March

14       General PTA Meeting, 3 p.m. 

18       Bus Driver Appreciation Day  

   School Council Meeting 

21       Math Night, 4 to 6 p.m.

          VanderDash Race Bag Pick UP, 2:30 to 6 p.m. 

22       Carb-Load at Mad Italian!  

23       VanderDash

          Yogli Mogli Spirit Day 

Dear Parents,

I have exciting news that I want to share with you! I am pleased to announce that Vanderlyn received an invitation by the Georgia DOE to implement a STEM Program. It gives me pleasure to report that we proudly accepted the challenge! STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is an instructional initiative that prepares students for 21st Century workplace careers by providing high quality educational opportunities in STEM fields.  

STEM education encourages a curriculum that is driven by problem solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and student-centered development of ideas and solutions. The inundation of technology in most fields means that all students, not just those who plan to pursue a STEM profession, will require a solid foundation in STEM to be productive members of the workforce.

To earn STEM certification, our school had to submit an application showing that it meets rigorous criteria, such as evidence of teacher collaboration, business and industry partnerships, high levels of math and science instruction and an integrated, project-based STEM curriculum. The process also requires that a team from the Georgia Department of Education visit our school to evaluate and observe the program. While STEM implementation is a multi-year process, Vanderlyn will begin the roll-out process through the pull-out Gifted Program.

However, all students will be exposed to STEM activities through math and science, and we will eventually roll-out full implementation school-wide. Because of our high level of participation in various STEM activities, we were selected to become a STEM Program. Activities that we are currently involved in include Science Olympiad, Math Olympiad, organic gardening, and plans are underway to develop a Science/ STEM Lab and outdoor Science classroom.  

Selection to become a Georgia STEM Program is a very prestigious honor for our school and presents a phenomenal educational opportunity for our students. Thank you for all your support through the PTA Annual Fund which has made our science initiatives possible. With your support, we are able to push beyond the status quo and provide our students with optimal learning experiences that extend beyond the boundaries of the curriculum. I look forward to sharing more STEM information in the near future.

Your Proud Principal and STEM Leader,

Mrs. Crenshaw

Plan to attend the next General PTA meeting on Thursday, March 14 at 3 p.m. On the agenda is the formation of the Nominating Committee, which is responsible for creating the slate of PTA officers that will serve during the 2013-14 school year. Your presence is welcome and needed!

Is your student interested in designing the 2013 Field Day T-shirt for Vanderlyn? Now is the chance! 

Have your child create his/her design on 8.5 x 11" white paper using only black marker. Submissions must include the words Vanderlyn Field Day 2013.

Submit your entry to your homeroom teacher by March 14.

If you haven't purchased your Field Day shirt yet and would like to, please reach out to bridgetteuhde@yahoo.com. The final order for Field Day shirts is due by March 3.

Vanderlyn School Council held a Special Called Meeting on February 20 to discuss the accreditation issues currently facing our school system. Please click here for the minutes from this meeting and the resulting recommendation our council made to Governor Deal. Please contact Tina Wilkinson at if you have any questions.

The countdown has begun and race day is quickly approaching!  To ensure a smooth-running and safe event, we need a team of volunteers on race day. Click here to check out the volunteer opportunities and sign up today for your preferred position.  Questions about volunteering? Please contact Lyn Brown. 

Did any class catch Mrs. Bogis' 2nd grade class in the Race to the Finish? The answer is...

NO!

They've been leading the entire school with the highest percentage of VanderDash registrations!  Great job! Other grade level leaders are:

Kindergarten - Mrs. Hendrickson
1st Grade - Mrs. Patrick
3rd Grade - Mrs. Kurtz
4th Grade - Mrs. Saltman
5th Grade - Mrs. Lamback

There is only 1 week left to pre-register and take part in the Class Challenge!  Pre-registration and the Class Challenge will end on Monday, March 18 at Midnight.  Winners will be announced on Friday, March 22! You will have to wait and see who will win the prizes. Visit the Vanderlyn PTA website today to register for the VanderDash or complete the registration forms that came home in the VIPs. There are extra copies of the Registration Forms available outside the front office.    

Can you imagine being responsible for the safety of a bus full of noisy, excited students every day? Bus drivers are unsung heroes in our students lives, and March 18 is Bus Driver Appreciation Day. Be sure to say "Thanks" to your driver!