VAAS Family Update 5.21.23

Good afternoon, VAAS Families,

This is principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s updates.

First, this week all VAAS students will be presenting their grade level signature projects in their Advisory classes. To accommodate this event, our schedule will change slightly with period 1 being moved to the end of the day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. While this presentation is important for all grade levels as the presentation represents a significant portion of the final Advisory grade, it is especially significant for seniors. Seniors must complete both the project presentation and the panel defense this week to meet their service learning graduation requirement and to participate in the graduation ceremony. We hope you will help us remind your students how important these presentations are.

Also this week, textbook collection will continue. If your student has textbooks at home, make sure they bring them into school to return during their English class.

On Wednesday, May 24, VAAS will be hosting its annual Alumni Volleyball and Basketball games complete with Alumni Cheer and Dance team performances. Tickets are on sale now at the student store. Please remember that food trucks will be setting up in front of the school on Wed., beginning at 1:00 p.m., so there will be no end-of-school pick up available in the drive-thru on Balboa. If you normally pick your student up in front of the school, you will need to find a different location on Wed., May 24.

Just a quick reminder as well that Thursday, May 25, is a minimum day for all students in grades 9-11. Seniors will be remaining on campus on Thursday to complete their Signature Project Panel Defenses between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Seniors can check the Panel Defense Presentation schedule with their Advisory teacher.

9^th and 10^th grade students will be celebrating the end of Signature Project Week with our first annual 9^th and 10^th grade picnic on Friday, May 26, during period 1. VAAS will be hosting a Multi-Cultural pep-rally on Friday during lunch as well.

Our PTSA will be hosting its final meeting of the year on Wednesday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the library or on ZOOM. ZOOM details are available on our VAAS website.

And finally, for all senior families, our extra graduation ticket sale will take place on Wednesday, May 24, beginning at 6:30 a.m. at the outside Student Store window. Just to clarify, every graduating senior will receive four free graduation tickets automatically. Those wanting to purchase up to four additional graduation tickets may do so based on ticket availability. Only students or parent/guardians of students may participate in this additional ticket sale. Parents/guardians who line up without their students must have their student’s 2022-23 student ID in hand at the ticket window to be able to purchase tickets. Students must also have their student ID with them to purchase tickets. Unfortunately, the number of extra tickets this year is extremely limited, and there is no guarantee that everyone in line will be able to purchase extra tickets.

Thank you for understanding and for helping to maintain respectful interactions while in line on Wednesday morning.

Have a great week, everyone.

VAAS Update 5.14.23

Good afternoon, VAAS families,

This is VAAS Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s announcements.

This Wednesday, May 17, VAAS will be celebrating Senior Decision Day with a student parade of colleges across our campus. If you are a senior parent and would like to participate, please review the information posted by Ms. Barba in Schoology. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m.

Also, from May 15th to May 19th we are celebrating Yearbook Week! We will kick off 'Yearbook Week' with fun games in the quad during lunch. Throughout this week, yearbook will be available on sale at a discounted price of $85 when you use code “YEARBOOK” (All caps). This is the last chance to buy the yearbook as only a few are left. DO NOT WAIT! Go to yearbookforever.com to buy your yearbook now.

For all Seniors: Yearbook Distribution Day has been scheduled for June 5th. Those who have bought the yearbook will be invited to a special yearbook signing event on June 5th. Do not miss out! The last day to buy the Yearbook is May 20th. Buy your yearbook during yearbook week for the special discounted price of $85.

Textbook Collection begins on Thursday, May 18. Please remind your student that they must return all of their textbooks during their English class on their assigned days. Students can check with their teachers to find out when they are assigned.

Also, on Thursday, May 18, VAAS will be holding a Drop, Cover, and Hold drill for Emergency Preparedness. Thank you for taking this opportunity to review your family’s emergency plan as well.

Thursday, May 18, marks the date of the next senior meeting. All seniors who are eligible to participate in graduation should plan to attend this important 4^th period meeting.

Please be advised that all graduation forms requiring signatures – the ticket request form, the parent letter, and the Student Graduation Guidelines – must be completed and returned to the VAAS Counseling Office by Friday, May 19. Those who do not return their signed forms may be excluded from the graduation ceremony. You may download copies of the required forms from the school website under the “Students” tab.

