FALL 2023 Updates

VAAS Family Update 12.11.23

This week is the final week of the fall semester and it will begin with an A Day

Tuesday will be our weekly PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

College Palooza

For all Senior Families, College Palooza is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11. If you would like to watch your senior celebrate the end of the college application process by walking down the red carpet, please come to the front of the school on Tuesday morning between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Senior Spirit Week and Senior Breakfast

In addition to College Palooza, the senior class will be holding their annual spirit week and it will culminate with their Senior Breakfast event on Friday, December 15th. Students can visit the Class of 2024 Schoology page for more information about what to wear for each spirit day.

Minimum Day

Friday, December 15th will be a Minimum Day with dismissal at 1 p.m.

ECR Devices

If you are interested in requesting a Chromebook for your student, please go to device.LAUSD.net and submit a request. Once your request is received our tech team will work to get the Chromebook issued to your student here at VAAS. While it may not seem necessary to you or your student to have two school-issued devices, Chromebooks will now be used take Advanced Placement exams and possibly other district or state mandated tests in the future, and they can serve as a good back-up device if your student's iPad malfunctions.

FREE Home-Based Virtual Tutoring / Tutoría virtual GRATUITA en el hogar

Your student may be eligible to receive FREE high dosage tutoring in Mathematics and/or English Language Arts at home! Parents of eligible students, based on performance data, may select a vendor-based on grade level and subject. Requests for tutoring may be made for ELA or Math or both subject areas. Visit the LAUSD Parent Portal and select "Register for enrichment and summer programs." Please see the attached PDF for details and directions.

¡Su estudiante puede ser elegible para recibir tutoría GRATUITA de alta dosis en Matemáticas y/o Artes del Lenguaje Inglés en casa! Los padres de estudiantes elegibles, según los datos de desempeño, pueden seleccionar un proveedor según el nivel de grado y la materia. Se pueden realizar solicitudes de tutoría para ELA, Matemáticas o ambas materias. Visite el Portal para padres de LAUSD y seleccione "Registrarse para programas de enriquecimiento y de verano".

Consulte el PDF adjunto para obtener detalles e instrucciones.

VAAS Parent Center

Please check out the Parents tab on the VAAS website for this week’s Parent Center events.

Looking Ahead

School will be closed December 18th - January 5th for Winter Break

Happy Holidays and enjoy your break…Thank you!

VAAS Family Update 12.4.23

This week will begin with a B Day. Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

Digital Portfolio Night

We hope all VAAS families will attend our in-person Digital Portfolio Night this Tuesday, Dec. 5th. The school expectation is that all students present their Digital Portfolio in this Presentation of Learning. Students can sign up for their presentation time slot from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. through their Advisory class.

Freshman IGP Night

Thursday, December 7th. 5:30 p.m. via zoom. See website for details

Minimum Day

1 p.m. Dismissal - Friday, December 8th

HOCO Events

VAAS will be hosting its first ever homecoming events this week.

HOCO Pep Rally - Thursday December 7th @ Lunch
HOCO Boys Basketball Game vs Maywood
1. Thursday December 7th @ 4pm
2. Free Admission
3. FryDay Eats Food Truck, DJ & Half-Time Show
HOCO Winter Formal Dance
1. Friday December 8th @ VAAS Gym
2. 6:00-9:30pm
3. $40
4. Complimentary Photo Booth
5. Formal Portraits available for purchase from White's Studios

VAAS Parent Center

Please see the Parents tab on the homepage for this week's Parent Center events.

Winter Academy

We are excited to announce our Winter Academy, taking place December 18-20, 2023. All students who participate in our Winter Academy will be given personalized academic support to boost their academic success. Enrichment and academic opportunities include: small group instruction in ELA and math, Visual and Performing Arts, STEAM, and Social Emotional Learning. Secondary students will also be provided with opportunities for support to complete Academic Course Extension contracts.

