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
Special Olympics: From Carrie Thomas
Last Wednesday was such a wonderful day for the Victory athletes. We had great weather for our first workout at Wilsonville High School, practicing on their track and field. I am so impressed with all our athletes and cannot wait for the June 7th regional competition, scheduled to take place at Mt. Hood Community College.
Further information will be coming about exact event times for each child and transportation options. Special Olympics provides transportation from Victory to the event at Mt. Hood Community College. Athletes are not required to take the bus, but we encourage all Victory athletes to take advantage of this team-building opportunity. *Only athletes and staff chaperones will be able to take the bus. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Carrie (OT). I am so proud of our athletes! They are amazing!
V is for Victory!
THE WEEK has finally arrived, and many of us are lucky enough to be attending or helping at the Decemberists’ “V is for Victory” Benefit Concerts, scheduled for May 29th and May 30th. Special thanks to Colin Meloy (Hank’s Dad), Carson Ellis (Hank’s Mom), the Decemberists, and the entire team involved with pulling this together just for Victory!
I cannot wait to go and be a part of these amazing musical events. If you reserved tickets, you can pick them up at the Crystal Ballroom Box Office during business hours or the night of the concert. However, if you are not able to use your reserved tickets, please make sure that they are purchased and used, as both nights are sold out! Thank you!!!
2014-2015 Admissions and Classroom Updates
It has been a busy admissions season at Victory, with many applicant families and continued interest in the school. In fact, we continue to do about two tours per week. With the increased interest, however, comes no additional building space and we are trying to be very creative about our decisions for 2014-2015 in order to serve more children while maintaining a quality learning environment for all.
Here are some of the exciting details:
1. At the most, Victory will have 44 students in the various classrooms next year.
2. Victory Academy is pleased to announce the opening of the Victory Prep Program in September 2014. Victory Prep offers intensive ABA services to children with Autism, ages three to six, allowing the children the opportunity to grow and make notable, individualized progress in areas of communication, play, and social skills. In addition, Victory Prep prepares the children to transition into Victory Academy’s full-day academic and therapeutic classroom-based programs.
Each Victory Prep student will have an individualized ABA program to build and improve his/her language skills, social and emotional regulatory systems, academic skills, and other prerequisite skills necessary for more advanced learning. Individualized ABA programs will also be created to teach dressing, eating, toileting, and other related daily living skills. Sensory engagement with teachers and peers will be interspersed throughout the Victory Prep Day. Students will also have full access to Victory’s play areas, gardens, and sensory gym.
Victory Prep enrollment is open to three to six-year-old children with Autism; space is limited, however. The program day is from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday—Friday, and is supervised and primarily instructed by Victory Academy’s BCBA, Kristina Montgomery, in addition to her team of highly qualified ABA therapists.
Enrolled students are guaranteed first consideration into Victory Academy the following school year, if the Victory Prep student meets the school’s admissions and age requirements.
Victory Prep will be housed in the Sanctuary Building, in the two rooms now used for Lauren’s office and speech and language.
3. Victory will undergo some construction in the upstairs of the two-story building. The office will become a 6th classroom space, and the open space will become an enclosed office and Lauren’s office/student work space.
4. Classroom placements are typically finalized and communicated to parents by mid-July.
Reminder: June Break
Victory’s first break of the summer is June 16-20.
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.
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.