Prom is scheduled for Friday, May 19, at the Hollywood Wax Museum. Because Friday is a minimum day, all students must be in attendance the entire day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to be eligible to attend prom as per district attendance guidelines. Anyone arriving to school after 8:30 a.m. or leaving before 1:00 p.m. will not be allowed to participate in this year's Prom.

In preparation for our Alumni Volleyball and Basketball games scheduled on Wed., May 24, I would like to provide everyone the head’s up that our drive-thru driveway will be closed to all passenger cars after school on May 24 in order to allow the food trucks coming for the event to set up. Please make plans now for another after-school pick-up location for Wed., May 24.

And finally, congratulations to all of our Spring Athletic teams for their outstanding performances this year.

Thank you for your support as we look to close out the 2022-23 school year.

VAAS Family Update 5.7.23

Good afternoon, VAAS Families,

This is principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s announcements.

First, Advanced Placement exams continue this week. If your student is scheduled to take an AP exam, please make sure they check the AP Exam Schedule on our School Calendar and pay attention to all AP Exam announcements posted on Schoology by Ms. Barba.

Senior Families should make sure to review all graduation information posted on the school’s website, thevalleyacademy.net. The signed tear-off forms for Student Graduation Guidelines, Ticket Requests, and Cap Decorating guidelines must be submitted to the College Office in Room 112 by Friday, May 19.

On Wednesday, May 10, VAAS will be hosting the Sober Graduation Crash Car exhibit to encourage discussion about safe behaviors on Prom Night, Friday, May 19. We hope all families support these discussions with your students to ensure everyone’s safety on Prom Night. Also, please remember that Friday, May 19, is a minimum day. As per LAUSD district requirements, those students planning to attend Prom or any other school event on a minimum day must be in class and on campus from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Anyone who arrives late to school or leaves early for any reason will not be allowed to attend Prom.

We also want to invite you to save the date of Wednesday, May 24, when VAAS will be hosting its annual Alumni Volleyball and Basketball games from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Alumni Cheer and Dance Team members will also be performing. Don’t miss out on the fun. Tickets go on sale soon, so buy yours early.

And finally, we want to wish the best of luck to our Boys’ Volleyball team who will be participating in round 2 of the play-offs on Monday night against Legacy High School in South Gate and to our Girls’ Softball team who will be taking on Canoga Park HS on Tuesday in their first round play-off game.

Have a great week and thank you for all you do to support VAAS.

 

VAAS Family Update 4.30.23

Good afternoon, VAAS Families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with just a few short announcements this week.

First, AP Exams begin this week. You may check the school calendar at thevalleyacademy.net for the specific days of each exam. You should also check Schoology messages posted by Ms. Barba. Remember, any student arriving late to an exam will not be allowed to enter the exam room and will not be allowed to take the exam.

Also this week, teachers will be submitting their 15-week grades on Wednesday. Any make-up work your students have must be submitted immediately in order for teachers to have enough time to grade the work before submitting 15-week grades.

And finally, senior families should make sure to review the graduation flyers that are attached to this week’s email update. The flyers contain all the information you will need for your student’s graduation. A list of important senior dates will also be posted on our website beginning tomorrow, Monday, May 1. If you have questions regarding any of the flyers, feel free to reach out by email to Ms. Evans or Ms. Gervacio.

Most importantly, please remind your senior that in order to participate in the graduation ceremony, they must remain in good standing. Those who make poor choices between now and the end of the year will not be allowed to participate in this year’s graduation ceremony.

We appreciate all you continue to do to support our school and look forward to completing this year with great success. Thank you.

VAAS Family Update 4/23/23

Good morning, VAAS Families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important updates.

First, tomorrow, Tuesday, April 25, is Digital Portfolio night from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Your student should have signed up for a presentation time with their Advisory teacher during which they will present their portfolio to you. If your student has not yet shared the scheduled time with you, make sure to ask them about it as this is a mandatory assignment for all VAAS students.

