 4 sessions | $52 | Live Online

Thu | Sep 24 - Oct 22 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. | 4 sessions | $52 | Skip Oct 1 | Live Online

 

 

 

Extreme Coding: AR & Augmented Reality (grades 4-7)

Sun | Sep 27 | 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. | $39 | Live Online

 

Coding Club - Level 1 Online (grades 2-4)

Wed | Sep 23 - Oct 28 | 4:45 - 5:25 p.m. | 6 sessions | $89 | Live Online

Also available on Thursdays and Saturdays

 

Hablemos Espanol-University Language Center Spanish-Online! (grades K-8)

Please register by September, 28.  

Grades K-1

Mon & Thu | Oct 5 - May 20 | 11:00 am - 11:25 a.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 28, Dec 31, Mar 22 & Mar 25 | Online

Mon & Thu | Oct 5 - May 20 | 11:30 am - 11:55 a.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 28, Dec 31, Mar 22 & Mar 25 | Online

Tue & Fri | Oct 6 - May 21 | 11:00 am - 11:25 a.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 27, Dec 25, Dec 29, Jan 1, Mar 23 & Mar 26 | Online

Tue & Fri | Oct 6 - May 21 | 11:30 am - 11:55 a.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 27, Dec 25, Dec 29, Jan 1, Mar 23 & Mar 26 | Online

 

Grades 2-3

Mon & Thu | Oct 5 - May 20 | 11:30 am - 11:55 a.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 28, Dec 31, Mar 22 & Mar 25 | Online

Tue & Fri | Oct 6 - May 21 | 11:30 am - 11:55 a.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 27, Dec 25, Dec 29, Jan 1, Mar 23 & Mar 26 | Online

Grades 4-6

Mon & Thu | Oct 5 - May 20 | noon-12:25 p.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 26, Dec 24, Dec 28, Dec 31, Mar 22 & Mar 25 | Online

Tue & Fri | Oct 6 - May 21 | noon-12:25 p.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Nov 27, Dec 25, Dec 29, Jan 1, Mar 23 & Mar 26 | Online

Grades 6-8

Mon & Wed | Oct 5 - May 19 | 4:30-5:15 p.m. | 4 payments of $181.25 | Skip Dec 28, Dec 30, Mar 22 & Mar 24 | Online

 

Connect & Share: Virtual Visit Sheltering Seniors

Become a virtual visitor! Connect with a senior citizen and brighten someone's day. Reach out with a smiling face and a listening ear. Help keep our older adults connected to community while social distancing is in effect. From the comfort of your home, you can connect with others and enhance their lives. Visits on the Zoom platform of 20 minutes may be scheduled by you, weekday daytimes, some evenings and some weekends. Pick a time that is convenient for you! Register now to receive an email from a senior living facility with a link and instructions to schedule your virtual visits. Just chat, read a book or a poem, play an instrument, sing, talk sports, share your pet or anything else you have in mind to share. Free!

 

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. -William Arthur Ward

 

Swim Lessons

Learn to swim in District 196 Community Swim Lessons. Our caring and dedicated instructors are Red Cross-trained to help you and/or child enjoy developing swimming and water safety skills in our positive learning environment. A parent or household member who is at least 15 years old must be in the water with all Preschool and Levels 1, 2 and 3 lessons. Fall sessions are on weekday evenings, Saturday mornings and early afternoons also Sunday afternoons and evenings beginning October 7 at our middle school pools. Visit ce.district196.org/swim for more information and to register.

VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL of STEM

WEEKLY BULLETIN

Wednesday, September 16^th – Tuesday, September 22^nd, 2020

WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!

 

This year we will only be sending out a “Weekly Bulletin” on Wednesday’s.

 

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS AT VMS:

Wednesday, September 16^th – Distance Learning Day

Fall Sports Registration – on-line MyPaymentPlus see list below for what sports are available

Thursday, September 17^th – Cohort A reports to school

Fall Sports Registration – on-line MyPaymentPlus see list below for what sports are available

Friday, September 18^th – Cohort B reports to school

Fall Sports Registration – on-line MyPaymentPlus see list below for what sports are available

Monday, September 21^st – Cohort A

Fall Sports Begin

Fall Sports Registration – online MyPaymentPlus

Tuesday, September 22^nd – Cohort B

Fall Sports Registration – on-line MyPaymentPlus

Wednesday, September 23^rd – Distance Learning Day – NO AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS

Thursday, September 24^th – Cohort A

Friday, September 25^th – Cohort B

 

STAFF AND STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS: (New announcements are in italic)

From the Administration:  1. VMSS has bike racks for student use.  Students should park and lock bikes only on bike racks on the east side of the building close to the drop off/pick up lanes in the main parking lot. Please do not chain your bike to trees or lamp posts.  Thank you.

 

2. All students, if you forgot something at home, please pick it up in the main office between classes or during the noontime.  Please ask an adult if you are not sure where the office is. We will not page students for the purpose of picking up forgotten items.  IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to come and check.

 

From Mr. Tidwell: Registration is open now through September 25^th for students wanting to participate in fall sports. Registration and payment are processed through MyPaymentPlus (link on VMSS web site under “Families” tab). Participants need to have a completed physical on file before they can be registered. Sports will start on Monday, September 21^st. See our Athletic Director, Mr. Tidwell, if you have any questions. Fall sports available are:

7^th & 8^th Grade Boys and Girls Soccer

6^th, 7^th, & 8^th grade Boys and Girls Cross Country

6^th, 7^th, & 8^th grade GIRLS Tennis

 

From Mr. Vaillancourt: Let’s get outside and play! 

Registration for Fall Soccer opens September 8^th for all VMSS student athletes (grades 7 and 8).  This year we will be working on game fundamentals as well as scrimmaging with other VMSS teams.  Students will be practicing in accordance with MN Dept. of Health and District 196 safety policies implemented to reduce the risk to players. 

 

There will be Activity Busses to bring you home at the end of the practice.  Seriously, how cool is that?  Sign up now!  Practice starts September 21^st.

 

Students in Cohort A and those with last names A-K in Cohort C practice Monday and Thursday.  Cohort B and those with last names L-Z will practice on Tuesday and Friday.

 

Sign up using the new payment processing system at: https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome.