➤ Upcoming
Friday 8/23 Pizza in the Park meet at Galvin Park 5:30-7:30pm
Monday 9/2 NO SCHOOL Labor Day
Tuesday 9/3 PA meeting after circle 8:45/9am start time
Thursday 9/5 Picture Day (order forms available here)
Wednesday 9/11 Picture Retake Day
Wednesday 9/18 Board Meeting 4pm- Meet in main office
Friday 9/20 NO SCHOOL
Monday 9/30 PA Meeting after circle 8:45/9am start time
Friday 10/4 – Monday 10/7 NO SCHOOL Fall Break
Friday 10/11 Deadline for ordering school pictures
Saturday 10/19 Farm to Table Dinner Fundraiser Time TBA
Friday 11/8 Dia de los Muertos Details TBA
Thursday 12/19 Winter Solstice Details TBA
➤ Welcome to our newest VCS Family members!
Welcome to our world, Ziggy! Born 8/15/24
➤ Note from Miss Malika
Dear Village Families and Staff,
It is with a deep sincerity that I send out this little message to all of you returning and those who are new to the school. I have been thinking about this first week and a half of the school year and all the preparations that came before. New school clothes, earlier bedtime routines and much anticipation and excitement have been a flutter for weeks. The campus is so beautiful from the new tables in the courtyard to the walkway into our garden play yard. I trust you have all been finding your way into this new school year with hope and reuniting for a wonderful year of learning, loving and laughing.
I have spent a Summer reflecting on my teaching profession at the Village. When I started at the Village in 2001 I could never have imagined just how rewarding my career would become. I came to see just how special this little school was and what an incredible education the students were receiving. I was very proud to be a part of it.
I want to take a moment to honor the founder of The Village Charter School, Themba Sadiki. His vision for a multi-cultural education has given the Village its curricular foundation. I also want to thank Miss Barnum for holding to many of the values he set in place when they started the school in 1999. And I want to thank all the teachers, support staff, administrators and office staff for playing their part over the years and aiding in the development of a most wonderful place for holistic learning and growth for children.
Lastly but most importantly I must let you know how loved and supported I felt during those last days of school in June. I can’t even begin to tell you how the care, time and thoughtfulness you put into my celebrations have landed deep inside my heart. I sleep under the sweet words and images of many of you. With each and every gift, hug, smile, card, gesture and tear from children and families I became filled to overflowing. It changed me and made my leaving easier knowing I served well and I will always carry the Village in my heart. I must now close with one more appreciation. Thank you to the graduating class of 2024 for pulling me in and inviting me to walk with, and sit them as one more fledgling who grew and nested well at the Village! I am sure that there has never been a retiring teacher who felt so loved and appreciated and celebrated as this one.
With love and appreciation,
Miss Malika
➤ REMINDER TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Please remember that the VCS campus is a cell phone free area. If you get here early to pick up, challenge yourself to manage your wait and boredom with a book, a conversation (feel free to stop in and say HI), visit Lily the goose,watch the sky to see if our resident hawk makes an appearance, etc.
Thank you!!
ALSO…If you have not turned in all parts (hard copy and through Aeries) of your enrollment packet please do so immediately. For your child’s safety we need updated information–current cell #’s, allergies, emergency contacts, etc. I know it seems minor and tedious in the moment, but it is VERY IMPORTANT
➤ Classroom Meetings
8/29 Acorns – 5:30 pm
8/29 Middle School (6-8 grade) – 6:00 pm
9/3 Miss Anna – 5:30 pm
9/4 Miss Kristen – 5:30 pm
9/5 Mr. Matt – 6:00 pm
➤ PA Update
Join us for Pizza in the park
Galvin Park, Santa Rosa
TODAY!! Friday 8/23 from 5:30-7:30pm
This is a time for us to all gather and enjoy some food. Pizza, sparkling water will be provided. Please feel free to bring something to share or just bring yourself and family. We will be near the playground and picnic tables. Hope to see you there!