On Wednesday, April 26, we will be holding our first graduation meeting for all seniors during period 1. This is an extremely important meeting as we will be discussing graduation expectations, graduation tickets, the graduation ceremony and other important details. Handouts with the details will be provided to all students in attendance, so make sure to ask your seniors for this information when they get home on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, our PTSA will be holding a virtual meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. The link to the meeting will be available on our school website, thevalleyacademy.net.

If you have any students who will be entering 9^th grade at VAAS next year, our annual New Student Welcome Night is scheduled for Thursday, April 27, beginning at 6:00 p.m. During this meeting, students will be selecting their courses for the 2023-24 school year, meeting their counselors, and receiving other important information. All incoming 9^th grade students and their families should plan to attend. The flyer with more information about this event is attached.

Additionally, we will be holding two Emergency Drills this week. On Thursday, April 27, we will be holding our “Active Shooter on Campus” Drill, and on Friday, April 28, we will be holding an Emergency Earthquake drill. I hope you will spend a few minutes this week discussing with your student the importance of taking these drills seriously and the reasons why they should be wearing their VAAS ID’s and lanyards at all times while on campus. The VAAS ID’s and Lanyards are important for student safety and will help us quickly identify VAAS students during an actual emergency.

And finally, best of luck to our Baseball, Softball, Volleyball and Cheer team members as they compete this week.

Thank you.

VAAS Family Update 4.17.23

Good afternoon VAAS Families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important announcements.

First, welcome to Kindness Week at VAAS. In addition to many lunch events encouraging  kindness, we will also be celebrating with the following Spirit Week activities:

MONDAY is Wild for Kindness Day with everyone wearing their favorite prints.

TUESDAY is Crazy for Kindness Day with everyone creating their own Crazy Hair style.

WEDNESDAY we will all be wearing our favorite College Gear.

THURSDAY is Team Kindness day, so wear your favorite team’s spirit wear.

And on Friday, we will be sporting our own VAAS-wear.

Also this week, the VAAS Administrative team will be hosting another virtual Drop-In-With-the-Administrators session on Tuesday, April 18, at 9:30 a.m. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to share, please join us for this informal conversation.

Our Spring Production of Into the Woods begins this week, runnin Wednesday through Saturday. If you have not yet purchased your tickets, you may do so at the student store or at the door. The show starts each night at 6:00 p.m. with a Saturday matinee beginning at 1:30 p.m. We encourage everyone to come out and support the VAAS Theatre program.

We would like to remind everyone that Monday, April 24, LAUSD will be honoring Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day with a school holiday. There will be no school on Monday, April 24.

Also, please mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 25, which is our final Digital Portfolio Night of the year. This is a mandatory assignment for all students, and we look forward to seeing you on campus. Teachers will be scheduling time slots for all students this week, so make sure to check in with your student about their appointed Digital Portfolio time.

And finally, best of luck this week to our softball, baseball and volleyball teams.

Thank you for your continued support of our school and have a wonderful week.

 

VAAS Family Update 4.10.23

Good afternoon, VAAS Families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week's important updates.

First, school resumes tomorrow, Monday, April 10, at 8:30 a.m., and we will be following an A-Day schedule. All students should administer a COVID Test before returning to school. Those who test negative need to do nothing more. Those who test positive should follow all district quarantine guidelines, seek appropriate medical attention, and must upload their results in the LAUSD Daily Pass system.

For all seniors planning to attend this year's Prom, there will be an important meeting in the Theatre during period 1 on Monday. Important details about the event, including location, ticket sales, guest applications, etc. will be shared, so make sure your senior plans to attend.

On Wednesday, all 11th graders will be taking the SAT on campus during period 1 in an extended Advisory. For more information about SAT Day, you can email Ms. Blossom at [email protected]

Also this week, we will be holding our make-up Open House on Thursday, April 13, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. We invite all families to join us for this important event.

And finally, as always, we wish the very best of luck to our Athletic teams who are competing this week.

Thank you, and welcome back.

 

Good morning, VAAS Families,

This is VAAS Principal Kelly Hanock with important information regarding the SEIU strike at LAUSD schools today. Superintendent Carvalho announced yesterday afternoon that all LAUSD schools, including VAAS, will be closed today due to the current SEIU strike supported by the teachers' union, UTLA. 

