Dear Victory Families,

I hope this three-day weekend holiday weekend, and that one “extra” day, gives you the time to do something memorable with your children and family.  In the space of just three hours yesterday, I biked, scootered, played football, and took a short walk.  It was such fun, but I did learn how out of shape I am!  Phew.  

Across the next three weeks at Victory—and well into the summer—there are many exciting things happening.  Please read through the entire Newsflash for details.

 

Musical Informances

During the month of June, Emily Ross, Victory’s amazing music teacher, plans to offer individual classroom’s “best of” musical demonstrations.  All parents (and other family members) are invited to attend their child’s designated Informance time. 

 

In order to make the scheduling as seamless as possible, attendees will gather in the Sanctuary Building from 8:45-9:00 a.m. to hear Emily describe the musical program for the particular classroom.  Students will then arrive and perform their 2013-2014 “best of” from 9:00-9:20 a.m. Emily can then answer any questions that come up after the students return to class.

 

While the Informance isn’t a formal performance, it’s truly a celebration of the students’ efforts.  We hope you can attend and support your child’s musical journey and achievements!

 

Calendar of Informances

Monday, June 2: 8:45-9:20 Hawthorne 

Tuesday, June 3: 8:45-9:20 Fremont

Wednesday, June 4: 8:45-9:20 Sellwood

Monday, June 9: 8:45-9:20 Broadway 

Wednesday, June 11: 8:45-9:20 St Johns

Dear Victory Families:

Happy May!  As we fluctuate between May showers (rain and hail) and bursts of sunshine, I am truly energized by the students and their enthusiasm for learning and having fun!  As I walk through the different spaces at Victory, I see students playing games with each other, discussing math problems, working hard in the gardens. . .among many other things!  Victory’s kids are blossoming.  

 

Paddle 8 Auction

A huge thanks to Carson Ellis, Hank’s Mom, for orchestrating and donating her own pieces to the Paddle 8 Benefit Auction for Victory Academy’s Capital Campaign.  At the close of the auction on April 29th, Carson and her fellow artists raised over $15,000 for the new building.  Thank you, Carson!!!

 

Also, thank you to parents Pamela Ooten and Darlene Good, who have given their time to ship all the pieces to the winner bidders.

Dear Victory Families:

I hope you enjoyed the three-day weekend with your children, though the weather was barely tolerable.  However, the forecast looks promising this week, and I can’t wait to see the kids outside in the sun.  Finally.

 

AMAZING EVENT

As I posted earlier, JB and Lisa Handley (Jamie’s parents) planned and executed a Capital Campaign Luncheon, this past Friday, April 25th, at the Multnomah Athletic Club. The luncheon focused on cultivating new individual donors and local foundations, thus diversifying the school’s potential contributors to the Capital Campaign.

 

The event proved to be extremely successful, with an end result of almost $400,000.00!!! raised for the new school building.  

 

I want to thank JB and Lisa personally for bringing this event to life and for reaching out to the greater Portland community.  Victory Academy made many new friends on Friday, and we are hope to continue these relationships into the future.  THANK YOU!!!  

 

Also, thank you to the Victory Academy Choir who performed three beautiful songs, the Victory staff for helping at the event, and to the choir parents who supported these efforts.  

Dear Victory Families,

Welcome Back to School!

I hope your Spring Break was filled with enjoyable events and dry days.  For those of us who stayed in Oregon, the first weekend was beautiful—and then not so much!  The highlights of our family week included a trip to the Olympic Game Park in Washington, where we actually fed zebras and buffalo by hand, and a family trip to see the new Muppet Movie.  I am always happy when we can find things that all three of the boys can still do together.  

This week, there are a few NEW items of interest and some IMPORTANT reminders.

 

Re-Enrollment Contracts

It’s that time of year again at Victory Academy!  Today, we sent out re-enrollment contracts in the mail.  These include an explanatory letter, the actual contract, a checklist, and a “decision to decline” if your child will not be attending for the 2014-2015 school year. 

While there are still five months remaining in the current school year, April marks the long process of reviewing new applications, meeting applicant students and their families, and finalizing decisions.  We expect an increased number of applications this year, and these families are all very anxious to attend Victory.  With that in mind, we ask that you return your contract or decision to decline NO LATER than Tuesday, April 15th.  Thank you.

If, during this process, you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 

Dear Victory Families,

I hope you enjoyed the amazing sun on Friday and are staying dry today.  Such is springtime in Oregon!  Yesterday, all of Victory's teachers spent the day at school, collaborating and finalizing student report cards.  I am proud to work with such a dedicated, highly qualified group of people, who are fully engaged with our kids and invested in their progress.  Please read though the entire Newsflash to stay informed. 

Friendly Reminders and New Items of Interest

No School: Friday, March 14th, for Conferences

Friday, March 14th is Spring Conference Day at Victory and a no-school day. However, some of Victory’s teaching assistants will be on-site to engage your child in games and play during scheduled conference times. Please let your teacher know if you are planning to bring your child with you; this allows us to staff accordingly.  Classroom teachers have sent out conference sign-ups via email; please sign up if you have not already done so.

