Have something for the bulletin? Send it to: Shaina at shainamarietaylor@gmail.com 

Photo by Brenna H.

Dates at a Glance                         

· Monday, February 19 - President’s Day - No School

· Wednesday, February 28 thru Wednesday, March 7, - Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00 dismissal for all students)

· Friday, March 2, 8:30am - 9:30am - PA Coffee Morning

· Wednesday, March 21, 1pm - 2:15pm - PA Meeting  (Note the date change!)

· Friday, March 30 - Cesar Chavez Festival/Potluck (details to come)

· Saturday, April 21 - Creek Clean Up (details to come)

No School Monday

There will be no school on Monday 2/19. Enjoy the time with your loved ones!

Farmer's Market Fundraiser - Wednesday, February 28th at 1:00 PM

Won’t you join us at the VCS Farmers Market fundraiser!?

Children and families are encouraged to bring their healthy (processed sugar free) baked goods and snacks, handmade arts and crafts, flowers, produce, or any other donations for the children to sell.

Children in grades 2nd-8th will be selling donated goods, with all proceeds benefiting the entire school!

Families in Miss Malika & Miss Kristen’s classes are welcome to participate by bringing in items for the older children to sell! (Additionally, adult family members can host a booth and sell any donated goods from these classes)

 Tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

The farmers market will start at 1pm on Wednesday, February 28th! We can’t wait to see you there!

WHY SUGAR-FREE? Aside from it being our school policy and having students in our community who do not eat sugar, making yummy treats for our farmers market without using refined sugars or sweeteners is an opportunity to break away from the simple and more common ways we are told to make something delicious and sweet! Creativity is an important practice, especially for growing minds. As more and more research comes out about the health risks of processed sugar consumption (and our addiction to sugar as a people), it is our job to educate each other and to share ideas and practice tasty alternatives!

Some ideas for sweet substitutes: Honey - Coconut nectar - Bananas - Dates

Please see a sample recipe for delicious Vegan Fudge for inspiration. 

Summer Program

Thank you all so much for filling out your surveys! Due to the overwhelmingly positive response, we have enough interest to move this program forward.  We will keep you updated as the program progresses.

Parking

Please remember that the small lot is for staff parking and YMCA use only. VCS parents and visitors are to use the large lot.

Help Wanted

Toilet Paper Rolls Needed - Don’t throw those cardboard tubes away! Miss Malika and her class are collecting them. Bring them on in!

Floor Lamps Needed - Miss Malika is looking for a couple of floor lamps to use in the classroom. Do you happen to have one in the garage or unused or in your give away pile?

Playground Help Needed - Calling all parents who love to play! We are looking for some help on the playground. Morning recess times 10:20-11:00

Please consider dropping in to play a game of tag, soccer, jump-rope or bring some new games to the field. We are needing some supervision help and help bringing some games and activities to the children.

If you can help us out p lease be sure your fingerprinted and check in at the office before going to the yard!

Please contact Miss Malika if you can help!

Order Yearbooks

Don’t forget to get your order in for your yearbook! Pick up order forms in the office or follow this link to place your order and customize 2 free extra pages for your child's copy: https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014724174042747

• Your personalized yearbook only costs $20.00. 
• Yearbooks are printed on high quality 100% recycled paper in beautiful full color.
• For each VCS yearbook sold, Trees for the Future plants a tree in our school's name.
• Complete your 2 free custom pages no later than April 23.
• Custom pages are optional, if you don’t customize you’ll receive a standard yearbook.
• Order your yearbook by May 7 to get free bulk shipping with the rest of VCS!

Photos Wanted

Do you have photos of the Craft Fair, Harvest Hoedown, Girls on the Run, field trips you've chaperoned, or anything else from the 2017/2018 school year? The Yearbook Staff could always use additional photo coverage! If you take photos at school events, on field trips, or even of just regular campus activities and classwork, please email them to emmakerfoot@gmail.com any time throughout the school year, or drop them off in person on a memory card, flash drive, or CD.

Classifieds (attached)

Have an event you want to share with the Village community? Add it to the Village Classifieds!

Events, Requests, Etc. can be submitted to Shaina at shainamarietaylor@gmail.com

(Submissions will run for one week, unless resubmitted)

Appreciations

Have an appreciation you wish to make? You can email it in by Friday morning or just stop by the office and drop off a note in the orange Appreciation Jar and it will get added to the next Bulletin.