Students should remain home today. Academic resources will be available on our website and on "Class of" pages beginning this morning at 8:30 a.m. Please understand that any of the district's posted work students complete during the strike will not be graded by teachers, and it will not be used to determine final grades in students' classes.

All activities (athletic games, practices, extracurricular activities, Theatre rehearsals, etc.) will be cancelled for the duration of the strike. The in-school SAT has been moved to Wednesday, April 12. If the strike extends through Thursday, March 23, Open House will be moved to Thursday, April 13. 

VAAS will be hosting office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. if your student has questions or needs logistical support. Office Hour facilitators will not be providing instructional support. The link for office hours is https://lausd.zoom.us/j/82149626471

For additional resources, including information on student supervision, student meals via limited Grab & Go sites, the Family and Student Resource Guide , tutoring programs, and a list of free museums, please visit achieve.lausd.net/schoolupdates

Please stay updated by visiting our school website at thevalleyacademy.net. If you have questions, you may contact our main office at 818-832-7751, or you can call the dedicated hotline at (213)443-1300.

Thank you,

Kelly Hanock

Dear VAAS families,

I want to remind everyone that the union representing District support staff such as custodians, aides, bus drivers and cafeteria workers – SEIU Local 99 – has announced a three-day strike beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, March 21 thru Thursday, March 23. The union representing our teachers and other instructional and mental health staff – United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) – has advised their members to support their SEIU colleagues, which means teachers may not be available to provide classroom instruction. 

If the strike moves forward as our labor partners have indicated, VAAS will most likely be closed to students from March 21 to March 23. Below is information and resources for families should the strike occur and our school is closed to students.

Student activities will be available on the Class of 2023, 2024, 2025, 2^nd 2026 Schoology pages located at lms.lausd.net. 

We will also be hosting virtual office hours every day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. During virtual office hours, families can receive help with accessing Schoology, completing work independently and technical support with their devices. The link for VAAS Virtual Office hours is

https://lausd.zoom.us/j/82149626471

For additional resources, including information on student supervision, student meals via limited Grab & Go sites, the Family and Student Resource Guide, tutoring programs and a list of free museums, please visit achieve.lausd.net/schoolupdates. 

Please stay updated by visiting our school website at thevalleyacademy.net daily. If you have any questions, please contact us at our main office, visit achieve.lausd.net/schoolupdates, or call the dedicated hotline at (213) 443-1300. 

Thank you for your continued support.

VAAS Family Update 3.20.23

This is VAAS Principal Kelly Hanock with important information for the coming week.

As you know, the union representing District support staff such as custodians, aides, bus drivers and cafeteria workers – SEIU Local 99 – has announced a three-day strike beginning Tuesday, March 21 to Thursday, March 23. The union representing our teachers and other instructional and mental health staff – United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) – has advised their members to support their SEIU colleagues, which means teachers may not be available to provide classroom instruction. 

If the strike moves forward as our labor partners have indicated, VAAS will most likely be closed to students from March 21 to March 23, and the following changes to our weekly schedule will take place:

1. All athletic competitions and practices as well as all Theatre practices, other extracurricular activities, and Tutoring sessions, will be cancelled from Tuesday through Thursday, March 21 – March 23.
2. Any field trips scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, will also be cancelled or postponed.
3. The Parent Athletic Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, will be cancelled.
4. The in-school SAT scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, will be moved to April 12, 2023.
5. VAAS Open House scheduled for Thursday, March 23, will be rescheduled for Thursday, April 13.

The following events currently scheduled for Monday, 3/20, and Friday, 3/24, will remain unchanged:

1. Baseball, Volleyball, and Softball games scheduled for Monday and Friday will be played.
2. SBAC Make-Up testing will occur on Monday.
3. The field trip to USC scheduled for Monday will take place.
4. The Ping-Pong tournament scheduled for Monday will take place.
5. Morning and afternoon tutoring will take place on Monday.
6. Friday will remain a minimum day.
7. The Spring Fling Dance scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. will take place as scheduled.

Should the strike move forward as planned, we will post student resources on the Classes of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 Schoology pages for your use. Additionally, we will post an Office Hour ZOOM link on the website in case you or your student need additional support.