Report Cards

In order to make the best use of your conference on Friday, March 14th, you will receive your child's report card both via email on Tuesday, March 11th.  Please make sure to read the entire report and bring your questions and thoughts to your designated conference time.  As shared in a prior communication, Victory has adopted a new report format, which is consistent throughout all classrooms.  Your child's goals and progress are noted in three specific areas:  Academics, Electives, and Victory Core. 

Spring Break

Victory will be closed on Monday, March 24--Friday, March 28.  We will return on Monday, March 31st.

Script

Script orders are due this Monday, March 10th.  Script allows Victory to raise additional dollars each month, and it's a win-win for the school and the "purchaser."  Please consider filling out a Script form and attaching your check (forms are located in the school office).  Thank you!

Special Olympics Informational Meeting

This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12th, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary Building. Please join Victory’s OT, Carrie Thomas, and representatives from Oregon’s Special Olympics to learn how your student can become involved. The Spring sport will be Track and Field.

 Fundraiser/Capital Campaign Updates (Many Thanks to JB and Lisa Handley, Carson Ellis, and Colin Meloy--and The Decemberists)

Victory’s Annual Fundraiser Rescheduled
Since its opening in 2009, Victory Academy has always put on its annual Fundraiser and Auction in the spring of each school year. This year, the date was calendared for May 17, 2014. However, Victory’s Fundraiser has been rescheduled for October 11, 2014. After great deliberation, the Board decided that hosting this year’s Fundraiser in May “distracts from” and “conflicts with” the school’s immediate fundraising effort: the Capital Campaign.

The Campaign has taken on a new sense of urgency. After August 2015, NewLife Church has told Victory that there will “be no lease renewal”. What does this mean? Victory will NEED its new home ready-to-go in September 2015. Please help support the Campaign’s efforts; there are so many ways to get involved. 

In fact, there are THREE, parent-driven Capital Campaign Fundraisers taking place in the next few months:

JB and Lisa Handley (Jamie’s parents) have spearheaded a Capital Campaign Luncheon, scheduled for April 25th. The luncheon is focused on cultivating new individual donors and local foundations, thus diversifying the school’s potential contributors to the Capital Campaign. A HUGE thanks to Lisa and JB for introducing Victory to a broader community!

Carson Ellis (Hank’s Mom) has been working with Paddle 8, an on-line art auction company, to launch a Benefit Auction—just for Victory—in April 2014. The auction will include Carson’s amazing illustrations (carsonellis.com), in addition to other pieces recognized children's illustrators, including commissioned work (for example, an illustrator drawing a portrait of your family).  I am truly grateful to Carson for making this event happen!

Colin Meloy (Hank's Dad) announced this past Wednesday that his band, The Decemberists, will play the Crystal Ballroom on Friday, May 30th in a benefit concert for Victory's Capital Campaign.  "V is for Victory" promises to raise awareness about Victory and the funding needed to build the new school.  Many thanks to Colin for putting together such an amazing event--one that SOLD OUT in 15 minutes!!!

 Items of Interest (Old)

New Report Cards Coming in March

Since the start of the 2013-2014 school year, Victory has responded to staff and parent feedback about the necessity of revising our reporting system.  A Committee was formed (comprised of Tricia Hasbrook, Ashley Hatchett, Tin Callister, Molly Smith, and Brittany Vos; in addition, four parents offered dedicated feedback as reports went through many re-writes and versions).  There were three primary goals:  1) to capture a student's customized education plan through detailed, individualized goals 2) to provide parents with objective progress notes and a streamlined coding system 3) to encompass within the report the true nature of Victory's approach to learning:  combining academics and therapies, with an emphasis on building language, independence and social cognition skills.

The Committee is proud of the final result, which is a report card that can be used across all of our classrooms, K-8.  The report contains three major areas:  Academics, Electives, and Victory Core.  In addition, every child will have a Teacher's End Note and two Specialist End Notes.  

Parents will see the new report cards for the first time in March, prior to conferences on March 14th.  Teachers are working diligently to transfer the November goals into the new reporting system and to write additional goals, as needed.  Specialists reports are now integrated into the document, enabling parents to reference goals across curricular and therapeutic areas.  

If you have any questions, please ask Tricia.

 Reminder:  Medications and Supplements

As a friendly reminder, Victory staff cannot administer any kind of over-the-counter medication, doctor's prescription, or supplements without a Permission to Administer Medication (etc) Form.  While your child's teachers are happy to fulfill your requests, a text, email, or phone call do not suffice as "permission" or offer enough details. For your child's health and safety, please take the time to fill out the required form.  *Uploaded into Parent Documents

New Policy and Procedures:  Elopement and Wandering

Victory holds itself to the highest standards when working with your children, and their safety is a top priority.  Due to the complex nature of Autism, some students demonstrate different degrees of wandering and/or elopement.  To ensure that the entire staff is trained and reacts consistently in such an event, Victory has adopted a formal policy and related procedures related to these behaviors.

Your child's teacher sent home these documents in last week's Friday Folder.  Please return the questionnaire no later than Wednesday, February 19th.  We will use this information to create individualized plans as needed and offer families additional supports.