Nos complace anunciar nuestra Academia de Invierno, que se llevará a cabo del 18 al 20 de diciembre de 2023. Todos los estudiantes que participen en nuestra Academia de Invierno recibirán apoyo académico personalizado para impulsar su éxito académico. Las oportunidades académicas y de enriquecimiento incluyen: instrucción en grupos pequeños en ELA y matemáticas, artes visuales y escénicas, STEAM y aprendizaje socioemocional. Los estudiantes de secundaria también recibirán oportunidades de apoyo para completar contratos de extensión de cursos académicos.

Sports
Check out the website calendar for specific dates and times!.

Looking Ahead

Minimum Day - 1 p.m. Dismissal - Friday, December 15th
School will be closed December 18th - January 5th for Winter Recess
For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

Thank you!

VAAS Family Update 11.13.23

10th Grade IGP Night will be held on Tuesday, November 14th via Zoom. More info can be found on the VAAS website.

This week is WIN Week and College Rush Week - WIN week will provide the opportunity for students to focus on building skills, completing make-up/credit recovery work, work on their their digital portfolio and participate in enrichment activities. There will be special college related activities included in this week’s events and everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite college gear all week.

We would like to encourage all students to consider enrolling in Winter Academy, scheduled for the first 3 days of Winter Break (Dec.18-20) on the VAAS campus from 8:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. Winter Academy will provide all students with the opportunity to improve their grades, experience fun enrichment opportunities, and stay productive during Winter Break. If you received a phone call this week from any of your students' teachers regarding your students' grades in their classes, it is especially important for you to enroll your child in Winter Academy. Earning a "C" or better in all classes impacts graduation, college acceptance, and scholarship opportunities, no matter what grade your child is in. This opportunity will only be available in person on our campus. The deadline for enrollment is Monday, November 13, so please don't wait.

Here is the enrollment link for you: https://enroll.lausd.net/en/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fen%2FWinterAcademy%2FSStudent

Remember Friday, November 17th is a Minimum Day with dismissal at 1 p.m.

General Announcements

Our VAAS Parent Center will continue with weekly walk-in clinics to assist parents with things like Parent Portal registration, resetting passwords, and signing up for the volunteer program. Please check out the Parents tab on the VAAS website or see the flyer and calendar attached to the email version of this message.

Sports

Our fall sports season has begun. We have girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, cheer, dance, robotics and Acadeca events this fall. Check out the website calendar for specific dates and times!.

Looking Ahead

School will be closed November 20th - 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

VAAS Family Update 11.6.23

Daylight Saving Time ended today at 2 a.m. Be sure to check that your clocks have been set back one hour and your alarms are adjusted accordingly for Monday.

This week will begin with a B Day

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

As you begin to make plans for the winter break, we hope you will join us from December 18 to 20, 2023 for our Winter Academy. The Winter Academy empowers students with academic support and enrichment to amplify their performance with three extra days in the classroom. All participating students will receive extra classroom support, in addition to healthy meals and fun enrichment activities designed to encourage exploration. Additional information about the Winter Academy can be found on the district's website at LAUSD.org/winteracademy including important registration details. We hope your family will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity for students to deepen their learning with our teachers and staff.

General Announcements

There will be an Emergency Drill on Wednesday, November 8th.

School will be closed on Friday, November 10th in observance of Veteran’s Day.

Our VAAS Parent Center will continue with weekly walk-in clinics to assist parents with things like Parent Portal registration, resetting passwords, and signing up for the volunteer program. Please check out the Parents tab on the VAAS website to see all the Parent Center activities, future workshop dates and community events.

Sports

Our Girls Golf team will be participating in the Southern Regional Competition @ Los Serranos Golf Course. Let’s go Vipers!

Looking Ahead

WIN Week will take place the week of November 13th.
10th Grade IGP Night will be held on Tuesday, November 14th via Zoom
Friday, November 17th is a Minimum Day with dismissal at 1 p.m.

VAAS Family Update 10.23.23

Before and After School Tutoring is available on Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday. All parents are invited to Drop in with the Admin on Tuesday, October 24th at 9 a.m. The topic for the Every School Safe training will be Substance Abuse. The student training for this topic will take place on Friday, October 27th, during in-school assemblies.

There will be a PTSA Meeting on Tuesday, October 24th at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there.