For additional resources, including information on student supervision, student meals via limited Grab & Go sites, the Family and Student Resource Guide, tutoring programs and a list of free museums, please visit achieve.lausd.net/schoolupdates. 

If you have any questions, please visit achieve.lausd.net/schoolupdates, or call the dedicated hotline at (213) 443-1300. We will be sending an additional Blackboard Connect message with any updated information on Monday evening.

Thank you for your continued support.

VAAS Family Update 3.12.23

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s updates.

First, don’t forget to set your clocks ahead by one hour as Daylight Savings Time begins today.

Next, please remind your students that this week is Spirit Week with the following events taking place:

• Monday will be Crazy Sock Day.
• On Tuesday we will be celebrating March Madness by wearing our favorite College Basketball team gear.
• Wednesday will be End-of-the-Rainbow Color Wars (check the school’s website calendar for the colors assigned to each grade level).
• Thursday will be Pot of Gold day with everyone sporting black and gold.
• And, Friday, we will all be wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day.

Also, this week, SBAC testing continues for 11^th graders with Math testing scheduled for Wed., March 15, and Thursday, March 16. CAST Science testing will take place on Friday, March 17.

Again, these tests will determine whether students are required to take remedial classes at the university level when they graduate, so it matters that everyone do their very best.

On Friday, March 17, seniors will be voting on their Senior T-shirt design during Advisory. Make sure to vote and let your voice be heard.

And on Saturday, March 18, the district will be hosting a Family College Conference at Valley College. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

And finally, best of luck to all of our athletic teams this week!

 

VAAS Family Update 3.5.23

Good morning, VAAS Families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important information.

First, for all 11th grade families, SBAC Testing begins this week with ELA Testing taking place on Wednesday, March 8, and Friday, March 10. These tests are especially important because they can exempt students from having to take remedial courses at the university level after they graduate. By passing these exams, students will save both money and time when they enroll in college courses at any Cal State University school.

You should also know that the S.A.T will be given on the VAAS campus during the school day on March 22.  Important S.A.T. School Day details like how to check their PSAT scores and how to prepare for the test will be shared in all 11th grade Advisory classes. Students can OPT OUT of this in-school S.A.T test by having their parent/guardian complete the opt out form available on the Class of 2024 Schoology Page.  Feel free to print copies of the opt-out form, or you can also send a student to Ms. Blossom’s classroom to get a printed form.  Students have until the end of the week to return the form.  Completed forms can be emailed to Ms. Blossom, brought to room 316, or dropped off in the school’s main office.

Our School Site Council will be reviewing the 2022-23 budget tomorrow, Monday March 6. Everyone who would like to be a part of this important process is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. on ZOOM. The link and agenda are available on the VAAS website, thevalleyacademy.net.

Tutoring is available for all students, both in person on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays before and after school, and also on line at Tutor.com 24/7. All tutoring is free of charge and available to all students. For more information about our tutoring program, please reach out to Ms. Pevar at [email protected]

On Thursday, March 9, from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m., VAAS will be partnering with the Museum of Tolerance for a special Combat Hate program. This event will take place on our campus and includes dinner, activities, and a special speaker presentation. The entire event, including dinner, is free of charge and will focus on building capacity in the community to address incidents of hate. We hope you will consider joining us along with other members of our community for this unique and necessary conversation. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]

Daylight Savings Time begins next Sunday, March 12. Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead by 1 hour.

And finally, a special thank you to our VAAS Dance and Cheer teams, their parents, and Ms. Peyton for the incredible SFV Dance Invitational they hosted on Friday night. It was great to see so many dancers displaying their talent. Also, best of luck this week to Boys’ Baseball, Girls’ Softball, and Boys’ Volleyball as they compete this week. Thank you.

VAAS Family Update 2.26.23

Good morning, VAAS families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s updates!

First, congratulations to our VAAS Girls’ Basketball team, Academic Decathlon team, Robotics team, and Dance team for their outstanding performances this weekend. We have amazing students and coaches here at VAAS, and they should all be very proud this week!

Next, we will be hosting our Drop-in with the VAAS Administrators this week on Tuesday, February 28, at 9:30 a.m. The ZOOM link for this event is available on the school’s website, thevalleyacademy.net.