 

Dear Victory Families,

I hope you have enjoyed the three-day weekend with your children.  With the snow days this month, I know it feels like we've been out of school quite a bit!  I am hopeful that the upcoming weeks are filled with only sunshine and just a few rain showers.

This past Thursday, the 13th, all of the classes enjoyed Valentine's parties.  There were many beautiful cards created and lots of friendly compliements exchanged.  Thank you to our teachers and room parents who helped make the parties fun and engaging for all!  It was wonderful to see so many heartfelt expressions of love and gratitude throughout the building.

Friendly Reminders and Items of Interest (New)

New Report Cards Coming in March

Since the start of the 2013-2014 school year, Victory has responded to staff and parent feedback about the necessity of revising our reporting system.  A Committee was formed (comprised of Tricia Hasbrook, Ashley Hatchett, Tin Callister, Molly Smith, and Brittany Vos; in addition, four parents offered dedicated feedback as reports went through many re-writes and versions).  There were three primary goals:  1) to capture a student's customized education plan through detailed, individualized goals 2) to provide parents with objective progress notes and a streamlined coding system 3) to encompass within the report the true nature of Victory's approach to learning:  combining academics and therapies, with an emphasis on building language, independence and social cognition skills.

The Committee is proud of the final result, which is a report card that can be used across all of our classrooms, K-8.  The report contains three major areas:  Academics, Electives, and Victory Core.  In addition, every child will have a Teacher's End Note and two Specialist End Notes.  

Parents will see the new report cards for the first time in March, prior to conferences on March 14th.  Teachers are working diligently to transfer the November goals into the new reporting system and to write additional goals, as needed.  Specialists reports are now integrated into the document, enabling parents to reference goals across curricular and therapeutic areas.  

If you have any questions, please ask Tricia.

Dear Victory Families,

As we slowly transition into February and the Spring months, it is my goal to be communicate consistently with you (a Newsflash every Monday) so that everyone has the same information--and at the same time!  This week, I am three days behind my goal.  I promise an update will arrive on Monday, the 27th, however.  Below, you will find many new items of interest.

Friendly Reminders and Items of Interest (New)

A New Face Around Victory:  Kelly Stafford

Kelly joins us as an intern from Ball State University, where is working on her Master’s in ABA, with an emphasis in Autism. Kelly is placed in the Fremont classroom on Mondays from 8-12; on Fridays, she spends her day partially in Sellwood and then rotates through classrooms the rest of the time.  Please welcome Kelly, when you have the opportunity.

Reminder:  Scrip Deadline

The next Scrip orders are due Monday, January 27th.   Orders can be dropped off into the secure box, located in the school office.  ***Please note that there is a new form on the parent portion of the website.

Reminder:  Parent Discussion Group

On Wednesday, January 29th, from 2:30-3:30, Lauren Corder and Diane Solomon will lead parents in a conversation about “thoughts”.  Specifically, this discussion will be a safe place for parents to share about any thoughts they have about their child’s Autism (or Autism in general)--both good and bad.  

Please email Tricia by Friday, January 24th, if you plan to attend.  Students whose parents are in attendance will stay in their assigned classrooms until 3:30.  Other students should be picked up at the 2:30 dismissal time.

Dear Victory Families,

It was wonderful to see all the students and staff back in action this week.  While I do think some of us were a bit tired by Friday, everyone seemed to return feeling rested and happy.  A few highlights of my week included: 1) Watching Travis play football at recess with a group of Broadway and Hawthorne boys and girls, all who were engaged and playing together 2) Listening to the Broadway students sing while Chase played guitar for them in class 3) Observing a math group in Hawthorne 4) Learning about Fremont’s amazing art projects throughout the week 5) Hearing about Sellwood’s on-going successful CBI outings, including increasing communication with community members, and 6) Brittany Vos’s email to her parents describing the reciprocal play between herself and students.  Go Victory!

Dear Victory Families,

I am hopeful that you all enjoyed a restful and happy Winter Break.  I was lucky enough to spend most of my time in sunny Hawaii with Bill, AJ, Nathan, Henry, my parents, sister, and two teenage nieces.  While the weather certainly made me feel rejuvenated and relaxed, this trip also will last forever in my memory for another reason:  It was AJ’s best vacation ever!  I know that all of you understand how travel can oftentimes be challenging, and it certainly has been in the past for our family.  I am truly grateful for all the hard work of Victory’s staff to increase AJ’s self-awareness, communication, independence, and motor endurance.

With that said, I am excited to see what the New Year holds for all of Victory’s students.  Please feel free to schedule an in-person meeting or phone conversation with your child’s teacher to talk about your child’s vacation or any thoughts you might have as we move forward with the school year.

Dear Victory Families,

I hope you are enjoying the sunny (but super cold) weekend.  I realized when Haley's dog water was iced over, that it was officially FREEZING OUTSIDE.  

There is a great deal happening at Victory over the next two weeks before we go out on the winter break.  Please read carefully through the items below, and please let me know (via email, person, or phone) if you have any questions.