“Thank you, Miss Malika, for your meaningful mentorship, fabulous friendship, and meticulous mentioning of the meandering Moon! In appreciation... and allured by alliteration.”  -Miss Kristen

“From the PA - Thank everyone who came out Valentines Day to share the afternoon with us.”

“Mariah - Thank you for taking on the Creek Clean Up this year. We are so grateful to have you as such an active member of the PA.” - Catherine

“Shaina & Naomi - Thank you for setting up, putting it out there, and tracking the data for starting a Summer Program here at VCS!  I love having new parents being so involved and be proactive to be the change they want to see.” - Catherine

"Travis and Emma  - Thank you for your continued IT support! " - Carolyn

"Matt Barnes - Thank you for the cables!" - Carolyn

Have something for the bulletin? Send it to: Shaina at shainamarietaylor@gmail.com 

Sailing behind the school

Dates at a Glance                         

· Monday, February 12, - Lincoln’s Birthday - No School
· Wednesday, February 14, 1pm - 2:15pm - PA Meeting
· Wednesday, February 14, Aikido Promotion - Miss Barnum & Miss Malika
· Thursday, February 15, Aikido Promotion - Miss Ashley & Middle School
· Monday, February 19 - President’s Day - No School
· Wednesday, February 28 thru Wednesday, March 7, - Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00 dismissal for all students)
· Friday, March 2, 8:30am - 9:30am - PA Coffee Morning
· Wednesday, March 21, 1pm - 2:15pm - PA Meeting  (Note the date change!)
· Friday, March 30 - Cesar Chavez Festival/Potluck (details to come)

No School Monday

There will be no school the next two Mondays, 2/12 and 2/19.

Bake Sale!!

School wide Bake Sale on February 28th. More info to come.

Aikido Promotions

Aikido promotions will be held this month at New School Aikido, 880 Piner Rd #55, Santa Rosa

Come on out for this special once-a-year opportunity to observe and cheer on your child as s/he earns their colored belt for the effort, discipline, and mindfulness they have dedicated to their Aikido practice with Sensei Wisdom this year. As a special opportunity, students are also welcomed and encouraged to join the Aikido class beforehand to experience their practice in the wonderfully peaceful and inspiring setting of the dojo. Seating can be a bit tight, so arrive early if you can, and don’t forget to bring your camera!

The FREE AIKIDO CLASS will be held from 5:30-6:30pm and PROMOTIONS will take place from 6:30-7pm (specific end time depends upon number of participants).

Each class is designated for a specific night. Please sign up on the sheet outside your child’s classroom if s/he can make it. * If your student cannot make it on the assigned evening, but is available the other night, no problem — just let Sensei Wisdom know so he can be prepared that evening with your child’s belt. Sensei Wisdom: 707.571.2013. You must contact Sensei if you are going to attend but did not sign up.

Miss Barnum's class Wednesday 2/14

Miss Malika's class Wednesday 2/14

Miss. Ashley’s class Thursday 2/15

Mrs. Montrose's & Mr. Robbins' class Thursday 2/15

Some Background: The Aikido Tradition at VCS
Sensei Isaiah Wisdom of New School Aikido has been coming to VCS for many years to teach Aikido to all of the school's 1st-8th graders. Village students have grown and thrived under his tutelage. Students are eager to attend, practice what they have learned, and earn their belts.
It's an integral part of our curricular program that is considered as much of a life skill education as it is a physical practice. Aikido is a nonviolent martial and self-defense art developed in Japan in the early 1900s. It is a powerful, proactive, nonviolent method of resolving conflict whose practice brings a sense of vitality, confidence, unity, and fulfillment to our entire student body.

Valentine's Day

Valentines - Each class celebrates Valentine's Day in their own unique way and typically students create beautiful, hand-made Valentines for friends and family in class. If your child wants to make a Valentine for his/her classmates, we encourage children to make their own valentines as opposed to store bought commercial valentines and please be sure they have one for each student in their class. They can bring them in Wednesday morning and they will be distributed at the teachers discretion.

Valentine's Day treats--please support our school wide policy of not sugar/candy treats. We welcome fruits and other tasty options (we have a number of suggestions if needed). Please keep in mind that many of our students have allergies and dietary restrictions, so dairy and gluten free items are appreciated!

Donations & Volunteer Support

Floor Lamps Needed

Miss Malika is looking for a couple of floor lamps to use in the classroom. Do you happen to have one in the garage or unused or in your give away pile?