On October 25th, the PSAT exam will be administered to all students in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades. Because this exam will be digital, we are asking that all students bring their iPad to school, fully charged. A letter with more information about this exam was sent home with your student earlier this month, but more PSAT/NMSQT information can be found on our school website by clicking on the Testing & Assessments link under the Students tab on the homepage. Students who opt out will still be required to report to school. If you have questions or concerns please email our testing coordinator Kimberly Montsinger at [email protected].

The annual Fall Festival will take place on Friday, October 27th. If your student plans on attending this event, please see the flyer on the website and pay special attention to the guideline for entry. A copy of the flyer is also attached to the email version of this message.

Just-In-Time Intervention Support will take place on Saturday, October 28th from 8am - 2pm.

General Announcements

Now that all students have had the opportunity to take their ID picture, the expectation is that they wear their VAAS ID and VAAS Lanyard to school everyday and keep it on during the school day. Please help us by reminding your students to wear their VAAS ID and VAAS Lanyard to school everyday.

Our VAAS Parent Center will continue with weekly walk-in clinics to assist parents with things like Parent Portal registration, resetting passwords, and signing up for the volunteer program. Please check out the Parents tab on the VAAS website to see all the Parent Center activities, future workshop dates and community events.

Sports

Girls Golf League Finals will take place on Wednesday, October 25th and Cross Country has a meet at Pierce College on Thursday, October 24th.

Looking Ahead

There will be an Emergency Drill on Wednesday, November 8th.
School will be closed on Friday, November 10th in observance of Veteran’s Day.
WIN Week will take place the week of November 13th.
10th Grade IGP Night will be held on Tuesday, November 14th via Zoom
Friday, November 17th is a Minimum Day with dismissal at 1 p.m.
For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

Thank you!

VAAS Family Update 10.16.23

On October 25th, the PSAT exam will be administered to all students in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades. A letter with more information about this exam was sent home with your student on Friday. Because this exam will be given online, we will be having a Diagnostic Readiness Check, tomorrow, October 16th. We are asking that all students bring their fully charged iPad to

We will be participating in the California Great Shakeout Earthquake drill this Thursday, October 19th.

General Announcements

Our VAAS Parent Center will continue with weekly walk-in clinics to assist parents with things like Parent Portal registration, resetting passwords, and signing up for the volunteer program. Please check out the Parents tab on the VAAS website to see all the Parent Center activities, future workshop dates and community events.

Sports

JV and Varsity Volleyball, Girls Golf and Cross Country all have games this week. Visit our school website for dates and times.

Looking Ahead

All parents are invited to Drop in with the Admin on Tuesday, October 24th at 9 a.m. The topic for the Every School Safe training will be Substance Abuse. The student training for this topic will take place on Friday, October 27th, during in-school assemblies.
On October 25th all students in grades 9, 10 & 11 will participate in the PSAT exam. Please visit the Testing & Assessments page on our website. This page can be found by clicking on the Students tab on our homepage. It is the last link in the drop down menu.
The annual Fall Festival will take place on Friday, October 27th. See the flyer on the website for more information.

For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

Thank you!

VAAS Family Update 10.9.23

This week will begin with a B Day.

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

Under California Universal Meals Policy ALL LAUSD Students receive a breakfast and lunch FREE OF CHARGE Monday through Friday. We serve freshly prepared meals and a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Encourage your students to take advantage of our meal program.

As you may know, all students participated in the iReady Diagnostic assessments earlier this year. Students will be receiving a hard copy of their results to take home and share with you. For a helpful handout, please click on this link Understanding Your Student’s Diagnostic Results

As a part of the Every School Safe: Blueprint for Safety, the Suicide Awareness and Prevention safety training assemblies for students will take place tomorrow, Monday, October 9th.

Our VAAS Parent Center will continue with weekly walk-in clinics to assist parents with things like Parent Portal registration, resetting passwords, and signing up for the volunteer program. Please check out the Parents tab on the VAAS website to see all the Parent Center activities, future workshop dates and community events.

