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!
Friendly Reminders and Items of Interest (New)
1. Capital Campaign Parent Meeting: Notes
First, a BIG thank you to those in our community who attended the meeting and generated discussion notes below. I realize that many of you are engaged with work and other commitments in the morning, but I respectfully ask that you read through these notes and join us to make the Capital Campaign successful. It will take all of us to hit the goal of 5.5 million in order to build the K-12 Victory Academy for the 2014-2015 school year.
In summary, JB and I shared exactly where the CC stands to date. Specifically, we are at $2,781,625.00. This total includes the 2 million line of credit/loan from Capital Pacific Bank, dollars that are available for us to use if necessary. The $781,625,00 are funds raised only from Victory's families, close friends, and some local businesses thus far. BRAVO!!! And we've only just begun. . . Within the next two months, Victory will apply to over 100 foundations for CC monies. We have already submitted to several, and if successful, these foundation dollars will greatly impact our bottom line. The other dollar sources include some high net worth individuals, corporations, targeted fundraisers, and our own networks.
With respect to our personal connections and networks, I agree that it's hard to ask for money. I certainly find it one of the most challenging new aspects of my job. BUT I know that I'm not asking for money to fund my personal life; it's for Victory and our kids--and future children and families. That makes THE ASK a little easier. On the website, under parent documents, you will find a pdf document that JB prepared to help all of us with reaching out to others. Please let us know if you have any questions about this. For example, I know that Laura (Tanner's Mom) spoke with her neighbor this weekend, who is willing to advocate for Victory at his place of work. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS!
Timeline: We need to have enough dollars in hand before breaking ground. Our hope is to start this process in June 2014. Once the bulldozers arrive, it's harder to convince donors to give us money for the project, as they think the dollars are already secure. So, we are balancing the fundraising with a tight construction timeline. We are working on negotiating staying at our campus through August 2015, but NewLife has made clear that there is no more room for growth or negotiations of space at this site.
The Match: We are so GRATEFUL to our donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) for the $200,000 MATCH CHALLENGE. What this entails is that we have until the end of December 2014 to raise $200K amongst our own networks. I know we can do this!
Other notes:
1. Please contact JB if you know someone who is able to give an "in kind" gift such as playground equipment, furniture, cement, lighting, etc.
2. All CC materials are now housed in the office under the large white board. Please come in and pick up packets, brochures, pledge forms, etc.
3. If you own your own business, please consider helping us with your own network of contacts. Local businesses care about projects like this!
4. All donors receive a personal thank you and tax donation form from Tricia within one week of the contribution.
It is a privilege to work for you and your children. While this is a stressful time, it is an exciting one too.
2. Parent 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 Wednesday, January 22nd, if you plan to attend.
3. Work Party: Friday, February 7th (6:30-9 p.m.)
Please consider helping “spruce up” Victory for our Sunday, February 9th Open House and Tour and Accreditation Visit on Tuesday, February 11th. Every year, a group of parents fulfills some of their service hours, while helping with those tasks that never seem to get done: cleaning, small maintenance and painting jobs, and clerical work. It’s always been a fun time with lots of conversation between workers. Pizza included!
Please let Volunteer Coordinator, Cheryl DuPreez, know if you are available.
4. No School: Monday, January 20th (Martin Luther King Day)
Reminders (Old Items)
1. Scrip
The next Scrip orders are due Monday, January 27th--not the 13th as previously mentioned. Orders can be dropped off, though, into the secure box, located in the school office. ***Please note that there is a new form on the parent portion of the website.
2. Attendance
Please make sure to call the school’s main line at 503.427.2063 if your child will be later than 9:00 a.m. or is absent due to illness or personal reasons. In order to ensure safety, Victory staff will call parents when a child is not in class past 9:00 a.m. Thank you for your help with this.
3. Special Olympics
It is with great excitement that we announce that Victory Academy is beginning a new partnership with Special Olympics Oregon that we think is going to be great for our students. Special Olympics Oregon provides year-round sports training and athletic competition opportunities for individuals with a wide range of challenges or disabilities. The Clackamas County local program will work directly with Victory Academy to provide those sports training opportunities as a part of our school day. Special Olympics Oregon offers 14 sports over the course of 3 sport seasons. We have decided to focus on one sport each season for our students to participate in as Special Olympics Oregon athletes.
Starting in April 2014, we are going to begin with athletics (track and field) as a part of our regularly scheduled P.E. classes during the school day. During these sessions, we will be working with our students by using Special Olympics Oregon rules to prepare our students to go to regional (and possibly State) competitions.
Because of this new partnership, the students participating will fall under both the Victory Academy umbrella and also the Special Olympics Oregon umbrella. Special Olympics Oregon –Clackamas County is providing us with the training, equipment and important information we need to be successful.
After the first of the new year, we will be hosting a parent information night where we will provide additional details about the roll-out of this partnership. Representatives from Special Olympics Oregon will be present to answer any additional questions you may have. Important paperwork will also be distributed at this meeting. Please keep an eye out for an announcement after the first of the year.
*Thanks to Victory's OT, Carrie Thomas, for coordinating this opportunity for Victory's kids!
Please stay tuned for a new date within the next few days.
