Happy Summer to You!

I hope you are enjoying the time off school and are finding a nice cool place to finish the summer reading or another great book.

I realize school is still several weeks away but at this point you should have received a packet from the front office with some basic information, including the school calendar.  If you have had a chance to look at it, you will see that book buying/registration and new student orientation is on Thursday, September 2^nd.  Book buying and registration is from 12-2p.m. for all middle school students (MS) and orientation is just prior to this time (11:00 – 11:45 a.m.) for all 7^th grade, new 8^th grade students, and new middle school parents.

Also, the uniform exchange materials are in the lobby for the next two weeks.  If you want to look at the items (it has grown a lot since the last time it was placed in the lobby), please feel free to drop in to look.  However, I highly recommend calling the front office to be sure that the doors are unlocked PRIOR to coming to school.  The main number is 503.644.3745.

We look forward to seeing you on September 2^nd and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions prior to that time.

A few reminders and updates before registration on Thursday, September 2nd:

1. USED TEXTBOOK PURCHASES – Used textbooks for middle school students WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE until the scheduled time period (noon – 2:00 p.m.) even if you are registering other students at an earlier time slot. In the past, families who arrived to purchase used textbooks at the assigned middle school time found little to no used textbooks available because families with older siblings pre-purchased the books at an earlier registration session.   In an effort to help with this problem, used textbooks will not be available until noon (the assigned middle school time).  In addition, each middle school child may purchase only one set of used textbooks from the used book sale.

With that said, Mrs. Joyaux or Mrs. G will be available to give written permission for the book store to sell used textbooks ahead of time to families with significant hardships AND who are registering both high school and middle school students.   If this is the case for your family, please contact Mrs. Joyaux BEFORE September 1^st and let her know about your special circumstance so that we can assist your family. Thank you for your understanding and please contact me if you have any questions.

For families on tuition assistance, we may have a limited number of unclaimed used textbooks – if there were any from last year – that will be set aside and left in the main office on registration day.  You may review these books and then make a decision as to whether or not you wish to use them or if you wish to purchase a book instead.

• Girls Skirt/Skort Length -If your child is having a hard time finding a size that fits both the waist and the required length, please look at junior sizing.  Junior sizes have a waist size beginning with a size 0 (equivalent waist size to a youth 6) and depending on the brand (Dennis or Lands End) the junior sizes are at least two inches longer than the girl/youth sizes.  Short/skirt/skort length will be enforced beginning the first day of school.  Please plan accordingly to start the year with as smooth a transition as possible.
• Seventh Grade Students, New Eighth Grade Students, and New Middle School Parent Orientation – Thursday, September 2^nd from 11 – 11:45 a.m.  is the initial seventh grade (all seventh grade students) and new eighth grade orientation.  Students should wear free dress (please see the free dress guidelines) and remember this is picture day – students will be taking the yearbook and student ID photos.

New Parent Orientation (all seventh grade parents and new eighth grade parents) – is also Thursday, September 2^nd from 11 – 11:45 a.m.  There will be a brief orientation to help you navigate through the registration and book buying process, as well as providing you with information regarding the first week of school.  The goal of the parent orientation is to not only calm nerves (yours and your child’s) but also to assist with the transition into our middle school program.

Seventh grade students, new eighth grade students, and new middle school parents should meet in the lobby no sooner than 10:50 a.m.

• Beaverton Celebration Parade – We are looking for parents and students to help plan and decorate the middle school float as well as to walk with us on the day of the parade.  Parents can receive VCES service hour credit.  Middle school students can earn NJHS service hour credit  (eighth grade) or pre-bank credit for the religion class requirement (seventh and eighth grade) for helping and walking in the Beaverton parade.  The parade is on Saturday, September 18^th approx. 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  More details to follow in the coming weeks.

What to expect at registration (Thursday, September 2^nd 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. for MS students)

Registration includes:

Registration Packet

• For those students who did not attend orientation, the registration packet will include a class schedule and locker assignments.  Otherwise the students in the orientation sessions will have already received their schedules and lockers, as well as have had time to find their classrooms and practice their locker combinations.  Middle School classrooms and lockers will be open during the middle school registration time 12 p.m. -2 p.m. ONLY.  Feel free to bring items to decorate and organize your locker during this time.

Used Book Sale

• Used books will be on sale in the cafeteria (Please bring cash or check – credit cards are not accepted).

New Book Sale

• New books will be on sale in the gym (Please bring cash or check – credit cards are not accepted).

Photos for ALL students in the library

• Students may wear free dress
• All students must have a photo taken
• Each family may decide whether or not to purchase copies of the photos

Uniform Exchange

• Any donated uniforms will be available.  Please feel free to take as many items as your child can use.  There is no charge.