We are still looking for some help in the playground!
Calling all parent who love to play! We are looking for some help on the playground. Morning recess times 10:20-11:00
Please consider dropping in to play a game of tag, soccer, jump-rope or bring some new games to the field. We are needing some supervision help and help bringing some games and activities to the children.
If you can help us out please be sure your fingerprinted and check in at the office before going to the yard!
Please contact Miss Malika if you can help!

Fire Recovery Info

Please see the attached document regarding many wonderful fire recovery events and resources!

Order Yearbooks

Don’t forget to get your order in for your yearbook! Pick up order forms in the office or follow this link to place your order and customize 2 free extra pages for your child's copy: https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014724174042747

• Your personalized yearbook only costs $20.00. 
• Yearbooks are printed on high quality 100% recycled paper in beautiful full color.
• For each VCS yearbook sold, Trees for the Future plants a tree in our school's name.
• Complete your 2 free custom pages no later than April 23.
• Custom pages are optional, if you don’t customize you’ll receive a standard yearbook.
• Order your yearbook by May 7 to get free bulk shipping with the rest of VCS!

The Yearbook Staff could always use additional photo coverage! If you take any photos at school events, on field trips, or even of just regular campus activities and classwork, please email them to emmakerfoot@gmail.com any time throughout the school year, or drop them off in person on a memory card, flash drive, or CD.

Tutoring

Emma is available to provide on-site tutoring on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30. Her rate is $30 an hour, which is flexible depending on the subject(s). You can reach her at emmakerfoot@gmail.com.

Appreciations

Have an appreciation you wish to make? You can email it in by Friday morning or just stop by the office and drop off a note in the orange Appreciation Jar and it will get added to the next Bulletin.

“Many thanks to Jalen, Julian, Theo, and Conley for helping us rearrange the computer lab the other day! They weren't even asked, they volunteered to move heavy computers, stacks of textbooks, and furniture. They even helped reconnect all of the cables and wires necessary to get the computers running and online again! We are grateful for their kindness, enthusiasm, and heavy lifting. Nice job, guys! You made a difficult project a lot less difficult. :)”   -Miss Emma and Mr. Robbins

“Deneene - Thank you so much for taking the time and coming on Tuesday afternoons to spend time doing Yoga with Ms. Barnum's class.  I always hear good things about it.” - Catherine

“Joe - Thank you for your continued diligence keeping the VCS classrooms stocked with drinking water.” -Catherine

“I would like to appreciate Ashley for her friendship and support during this richly challenging and amazing school year so far. Also, thanks for being my teacher-buddy!!!”  -Miss Kristen

Have something for the bulletin? Send it to: Shaina at shainamarietaylor@gmail.com 

Tesseracts Lesson

Dates at a Glance                         

· Monday, February 12, - Lincoln’s Birthday - No School
· Wednesday, February 14, 1pm - 2:15pm - PA Meeting
· Wednesday, February 14, Aikido Promotion - Miss Barnum & Miss Malika
· Thursday, February 15, Aikido Promotion - Miss Ashley & Middle School
· Monday, February 19 - President’s Day - No School
· Wednesday, February 28 thru Wednesday, March 7, - Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:00 dismissal for all students)
· Friday, March 2, 8:30am - 9:30am - PA Coffee Morning
· Friday, March 30 - Cesar Chavez Festival/Potluck (details to come)

It’s Time to Plan for Summer!

Here at VCS, we would love to offer a summer program for interested families!

Interested?

Please take two minutes to fill out the online survey (link below) or print out and return the attached paper copy (attached) to Carolyn in the office.

Link to survey (note if you answer “yes” then the other question will appear)

https://gpsi.wufoo.com/forms/vcs-summer-program/

The goal of this survey is to determine interest for a summer program. In effort to make this program flexible we are planning to offer a low hourly rate where you can, week by week, choose the days and hours for care.

Surveys are due by Friday, February 9th. Please turn them in ASAP! :)

(Please fill out survey even if you are uninterested, so we can assess school wide interest).

Questions should be directed to Shaina Taylor:  shainamarietaylor@gmail.com

Notes from the PA

PA Meeting - Wednesday 2/14 from 1:00-2:15

Thank you all who came out in the chill to enjoy some coffee, biscuits and warm conversation with friends this morning.

A reminder that we will be having the next PA meeting on February 14th at 1:00 pm in the VCS Library.

