BRRRR!!! The holiday and the snow day shortened the week for us, but the band concert was amazing and the spelling bee was a nail-biter that was still going when the bell rang today! We sure know how to pack a lot of events in a super short week.

Looks like we have more cold weather heading our way. Winter is here to stay for a while!

Stay warm!

Today was the annual spelling bee. We had 30 students signup to compete! Competition was tough and we were not finished when the bell rang for the day! There are eight students still holding on! We will wrap up the competition next week. Stay tuned for more details and the announcement of the winner.

Get ready! Next week will be the annual VPMS Food sponsored by National Junior Honor Society. All items collected will be given to Circle of Concern. Please consider participating!

I received 18 student applications for the Principal's Council and it was so fun to read the kids' responses to how they demonstrate the Hawk Vibes! Selections have been made, but due to the spelling bee going longer than anticipated, I was unable to make the announcement this afternoon. I will be announcing the new Principal Council members on Monday. Stay tuned...

In two weeks, our campus will be celebrating Homecoming week. We will have spirit dress up days and an assembly on Friday! Participating in dress up days is a great way to demonstrate DEDICATION to your school and school spirit!

We have been seeing an increase of cell phones and earbud use during the school day. Our cell phone policy states that phones are to be turned off and put away during the school day. If phones are not being used, there is no need to have headphones or earbuds in. If these items are out, they will be sent to the office where they can be picked up by the student at the end of the day. If they are taken a second time, they will need to be picked up from the office by a parent or guardian.

With the new year, we are encouraging students (and parents) to arrive on time to school. Missed minutes accumulate quickly and that equals academic instruction that is missed. We will be monitoring the number of late to school events for each student. The following process will be followed:

• late to school 3 times = phone call with a parent and parent will need to walk their student into the office for all following late to schools
• late to school 5 times = parent meeting
• late to school 6+ times = lunch time work to make up missed class time
• late to school 10 times = possible hotline call

Thank you for arriving on time each and every day!

If your student is not feeling well with the following symptoms, please do not hesitate to keep them home from school:

• Fever over 100.4 (24hrs without medicine: Tylenol/ibuprofen)
• Cold symptoms (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestion)
• Stomachache and/or vomiting, Diarrhea (vomiting/diarrhea to stay home 24 hours after vomiting is done)
• Sore Throat
• Unexplained Cough/ Shortness of Breath
• Signs of Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
• Signs of Head lice (persistent itching scalp, nits in hair, or lice present)
• Rash (if present need to be evaluated by physician)
• Covid precautions as well, follow the Healthy Hawk Way

Our school library media center is a wonderful resource for our students! Check out the activities Mrs. Louder offers and encourage your child to participate!