Dear Families,
Welcome back to another school year! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable summer break and that your child is ready to take on new challenges and experiences. We’re so excited to begin the 2024-2025 school year with all of you and can’t wait to see your child(ren) next week!
Getting Your Child Ready for School
Starting a new school year is often filled with many emotions like excitement, nervousness, pride, relief, and curiosity. There are several ways you can help your child get ready for school, so they feel emotionally, mentally, socially, and physically prepared.
Talk About It: Have open discussions about the upcoming school year. Share what to expect, address any concerns, and discuss what they’re excited about or anxious about.
Establish Routines: Start adjusting bedtimes and morning routines at least a week before school starts. Consistent routines can help ease the transition and make the first day less stressful. Remember, proper sleep, healthy diet, limited screen time, and lots of exercise, all help your child to stay well and focused.
Organize Supplies: Involve your child in organizing their backpack and getting lunches together. This helps them feel prepared and gives them a sense of ownership.
Review Social Skills: If possible, arrange playdates with classmates or friends from previous years. Familiar faces can make the new environment feel more comfortable. Talk about social skills and how to handle new situations, like introducing themselves, asking for help, or dealing with conflicts.
Encourage Relaxation: Teach relaxation techniques or offer a comforting routine to help your child manage any anxiety they may have about starting school.
Positive Reinforcement: Praise your child for their efforts and adjustments. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and enthusiasm for school.
By preparing in these ways, you can help your child approach the new school year with confidence and excitement.
To help your child become familiar with Valley View School, please share this Welcome to Kindergarten social story with them a few days before school starts:
VALLEY VIEW SCHOOL SOCIAL STORY
Welcome Emails from Teachers
Early next week, you will be getting a welcome email from your child’s teacher introducing themselves and sharing some back-to-school information, including the first day of school meeting place. Please be on the lookout for this email. Only call the school for this information if you do not receive an email from your child’s teacher by Wednesday August 28th. Detailed back-to-school information can also be found on our school website.
Kindergarten students will have a staggered entry opportunity during the first day of school. Kindergarten students will not be taking the bus on this day. Kindergarten teachers will be communicating this information in the back-to-school welcome email.
Family involvement and positive home-school communication will have lasting positive impacts on your child’s success. Connecting with your child’s teacher on any matter of concern will always be your first step. The classroom teacher will have more knowledge and understanding about your child and will lead the work in supporting them.
Sometimes the school may need to contact you by phone. Please make sure your voice mailbox is cleared so you can receive any messages that may come from the school. Thank you!
Meet the Teacher and Fall BBQ on September 26th
We will be inviting you to meet your child’s teacher in person on September 26 to learn more about the academic, social, and well-being goals for this year. You will also have a chance to learn about your child’s classroom routines and expectations. During this time, the Valley View School Council and Rotary Club will be hosting a Fall BBQ! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the other members of the school community. Conference bookings will be available starting Thursday September 19th at 9 am. Please sign up for a conference using the Conference Booking system in your MyCBE account.
Traffic Safety and Punctuality
As you get ready to bring your child back to school, please remember the importance of being on time to school and being safe around Valley View School. We want all families to respect and follow the traffic safety laws.
Traffic Safety
- Follow the safety patrollers' signs and signals at the 41st street crosswalk on the east side of the school when they begin their duties this Fall.
- Use the “Kiss and Go” right after the crosswalk on 41st street to drive up, park, kiss your child, and drive away. This lane is not for parking. If you wish to wait in the school grounds with your child prior to school starting, you must park in the surrounding communities. We appreciate your cooperation!
- Do not use the staff parking lots for drop-off or pick-up at all. Please use the designated kiss and go or surrounding street parking.
- Do not park in any of the designated bus lanes assigned by the City of Calgary.
- Walk with your child on the sidewalks and not through the parking lots.
Soft-Entry is from 7:50 am – 8:00 am. When your child arrives during this block of time, they put their belongings away, say hello to their classmates, get settled, and begin a task which teachers have prepared for the morning. At 8:00 am, attendance is taken and your child transitions to a new task.
We expect students to be on time for school. At Valley View School, this means they are at their desks at 8:00 am ready to learn. If students come to school after 8:00 am, they must go to the office and sign in as they will be marked late.
When your child comes to school on time, they:
- have some time to familiarize themselves with the agenda for the day
- make connections with peers and classmates
- have a smoother transition
- boost their performance
- feel good about themselves
- build healthy lifelong habits
Bus Conduct
If your child takes the bus to school, please remind them that the Student Code of Conduct applies on the bus, as it does in school. Your child is expected to follow the safety rules on the bus and be respectful. Please review the Safety and Conduct expectations with your child before school starts.
MyCBE Accounts
Over the coming days you will be asked to complete important demographic forms, consent forms, book a time slot for the open house, and pay student fees. All of this is done in your MyCBE parent portal. Please ensure that your account is active and ready to go. If you need assistance, you can access support through the main page of the MyCBE login page.
School Fees
School fees for the 2024-25 school year are due when assigned. For school fee inquiries, please contact the school directly. For information about school fees, transportation fees, lunchroom supervision fees, and school fee waivers, please visit the CBE website. For your information, if your child is staying at school for lunch, there is a mandatory lunchroom fee that can be paid through your MyCBE account. These fees can be paid in installments and are due by the end of the school year.
Opt-In for School Messages
We don’t want you to miss out on any school messages so make sure you’re up to date with opting in. For more information, visit https://calgary.schoolmessenger.com/cbe_subscribe
Cello – VVS Assistance Dog
We’re delighted to share that Cello, who is a certified assistance dog, will be in our school on occasion to assist with emotional regulation, motivation, engagement and classroom community building. The Calgary Board of Education is committed to providing inclusive services and access for all students and employees. This Assistance Dog is registered and trained through a professional organization.
All students and staff will be instructed as to the proper protocols regarding working Assistance and Service Dogs, and students will be reminded to not touch or interact with Cello unless granted permission by Cello’s handler, Ms. Dharamsi, Principal of Valley View School.
The school will take all the necessary precautions and will consider the rights of other students and employees (e.g. severe allergies to dogs, phobia to dogs etc.). Please contact Ms. Dharamsi should this apply to your child, or if you have any further questions.
AR 1080 Service Dogs in Schools
Upcoming Dates:
Monday August 26 – Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)
Tuesday August 27- Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)
Wednesday August 28 – Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)
Thursday August 29 – First Day of School (soft-entry at 7:50 a.m.); staggered entry for Kindergarten
Friday August 30 – Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM (Grades 1-6 attend; Tues/Thurs Science Kindergarten attend; no school for Community Kindergarten)
Monday September 2 – Labour Day (school closed)
Tuesday September 3 – School resumes