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First meeting of the year
Tuesday 9/3-right after morning circle. We meet in the office
All are welcome and encouraged to come. We will have coffee, treats and would love for you to join in the planning of upcoming festivals and events at VCS
If you are wanting to still join a PA committee or have any questions please email Laurenracusin@hotmail.com
Have you seen our community table outside the office?! Have an abundance of veggies, eggs, fruit or ? Bring some to share or take what you need. It’s free!
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VCS BAKE SALE!!
Wednesday 9/11 FROM 12:45-1:45 PM
In quad -Cash or scan to pay
Gluten free/Nut free/Vegan options
Items are $1 each
➤ Just some things to start thinking about…
A summary of Haidt’s thesis. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
Level 1: The Core Problem – A dramatic surge in anxiety, depression, and self-harm among adolescents, particularly girls, began in the early 2010s. This “Anxious Generation,” argues Haidt, is a product of a fundamental shift in childhood—a “Great Rewiring” from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood.
Level 2: The Great Rewiring – This shift involves two key trends:
1 Overprotection in the Real World: Safetyism—an overemphasis on protecting children from all risks—has deprived them of opportunities for unsupervised play and risk-taking, essential for developing resilience and coping skills.
2 Underprotection in the Virtual World: The arrival of smartphones and social media has ushered in a phone-based childhood, characterized by excessive screen time, asynchronous communication, and a constant stream of stimulation, which negatively impacts social development, sleep, attention, and can lead to addiction.
Level 3: The Four Foundational Harms – The phone-based childhood produces four major harms:
1 Social Deprivation: The time spent on screens significantly reduces in-person social interaction, weakening friendships and a sense of belonging.
2 Sleep Deprivation: The constant stimulation from devices disrupts sleep patterns, which are crucial for brain development, emotional regulation, and cognitive function.
3 Attention Fragmentation: The endless stream of notifications and the constant need to check social media impair an adolescent’s ability to focus, concentrate, and engage in critical thinking.
4 Addiction: The design of social media platforms and video games, through the use of “hooked” models and variable-ratio reinforcement schedules, can lead to addiction, creating a cycle of craving and withdrawal.
Level 4: The Vulnerable Years – The negative impact of the phone-based childhood is amplified during puberty, a crucial period of brain development and identity formation. Girls, who are more susceptible to social comparison and relational aggression, are particularly vulnerable to the harms of social media. Boys, on the other hand, are drawn to online gaming and pornography, which can lead to social withdrawal, a decline in real-world engagement, and a sense of meaninglessness.
Level 5: The Path Forward – Haidt outlines a multi-pronged approach to addressing the crisis:
Government and Tech Companies: Enact legislation requiring age verification on platforms, prioritize children’s well-being in tech design, and implement a duty of care for minors online. Revise neglect laws to allow for reasonable childhood independence.
Schools: Go phone-free, expand free play and recess, and foster a culture that prioritizes learning and social development over academic performance.
Parents: Delay giving children smartphones until high school, limit total screen time, model healthy technology use, and encourage in-person interaction and outdoor play. Increase their children’s independence with age-appropriate responsibilities.
Level 6: The Ripple Effect – Haidt emphasizes the need for collective action. He argues that the “phone-based” lifestyle is a collective action problem: individual choices can be detrimental for the whole group. He urges parents, educators, and communities to work together to reclaim a healthier, play-based childhood for all.
➤ Pre-order Yearbooks
Take advantage of our yearbook printing company’s early bird sale! Yearbooks are 10% off now through October 31st. The discount doesn’t cost our school a thing, so don’t wait! https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014724174042747
➤ Choir Update from Miss Barnum
Choir date change: NO choir on Thursday 8/29–Moved to Tuesday 8/27 same time 3:30-4:30 PM
It is not too late to join choir, if you meant to and forgot!