Our ESBM Council and PTSA will also be meeting on Tuesday. ESBM will be an in-person meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. on campus, and PTSA will begin at 6:30 p.m. with either ZOOM or in-person options. The PTSA flyer with more information is attached to this week’s email.

We would also like to remind everyone that in-person, before and after-school tutoring is available in our library on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. You can email Ms. Pevar for more information if you are interested. 24-hour a day online tutoring is also available for free at Tutor.com for all students.

We would also like to share an opportunity for VAAS students to participate in an Animation Festival hosted by the Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Details are attached to this week’s email.

And finally, we would like to wish the best of luck to our Girls’ Basketball team who will be competing in the state championship tournament this Tuesday as well as to our Boys’ Volleyball, Boys’ Baseball, and Girls’ Softball teams.

Enjoy the week, everyone, and stay safe in this wild weather.

VAAS Family Update 2.19.23

Good afternoon VAAS families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s announcements:

First, I would like to share with all senior families the support opportunities we have available for you and your students as they prepare for college entrance. On Saturday, February 21, at 5:30 p.m., Board Member Schmerelson and LAUSD have scheduled a free “Cash For College” webinar that is available to all seniors and their families. Another virtual “Cash for College” event is scheduled for February 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flyers for both are attached to this week’s update email. Also available are multiple FAFSA/CADAA virtual financial aid workshops. Information about these workshops is also attached to this week’s email.

The LAUSD Family Academy is also offering workshops for all families on “Health and Nutrition with Café LA” on Feb. 23, and “Understanding A-G Requirements at all Grade Levels” on Feb. 24. More details about these opportunities are also attached to this week’s email.

Most importantly, our VAAS Parent Center will be hosting a Fentanyl Townhall titled “Dead on Arrival” with presentation and Q & A session for all families. This event is scheduled for Friday, February 24, at 2:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending and would like more information, please contact our Parent Center Director Blanca Enriquez at 818-832-2445.

Also this week, for all Student-Athletes: Winter and Spring Sports Picture Day is scheduled for February 22nd beginning at 10:30 am. All student-athletes participating in Winter and Spring sports except the Boys Soccer team should be dressed in their team uniforms for Sports Picture Day. Student-Athletes who wish to purchase their photographs should fill out the Sports Order Forms available with their Advisory teachers or the main office and bring them on February 22nd.

Please remember as well that free tutoring is available in all subject areas both before and after school in the library on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. In person tutoring is provided by VAAS faculty. Additionally, Ms, Montsinger, our own VAAS Math Coach, will be available for additional math support during after-school sessions on Mondays, and Ms. Rennels, our own VAAS Spanish teacher, will be available for Spanish support during Wednesday morning sessions.

And finally, we would like to congratulate our Girls’ Basketball team for their win on Friday night. They will now be playing in the championship game on Thursday, Feb. 23. We hope everyone will come out to support the team.

Also competing this week will be our Boys’ Volleyball, Boys’ Baseball, Girls’ Softball, and Robotic teams. And, the Acadeca Awards banquet is scheduled for Saturday, February 25. Good luck everyone!

Thank you, as always, for your generous support of our students and our school. We appreciate you.

 

VAAS Family Update 2.12.22

Good afternoon, VAAS Families,
This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important updates.

First, for all Student-Athletes: Winter and Spring Sports Picture Day is scheduled for February 22nd beginning at 10:30 am. All student-athletes participating in Winter and Spring sports except the Boys Soccer team should be dressed in their team uniforms for Sports Picture Day. Student-Athletes who wish to purchase their photographs should fill out the Sports Order Forms available with their Advisory teachers or in the main office and bring them to Picture Day on February 22nd.

Next, fall in love with Yearbook! Yearbook is running a mega sale for Valentine’s day week. All yearbooks are $10 off with coupon code “LOVE” (all caps). Buy your yearbook for just $75 at yearbookforever.com from February 13th to February 17th. The yearbook price increases to $95 on March 1st.

We will be conducting an Earthquake Emergency Drill on Thursday, February 16, during period 1. We hope you will take time this week to discuss your household’s own emergency plans with your student so that everyone is prepared in the event of a real emergency. 