New Uniform Sweatshirt, Spirit Sweatshirts, Spirit T-Shirts

• The school issued sweatshirts and spirit dress shirts will be distributed during the middle school registration time 12 p.m.-2 p.m. ONLY.  All new students who returned the pre-order form – including all seventh grade and new eighth grade students – will receive a school issued sweatshirt and spirit shirt.  If a student did not return the pre-order form, then extra shirts will be distributed starting at 1:00 p.m. on a first come basis. This means that everyone will receive a shirt but those who did not return the pre-order form will have to choose the size from the  “extra” sweatshirts and tee shirts. Custom sizes will not be ordered for your child if you did not pre-order.
• A few extra sweatshirts were ordered, over and beyond the school issued shirts for the new students.  They will be sold on a first come basis starting Tuesday, September 7 after school.
• A reminder – all eighth grade students (new and returning) receive a graduation sweatshirt and t-shirt in May instead of the uniform and spirit shirt in September (unless you special ordered a uniform or spirit shirt).

New PE/Spirit Dress T-shirts

• As an OPTION, Valley Catholic spirit  t-shirts will be sold for approx. $12.00 each.  These shirts may be worn for PE and for spirit dress.

Announcements:

E-Mail Addresses

Please make sure that the VCMS/HS office has a current e-mail address for you.  VCMS’ communication is primarily electronic, including progress reports.  If you have not been receiving e-mails periodically throughout the summer, we need a current e-mail address.  Thank you.

Early Dismissal

Please remember that the Middle School dismisses at 2:21 the last Tuesday of each month – see the calendar for details.

Field Trip Drivers and Chaperones Needed

Seventh and eighth grade parent chaperones and drivers are needed for a field trip on Friday, September 10, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. to Skateworld in Hillsboro.  We will leave VC at 12:10 and return to VC by 2:50.  Permission slips will be distributed on registration day for all incoming middle school students (seventh and eighth grade).

CYO Volleyball

Any seventh or eighth grade girl interested in playing volleyball should contact Kelly Alfieri at Kalfieri@valleycatholic.org

CYO Football

Any seventh or eighth grade boy interested in playing football and WHO HAS NOT ALREADY REGISTERED should contact Kelly Alfieri at Kalfieri@valleycatholic.org

First Week of School:

Starting at 7:45 a.m., staff members will be in front of the middle school homerooms to help direct students and answer questions.  If you arrive before this time, please wait in the school cafeteria or lobby.

Tuesday, September 7th, 8:00 a.m. – 11:42 p.m.

This is the first official school day and all VCMS students begin their orientation program.  Students need to come to school in their uniforms and with all the supplies that will stay at school (as listed on the supply list). Eighth grade will most likely visit their math and foreign language classes.

No homework for 7^th grade
8^th grade may have math and foreign language homework

Wednesday, September 2nd
8:00 a.m. – 11:42 p.m. for 7^th grade
8:00 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. for 8^th grade

Eighth grade will begin all academic classes while seventh grade will begin their math class and continue their orientation program (not classes).  Students need to come to school in their uniforms, with their textbooks, and with all the supplies that will stay at school (as listed on the supply list). Eighth grade needs to bring a lunch and/or lunch money.

Math homework likely for 7^th
Homework likely for 8^th grade classes

Thursday, September 3rd
8:00 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. for 7^th grade and 8^th grade
Eighth grade will continue academic classes while seventh grade will continue their orientation program as well as begin their academic classes.  Students need to come to school in their uniforms, with their textbooks, and with all supplies needed to begin classes (as listed on the supply list). All students needs to bring a lunch and/or lunch money.

Friday, September 4^th
8:00 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
All VCMS students will attend classes during the time they are not at the field trip.  Field trip to Skateworld for final orientation ice breaker/mixer.  Students should wear spirit dress (and bring socks).
Field Trip 12:30 – 2:30 we will leave approx. 12:10 (meet in the modulars).  This means students will attend 0p. – 3p. classes.  They will miss 4p. – 7p. classes.  We should arrive back at school by 2:50 p.m. leaving us just enough time to finish the day in the homeroom classes (where the locker is located) with a final check-in before the weekend.

Drop – Off and Pick-Up Procedures

VCMS Homerooms/Lockers open at 7:45 a.m. and close at 3:20 p.m.

Students need to wait in the cafeteria, library, or lobby prior to 7:45 a.m. or after 3:20 p.m.

Any Other Questions?

Please DO NOT drop students off in front of the construction fence/area.  The best three locations for dropping off and picking up students are:

1. In front of the school AFTER driving through the turn-around near TV Highway.
2. In the back parking lot IN FRONT of the MS homerooms – near the gym
3. In the gravel parking lot by the athletic fields.  Students dropped off here should walk across the track – and not on the road – to reach the school.

Thank you!

Any other questions?  Please so not hesitate to give me a call or send me an e-mail: 503.520.4703 (direct line) or jgfroerer@valleycatholic.org.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Gfroerer (Mrs. G)
Dean of Valley Catholic Middle School
503.520.4703 (direct line)
503.644.3745 (main number)
jgfroerer@valleycatholic.org

Posted by Thomas Kohler in VCMS News & Events