The kindergarten students enjoyed their party as they made and decorated their Gingerbread Houses.

It was difficult for the students to not eat the candy and put it on their house, but most students succeeded.

Huge shout out to our families for supporting their students with making the houses. It was a great time.

The Ventana Vista students that participated in the Band Concert that was held at the High School on Monday, did a fantastic job. We really enjoyed how well they played together. Keep up the great work band students. Thank you Mrs. Lee our Band Director.

The Ventana Vista Beginning orchestra students did an amazing job at the District Orchestra Concert last evening. It was joy to hear how well they could play in the few weeks that they have been practicing. Also, the Ventana Vista students that played in the District Advanced Orchestra sounded amazing. It was great to see how well they played their songs. Huge thank you to Mrs. Cioca, our Orchestra Director.

I enjoyed lunch time today with our Empathy Trait Students and with our November Bobcat Students. The students shared what they will be doing over the break, some talked about their “Elf on a Shelf” and the mischievous things the elf is doing.

All of the students joined me on the balcony to wave at the other students.

Mrs. Setliff, will be joining us at our January FFO meeting as our guest speaker. Mrs. Setliff will share all of the great things that are offered to middle school students at Esperero Canyon Middle School. If you have 5 th graders that will be going to Esperero Canyon Middle school you

will not want to miss this meeting. Please join us January 18 at 8:15 at Ventana Vista.

All students conversed in Spanish and chatted to one another with Spanish get to know you conversation.

Each of our grade levels have buddy classes this year. Our 5th graders met with their buddy class of 2nd graders today.

The students truly enjoy this time with their buddy classes. Teaming and collaborating with our buddy classes is rewarding for all the students.

Ventana Vista Elementary School will collect food and items for the holidays for families in need in our community. Donations will be distributed to Ventana Vista families, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and to More Than a Bed, a nonprofit that provides essential items to foster families in Tucson with whom we've partnered in the past.

What donations are accepted?

Food: Pantry and shelf-stable items

Items: Pull-ups sizes 3T-5T.

Clothing: New/gently worn winter clothing (pants, long-sleeve shirts, sweaters, jackets) for girls sizes 5-7 and boys sizes 10, 12, 14, and 16.

Household Items: New/used, in good working order.

When are donations accepted? December 4 - December 20, 2023

Where can donations be dropped off? The front office

Thank you very much!!

Thank you to the parents/students who came out on Friday and looked/found their missing items.

We still have a lot waiting to be claimed. Sara Barlow has gone through all of these items again, separating any with names on them which are being delivered to the student's classroom. THANK YOU SARA!

All unclaimed items have now been laid out on the steps by the MPR, if you are visiting our campus over the next couple of days please take a moment to take a look.

All items left at 3:15 pm on Friday 12/22 will be packed up and donated to More than a Bed.

Each year a group of parents, faculty, staff and community members gather to provide input on school improvement topics. This year's Site Council will focus on Community Service & Engagement. We are open to other ideas as well. If you have suggestions for community service projects or want to be involved, please join! You may complete the Site Council Application Form here: https://forms.gle/1fLHF3S6nAYgoEwA6. We will have an upcoming meeting in January, date TBD.

We were so lucky to have Dr. Faucet from Tucson Water and the City of Tucson visit us a couple weeks ago. First graders learned about the water cycle, water use then and now, Tucson’s 4 different water sources, and ways to conserve water. First graders are now Water Smart Kids!!!!

As the semester closes, I want to thank the Ventana Vista community for a great few months! So many of you have donated gifts of time, money, and creativity, stepping up when we've asked for help and even finding new ways to support the school. We literally cannot do what we do without each of you, and we've had fun along the way!

To the VV staff, the FFO board and members, community members and local businesses, thank you!

I hope everyone has a safe and lovely break, we will see you in the new year!

Since Mileage Club started, our students have run the distance between Ventana Vista and Canada!

Also, 4 students joined the 100 Club, and have run over 100 laps.

There will be no mileage club tomorrow.

We will see you again after Winter Break! Thank you to everyone who has participated! Go Bobcats!