And finally, we would like to congratulate all of our Winter sports athletes. As you may have heard, our Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball and Soccer teams have been competing in the playoffs over the last week. You can come cheer on our Girls’ Basketball team who will be playing Alliance Marine, our Boys’ Soccer team who will be playing at Roybal, and our Boys’ Basketball team who will be playing Huntington Park this week. You can also follow all of our teams on their VAAS Instagram accounts.

Thank you and have a great week.

VAAS Family Update 2.5.23

Good morning, VAAS Families, this is Principal Kelly Hanock with some important information.

First, a reminder that Coffee with our Regional North Superintendent, Dr. Baca, is happening on Tuesday, February 7, from 9am - 11am.  Come meet your Region North and Community of School Administrators.  Live and virtual options are available.  Please check the district website for more details.

Also, our Kennedy/NAHS/VAAS Community of Schools (CoS) is now on Instagram @ knv.cos.  LAUSD, being the second largest district, with dozens of different departments, offers amazing programs and services for our students and families.  Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with all the information and opportunities.  By joining the knv.cos group on Instragram, you can receive timely, relevant, bite-sized information. With 20 schools in our CoS, we have much to share and celebrate.  Join the knv.cos Instagram group today and don't miss out.

Next, the Class of 2024 will participate in required California SBAC Testing for English, Math, and Science, during their period 1 Advisory class, March 8 through March 17.  Students will need to bring their charged Ipads and positive attitudes each day.  

11th graders will also be required to participate in the S.A.T. College Entrance Exam at VAAS on Wednesday, March 22 during periods 5, 6, and 7.  This exam is free of charge, and it will help students with college acceptance, to find scholarship opportunities, and to gauge college readiness.  

Parents or guardians can excuse their student from the S.A.T. Exam by completing the 'Opt Out Form' and returning it to Mrs. Blossom or their advisory teacher before MARCH 1.  Opt out forms, and other S.A.T. information, can be found on the Class of 2024 Schoology page, in room 316, or from 11th grade advisory teachers.  Students who opt out will attend all their regular B-day classes.  After March 1, students who have not opted out will be REQUIRED to participate.

If you have questions or concerns please email our testing coordinator Leeann Blossom, at [email protected]

We would also like to invite all VAAS families to complete the VAAS needs assessment for consideration during this year’s budget development process. This survey is used to identify the needs of VAAS students and their families. Title I funding requires we conduct a needs assessment with our students, staff, and parents to identify what we need to meet our goals.

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/GbbScQz7W57J4jym6

And finally, we would like to congratulate our Academic Decathlon team for their strong performance yesterday in the district’s Super Quiz competition. We would also like to thank all of our Winter Season athletes for how they represented VAAS this year.

Enjoy the week, everyone, and thank you for all you do.

 

VAAS Family Update 1.29.23

This is principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important announcements.

For Seniors:  A reminder that the Senior Quotes Collection deadline is tomorrow, January 30th. Seniors, please submit your senior quote using the google survey link or QR code provided by your advisory teacher. There are a lot of great, inspiring quotes out there. You may use a favorite book, movie, or song as the source.

Additionally, our VAAS yearbook is still on sale. You can use coupon code “CELEBRATION” (all caps) to buy your yearbook with a $5 discount. Yearbook prices increase in March, so do not wait; buy yours now at yearbookforever.com!

And for our Parents: on Tuesday, January 31, Dr. Castro will be presenting a Parent Workshop on Graduation Requirements and Attendance Expectations. We hope all senior families will attend so that you have accurate information about what is expected of your senior this year. The ZOOM link for this meeting is https://lausd.zoom.us/j/9420244758. For more information, please contact our Parent Center Representative, Blanca Hernandez at 818-832-2445. Ms. Hernandez can also help anyone who needs support accessing Schoology to check student progress and current grades.

And finally, as the Winter Athletic season winds down, we would like to wish the best of luck to our Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams and our Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams in their competitions this week.

 

VAAS Family Update 1.22.23

Good afternoon, VAAS Families,

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s updates.

