For those interested in scheduling a Parent-Teacher conference at the Early Learning School, please sign up on the schedule posted by the front desk calendar. Dates are from Nov. 15 through 19.

Ms. Stephanie from Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District enthralled the children on Wednesday, Nov. 3 as she taught them about beavers. She read a story, helped them make a beaver masks and dressed up one student and transformed her into a beaver from head to toe! This hands-on educational experience was enjoyed by all.

See a small gallery of photos from the visit here.

On Monday, Nov. 1, preschool children from the Early Learning School joined their fellow students in honor of All Saints Day at an all school Mass. They all listened intently to Fr. John Kerns talk about the meaning of All Saints Day.

On Thursday, Nov. 4, decked out in blue and white and complete with victory signs, 24 Early Learning School students joined the greater student body in a VALIANT show of support for Valley Catholic School! They got to scream with the big kids about how much spirit they have, as well as take part in the roller coaster wave. Go Valiants!

Each year, Valley Catholic Early Learning School goes through a review conducted by the Oregon Employment Department Child Care Division. The annual visit is an audit of the facility and the program. This year’s review was completed the last week of October and the Early Learning School earned a glowing report in all areas.

VCELS Principal Trish Roussel commented that the review is a great way for her and her staff to confirm that they are doing a terrific job. “The annual visit can be a little nerve wracking at times,” Roussel said. “But I have a high level of confidence that we are doing a great job and this recent visit confirmed that.”

The report from the review called the programs at VCELS “rich, well-balanced and age appropriate,” and described the teachers at VCELS as, “very engaged, attentive, well-prepared, and trained at a level well beyond the CCD’s training requirements.”

As the leader of the VCELS program, Roussel received high praise from the certifier, who wrote, “The director is well organized and on top of every detail in the operation.”

In addition, the VCELS kitchen drew positive attention for their, “menu choices, nutritional value, presentation and quality of food preparation.”

Congratulations to “Miss Trish” and the entire VCELS faculty and staff on their continued success. We are very proud of you!

The Early Learning School has posted their November lunch and snack menu. Download it here.

The desire for news about the construction of our new K-8 Education Center on the Valley Catholic campus seems to be eclipsed only by the anticipation of what changes this new building will bring to our students, families, and employees when it opens for the 2011-2012 school year.

Since I was hired as President of Valley Catholic School in July, I have devoted a great deal of time trying to figure out the best possible way to transition into this wonderful, state-of-the-art building. This is the first of many documents that are intended to inform the Valley Catholic School community of the decisions being made in regard to the transition. In our first installment, I will explain some of the major decisions that have been put in place and I will begin to answer the multitude of questions that surround these changes.
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[UPDATE]  Nov. 10 will be the last day of registration for participation in the Peru trip. Participants can give the registration form and the $195 check made out to ACIS to Senora Alarcon in room #104.

[UPDATE] The informational meeting about the trip to Peru planned for next year by Melissa Alarcon will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 28, in room #104 in the High School.

There will be a possible trip to Peru organized by Valley Catholic Spanish teacher Melissa Alarcon.  This is open to all VCS students and their families.  The 10-day trip is scheduled June 20-29, and is all inclusive (except for one meal per day) and includes a professional tour guide.

An outline of the trip can be found here.

Halloween is coming and VCELS will be celebrating on Friday, October 29. Children are welcome to wear costumes and they will be trick‐or‐treating around campus. Please, no scary costumes or weapons.

The VCELS School Directory has been posted in the Parents’ Guide.  Be sure to download it when you get a chance. (To ensure your privacy, the directory is password protected).