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.
Scrip: Due April 21st
This month, all Scrip orders need to be into the school office by Monday, April 21st. Please consider participating in this program, as it allows you to purchase individualized gift cards to the stores and restaurants you use the most, and these places return a percentage of the proceeds directly to Victory. Forms are still in the school office and posted in the parent documents on the website.
Special Olympics at Victory
Thank you to all the parents who attended the informational meeting before Spring Break. Spearheaded by Victory’s OT, Carrie Thomas, the school’s first partnership with Special Olympics promises to be amazing. Below, Carrie has prepared so FAQs and Answers:
1. Do we need to have a doctors signature on the medical form provided before the break?
Yes. Your physician needs to sign the bottom portion. They do not need to fill out the medical information but only need to sign it indicating your child is physically able to participate. Many physicians will sign this without having to make an appointment.
2. When are the practices?
We are doing all practices during our PE time so no time is required outside of the school day. We will be practicing a few times on the real track at Wilsonville High School to get used to running on a real track.
3. Is there a cost?
No cost! All expenses are covered for the athletes. There may even be a bus to take the students to the two meets if we need one.
4. What are the dates for the meets?
Regionals will be on Saturday June 7th, at Mt Hood Community College.
State Competition (for those who qualify) will be on July 12-13 in Newberg.
5. Are parents needed for volunteers?
I do not know the answer to this question yet. We will get as many staff to volunteer and then see if we need more adults. It is a 4:1 ratio (adult to student at the meets). If you would like to volunteer, please let me know and I will get the handout to you to fill out.
6. Do all students need to participate?
We encourage all students to participate. This is going to be so much fun and such a positive experience for the kids! We will all be practicing during PE. If you do not want to go to the meets that is all right too. We would please ask that the Special Olympics paperwork gets filled out and returned to me so each child is covered through Victory and the Special Olympics, just in case something occurred (like an injury) during practice.
7. Is there an age limit?
All students must be at least eight years of age to attend the meets, but ALL students will participate at Victory.
Capital Campaign Update(s)
Total Raised so Far: $2,838,000.00 (Amazing!)
Still Needed: $2,662,000.00 (Together, We Can Achieve This!)
As was revealed in a previous Newsflash, Victory will not be able to remain at its current location past August 2015. Building the new school is the one and only option, in my opinion, as we extensively researched other locations and possibilities prior to embarking on this process.
Many of you have stepped up to support the Capital Campaign, either through your own contributions, making valuable connections, initiating fundraisers, etc. For all these things, I am truly grateful.
Because of the sense of urgency in our timeline (we absolutely have to break ground by the fall of 2014), I am now asking all of us to get engaged. Please. What does this mean? Options include social networking (go to rally.org/victoryacademy) , contacting your own family and friends (every dollar counts), getting together a fundraiser, etc. I am happy to discuss, help, and facilitate. But I do know that ALL of us are going to need to get involved to reach our goal. The school’s future does depend upon it, including our ability to expand our programs to our older students.
Reminder: 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! Stay tuned for more details.
Colin Meloy (Hank's Dad) and his band, The Decemberists, will play the Crystal Ballroom on Thursday, May 29th and Friday, May 30th in benefit concerts 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 amazing events. ***Victory Families: There are still a few tickets left for Thursday’s show.
In Related News: 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.
