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.
Service Projects: Urgent Help
Do you still have a few hours (or more) required service hours left to fulfill for the 2013-2014 school year? I can’t think of a better way than supporting Victory’s efforts to prepare the students for the Special Olympics. Carrie Thomas needs parent help with the following:
Spreading sand for jumping pit for long jump (Carrie has the sand)
Painting lines on basket ball court for 50 meter dash (Carrie has the specs and will provide the paint)
Painting shot put circle on basket ball court (Carrie has the specs and will get the paint)
Other Projects include:
Putting a pair of training wheels on a bike
Painting the school office
General cleaning of windows, cubbies, etc.
Power washing
Repair of stairs leading to the office and staining of deck
***Putting up a new play structure (TBD)
Please contact Thea (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you are interested in any of the above projects.
Sunscreen
Please have your child bring in his/her own sunscreen to school. As the sun starts to come out, and more time is spent outside, we would like to avoid any burned skin. Due to the level of sensitivities in the building, staff cannot apply sunscreen without parent permission.
Memorial Day is Monday, May 26th—NO SCHOOL
From Last Time
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.
Visitors in the Building
Over the course of the next three weeks, you might see some student visitors and their parents at Victory. This year, for the first time, we have invited all applicants to tour the building, engage 1:1 with a teacher, and spend some time in classrooms.
Teacher Appreciation Week at Victory: May 19-23
Every year, the Victory community acknowledges its on-going appreciation for our fabulous team of teachers, teaching assistants, and specialists. This year, based on some conflicting events, we will celebrate the week of May 19-23. Stay tuned for details from your room parents and coordinator Lisa Handley.
Scrip: Due Monday, May 5th
This month, all Scrip orders need to be into the school office by Monday, May 5th. 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.
Reminder: Special Olympics at Victory
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.
Reminder: 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.