11th Grade IGP Night will be held on Wednesday, October 11th via zoom. Please click the link to visit the Counseling Office page.

Support our PTSA fundraiser by ordering Wing Stop on Wednesday, October 11th. Please see the attached flyer for more info.

Sports

JV and Varsity Volleyball, Girls Golf and Cross Country all have games this week. Visit the website calendar for dates and times.

Looking Ahead

On October 25th all students in grades 9, 10 & 11 will participate in the PSAT exam. Please click the link to visit the Testing & Assessments page on our website.
For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

Thank you!

VAAS Family Update 10.2.23

Good afternoon, VAAS families,

This is Assistant Principal Evans, with this week’s updates.

Welcome to October!

Tomorrow will be an A Day

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

As a part of the Every School Safe: Blueprint for Safety, the rescheduled Suicide Awareness and Prevention safety training will take place for parents at our Drop in with Admin meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd at 9am in the Parent Center. Also, the Substance Abuse safety training will take place later this month on Tuesday October 24th. We hope you will be able to join us.

If your student missed ID Picture day, they will have another opportunity this week on Wednesday, October 4th. Please remind your students that they are required to wear their VAAS ID and Lanyard to school everyday.

Our VAAS Parent Center will have an in-person Parent Workshop on Psychological First Aid at 9am this Wednesday, October 4th. Spanish translation will be available. Please see the flyers attached to this email for more info.

Senior Sunset will be held Friday, October 6th from 5-7 pm at the top of the VAAS Parking Structure. To build senior spirit leading up to the event, seniors will have a senior spirit week. Please see the flyer posted on the Class of 2024 Schoology page for more information.

Sports

Our JV and Varsity Volleyball teams have games this week at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm on Monday at Fulton and on Thursday vs. Vaughn
Our Girls Golf team has a match at 2:30 pm on Wednesday at Van Nuys Golf Course. Let’s go Vipers!
Cross Country has a meet at 2:30 pm on Thursday vs. SOCES at Pierce College

Looking Ahead

On October 25th all students in grades 9, 10 & 11 will participate in the PSAT exam. Please visit the Testing & Assessments page on our website. This page can be found by clicking on the Students tab on our homepage. It is the last link in the drop down menu.
For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

VAAS Family Update 9.25.23

School will be closed tomorrow September 25th in observance of Yom Kippur. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 26th with an A Day.

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

Our VAAS Parent Center will have an in-person Parent Workshop on Graduation Requirements & Attendance Expectations at 9am this Tuesday, September 26th. Hope to see you there.

There will also be a PTSA Meeting this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. You may either attend in person or via zoom. The zoom link can be found in your email or on the school website. Join via Zoom: https://lausd.zoom.us/j/85404314323

Ralphs Community Rewards Program

The Kroger Co. Family of Stores is committed to bringing hope and help to the local neighborhoods. The Ralphs Community Rewards program makes fundraising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do every day. If you shop at Ralphs, please consider adding VAAS as your community organization. Whenever you shop, VAAS earns! For more information, please click on the link in your email https://www.ralphs.com/i/community/community-contribution-program

College Knowledge Wednesdays - all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to represent their favorite college every Wednesday.

Sports

Our JV and Varsity Volleyball teams have games this week at 2:30 and 4:30 on Wednesday at Triumph and Thursday vs. NAHS.
Our Girls Golf team has a match at 2:30 on Wednesday @ Van Nuys Golf Course..

Let’s go Vipers!

Looking Ahead

For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

VAAS Family Update 9.18.23

Please be aware that picking up your child early from school is a process, so we kindly ask that you allot about 10 - 15 minutes for the steps to be completed. If your child has an appointment, you can expedite the process by having your student turn in a note to the main office before school. This way our office staff can start the steps for the early leave process before you arrive. We also ask that you please avoid early pick ups during lunchtime and during the last 30 minutes of the school day. Please see attached bell schedule for lunch and dismissal times.