First, we would like to invite everyone to attend our PTSA meeting this week on Tuesday, January 24, at 6:30 p.m. This will be a hybrid meeting where you can either attend in person in the Parent Center or online. The Zoom ID is 854 0431 4323.

We would also like to thank our dedicated PTSA members who supported this weekend’s Robotic competition with their snack sales and positive energy!

We have an ESBM Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, at 4:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this important meeting.

You are also invited to join our Drop-In with The VAAS Administrators meeting Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. The ZOOM link for this meeting is available on our website.

Next, we would like to remind everyone who uses the Pedestrian Bridge Drop-Off to avoid parking in the marked parking spaces dedicated to the neighboring shopping center. We understand that you are doing your best to avoid causing traffic, but our neighbors have asked that you avoid pulling into their spaces. Thanks.

Student Course Selection for the 2022-23 school will continue this week during Advisory period. We hope all students will think carefully about the courses they wish to take next year as our master schedule is determined by the choices they make.

Congratulations to our Robotics Team that placed third in this week’s competition and to our Dance Team for their outstanding performances over the weekend.

And finally, we would like to wish good luck to our Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer teams and Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams as they compete this week. We would also like to congratulate all of our senior athletes who will be participating in their Senior Nights this week as well.

Thank you, Everyone, and have a great week.

VAAS Family Update 1.17.23

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important announcements:

First, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day tomorrow, Monday, January 16, schools will be closed. School will resume on Tuesday, January 17, following a B-Day schedule.

Next, for all Seniors: Yearbook will be collecting Senior quotes within your Advisory class on January 20th. Yearbook staffers will visit senior advisories prior to collection on January 18th to share guidelines for Senior Quotes. Please make sure you have an appropriate Senior Quote to successfully participate in Senior Quotes collection on January 20th. 

Yearbook is also running a New Year’s Sale. Use coupon code “CELEBRATION” in all caps for a $5 discount on the yearbook. Yearbooks almost always sell out so be sure to buy yours today at yearbookforever.com or the student store!

Our annual course selection process for the 2023-24 school year begins this week. As you may remember, we revise our master schedule each year to accommodate student preferences. In order to open an elective class we must have at least 25 students showing an interest in that class, so it is very important that your student chooses next year’s course preferences carefully and takes the process seriously.

On Saturday, January 21, VAAS will be hosting a district-wide Robotics competition. If you or your student is interested in Robotics, feel free to stop by our VAAS gym to watch our incredible Robotics team.

VAAS Tutoring for the Spring Semester resumes on Wednesday, January 18. We will continue to offer both BEFORE and AFTER School tutoring on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Students do not need to re-enroll in the VAAS Tutoring program for the Spring semester. Fall enrollment will carry over. Please just email Ms. Pevar if you would like to change your enrollment dates, stop participating, or are new to the program.

A quick reminder to all parents, if you have not yet enrolled in the LAUSD Parent Portal to gain access to Schoology, you may reach out to our Parent Center Director, Ms. Blanca Enriquez, who can walk you through the process. Schoology access will allow you to view your student’s progress and grades in all classes in real time. Also, remember to check our school calendar on the school website weekly for updates and announcements regarding Parent Center presentations.

And finally, we would like to wish good luck to our Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams as well as our Boys’ and Girls’ soccer teams as they compete this week.

 

VAAS Family Update 1.8.23

Good afternoon and Happy New Year, VAAS Families.

This is Principal Kelly Hanock with this week’s important announcements.

First, all members of the VAAS community must administer a COVID Rapid Antigen Test prior to returning to school tomorrow, Monday, January 9^th. Please upload the results of your test in the Daily Pass system by taking a photo of the results along with your name and date the test was administered. Those testing positive should remain home and follow all district guidelines for quarantine as described on the LAUSD website. While masks are not required on campus at this time, they will be available at the school entrance gates and in the main office for those who would like one.

Next, students will receive their Spring Semester schedules during their first period Advisory class tomorrow. We will be following an A-Day schedule tomorrow.

On Monday, January 16, we will be observing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, so next weekend will be a three-day weekend.

And finally, we would like to wish good luck to our Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball teams as well as our Girls’ and Boys’ Soccer teams as they compete this week.

Thank you for your continued support of our school, and Happy New Year once again.