August 16th, 2017

Dear Ventura Park Families,

Welcome to the 2017-18 school year! I am absolutely thrilled to be rejoining this amazing community as the new Ventura Park principal.  As some of you already know, this is not my first time being a part of Ventura Park! I spent my first three years in education as the VP general music teacher, and I loved being a part of such a diverse, embracing, just plain fun group of people.  Little did I know that fifteen years later, I would become principal of the school!

This summer has been busy indeed.  My husband and I have been enjoying time with our sons, ages 11 and 14. We were able to escape as a family for some vacation time, but we have also enjoyed our everyday time at home together–reading, watching movies, playing board games, and having fun with our dogs. In addition, I spent a lot of time reflecting on our Ventura Park community and planning for the return of teachers and students. I come to VP from Ron Russell Middle School where I worked for 12 years, most recently as the School Improvement Coordinator.  I have seen first hand how simple and clearly communicated academic goals and behavioral expectations can lead to noticeable student growth. I look forward to continuing this hard work at Ventura Park for you and your children. The David Douglas School District is committed to providing “meaningful, equitable opportunities for all to grow and thrive within supportive communities of learners.” At Ventura Park, my mission is to ensure that all students have these opportunities and that we provide  a safe, welcoming atmosphere in which they can be themselves and experience repeated success.

For more information, check out the VP website at http://vp.ddouglas.k12.or.us/. The home page is regularly updated, and all other pages will be updated within a few weeks.  You can also find event information in the VP school newsletter, The Voice of the Viking, sent home every two weeks with students. Please call the office if you have any school-related questions, or call your child’s teacher if you have classroom-related questions. Ventura Park has a supportive PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) with a current Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/venturaparkpto/.

Please find important dates and additional information on the reverse side of this letter.

I look forward to meeting you and to welcoming all students and their families very soon.  Let’s work together to make this year a great year – ensuring all students learn, grow and thrive at Ventura Park! Go Vikings!

Holly Schauer, Principal

More Ventura Park Elementary info:

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT will take place the evening of Wednesday, August 30th, 6:00-7:30PM. This is a good opportunity for students and their parents or guardians to get class assignments, meet teachers, and familiarize yourselves with the school before things begin.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL for all students in 1st-5th grades is Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Families of kindergarten students will receive specific information regarding their first day of school.  

ADJUSTED START TIMES – Ventura Park’s start time will be 9:10 a.m.  Students should be in their seats by 9:10 (10:10 Wednesdays) when class meetings will begin. Students will be counted tardy after 9:15, but please note that all students should be here and ready for instruction by 9:10.

BREAKFAST IN CAFETERIA – 8:45-9:05 AM M/T/Th/F   9:35-10:05AM Wednesday

VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS – Please complete a new Volunteer Application for the current school year.  These applications also allow access within the building after checking in with our office staff.  Only ONE Application per school year is required for all events.

SCHOOL LUNCHES – Please be prepared to provide a sack lunch or deposit money in the Meal Time Account system for your student.  Free and reduced lunch applications will be sent home in the first day packet.  A new application is required for each school year.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES – The DD School District will continue with the policy of all students paying a fee for school supplies.  This year, the fee amount is $20.00 per student.  This fee can be paid at the Back to School Night, or directly to the office, in the form of cash, check or money order.

PLT (PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TEAMS) Late Start Every Wednesday

Every Wednesday, the school day begins one hour later than the rest of the week, at 10:10am instead of 9:10am.  On Wednesdays, all buses pick up students one hour later than their regular time.

REDUCING INTERRUPTIONS FROM EARLY PICK-UPS

Students are dismissed at 3:30PM, everyday Monday-Friday.  If you pick up your child at school, please plan to wait until 3:30PM. Please do not come to the office before 3:30PM to pick up your child, except in cases of emergency or illness.  At Ventura Park, students are not released from school early unless it is an emergency.  Picking up students interrupts your child’s learning and is disruptive to the class.  Please wait out front until 3:30PM on regular school days.  This will help ensure your child maximizes his or her learning opportunity each day.

SUN PROGRAM–Ventura Park is a SUN Community School. “SUN” stands for Schools Uniting Neighborhoods. Please welcome our new SUN coordinator, Alex Freeman! Watch for opportunities to engage in school and home connections, after-school activities, community events, etc. Please know that after-school classes have limited enrollment, and every effort is made to enroll students in an equitable manner. Read the VOV and watch for registration forms coming home throughout the school year for opportunities to enroll your child in after-school programs.