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

As a part of the Every School Safe: Blueprint for Safety, this month’s safety training will take place for parents this Tuesday at our Drop in with Admin meeting on Tuesday, September 19th at 9am in the Parent Center. The topic for this month is Suicide Awareness and Prevention. The student training will be held during period by period assemblies on Tuesday, Sept. 26th,

The VAAS Parent Center will be open to parents on Tuesday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 22. for walk-in Parent Portal & Volunteer Program clinics

Every Wednesday is College Knowledge Wednesday. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear gear or colors from their favorite college.

Senior IGP Night will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 20th at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Information is posted on our school website.

Sports

Our JV and Varsity Volleyball teams have games this week at 2:30 and 4:30 on Monday vs. SOCES and on Thursday vs. East Valley.
Our Girls Golf team has a match at 2:30 on Wednesday. Let’s go Vipers!

Looking Ahead

School will be closed on Monday, September 25th.
For more information about events this week at VAAS, please visit our school website and master calendar at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

VAAS Family Update 9.11.23

This week begins with an A day

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

SSC Orientation and Elections Announcement:

We encourage you to make a difference in the governance of our school by participating in this year’s School Site Council (SSC). Listening to, elevating, and acting upon the voices of our students and community members promotes deeper engagement and improves our ability to serve responsively. We will hold the orientation and member election meeting for all who are interested in participating in School Site Council (SSC). Please join us on Monday, September 11 at 3:45 on Zoom or in-person. See attached flyer for details. Officer elections and the first official SSC meeting will take place on Monday, September 18.

Orientation and Member Election Zoom Link: https://lausd.zoom.us/s/86715451845

School Site Council (SSC) 2023-24 Parent Member Self-Nomination Form Link

If you are interested in running for a position on the School Site Council. Please complete the form, linked in the email version of this message. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the form, please contact Leah Pevar, TSP Coordinator at (818) 832-2997 or via email at [email protected].

SELF-NOMINATION FORM: https://forms.gle/5Ap5JsocLFqtME396

VAAS Tutoring

The VAAS Before and After School Tutoring program is ready to begin! Tutoring will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Parents, please use the link in your email to sign-up your student: https://forms.gle/wdqFoZadU6oQuM4u7

Days: Monday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday

Times: 7:30 am - 8:25 am and/or 3:30 pm - 4:25 pm

Location: VAAS Library

The Viper Re-Trend Store is now open. Our VAAS Counseling Department has worked diligently to create a space to nurture and foster student confidence and reduce insecurities and anxieties while interacting on campus. The Re-Trend Store will provide clothing, footwear, and other necessities for students, free of charge. Please visit our website thevalleyacademy.net for more information.

VAAS Family Update 9.4.23

Cafe LA provides free breakfast to all students every morning. Please encourage your student to stop by the breakfast cart in the quad for a nutritious meal to start their day

Code of Conduct assemblies will continue this week for all 10th and 11th graders.

Tuesday will be our weekly banked-time PD day for all faculty and staff. School will end for all students at 2:25 p.m.

There will be an emergency drill on Wednesday, Sept. 6th.

Our annual Back to School Night will be held on Thursday. September 7, 2023 from 5 - 7 p.m.. The evening will start with the Title 1 Parent meeting at 4:30 p.m. in the Parent Center. Voting for our Parent Rep for the LSLC committee (formerly known as ESBM) will take place during the night as well. Hope to see you there!

ID Picture Day is finally here. All faculty, staff and students will be able to take an ID picture this Friday, September, 8. All students will be required to wear their VAAS ID/Lanyard around their necks while on campus. All faculty and staff must wear their IDs while on campus as well. This helps us to ensure the safety of everyone on campus.

Wednesdays at VAAS

College Knowledge Wednesdays - Every Wednesday, all faculty, staff and students are encouraged to wear gear or colors from their favorite college. Cardinal and gold is an excellent choice.

Wellness Wednesday Walks - Pillars 2 our Strategic Plan encourages Joy and Wellness and Pillar 3 encourages Engagement and Collaboration. On Wednesdays, we invite every faculty, staff, and student to walk at lunch. You can join our VAAS Counseling Team on the field/track.

Looking Ahead

Please visit our school website at https://thevalleyacademy.edlioschool.com/

Thank you! Let’s have an awesome four-day school week.