The PA is very excited to hear back from the Community about the possibility of having a summer program here on campus.  What a great way to continue to build and work on our community and friendships in this safe and welcoming environment we already all know.  Hope you will all take the time to fill out the survey either online or a paper option is available as well in the office whether you are interested in participating or not.

We will review Winter Solstice and other December topics brought up at the meeting.  Also we have upcoming events to go over, Cesar Chavez and Empty Bowl, as well as some new topics such as a Fundraising Rummage Sale and VCS Summer Care options that parents have asked to discuss.

Aikido Promotions

Aikido promotions will be held this month at New School Aikido, 880 Piner Rd #55, Santa Rosa

Class will be held at 5:30-6:30 pm

Promotion will take place at 6:30-7 pm (ending time is approximate; it is dependent on the number of students that participate)

Students must sign up on sheet outside of their classroom to participate.

Miss Barnum's class Wednesday 2/14

Miss Malika's class Wednesday 2/14

Miss. Ashley’s class Thursday 2/15

Mrs. Montrose's & Mr. Robbins' class Thursday 2/15

Playground Help Needed

We are still looking for some help in the playground!
Calling all parent who love to play! We are looking for some help on the playground. Morning recess times 10:20-11:00
Please consider dropping in to play a game of tag, soccer, jump-rope or bring some new games to the field. We are needing some supervision help and help bringing some games and activities to the children.
If you can help us out please be sure your fingerprinted and check in at the office before going to the yard!
Please contact Miss Malika if you can help!

Order Yearbooks

Don’t forget to get your order in for your yearbook! Pick up order forms in the office or follow this link to place your order and customize 2 free extra pages for your child's copy: https://www.treering.com/validate?PassCode=1014724174042747

• Your personalized yearbook only costs $20.00. 
• Yearbooks are printed on high quality 100% recycled paper in beautiful full color.
• For each VCS yearbook sold, Trees for the Future plants a tree in our school's name.
• Complete your 2 free custom pages no later than April 23.
• Custom pages are optional, if you don’t customize you’ll receive a standard yearbook.
• Order your yearbook by May 7 to get free bulk shipping with the rest of VCS!

The Yearbook Staff could always use additional photo coverage! If you take any photos at school events, on field trips, or even of just regular campus activities and classwork, please email them to emmakerfoot@gmail.com any time throughout the school year, or drop them off in person on a memory card, flash drive, or CD.

Enrichment

Pirate Choir - Songs-of-the sea, dress like a pirate, sing for seniors and probably for the sailors on a Tallship as well! ! $5 per session  (payable to Miss Barnum). Thursdays 3:10-4:10pm. Sign up on Miss Barnum’s Door

If there is anything you as a parent would/could contribute we would love to hear about it, contact Lauren, at lcyxprs@aol.com and let her know.

Tutoring

Emma is available to provide on-site tutoring on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 2:30. Her rate is $30 an hour, which is flexible depending on the subject(s). You can reach her at emmakerfoot@gmail.com.

VCS VOLUNTREE!

Our tree is gaining more leaves!  Thank you for Volunteering/Donating to our school!

The LEAVES represent our family Volunteer Hours/Donations, the time and energy we give toward the school’s growth and abundance. Leaves will be added each month in correspondence to community members’ time (ideally 1 hour per week/4 hours per month). So, make sure to sign in and log your hours in the office!

Thank you for helping VCS blossom!

*If you need suggestions on where and how to volunteer, contact VCS Volunteer Coordinator Katie Hanneman @ katieheffron@gmail.com.

Fundraising

Reminder to sign up with eScript and AmazonSmile, easy ways to earn $$$ for our school!

VCS Gear
Looking for a little something extra?  Something cozy? Something to show your Village Charter pride? :) Stop by the office and grab a Village Tee Shirt, Sweatshirt or Hoodie (and support our special school as a bonus).  Lots of styles, sizes and colors to choose from for kids and adults. 

• Kids T-Shirts - $15
• Adult T-Shirts - $20
• Sweatshirts & Hoodies - $30

Appreciations

Have an appreciation you wish to make? You can email it in by Friday morning or just stop by the office and drop off a note in the orange Appreciation Jar and it will get added to the next Bulletin.

"So many thanks and appreciations to Amy, Deneene, Denise, Stephanie, Viki, and Ash! Our class field trip could not have happened without your help and support. I am thankful for your wonderful energy and enthusiasm, which helped to make the day brighter. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" ~Ashley!